-
Contributing Member
My Lee Metford has an expensive diet
I was able to go shooting today, and one of the rifles I took with was a MLM Mk II, manufactured at Enfield in 1892. It has New Zealand
ownership marks, with a sold-out-of service stamp. Bore worn and frosty, but the Metford rifling still looks strong with very little throat erosion.
Attachment 111235Attachment 111236Attachment 111237
This rifle has never been very accurate. It would normally produce 6 to 8 inch groups at 100 yards, regardless of bullet diameter. 311 and 312 diameter bullets all gave large, generally centered groups.
Well I stumbled on a bullet/powder combo that proved this old girl still has some teeth to her. I put together a load of 215 grain Woodleigh solid round-nose bullets backed by IMR 4064. I didn't have my chronograph with me, but the load book gave me an estimated velocity of 1900 FPS.
I lost the first 8 rounds and figured I'd missed the target board completely at 100 yards. About 8 inches below the target (on the target backer), I found a nice group measuring about 4 inches in diameter. I walked the next four rounds up with each shot. With the rear sight set at 250 yards, I sent my final 8 rounds into a clean target and produced a 1.5 x 2.75 inch group.
Attachment 111238
I couldn't have been happier with this rifle. I found a load it really likes. The only problem being it likes expensive bullets. The 215 grain Woodleighs cost me $52 per box of 50. If this rifle were a girlfriend, her "diet" would put me in the poor house!
Information
 |
Warning: This is a relatively older thread
This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current. |
|
Last edited by smle addict; 11-28-2020 at 02:30 PM.
-
The Following 5 Members Say Thank You to smle addict For This Useful Post:
-
09-24-2020 07:32 PM
# ADS
Friends and Sponsors
-
Advisory Panel
Originally Posted by
smle addict
If this rifle were a girlfriend, her "diet" would put me in the poor house!
But if she was your favorite, you'd feed her anyway...nice. At least you have it sorted out.
-
Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:
-
-
Legacy Member
I suspect that date would be 1882.
-
-
Advisory Panel
Originally Posted by
Daan Kemp
I suspect that date would be 1882.
1892?
-
-
Advisory Panel
215 gr.: the pills that kills.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Edward Bernays, 1928
Much changes, much remains the same. 
-
-
Contributing Member
Sorry for the delayed response; it is a 1892 date-see better(?) picture below
Attachment 111266
Surpmil-yes, those 215's do indeed kill.... the wallet!
Last edited by smle addict; 10-08-2020 at 07:17 PM.
-
-
Legacy Member
There is a company called BES Bullets in UK that makes 215gn Mk6 bullets... I only have a phone number for them! (0044)1302330726
They are a small scale supplier that has invested in a Corbin set of swages. The bullets are excellent! They usually come down to the Trafalgar Meeting at Bisley next month, but there is no trade fair this year because of Covid..
You might try giving them a call...
-
-
Advisory Panel
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Edward Bernays, 1928
Much changes, much remains the same.
-
PM
