.303 british rifle - Page 3

TheClash · #61 09-03-2009, 11:45 PM

epps thanks so much...i am really enjoying this rifle.....i am trying to figure out a way i can keep it and not have to give it back haha.

just curious..to those that reload out there...what options do i have for a bullet for this .303...am i "stuck" with a soft nose style..or are there ballistic tipped .303 bullets for a .303. or am i being totally obtuse and don't realize that a 30 cal. bullet will work with my .303??

sorry if this all seems too noob!!

munyee4321 · #62 09-04-2009, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheClash

epps thanks so much...i am really enjoying this rifle.....i am trying to figure out a way i can keep it and not have to give it back haha.

just curious..to those that reload out there...what options do i have for a bullet for this .303...am i "stuck" with a soft nose style..or are there ballistic tipped .303 bullets for a .303. or am i being totally obtuse and don't realize that a 30 cal. bullet will work with my .303??

sorry if this all seems too noob!!

.308 call will not work in 303brit... the 303 brit actually takes .312 caliber, as far as i know sp are the only available bullet for this round.

TheClash · #63 09-04-2009, 12:31 AM

awesome thanks munyee...

ok another question...sorry guys....

so i am trying to get a handle on these peep sights...i know they seem pretty basic...but i have noticed that my rear site has three "settings"....when i move drom using the fixed 100 yard aperture...to having to use the lift up one there are three angles it can sit in....angled toward the front of the gun, straight up 90 degress and then angled back towards my head.....now...i am just wondering when and where i use which setting...or if i only ever use the 90 degree setting....all i can think of is uphill and or downhill shots?? but then again i am a bit of a dolt haha..so any help would be cool. thanks so much all of you.

deanmc · #64 09-04-2009, 06:21 AM

Sierra matchking comes in 180 bthp for the .303

deanmc · #65 09-04-2009, 06:26 AM

Btw nice shooting!!

Grizzly Adams · #66 09-04-2009, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheClash

well boys i finally have the rifle.....

so for all you knowledgeable guys out there what can you tell me about my rifles history...

i don't see any markings that indicate the caliber or the model number. my serial number starts with a W.

there are also many ..what look like "up" arrows stamped into the metal.

as well as what look like crowns with numbers under them...and crossed flags the the initials GR over

i have also noticed that i have a star stamped on the long lug of my bolt....

ok well i am off to the range now..i hope to have some more info when i get back and can check the site....woohoo

Here's my feeble tidbit. P14, Winchester made. The crossed flags, according to my source indicate Canadian ownership. The Crown things are some kind of inspector's marks. GR might refer to king George, which would be a clue to date. Kind of a picturesque Broad Arrow.

, which would indicate British usage, bur I've seen rifles, with both, before. Very nice stock.
Grizz

TheClash · #67 09-04-2009, 11:20 AM

so can anyone comment on the three stages of the rear peep sight?

Grizzly Adams · #68 09-04-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheClash

so can anyone comment on the three stages of the rear peep sight?

Don't know about the three stage bit, but you got me curious, so I dug out one I happened to have in my junk box, from eons ago.

It's an adjustable folding ladder style sight, with a 400 yd battle peep. With the battle sight, you vary your aiming point according to the distance.
Grizz

honda450 · #69 09-04-2009, 06:49 PM

The rear sight is used two different ways:
With the sight lifted it functions like a typical gradient style sight. On the right of the sight is a sight catch that when depressed allows the sight aperture to be moved up and down the sight's gradient depending upon the desired range. The gradient ranges from 200 to 1600 yards. Graduations are in increments of 100 yards from 200 to 900 yards, and in increments of 50 yards from 900 to1600 yards.

When the rear sight is laying down, the model 1917 sight is a battle sight. The range of the battle sight is set at 400 yards

Don't quote me on this Clash but think both the P14 and P17 had the same rear sight.

Just for your info the P14 was developed after the P13 which was .276 and .280 Ross cartridges.

Grizzly Adams · #70 09-04-2009, 07:21 PM

Damn this editing time limitation.

The rear sight is virtually identical to that used on the #4 LE. That little star on your bolt indicates that the rifle and bolt have been modified from the original design, to solve a feeding problem that was discovered after manufacture had begun. Love that British numbering system.

Your rifle is actually a P 14 Mk l* , because of that.
Grizz

honda450 · #71 09-04-2009, 07:26 PM

Forgot. Yes the spring will catch before its at 90 degrees to the barrel and also past 90 degrees to the barrel. But they do only have 2 postions.

honda450 · #72 09-04-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

. Love that British numbering system.

at.
Grizz

Dang Marks, Numbers, and *. They have some *** too. Dang it.

TheClash · #73 09-04-2009, 09:06 PM

hmm the battle site..so the fixed aperture is supposed to be set at 400?? i figured it was fixed at 100 as the flip up site starts at 200 yards for the increments...

hmm thi may mean more time at the range playing around haha

edarsenault20 · #74 09-08-2009, 03:34 PM

50% of the hunters in Newfoundland can't be wrong. I used to work at a range on the Island and I seen more of these battle axes than any other rifle come and go over the bench. Watch your barrel as they can get shot out (extremely high round counts) but their a dime a dozen to replace. And being it's a family heirloom ... could you really put a price on it

dave3006 · #75 09-21-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheClash

well boys i finally have the rifle.....

so for all you knowledgeable guys out there what can you tell me about my rifles history...

i don't see any markings that indicate the caliber or the model number. my serial number starts with a W.

there are also many ..what look like "up" arrows stamped into the metal.

as well as what look like crowns with numbers under them...and crossed flags the the initials GR over them....

i have also noticed that i have a star stamped on the long lug of my bolt....

ok well i am off to the range now..i hope to have some more info when i get back and can check the site....woohoo

I have the same rifle mine is a 303 enfield modified by Paker Hale, I believe these rifles were sold between 1967 and 1974 I bought mine in 1974 from K-Mart for $149.00. I use it for moose and deer great rifle.

Trakker262 · #76 06-06-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheClash

well i just got word that i will be able to use the rifle for my hunt....and that my cousin stopped a yote in it's tracks last week with is at over 500 yards...i will post more when i have it next week.

if you think thats a feat for an old 303 then try using this one, a custom job thats a tac driver at 800+yrds. My personal rifle is a No1 Mk3 with a 6-24x42 scope and synthetic stock. I spent time using the R700s in the army but I prefer this one for long distance.

Trakker262 · #77 07-04-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trakker262

if you think thats a feat for an old 303 then try using this one, a custom job thats a tac driver at 800+yrds. My personal rifle is a No1 Mk3 with a 6-24x42 scope and synthetic stock. I spent time using the R700s in the army but I prefer this one for long distance.

Forgot to ad what ammo I use, mostly Hornady 150gr 308 FMJBT but have used Nosler Ballistic Tip or Silver Tip 150gr as well in 308. Its easier to find and reload using the 308dia bullets as the 311dia that are out there are getting harder to find (at least in my neck of the woods).

Big Thumper · #78 07-04-2010, 12:47 PM

Just read on another forum that the Ruger #1's are coming very soon in 303 Brit!!!

gitrdun · #79 07-04-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Thumper

Just read on another forum that the Ruger #1's are coming very soon in 303 Brit!!!

You beat me to it, I read the same thing.

Trakker262 · #80 07-04-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Thumper

Just read on another forum that the Ruger #1's are coming very soon in 303 Brit!!!

Never tried a Ruger except the SR22, might give this one a for sure try though when its out.

catnthehat · #81 07-04-2010, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trakker262

Never tried a Ruger except the SR22, might give this one a for sure try though when its out.

The Rugers are coming out in the light sporter with a 22" barrel, Clay at Prohet River is bringing them in.
Mine has a 24" or 26" however, I can't remember, and don't have it yet as Bill Leeper is still doing some finishing touches.

detail of the three leaf express sights ( not zeroed as of yet!)

Cat

BobM · #82 07-04-2010, 02:06 PM

Hey Cooey man when I saw your pics of the ...303 I had to check the gun cabinet to make sure mine was still there. The only difference is the sling otherwise they are identical. I bought mine through Sears Mail order about 30 years ago and put a 4X busnell scope on it. It is the only hunting rifle I own, besides my muzzleloader and it is an excellant gun. Wouldn't part with it

Pioneer2 · #83 07-11-2010, 06:52 AM

The PH's were nicer finished than the Churchill's but shoot the same.I have a PH Supreme with a #0 bolthead..................Harold

ANZANO · #84 11-27-2015, 09:19 PM

Hey guys I just happen to read your posts and it's good to know that the 303 is good enough or strong enough better said to be used for up to moose hunting, I have a 303 #4 MKi = 12/43 and I think the 12/43 is the manufacturing year of the gun. Does anyone know about the # 4 ? = I purchased it from a friend in 1971 and I have never shot it yet, It's pretty well brand new as my friend only shot it a few times before I purchased it. It is engraved as follows, 303 = 2.22 = 18.5 tons. does it mean it will shoot 2 different loads or are the 2 bullets the same caliber ?
By the way what scope is racommended for this gun ?

Great guys , keep it up

catnthehat · #85 11-27-2015, 09:38 PM

I wouldn't scope your rifle , personally.
However, a 180 grain Speer or Sierra will turn a moose on its ear right now, and if you can find the big Woodleighs or C.I.L. bullets that are 215's , they work well ,too.

own three Enfileds and a custom ruger in .303, all work very well.
One is scoped but it was on there before i got the rifle .
Cat

ANZANO · #86 11-27-2015, 10:13 PM

Thanks Cat.

pdog15 · #87 11-28-2015, 10:14 PM

Interesting thread as I just picked up a Churchill #4 in very nice shape. Very similar to Clash's but it was scoped so haven't checked for all the possible different markings yet. The barrel and butt plate are stamped Churchill and a number 52 is stamped on the receiver (maybe year of mfg). Bluing (blacking ?) is like new except for a little rubbing at the muzzle tip. The Monte Carlo stock has a beautiful schnable (?) fore end. So nice to have a metal mag (flush mount) rather than the newer plastic (stamped made in England). Looking forward to researching the venerable .303.

morinj · #88 11-28-2015, 11:09 PM

.303 British is one of the best bangs for your buck (no pun intended)! I know a hand full of guys who have purchased these rifles for a case of beer many years ago, and still use it today as there go to gun!!!

pdog15 · #89 11-30-2015, 05:38 PM

Had my new-to-me Churchill #4 to the range today and it went very well. Zeroed the scope at 35 yds and last two shots out of six were almost touching and in the center of the bull. Very sweet shooter with Winchester 180 gr power points and am very happy with this rifle. It is scoped with a Bushnell 3-9-40 as that is the one I happened to have on hand.

Did some running around South Calgary to see what is available in .303. CT Southland had three 180 Power points ($34) and no sp. - also had a few Hornady 174 gr Vintage (into the $40+). CT Shawnessey had a few Winchester soft point for $33. Walmart has the best price for Winchester 150/180 but several had no product. The Shooting Edge has no .303. Wholesale has some but a bit pricey - into the $40+. Cabela's only had a box - forget the brand but also in the $40s.

sinawalli · #90 12-01-2015, 07:32 PM

The SMLE is a excellent rifle! The .303 has taken tons of game all across Canada. As a military rifle, it's killed more Germans than rotten sauerkraut and the autobahn.