Range Report-SMLE Mk III

Big Bob

Big Bob

Joined
Oct 13, 1999
Messages
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A couple of weeks ago I purchased a 1916 Australian made No. 1 Mk III Enfield rifle from a person who had it advertised in the classified section. I was able to get to the gun range yesterday and try her out. Here's the Enfield.



The rifle is in great shape with an excellent bore. It feels nicely balanced and fairly lively in my hands.

I set my first target up at 25 yards, fired four rounds, then moved it to the 50yd mark . Below is the target after my first ten rounds through the Enfield.



I'm pretty sure that two of my rounds went into the top hole of the main group. Pleased with the result, I decided to set up a target at the 200yd mark. I had brought along a handheld spotter scope with me. After firing five rounds at my target, I checked it out with the spotter. Couldn't make out any bullet holes, but I went downrange anyway to check it out. Turns out that all five rounds landed on the paper, albeit to the left. My last five rounds (for those who don't know, the SMLEs hold ten rounds) also hit home if a bit to the left.



I decided to put a third and final target up at 150 yards. At this range I was able to see the bullet holes with my spotter scope. Below is my target.



Not bad for a 90 year old rifle with iron sights. Just need to get the sights centered on it. The guy who sold me the Enfield included several extras including a bayonet and a scope with the proper mount. I'm definitely considering scoping the Enfield in the future, as it has the accuracy potential.

Bob
 
Perhaps the best example of the Lee-Enfield ever produced. The Aussies never bought into the fact that the MkIII could be improved upon and didn't go the way of the No4 MkI. I've heard that Pratt and Whitney of the US(think Aircraft powerplants) was responsible for setting up the manufacturing of the MkIII in Australia.
I bet you paid a bundle for that beauty. I've got a beater No4MkI* that gives good service, but is hardly a collecters item that you seem to have there.
 
Lithgow-made Lee Enfield? Nice rifle to have. :D

Long time ago, I thought I didn't want a SMLE (didn't want yet another caliber to stock). I was wrong. Out of all the milsurp rifles- Mausers, Mosins, K-31s- all of them- the Lee-Enfield is just one of the best. (Don't listen to me- I'm just an enthusiast that shoots all of these- but Shotgun News' Paul Scarlata says so.) Rigid action= more accurate, cocking on closing= brilliant.

The surplus .303 ammo is no longer a nickle a shot like the 8mm Mauser currently is, but once you reload, all ammo costs the same (roughly).

I'd like an Aussie- and a Canadian Long Branch. Currently shooting a 1943-made Fazerkley (sp.?) No.4 Mk.1* English Lee Enfield (which I got for $69 :D). Love that rifle. Since nobody ever liked the spike bayonet, I got the No.9 handle-less blade bayo- looks like a Ka-Bar.



BB, if you like SMLE, see AIM surplus' Ishapore-made No.2 and 2A Enfields. $169. 7.62x51 NATO caliber, 12-round magazine: and you can put the 1907 bayo on it. Redoing mine this winter.

Rule Britiannia: not any more. Rule SMLE: forever!


Mike
 
That offer goes for anyone here- if you want a "real" bayonet for your Enfield, let me know. The 1907s have seen some use, but the No1 Mk2*s usually only have storage marks!
 
Spectre, my bayonet is the 1907 pattern, a mean lookin' hunk of steel, especially when mounted on the rifle. :D

Sutcliffe, I got the rifle, bayonet, extra magazine, stripper clips, two Enfield books/manuals, extra bandoliers, and 75 rds (70 of them Remington Core-lok) for the grand total of $295. It was an offer I couldn't refuse. :D

Ad, thanks for the heads up on the Ishapores, but this SMLE will be enough for me; bought enough milsurps lately anyway.

Bob
 
Rigid action? Rigid Action??!!! Huh?

The Enfield is a wonderful battle rifle. It is the fastest cycling. It can take a dump in the dirt and still hit Kirk. It is not as accurate as the bolts with front locking lugs, nor can it take the pressure of a hotter round.
I still think chambering it in 308 NATO a mistake. I think the .303 round fine as is. No more should be expected of Enfields unless it is the US made 1917, which is much stronger.

munk
 
Big Bob, congrats! I also have an Aussie 1917. Great rifle. That was some nice shooting that you did.
 
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