Sniper Country Duty Roster collective wisdom
Rifles - Enfield
I have a 1917 30'06 Enfield rifle - what's the possibility of finding
some decent scope mounts for it? If anyone has/knows of these items, please
tell
Thanks,
Ken
Ken (NoVa Shooter) <ken@aspire.net>
Nokesville, Va USA - Tuesday, December 01, 1998 at 23:25:01 (EST)
To Ken, Scoping the 1917 Enfield
Does this rifle shoot good groups with the battle sights? There
is very little difference in grouping ability between peep sights and a
scope as long as you are shooting at nice round black bullseyes. I would
not consider hanging a scope on one if it did not prove itself by shooting
1 moa or 1.5 moa with the sights that were issued. If it does shoot that
well, then what I would do with this rifle is go out and buy an old Unertl
target scope. and put it on. You only need do drill and tap four holes
and find target blocks of appropriate height to be all set. Of course if
you are married you will have to come up with an excuse as to why you are
willing to pay more for the scope than you did for the rifle. Just keep
in mind that as long as you have the scope on, you cannot use the really
nice rangefinder that was built into the rifle.
Steve <nato@bright.net>
S.C.D.H., Ojio USA - Wednesday, December 02, 1998 at 18:23:47 (EST)
To Bach: bolt manipiulation
One old method that is worth mentioning is to grasp the bolt with
the thumb and trigger finger and never let it go. The trigger is then fired
with the middle or (nasty finger). This is the fastest way to shoot a bolt
rifle. It works best with a rifle that was designed for rapid fire, such
as the N0 4 Enfield and also is best used in a Hawkins style prone position.
Steve <nato@bright.net>
S.C.D.H., Ohio, USA - Wednesday, February 17, 1999 at 21:42:42 (ZULU)
Enfield Shooters: An expert with an Enfield #4 Mk1 against an "expert"
with a decent semi-auto? I wouldn't bet against the Enfield guy. If you
think I'm joking, you haven't seen what an Enfield can do in the hands
of someone who knows how to use one. Accuracy? Always a matter of gunsmithing
and money... but speed? "Never underestimate the man with only one rifle"
-- especially if it's an Enfield.
Russell E. Taylor <Sniper308@qconline.com>
Silvis, IL, U.S.A. -- and damn proud of it! - Thursday, February 18,
1999 at 11:19:39 (ZULU)
Russell, Your comments on Enfields are interesting, but I think
you are comparing apples to oranges. The Enfield might have a 10 rnd mag,
and have a nice bolt throw, but it is no match (as far as speed and accuracy
go) when you compare it to most semi autos. All you have to do is to look
at an Infantry Trophy match. There is no way that anyone with any bolt
type rifle could get off the number of rounds (with a hit on the target)
that a semi can. I think the army guys are shooting 30+ rounds at the 600yd
line in 50 seconds. Ok, it might be different with out a sling and jacket
but it is like saying a P-51 is a match for a F-15.
Also gunsmithing is not the only thing needed to make an Enfield
shoot (at long range only, they were never known as good short range shooters).
They need to be shooting the worst crap ammo that can be found. Oh, and
don't forget that the Comonwealth targets that they all shot on with their
Enfields have huge, and I do mean huge scoring rings. Lots of rifles could
be claimed to be accurate if you are shooting at the side of a barn.
I like Enfields, I have one, but it is out of its league when compared
to any type of modern rifle.
Brian
Brian
Portland, ME, USA - Friday, February 19, 1999 at 16:51:20 (ZULU)
Brian,
I dont shoot rapid fire as a rule with my Enfield but I have seen
good shooters get off as many as 35 rounds per minute shooting at man sized
targets at 200 yards. Misses dont count. This is all kind of silly because
there should be no reason to shoot at the same target 35 times. In reality
the time it takes to re-acquire a new target is used by the accomplished
bolt gunner to cycle the bolt. The time lag in target acquisition is approximately
the same for a semi- as well as the bolt rifle assuming cartridges of equal
power, and this time lag is usually greater that the time it takes to cycle
a bolt regardless of the method of execution.
As far as accuracy goes, 3 inch groups at 200 yards are within reason
for a rifle in good condition when shooting good ammuntion.
The No 4 Enfield is also known to have favorable compensation harmonics,
that is they tend to shoot the slower velocity rounds high and the higher
velocity rounds low. At long range this ammounts to the rifle having a
better vertical spread than would be expected.
Your point about Barn Doors was well made, on the other hand these
rifles were not designed to be used on prarie dogs either.
Steve <nato@bright.net>
S.C.D.H., Ohio, USA - Saturday, February 20, 1999 at 01:54:28 (ZULU)
Hi Steve,
I have read accounts of people that have shot that many rounds,
but I don’t think I believe it. You saw this with your own two eyes? More
than one person do it? This is not a challenge, I’m just voicing my skepticism.
Was the rifle fired from a rest, or from the prone?. Here is why I’m skeptical.
They would have to start with 10 in the mag, assuming the mag will function
with 10, and reload with FIVE clips, all in under a minute. Clips are fast,
but I don’t think they are quite that fast. I know they taught the Brits
to keep the thumb and forefinger on the bolt handle, and squeeze (I don’t
think this is the right word) with the middle, but just being able to reload
five times with a *^%$## clip in a minute makes me think that it’s a tall
tale. I have farted around with enough bolt guns on high power ranges to
know what a goat rope clips can be. I have also seen Carl Bernosky shoot
his M-70 in rapid fire, so I know how fast bolt guns can be. I would like
to see the 35rnds @ 200yds with a clunker myself.
I shot a lot of Infantry Trophy and the Combat type matches when
I was in the Service. I know how fast a semi can shoot accurately. I also
own, and have shot Enfields, I know their limitations.
Your point about not shooting all your shots at the same target is
true. Somewhere in my mind I remember reading that the Navy SEALS conducted
a test on this same thing, and concluded semi and a bolt engagement times
being equal. I don’t think I could agree with the conclusion about the
lag time. I would have to see the methodology the Navy used for the test.
If all the targets are hidden, and you really have to search for them,
then the difference would be nullified. If it was a shooting gallery environment,
then it would be different story.
I’ve never seen an Enfield (battle rifle) that would shoot into 3
inches at 200yds. 6 inches is more my experience. C. Shore talks about
Enfields shooting into 1.5 inches at 100Yds in his book, but I would like
to see that as well.
Rich: The whole waiting for the gas gun to cycle thing has been going
back and forth since the late 1930s
Brian
Portland, ME, USA - Monday, February 22, 1999 at 02:31:48 (ZULU)
Brian: Enfields
Yes I have seen it done with my own eyes, also I can do it with
my own rifle (dry fire only) and I believe that you can too! I saw it done
by a Royal marine, and in truth his rifle and stripper clips have about
as much in common with your average rifle as your average single action
revolver has in common with a tricked out fast draw rig.
I also think that this feat can be done by changing magazines rather
than charging with stripper clips. You can get 11 rounds in most Enfield
magazines (some may hold 12. Add 1 in the chamber and that adds up to 13
rounds to start. Try dry firing 13 rounds with your enfield and then remove
and replace the magazine and fire 11 more and repeat until a minute is
expired and tell me how many how many make believe rounds you got off in
1 minute. My 11 round strings run around 10 seconds and magazine changes
around 3.5 seconds with no practice.
You poor soul, having never seen a Enfield that would group into
3 inches at 200 yards. I would not do this for anyone, but I will do it
for you. Go to this website:
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Forest/9204/pics/4M98.JPG
I was testing some 8mm military ball ammo a couple of weeks ago
and I brought along my Enfield and shot some ball ammo just to see which
shot better, the 98K mauser or the #4 Enfield. The Mauser is very accurate
with handloads but to date I have not found any surplus ammo for it which
will group up to the capabilities of the rifle.
To see my test results go here:
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Forest/9204/pics/303GROUP.JPG
Steve <nato@bright.net>
S.C.D.H., Ohio, USA - Monday, February 22, 1999 at 06:12:55 (ZULU)
To Brian: "I've never seen an Enfield (battle rifle) that would
shoot into 3 inches at 200yds. 6 inches is more my experience." Um, mine
gets 1 MOA at 100 yards from a COLD barrel. It's in a sporter configuration
now, but it shot the same way when it was in a wood stock. No gunsmithing
involved, either. True, 1 MOA at 100 doesn't necessarily equate to 1 MOA
at 200 yards, but I'm "pretty sure" it'd do better than "six inches" at
200. In all fairness, though, my gunsmith, who has seen my targets, has
told me that he's never seen an Enfield do that well. Go figure. Anyway,
this is with Hornady 174-grainers and 41 grains of N-140.
Russell E. Taylor <Sniper308@qconline.com>
Silvis, IL, USA - Monday, February 22, 1999 at 08:47:43 (ZULU)
Steve, your comment was about two "experts" one using a Enfield,
and the other a semi. It sounds like a stunt, loading 12 + 1 and then using
polished stripper clips, or swapping out mags. Your info on the lag time
in acquiring targets had a lot of truth to it but I got to say that I almost
pissed my self laughing when you said you can shoot 35 + dry firing. Well
how do you know that your 35+ shots hit the 200Yd target?
As far as the magazine change in 3.5 sec, is that with the mags
sitting on the bench next to you, or pulling it out of a bandoleer or pouch.
No doubt there are some situations where you have the ammo loaded up sitting
right there, but most of the time you will have to dig it out of the pouches
that it is carried in. And as far as I know, Enfields were issued with
only one mag and loaded with clips. When you do that at 5 rounds a pop,
it a lot slower than 30rnds at a pop with a modern military type rifle.
I'm not trying flame you, the Enfield is fast, mostly by virtue
of its 10 rnd mag, but you have to be joking about it being anywhere as
fast as a semi. The speed difference will be deadly apparent at close ranges.
As in you will be killed as you are F*^$%(^ with a bolt. Imagine having
to dick around with a bolt when 5 guys are blasting at you from 30yards
with full auto AKs. You would be better of throwing grenades.
Any rifle (M-40A1 to a M-16 to a Win 94 to a blunderbus) is deadly,
and if used within its limitations will help bring you home. The problem
with the Enfield is that it has more limitations than a modern assault
rifle. Yeah the 303 is more powerful with longer range, but does it make
a difference? Ever try and shoot at fleeting, camo, targets at 500yds with
irons? Any one who has shot at the Fig 11 type target at that range will
tell you how tough it is. Their first reaction is where the hell are the
targets? ….."Are the targets up?"…. "Where the hell are they." This is
in front of a huge number board I remind you.
Russell: Well you have an exceptional rifle there. I agree with your
gunsmith, and I think you should try it with ball ammo at a longer range.
Oh Radway Green green spot doesn't count. Try shooting it with some crap
ammo loaded with cordite. That is more like what most Tommies carried.
Brian
Portland, ME, USA - Tuesday, February 23, 1999 at 00:23:47 (ZULU)
Lee-Enfield bolt guns: speed and accuracy
Recently took part in a speed event. My licence only allows bolt-action
rifles or civilian semis (ie less than 7 rounds) so I took my Lee Enfield
No 5 Jungle Carbine (a real one, Fazakerly, 1945). The other shooters were
using AR15s, L1A1s and a couple of Velmets.
All events involved restricted times. The one I was worried about
involved starting in the standing position with 5 in the magazine. On the
command, fire 5, kneel, load 5, fire 5, stand, load 5, fire 5. Time allowed:
45 seconds. I finished with a good three seconds spare and, on inspection
of the target, found all 15 shots counted. Oh, by the way, I was using
the battle sights.
I am comfortable firing a No 4 out to 500 yards. At 900, it starts
to be hard work. What optics am I using. Well, I am short-sighted, so I
wear glasses. The only scope I want on a Lee Enfield is the No 32 on a
No 4 (T), preferably matched to the gun. But that will have to wait until
I pay off the mortgage.
11 rounds in a Lee Enfield mag? Good on you. Just don't complain
when you have a mis-feed. 35 rounds in 1 minute? Crikey, I would not want
to be anywhere forward of that shooter. Group sizes? What can you do with
issue iron sights? (any range)
Sam <mhs@ihug.co.nz>
Wellington, New Zealand - Tuesday, February 23, 1999 at 00:46:11 (ZULU)
Brian,
This whole thread started when someone asked how fast can one fire
a bolt action. I said 35 per minute because I saw it done. I did the dry
fire excercise just to refresh my memory of the event and to reassure myself
that it can be done. 40 + rounds dry fire was not a problem. That does
not mean that I would prefer a bolt action rifle to a semi-auto. One can
never have to much firepower! I have no intention of turning dry fire excercise
to live fire just to prove a point and ruin my rifle. I thought it worth
mentioning because proper manipulation of the bolt action is becoming a
lost art and I regret that. Most people have no idea the amount of thought
and science went into making do with the Enfield. For instance, (now this
is all stuff that I have learned, I didnt invent any of this) The Brits
issued three different length stocks for this rifle and went to a great
deal of trouble to make sure that the rifle fit the shooter. Why? because
secret #1 to shooting a rifle fast is the head does not move. If you have
to move your head to get out of the way of a bolt sliding back, the stock
is to short. If in the prone position, it is unconfortable to reach the
bolt handle, the stock is too long. Speed trick #2 is that as soon as you
ram the rounds in from the stripper clips, go for the bolt, do not waste
time removing the empty clip. the act of closing the bolt will remove the
clip. The actual bolt manipulation and firing methods have already been
mentioned and do not need repeated.
#3 is as you mentioned, the stripper clips need to be polished.
Also
you are correct in that all the rounds have to be laid out and in
a easy to reach position beforehand. The firing postion has to be solid.
Bone support is mandatory. Muscling the sights back to the aiming mark
also wastes time. These are just a few tricks that I can remember off the
top of my head. Anyone out there that can remember the rest feel free to
butt in.
Steve <nato@bright.net>
S.C.D.H., Ohio, USA - Tuesday, February 23, 1999 at 03:48:09 (ZULU)
To Brian: I don't have any need to use surplus ammunition. Why in
the WORLD would I want to shoot ball ammunition? I'm not concerned with
being "authentic," I'm concerned with hitting what I shoot at. So I handload.
I'll leave the Cordite to the reenactors. The only thing I'm concerned
about with "authenticity" is cowboy action shooting. Everything else I
shoot (whether rifle, shotgun, or handgun) has an intended purpose: targets,
elephants, Naugas, unwanted guests, what have you. None of which call for
me using crap surplus ammo. You're obviously content, Brian, that the ol'
Enfield just can't cut it in the world, against modern semi-autos. Hey,
if it works for you....
Russell E. Taylor <Sniper308@qconline.com>
Silvis, IL, USA - Tuesday, February 23, 1999 at 06:46:14 (ZULU)
I have an enfield .308 that was given to me as a gift but its tore
the heck apart I need to find a manual somewhere to make sure I put it
back together properly before I modify it. I also want an Unertl scope
but I can't seem to find one. I am also looking for a good range in southern
Ga or northern Fla. Or anywhere in the vicinity. Any help at all would
be appreciated.
lcpl Pierce <mooseusmc@hotmail.com>
Kings Bay, Ga, USA - Wednesday, February 24, 1999 at 23:02:31 (ZULU)
LCPL Pierce: There are several good books on assembly/disassembly
of various rifles. The DBI book "Firearms Assembly/Disassmbly Part IV",
Frank de Haas' "Bolt Action Rifles", and "The NRA Guide to Firearms Assembluy/Disassembly"
cover the Enfield #1 style rifles, while the latter two also cover the
#4 style. You might want to try the FAQ at www.recguns.com or one of the
Enfield rifle sites to see if they have the info you need online.
You don't say exactly what you have disassembled, and your "Enfield
.308" could be either the #1 (like the Ishapore 2A1) or #4 (like an L42A1)
style. If you could provide specefics I could try to be of more service.
In either case, as the new owner of a used Enfield it is probably a good
idea to pay the small fee it will cost and have a gunsmith check out the
rifle for you.
I've always like Lee-Enfields myself, I really wish I had an L42A1...
Dave <dave@broadsword.com>
SJ, CA, USA - Thursday, February 25, 1999 at 04:35:00 (ZULU)
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