Lee Enfield smle

BRACES of Bristol - Sauer 100 XTA Stainless Package
That 2,450fps velocity is for the 174 grain bullet that the iron sights in the No 4 and SMLE No III were regulated for.

The 150 grain bullet achieved around 2,700fps and the 215 grain bullet, as noted, about 2,150fps. AFAIR...Check other sources!
 
enfieldspares said:
Remember that in Scotland the minimum legal velocity was set at 2,450fps...the velocity through a nominal twenty five inch long SMLE or No4 barrel.

A Pattern '14 has a twenty six inch long barrel. No problem there then. But a No 5 might have problems reaching that velocity.

So you could use 150 grain bullets but then your factory issue military rights would be out save, solely, at the chosen zeroing distance.

I had a friend who actually preferred for ALL quarry the old 215 grain bullet at a factory 2,150fps or thereabouts. That'd now be illegal in Scotland.

I don't what minimum velocity or muzzle energy is required ( or not) where the rifle is to be used. But bear in mind that old Enfield isn't the fastest of arms.
Click to expand...

It wasn't that long ago , or maybe it was when I think about it , that the 215 gr load was THE load that most people used here . My late father used them religiously in his Parker Hale sporter for Moose , Elk and Bear . The IVI/CIL 215 gr Kling Kores killed a lot of game here in the previous century . One thing for sure was that they killed big animals very well , very reliable expansion and great penetration . I had a couple of hundred Norma 215 gr RN's , I loaded up 100 for later use and gave 100 of them to Muir , I don't know if he's used them on anything yet . Woodleigh still makes 215 gr 303 cal bullets , they work very well by all accounts but a little hard to come by up here .
I've been using Sierra 180's for a number of years now , a really good bullet . For the velocities that the 303 achieves , the old cup and core Sierra bullets work really well , even on Moose within sensible ranges .

AB
 
enfieldspares said:
That 2,450fps velocity is for the 174 grain bullet that the iron sights in the No 4 and SMLE No III were regulated for.

The 150 grain bullet achieved around 2,700fps and the 215 grain bullet, as noted, about 2,150fps. AFAIR...Check other sources!
Click to expand...
Your memory is pretty good . I get about 2150 with 215 gr bullets and a charge of Reloader15 , a freight train on game . You're right about the velocity loss with the No5's as well . I'd have to check my notes , but IIRC it was about 200 fps lower than my issue No4 . Nothing I shot with my Jungle ever noticed the difference though lol .

AB
 
I've hummed and hawed about getting a num 4 for a few years now, reading about them here really isn't helping, think I'll take the plunge just for targets at first.
Something I've always wanted get one now before my eyes get any worse, I've never used peep sights before so should be interesting. I'm in Scotland so don't think I'd get it to run fast enough for deer.
 
A peep, at least on a No4, reduces the nuber of points your eye has to switch its focus between from three - target; frontsight; rearsight - to just two. Target and frontsight. For old eyes this is a little easier than trying to have your eye switch its focus between the three items. The secret, if there ever was one, is to simply look through the hole in it and in effect ignore the peep sight. Your eye under direction of your brain will centre everything up correctly for you.
 
Fosbery Holster said:
Your rifle from just the photo looks like a commercially produced ‘target’ SMLE @1920’s and regulated by Parker Hale, (you say it’s a Parker Hale receiver) most likely made by BSA & Co.
It’s very clean seems well looked after, just the type you wouldn’t walk past without asking to look at it, possibly buying it.
I have one very similar to yours, commercial target made by BSA & Co regulated by Alex Martin of Glasgow, shoots way better than l can!

I’m sure you will correct me if I’m wrong on any or all of my points.
Click to expand...
Perhaps a photograph of yours to compare the review would be interesting....
 
enfieldspares said:
A peep, at least on a No4, reduces the nuber of points your eye has to switch its focus between from three - target; frontsight; rearsight - to just two. Target and frontsight. For old eyes this is a little easier than trying to have your eye switch its focus between the three items. The secret, if there ever was one, is to simply look through the hole in it and in effect ignore the peep sight. Your eye under direction of your brain will centre everything up correctly for you.
Click to expand...
Exactly this R...
 
Back in the 1960's there was a company called "Golden State Arms" that made sporters out of about every kind of military rifle they could get on the surplus market. I have a No 4 (somewhere) that I remember never shooting because the comb was too high to allow my block head to get behind the commercial iron sights. I always planned on shaving that comb down to a more usable height. I should do that. It would make a great hunting rifle.~Muir
 
Fosbery Holster said:
If only! wouldn’t have a clue how to download one onto my reply, I’ll maybe ask my youngest how to do it ! But thanks for the interest, I’m still learning to read and write let alone downloading photos.
Click to expand...
I feel your pain,have to call on my boys to help at times. Another pic for you to view for more comparison and as ES said in his post above, not the best setup for aging eyes. However not what you might describe as a sporter..
129723
 
I
Highlandsjohn said:
I feel your pain,have to call on my boys to help at times. Another pic for you to view for more comparison and as ES said in his post above, not the best setup for aging eyes. However not what you might describe as a sporter..
View attachment 129723
Click to expand...
I only use my SMLE for the range, but have been thinking of asking for AOLQ for it when next submit a variation. I load all my own ammunition, so what would be the best bullet and weight for Roe to Red?
 
Triumph_Dave said:
I

I only use my SMLE for the range, but have been thinking of asking for AOLQ for it when next submit a variation. I load all my own ammunition, so what would be the best bullet and weight for Roe to Red?
Click to expand...

How long is a piece of string. Use something similar to what it shoots well at the range,suitable for hunting and work from there.
Some of the previous posters hunt with them down your way,.. I only ever used S&B 174grn and as i said previously I was never accurately consistent enough to develop a hunting round, which we require 2,450 fps minimum.
 
Believe it or not my SMLE particularly likes PPU 174 gr FMJ rounds. I am not sure if there is a soft nose bullet around that weight. I thought the only soft nose is around 150 gr from Sierra, but I would like to be corrected. As you say, guess it will be range time and work up a load. I would happily use the SMLE upto 150m on live quarry with my eyes and iron sights ( parker hale rear match sights ).
 
Hi Southetn, thanks for the info. I looked for Hornadys in the UK a few months ago and there was very little choice for .303. I will give it some more research though and now start looking in ernest.
 
It’s official a ‘miracle’ has been performed, still haven’t got a clue how l managed to post the photos but I’ll ponder that!
Sorry about the replication of the same photos that’s another thing to ponder on, l think the camera speed shot the image replicating them and l as a Luddite didn’t notice, but hey ho as my teacher said could do better!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

LEE ENFIELD ADVICE please
Replies
6
Views
298
enfieldspares
enfieldspares
SMLE Mk III magazine
Replies
3
Views
211
Fosbery Holster
Fosbery Holster
Hunting and Ex Mil Rifles.
Replies
17
Views
1K
C&K Suffolk
C
For Sale: Lee Enfield No4 Mk1 £450
Replies
9
Views
1K
NB568
N
Bergara BA13 usage…
Replies
2
Views
391
Goopy
G
New Avon Arms
Back
Top