Nikon Prostaff 5 on Lee Enfield No4

[Seraphim]

Ivan

Woodleigh makes a 215 grain soft tip round nose I was looking at...

 

[Seraphim]

Stirling

My Enfield has a MkII Rear sight. The front sight needs adjusting, however. At 50 yards the group was several inches to the left...

 

[Stirling]

Seraphim, I will have to look at my front sight but it never needed adjusting. I think a special tool is required but old armourers are hard to come by these days.

Google will have to help out on this one. Maybe these links will help.

Welcome to Culver's Shooting Page

Lee Enfield No 4 Mk2(f) Target Conversion | How To Make & Do Everything!

 

[Seraphim]

I came across a post on an Enfield from someone recognized by the membership as an armored. He recommended a brass rod - forget the term he used - and a hammer. There is tool for making the adjustments, plus a tool for loosening the the front sight. The armorer stated you don't need to loosen the screw unless you are removing the sight - just tap it with the hammer using the brass rod. He also stated using the hammer was better than using the adjustment tool. There are also tutorials online for making the the removal tool from a screwdriver.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The brass rod is called a "drift" in the US. In the other English speaking parts of the world it is probably called something else! The thing you call a hammer ,in my house is called a "whomper" and is often a piece of fire wood 3" diameter. My drift is a brass 3/8" x 5" bolt with the head sawed off . S&W has an adjustment tool that is 1" brass rod about 8" long that you beat the gun with (it won't leave marks on steel), I made a similar tool out of an ingot of lead. Ivan

 

[Seraphim]

Drift - that was it!

Guess you'd need about a 28" bolt - I mean drift - for squib rounds *grin*

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The Woodleigh 215 gr RNSP bullet, is a very good bullet for hunting medium to large game at 150 yards or less. For long range target shooting I would recommend the Sierra 174 gr Matchking (product #2135) over 40 to 42 grains of Varget and at 2350 to 2400 fps. In WWII most British ammo wasn't up to sniper specks (There were a few good lots though) and the snipers used mostly American made Winchester ammo with ball powder. Varget is extruded, but Hodgdon's CFE 223 and `Winchester 748 are both ball powders and should work well for this project. CCI's BR-2, is about the best large rifle primer there is, and Federal's 210 M isn't to far behind it. I buy primers by the 5000 case, and get several years out of a case. However, I have friends that by 4 cases of the same size/brand a year, and often both brands.Target bullets for 303's are a little rare these days. So don't be afraid to place a backorder and wait. Since I know what works for me I order all my components a year or 2 in advance. I'm about ready to order 2016-17's supplies next month.

The Woodleigh bullet isn't good (for target shooting) because it will be too slow, have excessive recoil and a low Ballistic Coefficient. The BC on the 174 MK is .499, which is good. I use a somewhat similar bullet in my 308 and it has a .509 BC. While my 308 gets 1/2" groups at 300 yards (about 1/6 Minute Of Angle), I think your rifle should/scope be able to shoot 1 to 1 1/2 MOA (3 to 4 1/2"). Then if you like the sport you can start dumping money into it (My 308 and scope & ect is around $3900 in 2008 & my 338 Lapua set up is more like $4700 in 2011) Spending money is not the answer! When you get the best performance out of a shooting platform you are the winner, no matter what a score sheet says. A friend of mine went to a tactical plate shoot with a Mexican 7mm Mauser using cast bullets and military sights. He only connected on a little less than half the shots. But when he rang that gong (12") at 900 yards, he was the match hero and was mentioned in several long range forums, not the winner (who set a new course record!) I've seen the opposite also. One guy put just shy of 10 grand in a custom rifle and March ( 20-60 X) scope and still lost consistently to a guy with a stock Savage Target model with a Leupold on it. Quality ammo, a good scope (with a good retical) & practice, will get the best performance out of any gun! I go to 3 or 4 shoots a year now, plus 3 or 4 practice sessions (out to 1035 yards), so I will win nothing but, I have a riot! I look at it like this, I am my own class, so I always win! Most importantly; HAVE FUN! Ivan

 

[Seraphim]

Don't worry, lol - I'm not expecting miracles

Thanks for all of the good information. I've a lot of research on the various reloading components. I'm not in a rush, and much depends on the range options I find locally. A neighbor has some good connections, so we'll try a few places...

 

[Seraphim]

Like to sniper kit for Enfield:


Sniper Scope, No. 32, MKII, Reproduction Gun Parts | 1249080 | Numrich Gun Parts

 

[Texas Star]

That No. 4 rifle is probably worth more than some think, if in good shape. Please don't alter it or lose the rear sight if you need to remove it to mount the scope. I really feel that this isn't the rifle for your purpose. It is a part of history, and many were butchered by Bubba or converted to sporters more professionally by Parker-Hale, etc.

An unaltered no. 4 in nice condition is quite collectible and prices have risen in recent years.

BTW, Winchester makes 180 grain hunting ammo with a bullet profile more like the 174 grain MK VII ball round for which the rifle is sighted than does Remington, who use a RN bullet.

However, a member here (Clean Break) has used a No. 1 rifle and Remington ammo to kill coyotes to about 100 yards from his house in rural Washington. As I recall from photos, one was a head shot. So I guess Rem. ammo shoots okay to the issue sights on his rifle, which he lovingly refinished the wood on. If he sees this, maybe he'll post some more pictures of big trout?

Stirling-

Is the other rifle barely in your photos an R-1? (FN-FAL). What are the current laws on owning one? Did the gun laws passed after the enormous change in govt. in 1995 make it hard to have one? And why is that sling swivel in front of the magazine? (On the No. 4.) I've never understood that. My No. 4 doesn't have it and I've only seen it in pics of target rifles. Mine, BTW, was made at Fazakerly in 1952. Your stock looks like pretty blond wood. Is yours one of the last couple years of production? I've read that the stock wood changed, walnut being too scarce. But I've seen light stocks in older rifles, too.

 

[Seraphim]

That No. 4 rifle is probably worth more than some think, if in good shape. Please don't alter it or lose the rear sight if you need to remove it to mount the scope. I really feel that this isn't the rifle for your purpose. It is a part of history, and many were butchered by Bubba or converted to sporters more professionally by Parker-Hale, etc.

An unaltered no. 4 in nice condition is quite collectible and prices have risen in recent years.

BTW, Winchester makes 180 grain hunting ammo with a bullet profile more like the 174 grain MK VII ball round for which the rifle is sighted than does Remington, who use a RN bullet.

However, a member here (Clean Break) has used a No. 1 rifle and Remington ammo to kill coyotes to about 100 yards from his house in rural Washington. As I recall from photos, one was a head shot. So I guess Rem. ammo shoots okay to the issue sights on his rifle, which he lovingly refinished the wood on. If he sees this, maybe he'll post some more pictures of big trout?

Stirling-

Is the other rifle barely in your photos an R-1? (FN-FAL). What are the current laws on owning one? Did the gun laws passed after the enormous change in govt. in 1995 make it hard to have one? And why is that sling swivel in front of the magazine? (On the No. 4.) I've never understood that. My No. 4 doesn't have it and I've only seen it in pics of target rifles. Mine, BTW, was made at Fazakerly in 1952. Your stock looks like pretty blond wood. Is yours one of the last couple years of production? I've read that the stock wood changed, walnut being too scarce. But I've seen light stocks in older rifles, too.

I understand the monetary value of the rifle - probably between $350 to $500 - as well as the historical, which is why Im making no permanent modifications. I'm also being care not to damage the screws. But I'm not overly concerned about the monetary value. My current purpose is to enjoy shooting the rifle. That's all. It's the one I have, so it fits the purpose. When I'm willing to spend money for another, I'll reconsider my purpose and choose accordingly.

I have about 5 boxes of the Remington rounds. Once I get the scope mounted, I'll get an idea of how consistent the rifle shoots. The scope should arrive today - I need to go out and find some blue Loctite...

Based on a video I watched, I got the impression the 'blonde' wood was used by the American manufacturer, Savage. I forget which type wood it said they used. The British manufacture was maple, IIRC. I may have misinterpreted the information, though. Or misremembered.

Walnut - not maple...

 

[Stirling]

Stirling-

Is the other rifle barely in your photos an R-1? (FN-FAL). What are the current laws on owning one? Did the gun laws passed after the enormous change in govt. in 1995 make it hard to have one? And why is that sling swivel in front of the magazine? (On the No. 4.) I've never understood that. My No. 4 doesn't have it and I've only seen it in pics of target rifles. Mine, BTW, was made at Fazakerly in 1952. Your stock looks like pretty blond wood. Is yours one of the last couple years of production? I've read that the stock wood changed, walnut being too scarce. But I've seen light stocks in older rifles, too.

Texas Star the rifle is an Indian made L1A1 SLR. Ownership is a challenge but they can be had for sport use. IIRC my Lee Enfield was from Navy surplus. It was in good nick apart from a gouge in the stock. The armourer that prepared the rifle for long range shooting also cleaned up the stock and massaged the gouge. The centre swivel was fitted for target shooting and is useful when shooting from a standing position for example.

 

[Stirling]

Like to sniper kit for Enfield:


Sniper Scope, No. 32, MKII, Reproduction Gun Parts | 1249080 | Numrich Gun Parts

I dare say that setup looks really good! That will really be a good solution to your challenge in my view.

 

[Seraphim]

Nice weapons, Stirling!

I hesitated on the sniper kit, because it did involve drilling the receiver and putting screws into the stock. It would destroy the original weapon, and would never be a real Enfield sniper because it would not have the markings, and it's still only a reproduction. For now, here's my solution.

The mount went on beautifully, as did the scope. Everything is only snugged into place at the moment: I wanted to ensure everything fit before applying thread lock ( loctite blue).

The scope is as far forward as it goes, and I'd like a little more eye relief so my head rests naturally, but I also have a recoil pad that will add about two more inches which should alleviate that concern.

Sometime in the next few days I should get it to the range. I haven't a bore sight tool ( yet lol) but I'll start at 25 yards and work my way out.

Sorry for the iPad photo. I'll do something more dramatic later.

 

[Seraphim]

Better photo:

 

[Seraphim]

Yep - the recoil pad lets me rest my cheek naturally with the right amount of eye relief.

 

[Stirling]

Better photo:

Looking good Seraphim. Bottom line is it's a solution that works for you.

 

[Seraphim]

Photos of the mount:

 

[Seraphim]

Other side

 

[Seraphim]

There's a nut which mounts on the receiver above the bolt. The instructions are vague about which way it mounts. Here's a photo showing how it should lay in relation to the bottom of the mount. Took me some trial and error