.303 accuracy?

[Triggermortis]

I’ve now got a slot for a .303 , I’ve got a 1902 Lee Enfield MLE available subject to a try out session, so my intention is it’ll be used with open sights for woodland stalking on a mixed wooded/arable estate for fallow with maybe the odd fox if it presents, expected shot range is anywhere between 20 to no more than 100yds, what sort of grouping would you deem acceptable with the open sights?
No doubt I’ll be having a crack at targets out to probably 4-500yds at some point but the intention is it’s primary use will be for close range deer.
Cheers in advance
Triggermortis

 

[User00040]

Without being snarky, it's going to depend on how well you can use open/iron sights, what ammo is used and what the sights are regulated for.

 

[Muir]

Agreed. You will have your answer when you shoot it. ~Muir

 

[Smellydog]

Having just gone back to an open sighted rifle and being long sighted I'm not doing to bad to be honest.
Although I have not shot at paper so cannot provide proof, not that I have to prove anything, I have simply shot at rocks and cinder blocks and been very pleased.
I have took a fox at under 50yds easy enough and shot just over the back of a 100yd crow the other day!
If you can see your deer or fox at 100yds I'm sure that 303 will connect you both up nicely.

 

[saddler]

Going to only iron sights and that choice of cartridge are both abysmal ideas!
....what shop did you say it's in for sale at??

 

[Fosbery Holster]

Being originally a military rifle aren’t the iron sights regulated to a minimum of 200 yards ??
Don't even think of using the volley sights to stalk anything.

 

[Foxyboy43]

I’ve now got a slot for a .303 , I’ve got a 1902 Lee Enfield MLE available subject to a try out session, so my intention is it’ll be used with open sights for woodland stalking on a mixed wooded/arable estate for fallow with maybe the odd fox if it presents, expected shot range is anywhere between 20 to no more than 100yds, what sort of grouping would you deem acceptable with the open sights?
No doubt I’ll be having a crack at targets out to probably 4-500yds at some point but the intention is it’s primary use will be for close range deer.
Cheers in advance
Triggermortis View attachment 267895View attachment 267896View attachment 267897
View attachment 267894

Nice - though I don’t think you will need the volley sights unless you are part of a very large group of similarly equipped chaps engaging an equally large herd of very miffed deer at 2000 yards or so and the cut-off will slow down your rate of fire as it is intended to do.
At 100 yards with battle sights you should reasonably expect less than a four inch group which IMHO is the maximum for stalking at that distance. Good luck sir and may I suggest a bayonet for close up work?

 

[dodgyrog]

Consider using a cast boolit around 200gr and launched with Alliant 2400 - the boolit needs to be hard but not ridiculously so. Size to .316"

 

[Muir]

Consider using a cast boolit around 200gr and launched with Alliant 2400 - the boolit needs to be hard but not ridiculously so. Size to .316"

I agree. How is the bore I wonder?
Why do people refer to cast bullets as "boolits" ~Muir

 

[Kalahari]

I agree. How is the bore I wonder?
Why do people refer to cast bullets as "boolits" ~Muir

I would really like the answer to that as well!

Might just as well call them heads, Richard.

David.

 

[Triggermortis]

I am assured by the seller Muir that the bore is in excellent condition, without a hesitation he offered (I didn’t ask for)the opportunity to shoot it before I bought it.
This leads me to think he is true to his word.
Not sure I’ll be reloading for it as I probably won’t shoot it enough to make it worth while unless of course I can’t find any expanding factory rounds, any one know of a reliable supplier?

 

[User00040]

This leads me to think he is true to his word.
Not sure I’ll be reloading for it as I probably won’t shoot it enough to make it worth while unless of course I can’t find any expanding factory rounds, any one know of a reliable supplier?

What next, lead free?

 

[Laurie]

Why do people refer to cast bullets as "boolits" ~Muir

It seems to be an affectation (affliction?) of some members of those shooting circles that revel in casting and shooting lead bullets and spans both sides of the Atlantic. Why they've changed the spelling, I've no idea, but do wonder if it's an attempt to not only emphasise the difference between their projectiles and those that 'ordinary' shooters buy and use, but also their superiority.

There is a Forum too just for such spelling-deficient people.

Cast Boolits

 

[Muir]

It seems to be an affectation (affliction?) of some members of those shooting circles that revel in casting and shooting lead bullets and spans both sides of the Atlantic. Why they've changed the spelling, I've no idea, but do wonder if it's an attempt to not only emphasise the difference between their projectiles and those that 'ordinary' shooters buy and use, but also their superiority.

There is a Forum too just for such spelling-deficient people.

Cast Boolits

I originally suspected that people who work for entities with "monitored" computers changed the spelling to avoid revealing that they were on the net for recreation other than business. Not sure anymore. ~Muir

 

[dodgyrog]

I agree. How is the bore I wonder?
Why do people refer to cast bullets as "boolits" ~Muir

God knows, I picked it up on one of the forums in the States. You know how perverse you Yanks are. Lol

 

[Muir]

I am assured by the seller Muir that the bore is in excellent condition, without a hesitation he offered (I didn’t ask for)the opportunity to shoot it before I bought it.
This leads me to think he is true to his word.
Not sure I’ll be reloading for it as I probably won’t shoot it enough to make it worth while unless of course I can’t find any expanding factory rounds, any one know of a reliable supplier?

You are at the mercy of the ammo makers if you shoot factory. Find what works. I found Winchester with their .312" bullets worked very well. Some of these old timers had groove diameters larger than .315" (I have a No1, Mk1 with a 317" groove diameter.) In that case, casting is the finest option for accuracy.~Muir

 

[Muir]

God knows, I picked it up on one of the forums in the States. You know how perverse you Yanks are. Lol

Seems it rubbed off..... ~Muir

 

[alberta boy]

I’ve now got a slot for a .303 , I’ve got a 1902 Lee Enfield MLE available subject to a try out session, so my intention is it’ll be used with open sights for woodland stalking on a mixed wooded/arable estate for fallow with maybe the odd fox if it presents, expected shot range is anywhere between 20 to no more than 100yds, what sort of grouping would you deem acceptable with the open sights?
No doubt I’ll be having a crack at targets out to probably 4-500yds at some point but the intention is it’s primary use will be for close range deer.
Cheers in advance
Triggermortis View attachment 267895View attachment 267896View attachment 267897
View attachment 267894

Nice rifle . Most LE's in decent shape will shoot into 3 inches for a five shot group . As pointed out above , there are a lot of variables , bore size and condition being the source of most problems . The best way to find out is to take out and shoot it .

AB

 

[enfieldspares]

If it will NOT shoot, from prone, into three inches at one hundred yards then it's no good.

All Enfield rifles should be able to do this when they left the factory. The furthest distance I've actually shot any .303 is my SMLE (ex Nicholas Everitt) at nine hundred and one thousand yards at Bisley. It'd stay inside three side by side Figure 11 shot from prone at that distance.

With Everitt's old "banduk" I was second to the late Pete Bloom at the 1997 LERA Classic Service Rifle Championships putting Paul Quilliam into third place and in 1996 was second place in 200 Yard Classic Standing Service Rifle match at Bisley. Indeed at two hundred yards from standing any good condition .303 should be able to group within the "box" on a Figure 11.

The BEST YOU CAN REASONABLY EXPECT from any of the things WITH PROPER MILITARY SPECIFICATION MK 7 BALL is five rounds shot from prone into a group of under two inches at one hundred yards. Expecting any tighter group isn't a fair expectation of the rifle. These things were originally shot with cordite so your biggest enemy will be if the rifle has been shot out at the throat.

Last, but not least, Greek HXP is "toy" ammunition. It will not be as good as, nor is as good as, proper military ammunition. Why? Because proper military ammunition would have had to be overhead fire safe when fired through a Vickers or Bren. That means its velocity spread is exemplary.

The best of the most modern being South African PMP ammunition. FWIW I didn't ever rate Sellier & Bellot factory FMJ either. I've never tried the Privi stuff so cannot comment. Finally the iron sights on the OP's rifle may be set up for 215 grain weight bullets!

 

[Triggermortis]

Thanks so much lads, this is the sort of info I was hoping for, I’ve set myself a limit of a 2” ish group at 50yds as I expect 99% of shots to be within that distance knowing the ground it will be used on