I learned to shoot with a rebored (to .22) Mk IV. At the Bisley matches, we used them (.303) at ranges up to and including 600 yds, and consistently put the rounds into a 6" circle. I used to be able to hit what I aimed at with it at ranges up to about 800 yds, but farther than that, I went to the 7.62.

I can only second the positive responses on the old "Smellie" as they are referred to in RA terms. I have a number of the various models from a Mk III no 1 from 1903 to a Mk IV no2 from Ishapore Arsenal made in 1966. The old .303 is a no slouch in terms of range, accuracy, and potency. I reload and cast my own bullets, .312" is what I use for most of my cast lead shooting, just resize to closely fit the various bores of the rifle that the ammo is intended for. Jacketed bullets are available in weights from 125 grains all the way up to 220 grains (a great bear load). I do like the old CIL Canadian ammo, very clean and excellent brass for reloading. If you don't have a press, a Lee Loader set up will work in a pinch and turn out very excellent loads.

I had to rebarrel my old Mk III no 1 with a like new surplus barrel and once done, it is capable of some extremely fine accuracy, like five shots into a 3/4 inch group at 100 yards. I have one scoped model that I set up using the National Rifle Associations reprint of the armorers manual to sniper rifle specs right down to bedding the fore end and free boring the chamber for my own purposes, it will turn in 1/2" groups if I do my part.

I have taken deer, black bear, brown bear and razorback hogs with the .303 so it is quite capable of doing the deed. With the history to back it up, you have a fine example of the breed. As to the kick, pull it in tight to your shoulder when firing and ride that puppy. If it is a problem, not everyone has the same level of abilities when it comes to these things, invest in a good recoil pad and have it installed. Just make sure that the stock is trimmed so that it fits you once the installation is done, nothing worse than a too long rifle. The buttstocks originally came in three lengths, depending on what the arsenal put on there you may not need to trim it. The easiest way to find out is to hold the pistol grip in your right hand and the butt in your inner elbow, if you can bring your arm up to a 90 degree angle, it is just right for you. Less than 90 degrees, it is too short, more than 90 degrees and it is too long.

Above all, get some rounds and go shoot that bad boy!

Among the War horses I own is a very nice #1 MKIII Australian Lithgow
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The stock is done with Royal Coach wood,...beautiful wood indeed.The Brass butt-plate really sets of the look of this rifle. The rifle is in very good shape and it specs out nice with head gauges. Very accurate with hand-loads at 154 grains.,.....Among the Springfield,..Mosins and Mausers,...this one has the sexiest smoothest bolt of all. I can actually cycle the bolt with my thumb ..chambering the next round without having to remove my finger from the trigger,..if I want to.......dont try this at home kiddies. Very accurate out to 3oo rds..its all the open range I have available ...... I dont get to shoot it often but its a real treat when I do. Wouldn't feel out-gunned at all with it in a SHTF scenario where yardage and "reach-out" was the game that day!

Enfield's? yes fine rifles!

Interesting thread, brings back memories of the Cadets, drilling with No4s, & shooting them. I also had a mate who lived upstairs when I was in digs in London who had quite a collection, including Jungle Bunny which I put 50 rounds through at Bisley ranges & was deaf for a week. It had a "wandering zero", the first 4 rounds would go on target, the fifth went anywhere. Blokes I've talked to who served in the Far east (Malaya) confirmed that this was their experience also, in fact one guy said they used to fire them from the hip since accuracy was not their strong point! This is not to denigrate the standard No4 though, very good gun indeed.
At the time of my Bisley fun, the owner told me there was a lot of 303 around (this would be the '80s), but a lot of it was Turkish machine gun ammunition & was more powerful than standard rifle stuff.
I also used to hang around with a guy who was trying to get an example of every Lee Enfield type made (he had a rare pre-WW1 short carbine). There are quite a few ex-Indian police weapons that have been smooth-bored & used as shotguns.
Can't own one myself unfortunately, my missus said that if I ever brought a gun in the house she would leave (wait a minute what am I saying?!).

I've also handled a very early SMLE that had the long range sights on it for shooting up to a mile! I ask you! The sights were in addition to the normal sights and consisted of a ring sight which folded up from near the receiver, and a blade which folded down from near the muzzle. To line the two up, you had to hold the rifle at an angle of about 45 degrees. I just can't see it being very accurate at that sort of range! Some of these early guns would be a bit iffy for live firing now I suspect, even if well maintained.

Hi Steve,

That long ranged sight that you noticed the extreme angle for firing on was for what they termed "Volley Fire" The idea being a group of soldiers all firing from such distances lobbing rounds into a line of approaching individuals at one time were going to hit something once in a while. It was good for making the enemy go to ground rather than keep on coming. Once on the ground, tactics would take over for a leap frog approach to bring them into range for more accurate fire.

With the advent of smaller caliber infantry rounds and mega magazines a lot of these older theories of combat have fallen by the wayside. It is a whole different ballgame when one has a full sized rifle cartridge that is capable of ranges out to a thousand yards. With WWII and combat in metropolitan areas, long range is not nearly as focused on as the ranges involved are much closer so a smaller caliber with many rounds available was deemed appropriate. Even so the elegant art of long ranged shooting has its' place on the battlefield as is evidenced by the use of the .50 BMG sniper rifles as well as 7.62 variants.

Hi, Its heartening to see that the love of the Lee Enfield 303 is alive and well. I first fired one, in a .22 conversion when in the Army Cadets, oh so long ago...... Then I had the privalidge to attend the Royal Marines sniper course in 1978, and was issued with the L42, the Lee Enfield No 4 converted to 7.62 with telescopic sight, awesome weapon and could easily hit targets over 1000 yards. When the new L96 Sniper Rifle 7.62 was introduced it was not the same. Sadly I left the Corp before the .50 cal Sniper Rifle was introduced but that is certainly one killing machine!!!!!!!
ONCE A MARINE ALWAYS A MARINE

Regards Mike

Well, I have an Enfield of some sort. On the breech its printed as a Mark IV No. 1, but I think the stock is a modified wood (modern) one. (I think...) I first shot it at a friend's birthday party. Then I let my friend shoot it as my gift to him. Needless to say my friend hasn't shot anything over a BB gun and he almost flew backwards with the first shot. Excellent rifle to target shoot with. If anyones an expert at identifying them I can get a pic of it so I can finally know what type it is.

All in all, a darn good rifle
Rich

BTW: Anyone here have a K98 so we can find out which is better

The No4 is a better rifle than the K98 in my opinion, having fired both over ranges at Bisley. The rear-locked Enfield action is faster to operate than the Mauser, but the Mauser is considered more solid, hence it's use in many civilian rifles.

For target work I preferred the 7.62 converted weapons as the round has a flatter trajectory which makes long-range shooting easier. Haven't shot one for years due to house moves and changes in the firearm rules here. I also remember as a cadet shooting the .303 version and it's heavy recoil - we used to fold our beret and put it inside the battledress tunic to take up some of the punch. One young guy broke his collar bone through not holding it in tightly enough.

With the older leaf-sight fitted target shooting was perfectly possible with a standard service issue weapon. I got my marksmans badge at the first try with one!