Helloneppoc:

 

     The first thing to remember is there isn't a scope in the world that will make the rifle shoot any better, the benefit of the scope is to magnify the target to aid in sighting amd make YOU shoot better. Military iron sights are normally several classes above what you might find on a commercial sporting rifle,....I have a 1894 Swede carbine with military iron made in 1904 that will put 10 shots inside of 2" at 200 yd. from a sand bag rest. From what you describe it sounds like this rifle has maybe seen a lot of service in WW2 and the bore may be in less than optimum condition.

    Another thought is, I believe all such Enfields of that time were chambered for the .303, this rifle may have been rechambered and rebored for the larger round less than perfectly.

 

                                         Toomuch

Thanks TooMuch

I appreciate the your answer.

Have you ever installed any scope mounts ??

Do you have any experience with side mounts ??

That is about the only way I can see to mount a scope on a Lee Enfield.

neppoc

 

 I'm afraid I cant help much with any scope mounting advice on these rifles as all my gunsmithing expierience is strictly with "smokepoles".Scopes and me just don't seem to get along very well, as I cant get into the eye relief that good and it takes too long to acquire the target, I much prefer open iron sights.

 

                                     Toomuch

Hey, Pete!

   I've been doing some research on your questions about Enfields, and have to admit I was dead wrong about the S.M.L.E.'s ever being chambered for the NATO 7.62X51 (.308) cartridge! Indeed some were, and are you ready for this? The converted/rechambered rifles were SNIPER rifles, that had a 3X scope mounted on them! Their British designation was the L42A1, and the receivers and bolts were reproofed by the British, at Enfield Lock, after conversion to .308.  The stocks were cut down much the same as a "Sporter" might be, but they still weighed 10 lbs., without the scope mounted.  In addition, a heavy, 4 groove .308 free-floated barrel replaced the standard .303 barrel, and the new barrel was hammer forged. Apparently a number of these rifles were converted to .308 from the 1943 original year of manufacture, and the approval was granted on 24 Aug. 1970. Barrel crowns were recessed, to enhance accuracy.

   As to your problem with accuracy, one trick is to tighten the "King Bolt" as tight as you can, (it's just in front of the magazine, and goes thru the trigger guard into the receiver. Also make sure the bolt which mounts the rear piece of the 2 piece stock, is tight. (Needless to say, make sure you have a good, large proper sized screwdriver).

   You may want to take a look at the recent article on the L42A1, (written by Peter Kokalis), in the June 20th edition of "Shotgun News". Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Fred (Honcho)

Hi Honcho ( Fred )

Sorry to be so long in replying, have been up north fishing and just got back.

I wanted to thank you and the others that replied to my question.

I have been shooting this rifle for a number of years but have been shooting reduced loads and my own cast bullets.

The loads I have been using are 15 grains of IMR 4759 powder or 8 grains of Alliant Unique powder both pushing my cast 170 grain bullets with gas checks. I also put a wee bit of kapok in to hold the powders back against the back of the brass so I get best ignition and all the powder burns. The 5 shot groups that I got with these loads were no larger than 3 inches which made me very happy.

NOW THE PROBLEM; I am now shooting hunting loads, in other words38 grains IMR 3031 or  35 grain of Winchester 4198 or  41 grains of IMR 4895 Powder and the powders are pushing 165 grain BTSP Interlock Hornady bullets and I am all over the place. In fact I have put up 17" X 22" paper and aimed at the centre and had some shots hit the spot I am aiming at and others miss the whole paper.

 

I understand that the gun does not miss its the jerk behind the trigger, but I was hoping that should I be able to get a scope mounted on this rifle it may hep me a bit.

 

OK, again I thank everone for their help

neppoc

Very late reply to this post...my apologies

Look for a stamp possibly DCRA ( Dominion of Canada Rifle Association )

They converted many No4 rifles to 7.62nato for competition .

The No4 reciever was more than able to withstand the higher pressures and these rifles became very well known in the competion circuts .

The No1 Mklll series rifle ( properly known as the SMLE or ShtLE ) does Not have this capability.

Normally the No4 will have a free floating barrel as a .303brit.

Bedding may be required for the 7.62n conversion...this I'm not sure of.

There are other 7.62nato Lee Enfields based on the No4 action/reciever

The No4 conversion to 7.62n , L42A1 sniper which was last used by the Brit forces during the Falkland crisis.

There are many more .

As mentioned above , the No1 SMLE could not withstand the pressure of the 7.62 round ..but..India's Ishapore factory built a No1based rifle specifically for 7.62n , in the 1960's with a stronger reciever and upgraded steel. known as the RFI Rifle 2A or 2A1

No4 based 7.62 rifles are way beyond my financial means but I do have the RFI 2A1 ..

1968 RFI Enfield 2A1 , 7.62nato

 

 

 As I was saying about the lack of funds for a genuine No4 sniper , I also have a "wannabe "  No4 ( T ) sniper .

This is my 1943 Longbranch No4 Mk1* .303brit which can deliver 3" groups at 300yd

The scope mount is a no drill / tap B-Square mount with a 2.5x Ruko scope. Canadian No4 ( T ) sniper butt stock .