Finally got to shoot my old MkIII war horse.......

[218bee]

Went up to the Wallingford, CT range with some co-workers....I recently acquired a beat up, but all matching BSA 1917 MkIII with a mint bore...
Shot some grimey 1981 FNM 303 ammo I had (corrosive) and to my surprise with just one tweak of the rear sight, she was reliably shooting tight fist-sized groups at 100 yds....I know, not benchrest-competeition results, but I was pleasantly surprised...After what this rifle must have went through, and to still hold her own......

I could imagine what handloads would do...

Also had a "squib" or short round happen.....After many consistent BOOMs..I got a POP...and actually saw the bullet impact about half-way down range, still in line with the target....first time for me.....I immediately pulled out the bolt and checked for daylight in the bore...

Then came the corrosive cleaning nightmare (but I'm a neat freak with my stuff)....Was my first time cleaning for corrosive ammo.....I cleaned the bolt & magazine as well...Was this a waste of time?

All in all a great time...and that Enfield is a keeper...(although the range is on its way out, I think..)..

This rifle has the remnants of green paint on it, so i'm sure it's been around the globe....maybe a time or two...Will try and get some pics ASAP

218bee

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[RJW NZ]

I think that green is tropics protection, maybe Hong Kong, Singapore, Malasia, Thailand, maybe even a few aussies on ww2 duty, it might have been very well travelled...and ready for more by the sound things...well done.

[Sunray]

"...the corrosive cleaning nightmare..." It's not really that big of a deal. Flush the barrel with plain, very, hot water then clean as per normal.
"...Was this a waste of time?..." Kind of, but it doesn't hurt anything.
Slug the bore. Even a "mint" bore can be between .311" and .315". Lee-Enfields are just like that.

[xxlegion]

I found that "Liquid Wrench" does wonders to clean the barrels - just shoot some down the barrel, run a patch or two, or three, repeat if needed. LW has been working for me for longer that I care to remember.