I was scolded for rapid firing at a local gun range. I looked at the rangemaster and said, "with a bolt action?" He looked at me and my Enfield, shook his head, and said never mind. Great video!
Wow. Old memories. Still remember our instructor flipping back the bolt with his fore finger. This is 55 years back in India's national cadet corps. Also the small length bolt action. Instructor lying prone, rifle touching the cheek and firing away repeatedly.
Anantha Padmanabhan 55 years back in India? Just after the war? Didn't they get their independence right around then? Was there no animosity towards an English weapon? What's the national cadet corps? Like their reserve or something?
@@F1fan4eva No 55 years back is 1963-64. India got independence in 1947. It was not a violent overthrow but more an orderly exit. NCC was formed in 1950 and open to school and college students via their school or college organizations. NCC was under the army. The rifles were left behind by the brits. The ranges were outdoor ones meant just for the NCC and maximum of 25 yards The instructors were regular army men. .
Yup, I almost broke my shoulder in one such firing drill because of my bad shouldering technique. I thought they would call in doctor have me checked for broken or dislocated shoulder... But my ustadji made run around the ground with my pitthu filled with sand for my mistake.
Him: "I'm gonna annoy some Mauser and Springfield fanboys..." Me: I'm a pretty openminded dude when it comes to rifles, let's see what he's talking about. Him: "...with this." 0:09 Me: *screams in terror*
When I had that made, it was a current production rifle, so nothing to scream in terror about, lol :p Not my fault that AIA collapsed shortly afterwards and they suddenly became collectors' items :D
I dunno... I like it and think it's neat. It's kind of what I might've dreamed or imagined the result if an Enfield and M14 had a child... sort of a Mini 14 with a mild bolt action disability that dishes out worse dead arms than all the other Mini 14's in the playground (no offense to the proud owner of course) Something like that anyway. It has a very what could've been/alternate history feel about it tbh.
@Tony Lam Semi Auto's were legal in NZ until someone killed 50 people. Still in both Australia and NZ you can still get large calibre hunting rifles and also pistols. Its just self defence isn't an appropriate reason to own a firearm. There is a still an active gun community here in Australia and a large number of people around me own and operate firearms. We just don't need AR15s...
@Tony Lam What rights you talking about? It may surprise you but we have our own laws and your constitution does not mean diddly squat here. Owning a gun here is not a "right" but a privilege. Sure many criminals may not be handing their guns in but what use are they to them if they have to hide them away because if they are caught with them its jail. You may say it was because of one person, but for a long time most NZ'ers have questioned the need for Semi Auto's but the gun lobby backed by your NRA stopped any changes.
No mention of the “mad minute”? In a time when automatic weapons were rare, being able to line up 1,000 men prone with their Lee-Enfields and have each able to easily put 20 rounds of aimed rifle fire down range in less than a minute blunted more than one German mass assault early in WW1.
My Grandfather was an Old Contemptible, fighting at Mons with the Royal West Kents. He was taken to the ranges on his 70th birthday down at hythe in Kent and was given a Lee Enfield and was still able to put 16 shots into the target in one minute.
@Ray That’s pretty remarkable. I never even thought to try this, and I have 2 Enfield’s among other things in my collection. Finding ammo these days is the hard part, so I have only shot one of them, one time. I do have do ask if you forgot a digit on your bullet weight though. 37gr seems awfully light for such a rifle. Don’t you mean perhaps 237 or 137? I know I load 168’s in my M1A and that’s just the .308, which is a smaller casing. And the Mauser I want to say is up around 200. I can’t remember honestly, but 37 is far too light for that round lol.
@Ray That sounds a lot more like it lol. Brain farts happen to the best of us though. I couldn't imagine a 30 cal shooting a 37gr round... I'm pretty sure it would break time space and prove the theory of relativity once and for all since it would be going damn near light speed with a 40 something grain load of varget or something lol. I know .223/5.56 blended metal (frangible rounds) can hit 4k fps, and they are actually 30-40gr due to their materials.
@Ray Correct. Officially the Mk VII .303 British round fired a 174 grain bullet at 2440 feet per second muzzle velocity. More than enough to penetrate one's cloak and bend one's dagger.
Aniquin cheap, surplus .303 is very hard to find. Most has dried up, at least in the U.S. New brass ammo starts around 75 cents/round, and is usually more than that.
I agree, looks are absolutely everything! Forget ease of use, reliability, accuracy and rate of fire. I bet you have gold heart shaped glitter motives on your rifle.
@@Cockney1 chill they were making a joke that first they went "oh that looks neat" the once they were told it was ugly they "ok if its ugly, yeah its ugly," it's based on how people can make their own judgements about subjective things but when an expert says something people disregard their original opinion
Isn't the dizzy broad the primary person responsible for "citizens" of the U.K. and other "Commonwealth" countries losing as many of their "gun rights" and "weapon rights" as they have? Who'd want to "save" her? And you can save the "figurehead with political power" and "Commonwealth countries are democracies" bullshit. I know about "royal prerogative" and "royal assent" and how "Westminster-system" parliaments not only don't vote on any "bills" or "laws" but how their "House of Lords" are picked by the "sovereign" and not by the people in a "popular election". Not to mention that HALF are chosen by the "sovereign" acting in his or her "role" as "head of state" and the other half by the "sovereign" acting in his or her "role" as "head of the national church/religion". Some "democracy". And so WORTH DEFENDING!
*DEEREMEYER1:* No, she isn't. The royal family are as conservative as they come. They're also forbidden from getting involved in political matters. The loss of rights in Britain is 100% on _Parliament,_ not the Queen. I don't know how she stands it, watching the country she supposedly rules being torn apart by politicians.
@@deeremeyer1749 LOL where the hell did that BS come from? is that axe you're dragging around heavy? LOL tough life when no one cares what you think huh?
I do it too, but you just can't convince slaves they're slaves. They'll kill you for it. Just let them remain. Get into finance and try to work your way up, learn and absorb what Soros, Lord Baron Nathaniel Charles Jacob, Halliburton, IMF, Rockefeller, Council on Foreign Relations, WJC, IBA, and the entities you discover along the way; have to say and find your fit. Everything from that down, is going to lead you astray. You're not going to be able to use your sheeple deductive reasoning on what I just said. You either get it or you don't.
As an American, I have to admit this. The Lee Enfield is one of the best bolt action rifles ever made, and overall if you're not downing elephant or cape buffalo, or shooting past 1000 yards, then the Lee is the best bolt action for the money I can think of. If you want to down an elephant, get a Mauser with a bigger bullet. If you're just poor and can't afford a semi-auto, get a Lee If you're really poor get a Mosin Nagant. Ultimately, any gun will serve you well with good training.
pweter351 I was talking abut how mauser actions can be modified to take big game cartridges much beyond what the Enfield can (because of the Mausers forward locking lug system).
@103132319598774406615 These designs are both fine for 303, 308, 7mm Mauser, 30-06, 7.62X54R. But once we get past 45-70 and enter 300 win mags, 450 Marlin, and then the African Big Game rifle cartridges, then the Enfield's design just isn't strong enough to handle those larger cartridges. If you want a good bolt action in a "normal" caliber, the Lee Enfield can't be beat for the money. Or, you know, get an M1 Garand or AR-15. I always recommend the AR-15 to new shooting enthusiasts because of how versatile it is. In legit 30 seconds you can make your gun from a pistol caliber carbine to a 50 BMG anti-material rifle and everything in between.
I had figured this out when I first got my hands on a No 4 during a demonstration where for the first time I heard of the announcer mention the British had claimed the Enfield was the first Automatic rifle because of the Rapidness of the Action. So I did the same thing Bloke has just demonstrated in the Video here. By using my middle finger to depress the trigger while maintaining the handing of the bolt with my thumb and Index. SO I was able to empty the ten round mag in rapid succession. The Bolt Position and motion is easy to get into the flow and action. I love the Lee Enfield Model Rifle.
When I worked as a gunsmith at Century Int'l Arms in Montreal (many years ago), we had several thousand SMLE's that had to have steel welded on to the bolt heads and then machined down to proper headspace. Since the action locks at the rear, the bolt, after many, many thousands of rounds, would distort slightly. This is the reason that the bolt heads came in three sizes - so that if the headspace became too large, a longer bolt head could be swapped in. Also, the rifles, since they were surplus and had been through many hands, usually did not have their factory-original bolts (bolts were serialized to match the actions) and so subsequently even swapping in the longest bolt head would not result in correct headspace. As to the "wandering zero" legend, this was usually due to the two-piece stock rather than the action. A stock that either through heavy use or improper re-assembly ended up having a little "play" in it, could not be counted on to give correct shot-to-shot consistency. Really enjoyed your video, Bloke. Very informative. Cheers!
The way I heard it, at least for the Australian (SAF Lithgow) rifles, the differing bolt head sizes were to allow a wider range of tolerances to speed up wartime production, not to account for wear/stretching. The advantage for late life or after-service use, is if your rifles has developed excess headspace - and it was not fitted with the biggest bolt head - it's an easy fix.
Lonely Potato gotta love that 7.62x39... smaller jacket = less throw with the bolt. I think he's an Enfield fanboy. But eh, lots of nice guns out there.
Yes. I was citing an impromptu reason for why you don't accidentally punch yourself with it while chambering the rifle. Its a good gun. The guns he compares it to have larger cases, I am guessing that causes more throw in the bolt with those rifles.
Beautiful action, can't be denied. I remember the shoot off between the Lee Enfield and the Garand with Gunny R Lee Ermey, and it was only a little slower than the Garand (the lee enfield having absolutely crushed the springfield before).
1: The action is smooth and easy enough to cycle quickly keeping you close enough to on target. 2: You can accurately pull the trigger without letting go of the bolt handle after you cycle it. 3: You are also using the same had to fire it that you cycle the bolt with so the other hand can keep the gun rock steady.
In response to that last fanboy critisism about hunting rifles, I use my Lithgow No1MkIII as my primary hunting rifle when I know I'm dealing with bigger stuff like skippy or goat and it performs wonderfully. The only problem is if you manage to pick up a frankenrifle you're a bit stuffed for optics if you want to keep it clip loaded. Here in Australia where the Enfields were sold for as little as 8 quid in the 50s and 60s from surplus many farmers picked them up and I know more than one that still use the Enfield that their dads left with the property. It helped that .303 was always cheap here and even new .303 from PPG is still cheaper than comparable .308 and it costs next to nothing to hand load. The only discomfort is that they're a bit front heavy but getting a $10 surplus sling off the internet and wrapping it around your arm makes that a non-issue. Great video mate, I even learned a few things and I'm something of an Enfield nerd.
I first learned that middle finger on the trigger technique as a cadet aged 15 using our WW2 surplus SMLEs. It felt like a rite of passage getting my marksman certification. We had just 2 of the 4T models which we would share on competitions. We would also have competitions to time how fast we could break down and re assemble the SMG while blindfolded.
Tell me you're European and have suffered through countless genocides and millions upon millions of deaths in the last 100 years or less but still claim NA is unsafe.@@kentknightofcaelin4537
Loved the vid. Its honest. Most videos on the net would've edited out the part were you 'hit' your hat (to keep the crazies from posting a rage load of stupid comments), or the battery cutting out or anything else that doesn't support their own fanboyish fervor. This was simple enough, clear and honest. Good stuff. Thanks.
Same thoughts. Crazies love to think they can bully an honest man. You couldn't pay any of them enough money to go face and head to head with those bolt skills in live fire.. Peace..
Welcome to the internet then: tis an harsh place, and even though words can be mean, they're just words. You just ignore them. And as you can notice from the comments, people didn't cared about he almost knocking his hat off the moment he said that the bolt was good enough for him not to hit himself in the face and the battery cut off. Quit trying to make some victing calling when there is no need, this ain't buzzfeed. Also poppa: most of the time when people are especially harsh on a topic they usually bring proof. While you two only wrote to make some shame-calling.
The SMLE was a very well thought out weapon. The Mauser and the "American Mauser" might have one or two advantages but the Enfield was still better overall. I think the fact that it served in two world wars in the armies of a dozen countries and is still used by the Canadian arctic rangers and by the police in India says it all really.
So? The Mauser served in a lot more countries and is the base for almost every bolt action rifle made today. Wheres your point? According to this argument the Mauser is way better than the Lee Enfield.
Howitzer933 They made a serious mistake. I know what rifle i'd want if it was all that was standing between me and being a polar bears dinner in -60°C.
Thanks for the video! The first rifle I've ever owned that I well and truly love is a No1 Mk.III, UK-made in 1907. Still shoots great, although I wish .303 British weren't so damned expensive.
I had an old ishnapor .303 . fired old cordite surplus rounds .never let me down .really roasted it to see if it tightened up .....nope... 100 yard steel plate became boring .later bought a 7.62 lee enfield conversion sporterized .same deal ....went on and on 26" barrel. 300 yards ..17" drop .10" target hit all day long .bags of practice and fun .great rifles .nothing ever broke .quite amazing.
thats where you guys are wrong, the base rifle is an International Arms M10 which IS Australian, if you look at blokes comment he states this plus lists the mods on this particular rifle.
There is another really good advantage I can add here ! If you use the standard issue military webbing sling and it is adjusted correctly for you yourself with the No.1 SMLE or the No. 4 rifles etc., (or a single point target sling) you will create a triangle of forces which holds the rifle butt tightly into your right shoulder (when shooting prone and resting on your left elbow). It does this so well that you can let go and remove your right hand without the rifle or your sight picture being compromised. This means in a competition you can load off the top singly or change magazines without taking your eye off the target, or make notes on a target diagram between shots. I am right handed but I cannot see how a left handed person could use this technique and get the benefits. This is very useful when competing at Bisley.
I was always told that the rear locking lugs on the Lee Enfield were the best feature,allowing for an extremely high rate of fire,as well demonstrated here.
I'm a former Colonist here in the Atlanta area and I've had an SMLE for 15 years and did not know it's superb characteristics until I saw your excellent video! Well done.
Thanks for the education on the Lee Enfield. I shot one once and was impressed by the fast action. I was also impressed with your fast shooting. Using the middle finger to pull the trigger nice. Good Job!
As a K98k owner, I can acknowledge how the Enfield is faster. But I do think the rifles are suited to each role. TFB TV put it best I think. The Germans brought a Hunting rifle, The Americans brought a Target rifle, The British brought a battle rifle, And the Russians brought.... A rifle.
The Moisin has been manufactured in Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa, and used on every continent except Antarctica. My Moisin is Finnish. Of course the highest scoring sniper in the world was a Finn.
The Badass Bassist I absolutely love the M1 Garand but it is not a target rifle, ,, some of those rifles were accurize but most of the sniper rifle's for the US during that time were 03 Springfield or model 17 s
It's kinda funny when people constantly compare rifles of WW2 because the thing is while the Germans used the Kar98k, the 98k was not expected to directly engaged rifles like the Lee Enfield! Why people may ask? Because in WW2, the German infantry doctrine was focused on the machine gun. Where's the UK, the US, and to a certain extend Russia focused more on rifles and the machine gun was relegated to the support role, the Germans placed the machine gun as the front line offensive weapon while the riflemen were assigned to either protect the machine gun or capture the area that the machine gun cleared.
Germans had a kludged doctrine in WWII, with special antitank, weapons for special targets. In infantry they had the Universal machine gun for all infantry targets, but the MG-42 was too heavy to be a light machine gun, (particularly considering the weight of its ammunition) had a lower sustained rate of fire than the US .30 Browning, and didn't have the range of the US .50 Browning.
They were smashed by superior numbers, not superior equipment or tactics. Germany was defeated in the east by the Russians, the werstern allies were merely annoying. Look at the map how far the Red Army had gotten and compare that to that little short trip from Normany to the Rhine... Idiot fucktard...
Hahaha, the west had just about bombed every german city to rubble and had completely decimated german infrastructure. I guess that was pretty annoying.
99smite "the werstern [sic] allies were merely annoying" I have no idea why people like you decide to lecture people on subjects about which you know little to nothing. That claim is utterly absurd. Would you like to take it back? You can double down if you like, but I don't recommend it. You'll come off looking really bad.
I love all old machinery because of the ingenious ways they tackled problems, and the inventiveness, and happy accidents like the bolt being just in the right position behind the trigger for doing the mad minute. I love that stuff.
As an American who has a love of Springfields and mauser style actions (Winchester Model 70 is my favorite) i'll happily admit that the SMLE is by far the fastest and easiest action to work at speed. I love all rifles and they all have criticisms. Hopefully I'll be adding an SMLE to my collection soon. Great channel!
The Lee Enfield was my hunting rifle, where I lived in Western Canada we seldom got shots over 150 meter (deer hunting) and as there was a lot of trees and brush, the shorter length of the Lee Enfield was nice as you were not banging it on branches etc. We were limited to a 5 round capacity, but for hunting is was great, well it was a bit heavy. Cheers from Tokyo!
German infantry: we are pinned down by numerous machine guns. Reality: a small number of British soldiers using Lee Enfields & putting so much lead down range. Enough said!
At the Battle of Mons (1914), which was the first encounter the Germans had with the British Expeditionary Force -- a well-equipped, well-trained, professionally-led and highly disciplined professional army -- they were stopped cold by troops they outnumbered at times 14:1. Hearing the roar of BEF Enfields, the German's assumed there were scores of machine guns on the British side. [Incidentally, a year later only about 20% of the pre-war BEF were still alive.]
and then they was forced to reload... and then you get the problem of the lee. huge mag but tiny fucking clips drastically increasing reload time. and because they never fielded lee's like modern rifles with box mags for reloading. a german rifle can keep up and out pace you after some time. hence why i generally like german rifles over the lee's. dont need to worry about using two clips. ya the 10 rounds are nice (not counting the fact there was conversions to increase the magazine size) and a far safer gun in general. and rifle grenades are always fun to play with.
The battery fail was the best thing that happened to the video. The bright background in the outdoor view caused the aperture of the camera lens to close so much that much of what you were explaining could not be seen. That being said, you have convinced me to find a Lee Enfield. Thank you.
Cool video. Finally one where the shooter doesn't have trouble cycling the bolt. This seems to be a problem that plagues most American UA-camrs shooting the Lee-Enfield. Not sure if that's because they aren't used to the cock on close or if they're mostly shooting inferior Savage-made rifles, but I've never seen anyone in real life have that problem so it's nice to have a video showing how the gun _should_ function, even if it's not in military configuration. Cheers.
Thanks for the video and knowledge. My first deer rifle was a S.M.L.E. 303, loved that rifle, unfortunately it was stolen ☹☹. I've since acquired another Lee Enfield chambered in .308.
As a 13 year old cadet I achieved a 1 inch grouping with the No4 Lee Enfield at 100 yards. Even using rifles which were 40 plus years old the action was smooth and fast.I did exactly what you said, stayed in the aim whilst loading a new round. Since then I've fired so many weapons from 120mm, (Wombat), anti tank missiles, (Milan), down to 5.56 but the Lee Enfield remains as my favourite
you never just pick up one...especially with how the price has been going up on enfields lately....i just got my third today a 1915 no1 mk 3, that gets to sit with my canadian n04 mk1 and the ishapore .410
Great video. I've always had a high respect for the Enfield rifles alongside the contemporary Mausers and the Springfield. This was all the information I wanted to know about the bolt, and then some. I'm working on a little project trying to merge the functions of the Enfield's bolt as you described in the video with some key features of a mauser for dangerous game hunting. Learned some new things here to add to my research. Cheers.
Just came across your videos. You really know your stuff and this comes across. I am U.K. based so would never get a chance to see these weapons in action. Although did fire 303 when in ATC at camp many many years ago. These videos help me understand better what my figure wargame rules and metal/plastic figures are doing. Thank you for these interesting videos
Also a very fast rifle to shoot because of the aperture sight. Much easier to aim and stay on target with rapid fire. I know my fellow Canadians have loved the Enfield for many years. Awesome hunting rifle. Deer, Elk, and Moose no problem.
Whenever got leave from RCN while stationed in Esquimalt, I hunted throughout the PNW every chance I got and got all my ammo free from left over stocks of it still in HMCS Naden stores just after the transition to the FN. That old Lee Enfield is probably still out there now in the hands of some grandson of the native guy I sold it to for $25. Mine had the flip-up vernier adjustable for elev. rear "peep" sights.
At first. watching the fact that your hand never really left the bolt handle was the most salient feature of the video - everything else you said followed from that. This actually makes a great deal of sense of everything I've either heard or read of the Lee-Enfield, never having shot one myself.
My friend, you had me sold on the very first remarks you made in the video. I have a Mk IV and I absolutely love it. I recently undertook the challenge to restore the wood on it without destroying the "look" of the old 'Smelly.' I have owned just about every battle rifle made for both World Wars all the way through Vietnam and hands down without equivocation, the .303 is my number 1 go to. I hunt with it, would not hesitate to take it into battle and would make love to it, were it not for the bayonet lug LOL. Thank you so very much for putting this video up! I learned quite a bit about it that I had just been taking for granted. You did a great job...
Can't say I'm a fan boy of any of the rifles mentioned. I love the Springfield and the Mauser. (Lovely rifles to fire). However it's like the man said. The ergonomics of the SMLE really offered the subtle advantages that makes it top on my list of preferences. Not taking away from the German/American rifles, as they're excellent in their own rights. But the Canadian/Aussie in me simply loves the smooth action if the Lee Enfield and the good sights.
@@glenkerr1059 specifically talking about the bolt action Springfield. the M1 is probably the best rifle in WW2, and certainly helped the Americans and the Allies win the war.
What would life be without haters!! I couldn't find anyone who had experienced a reasonable answer. Excellent bolt working skills and obviously a studious Gent. Subbed for good attitude. I own 1917 eddystone floated in a #3 contour. 308 Norma mag. M98 R. Damage in win 270. I do also know your presentation is correct!!! Stay Blessed and keep shooting@!
I have both a Garand and an SMLE. Love them both. The Garand is a prestigious status symbol and the SMLE is a fabulous working gun. I am very well armed with either.
Thanks for the video... I am a big fan of Lee field. Most of the departments have discarded considering this as old school. This video is really helpfull
thanks for that, now I understand why the German troops in early ww 1 thought they were on the receiving end of machine gun fire. funky looking rifle too.
I was issued a Lee-Enfield 0.303 at school. We had the Combined Cadet Force in those times (I think they still do at that school) and shot these weapons at the range. Mine was stamped 1911 so then it was 50 years old and almost certainly saw service in WW1 and possibly early on in WW2. That had a 5 round magazine. Still worked perfectly and although I knew little about firearms back then I do remember a silky smooth action of the bolt even though we were not trying to fire rapidly.
pointed out on an American video that for fast shooting he should be using his middle finger. The reply was "as an American I shoot for accuracy" oh dear wonder what my Granddad RIP. would have said if told he wasnt shooting accurately. I think a lot of Germans thought he was accurate enough. Btw he was a regular not conscript in WW1
Wish i had seen (and thus been able to link to) this video when i was in an argument with a guy that said that the speed and ergonomics of the SMLE was no real big advantage when compared to a Mauser or Mosin.
The superb hunting rifle comment? I have my dad's old 1926 Enfield. It IS a superb hunting rifle. If you look at the actual stats vs .306 or .308, it actually performs better overall. I just find it a much more user friendly. The difference in cartridge size is negligible when bringing down a moose. It is a high powered rifle.
The difference in cartridge "size" is negligible but it somehow performs better overall? Interesting logic. Tell me what jurisdiction allows 10 rounds or more of magazine capacity for "hunting rifles". Here in the U.S. game animals are those that require a license and usually a "habitat stamp" to hunt them and for which there are limited seasons and usually a requirement that harvested animals must be tagged and checked in. And I've never heard of total capacities in excess of 6 rounds being legal. Usually its 5 rounds and very few commercial "hunting rifles" with internal magazines (whether "true" internal "blind" magazines with no hinged floorplate like a Remington 700 ADL or hinged-floorplate internal magazines that may or may not have a removable box magazine that attaches to it) have magazine capacities in excess of 4 rounds for that very reason. Even those that will hold 5 rounds in the magazine will only do so with the bolt or floorplate open and those parts can't be closed with 5 rounds in the mag. The bolt must be open for a hinged floor plate to close with 5 rounds in the magazine and obviously the bolt must be back for 5 rounds to be inserted in a blind magazine. As soon as the magazine is full and the bolt is closed, a round is chambered and the rifle is in a "4 + 1" condition. And that's for the "mainstream" non-Magnum rifle cartridges like .308, .30-06 etc. Belted Magnum and short and super short Magnum cartridges and the big-bore "super Magnum" cartridges like .338 Remington Ultra Mag and .338 Lapua Magnum either have 2 or 3 round internal magazine capacity or "conventional" box magazines that protrude through the bottom of the stock. But still never more than 5 rounds total capacity if they're "sporting rifles" being used by hunters with a clue. That's not a big deal or a "handicap" for people that can hit what the hell they're aiming at and in the U.S. even .30-06 Springfield isn't REALLY considered the "do-it-all" cartridge most foreigners seem to think Americans view it as. Especially not for LARGE game like elk, moose, grizzly bear etc. All other game animals in the U.S. are MEDIUM-SIZED GAME and THIN-SKINNED GAME at that. .338-caliber Magnum are considered a "minimum" for large game by most ethical and experienced hunters. Probably because there are no real penalties in terms of weight and bonuses in terms of "power" carrying a .338 magnum vs. a .300 magnum and typically not even over long-action non-magnum cartridges like .30-06 Springfield. Sure magnums typically have 2-4" longer barrels but when the outer "profile" of those barrels and the size and length of the receiver and every other part of the rifle is identical to long-action non-Magnums and there's a bigger hole drilled through the middle of that barrel blank, the weight increases are slim to none. And ususually with "long magnums" you give up only one round of magazine capacity compared to long-action and short-action non-magnum cartridges. And .30-06-based "poor man's magnums" that use .30-06 cases necked up to .338 and even .35 like .338-06 and .35 Whelen take a .30-06 hunting rifle and make it lighter and "more powerful" with no magazine capacity loss at all. In many cases the existing .30-caliber barrel can be bored out and rifled for the larger bullets and a weight reduction is realized. The major benefits of new and improved powders and "duplex load" light-magnum .30-06 ammunition like Hornady's Light Magnum 150-grain .30-06 ammo that clocks in excess of 3000 fps out of standard "short" .30-06 barrels which for decades now have been in the 20-22" range for modern hunting rifles in the 6.5-7.5 lb. range with synthetic stocks are advantages your beloved Lee-Enfield will never have even though they ARE applicable to .303 British ammunition. Sucks to be you having such a "superior" and "illegal" hunting rifle in most North American jurisdictions I'm familiar with unless you install a magazine capacity "limiter". Which there's no reason not to since the shitty 10-round Lee-Enfield magazines and those crappy springs were NEVER recommended for continual 10-round capacity. I've read early 1900s British "musketry" manuals that specifically state that 10 rounds should only be loaded in those magazines for immediate firing. Otherwise for general "carry" situations only 5 should be loaded. Did you know that about your "superior" rifle? I seriously doubt it. Just like I seriously doubt you've ever harvested a moose anywhere but in a "big game hunt" video game and your own fantasies.
the canadian ranger in this article use a lee enfield to hunt since 2002 ...www.thestar.com/news/insight/2014/10/18/lack_of_spare_parts_triggers_the_end_for_old_reliable_leeenfield_rifle.html
Once owned an SMLE 303, the best rifle I ever owned, rugged as!! Used for hunting here in Aotearoa (New Zealand) accurate as a lazer tougher than a brick, Dang! Sure miss it!
Very nice video. I would just like to say maybe do a video with the Sun not too bright in the background so easier to see the parts you are talking about clearer. Thank you.
love this....one of the reasons the Ishaport Enfiled is my favorite surplus rifles. due to being chambered in the easier to find(cheaper to) 7.62nato. Thank you for the entertainment and sharing your knowledge
good information on the enfield. don't pay attention to the naysayers. they don't know what a bolt action rifle is anyway. they find fault if it does not support their limited knowledge.
I still use my grandfathers Lee Enfield to hunt deer here in Canada. It works just fine. I like the 30-06 Springfield but my 303 is what I'm used to and it just works.
A secondary advantage to the 10 round magazine is using 5 round clips, the magazine can be "topped up" during pauses in battle. The 98K and Garand had to be shot empty before reloading.
Gungeek Or you're making biased, sweeping blanket statements, false comparisons/contrasts, etc. For example, you can operate a Lee Enfield in 2 motions and can't with other rifles? That's patently false. Locking lugs are stronger farther back? False...
Bloke on the Range I suppose I should mention mine is a Finn, so she's slicker than ruskie sewer pipes. Still, it can be done on any decent nugget with a bit of muscle memory.
+A daft punk The reason Russian Mosins have such a bad reputation for sticky bolts is because of how the Russians stored them. They coated them with cosmoline which is great for preventing corrosion. A pain in the ass to get out of your action though. It's a hassle but once you clean that shit out its much better.
You mean like posting ignorant bullshit propaganda like "Lee-Enfields are as strong as any other bolt-action" when clearly most REAL "experts" and particularly experienced and knowledgeable Lee-Enfield enthusiasts admit that the reason there AREN'T "sporterized" Lee-Enfields chambered for much more powerful or even slightly more powerful cartridges and why only a VERY few commercial rifles copy the vaunted "cock-on-close/rear locking lug" design supposedly so "superior" for fast, accurate and reliable shooting is the long list of inherent weaknesses of the design? Yeah. That's "accomplishing something". Just like any comment contrary to that line of complete bullshit is automatically "pissed off".
By pure happenstance, I saw this video just before I watched Dunkirk one night, and noticed one of the riflemen extras amongst the opening scenes doing exactly what you point out with the Lee Enfield's single two-stop motion whilst not losing contact with the target. Good one Bloke! :)
Bikerbob59 Even if that's true, it's a complete meaningless statistic that is easily chalked up to availability or any number of other factors more likely than it being a superior rifle.
I was scolded for rapid firing at a local gun range. I looked at the rangemaster and said, "with a bolt action?" He looked at me and my Enfield, shook his head, and said never mind. Great video!
Lol nice
Lmao
Ask about the range of their balls? Soccer or Football. You will get your answer.
Franken Rifle? Why not call it FrankEnfield
Alex frenkfield
Frank Enfield? Wasn’t he a singer?
@@numberstation There is some lawyer that comes up on wikipedia named Frank Enfield
Is he related to Harry Enfield?
numberstation harry einfield
Wow.
Old memories. Still remember our instructor flipping back the bolt with his fore finger. This is 55 years back in India's national cadet corps.
Also the small length bolt action.
Instructor lying prone, rifle touching the cheek and firing away repeatedly.
Anantha Padmanabhan 55 years back in India? Just after the war? Didn't they get their independence right around then? Was there no animosity towards an English weapon? What's the national cadet corps? Like their reserve or something?
@@F1fan4eva No 55 years back is 1963-64. India got independence in 1947. It was not a violent overthrow but more an orderly exit. NCC was formed in 1950 and open to school and college students via their school or college organizations. NCC was under the army. The rifles were left behind by the brits. The ranges were outdoor ones meant just for the NCC and maximum of 25 yards The instructors were regular army men.
.
@@F1fan4eva good probing questions but they can probably be googled
Thanks for your service, Sir.
Yup, I almost broke my shoulder in one such firing drill because of my bad shouldering technique. I thought they would call in doctor have me checked for broken or dislocated shoulder... But my ustadji made run around the ground with my pitthu filled with sand for my mistake.
"I can work the bolt without punching myself in the face"
>proceeds to almost knock hat off
TheApatheticGuy not his face though
Do you care?.Just asking.
Now only the brodie helmet poses a problem
Came to the comments to find this comment
I cant like your comment, its currently at 303!
WWI the Americans brought a target rifle, the British a battle rifle, the Germans a Hunting rifle, and the Russians...well they brought a rifle
Most of the time the Russians didn't even bring rifles!
Sekushiwolf you're right, they just brought bears!
And the target rifle was a copy of the hunting rifle.
France brought an old battle rifle , and end up with Pre-garand en bloc SA rifles
Yes, they brought A rifle.
Him: "I'm gonna annoy some Mauser and Springfield fanboys..."
Me: I'm a pretty openminded dude when it comes to rifles, let's see what he's talking about.
Him: "...with this." 0:09
Me: *screams in terror*
When I had that made, it was a current production rifle, so nothing to scream in terror about, lol :p Not my fault that AIA collapsed shortly afterwards and they suddenly became collectors' items :D
I dunno... I like it and think it's neat. It's kind of what I might've dreamed or imagined the result if an Enfield and M14 had a child... sort of a Mini 14 with a mild bolt action disability that dishes out worse dead arms than all the other Mini 14's in the playground (no offense to the proud owner of course) Something like that anyway. It has a very what could've been/alternate history feel about it tbh.
i swear to god i thought this was a vsauce video
lmao
Hey, Vsauce, Micheal here. Lee Enfields are fast but how is it so fast?
What is fast? How do we measure... Fast?
Measure with a Mad Minute.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_minute
Michael here and today we're going to talk about frankenrifle
Enfields also make great hunting rifles. A hell of a lot of meat was put on tables here in New Zealand because of the good old 303
You must be very proficient to be able to hunt with rifle grenades, and have the patience of a chess grandmaster, picking up all that meat.
@@madman2u rifle grenades????
@Tony Lam Semi Auto's were legal in NZ until someone killed 50 people. Still in both Australia and NZ you can still get large calibre hunting rifles and also pistols. Its just self defence isn't an appropriate reason to own a firearm.
There is a still an active gun community here in Australia and a large number of people around me own and operate firearms. We just don't need AR15s...
@Tony Lam Mate please. What's an ar15, gunna do against an abrams
@Tony Lam What rights you talking about? It may surprise you but we have our own laws and your constitution does not mean diddly squat here. Owning a gun here is not a "right" but a privilege. Sure many criminals may not be handing their guns in but what use are they to them if they have to hide them away because if they are caught with them its jail. You may say it was because of one person, but for a long time most NZ'ers have questioned the need for Semi Auto's but the gun lobby backed by your NRA stopped any changes.
No mention of the “mad minute”? In a time when automatic weapons were rare, being able to line up 1,000 men prone with their Lee-Enfields and have each able to easily put 20 rounds of aimed rifle fire down range in less than a minute blunted more than one German mass assault early in WW1.
My Grandfather was an Old Contemptible, fighting at Mons with the Royal West Kents. He was taken to the ranges on his 70th birthday down at hythe in Kent and was given a Lee Enfield and was still able to put 16 shots into the target in one minute.
@Ray That’s pretty remarkable. I never even thought to try this, and I have 2 Enfield’s among other things in my collection. Finding ammo these days is the hard part, so I have only shot one of them, one time.
I do have do ask if you forgot a digit on your bullet weight though. 37gr seems awfully light for such a rifle. Don’t you mean perhaps 237 or 137? I know I load 168’s in my M1A and that’s just the .308, which is a smaller casing. And the Mauser I want to say is up around 200. I can’t remember honestly, but 37 is far too light for that round lol.
@Ray That sounds a lot more like it lol. Brain farts happen to the best of us though. I couldn't imagine a 30 cal shooting a 37gr round... I'm pretty sure it would break time space and prove the theory of relativity once and for all since it would be going damn near light speed with a 40 something grain load of varget or something lol. I know .223/5.56 blended metal (frangible rounds) can hit 4k fps, and they are actually 30-40gr due to their materials.
@Ray Correct. Officially the Mk VII .303 British round fired a 174 grain bullet at 2440 feet per second muzzle velocity. More than enough to penetrate one's cloak and bend one's dagger.
Aniquin cheap, surplus .303 is very hard to find. Most has dried up, at least in the U.S. New brass ammo starts around 75 cents/round, and is usually more than that.
"Meet Franklin rifle"
Wow, what an interesting rifle
"The ugliest rifle I have owned"
What a ridiculous looking rifle.
Undercooked Bat Soup your name is even more hilarious now based on current events.
I agree, looks are absolutely everything! Forget ease of use, reliability, accuracy and rate of fire. I bet you have gold heart shaped glitter motives on your rifle.
@@Cockney1 chill they were making a joke that first they went "oh that looks neat" the once they were told it was ugly they "ok if its ugly, yeah its ugly," it's based on how people can make their own judgements about subjective things but when an expert says something people disregard their original opinion
An Englishman with a paperboy hat shooting a Lee Enfield... God Save the Queen
Bob Bobertson here here!
Isn't the dizzy broad the primary person responsible for "citizens" of the U.K. and other "Commonwealth" countries losing as many of their "gun rights" and "weapon rights" as they have? Who'd want to "save" her? And you can save the "figurehead with political power" and "Commonwealth countries are democracies" bullshit. I know about "royal prerogative" and "royal assent" and how "Westminster-system" parliaments not only don't vote on any "bills" or "laws" but how their "House of Lords" are picked by the "sovereign" and not by the people in a "popular election". Not to mention that HALF are chosen by the "sovereign" acting in his or her "role" as "head of state" and the other half by the "sovereign" acting in his or her "role" as "head of the national church/religion". Some "democracy". And so WORTH DEFENDING!
*DEEREMEYER1:* No, she isn't. The royal family are as conservative as they come. They're also forbidden from getting involved in political matters. The loss of rights in Britain is 100% on _Parliament,_ not the Queen. I don't know how she stands it, watching the country she supposedly rules being torn apart by politicians.
@@deeremeyer1749 LOL where the hell did that BS come from? is that axe you're dragging around heavy? LOL tough life when no one cares what you think huh?
I do it too, but you just can't convince slaves they're slaves. They'll kill you for it. Just let them remain. Get into finance and try to work your way up, learn and absorb what Soros, Lord Baron Nathaniel Charles Jacob, Halliburton, IMF, Rockefeller, Council on Foreign Relations, WJC, IBA, and the entities you discover along the way; have to say and find your fit. Everything from that down, is going to lead you astray. You're not going to be able to use your sheeple deductive reasoning on what I just said. You either get it or you don't.
Outstanding video, sir. I learned a ton. Many thanks.
As an American, I have to admit this. The Lee Enfield is one of the best bolt action rifles ever made, and overall if you're not downing elephant or cape buffalo, or shooting past 1000 yards, then the Lee is the best bolt action for the money I can think of.
If you want to down an elephant, get a Mauser with a bigger bullet.
If you're just poor and can't afford a semi-auto, get a Lee
If you're really poor get a Mosin Nagant.
Ultimately, any gun will serve you well with good training.
The Mauser is only a touch bigger than the standard SMLE
7.92 x 56mm
pweter351 I was talking abut how mauser actions can be modified to take big game cartridges much beyond what the Enfield can (because of the Mausers forward locking lug system).
Yeah sorry I thought that is what you ment after I posted. He does say its a AK mag so I its chambered for the shorter 39 mm round
@103132319598774406615 These designs are both fine for 303, 308, 7mm Mauser, 30-06, 7.62X54R. But once we get past 45-70 and enter 300 win mags, 450 Marlin, and then the African Big Game rifle cartridges, then the Enfield's design just isn't strong enough to handle those larger cartridges.
If you want a good bolt action in a "normal" caliber, the Lee Enfield can't be beat for the money.
Or, you know, get an M1 Garand or AR-15.
I always recommend the AR-15 to new shooting enthusiasts because of how versatile it is. In legit 30 seconds you can make your gun from a pistol caliber carbine to a 50 BMG anti-material rifle and everything in between.
I remember the old saying; "The German rifle is a hunting rifle, the American rifle is a target rifle, and the British rifle is a battle rifle"...
that is a great quote
Brian Patronie and the Russian rifle is a rifle
Catwithanm16 and the Russian rifle is a pile of 💩
TheVideoMaker15
dude be careful, at every gun show i've gone to... the mosin fanboys are DEDICATED
I wish I had said that. Point on ID say having owned and fired all... but it's the craftsman that masters his tools as well.
I had figured this out when I first got my hands on a No 4 during a demonstration where for the first time I heard of the announcer mention the British had claimed the Enfield was the first Automatic rifle because of the Rapidness of the Action. So I did the same thing Bloke has just demonstrated in the Video here. By using my middle finger to depress the trigger while maintaining the handing of the bolt with my thumb and Index. SO I was able to empty the ten round mag in rapid succession. The Bolt Position and motion is easy to get into the flow and action. I love the Lee Enfield Model Rifle.
When I worked as a gunsmith at Century Int'l Arms in Montreal (many years ago), we had several thousand SMLE's that had to have steel welded on to the bolt heads and then machined down to proper headspace. Since the action locks at the rear, the bolt, after many, many thousands of rounds, would distort slightly. This is the reason that the bolt heads came in three sizes - so that if the headspace became too large, a longer bolt head could be swapped in. Also, the rifles, since they were surplus and had been through many hands, usually did not have their factory-original bolts (bolts were serialized to match the actions) and so subsequently even swapping in the longest bolt head would not result in correct headspace.
As to the "wandering zero" legend, this was usually due to the two-piece stock rather than the action. A stock that either through heavy use or improper re-assembly ended up having a little "play" in it, could not be counted on to give correct shot-to-shot consistency.
Really enjoyed your video, Bloke. Very informative.
Cheers!
@Bronx Cheer: Props.
The way I heard it, at least for the Australian (SAF Lithgow) rifles, the differing bolt head sizes were to allow a wider range of tolerances to speed up wartime production, not to account for wear/stretching. The advantage for late life or after-service use, is if your rifles has developed excess headspace - and it was not fitted with the biggest bolt head - it's an easy fix.
Thanks very much for supplying that, Alexander. Very informative- in places, I was surprised to see what was already well known in 1931.
Hey vsauce, michael here
Lee Enflield... why is it so... fast?
Or... is it?
what if I told you...
lol69_ hahahahah yes!
lol
"I can move the bolt without punching my self in the face"
*PROCEEDS TO PUNCH HIMSELF IN THE FACE*
Another one who can't tell a hat brim from a face...
@@BlokeontheRange i can, nevertheless, it was pretty funny :D
Sorry, but I have to agree it was funny. No, it was not your face. But close enough to make me smile.
The eternal anglo is at it again
@@BlokeontheRange close enough hehehe gonna buy a lee enfeild later
"I can work the bolt without punching myself in the face"
*almost punches himself in the face*
_almost_ ;)
it wa a hat,not the face:)
Lonely Potato
gotta love that 7.62x39... smaller jacket = less throw with the bolt. I think he's an Enfield fanboy. But eh, lots of nice guns out there.
If it shoots bullets without exploding, it works
Yes. I was citing an impromptu reason for why you don't accidentally punch yourself with it while chambering the rifle. Its a good gun. The guns he compares it to have larger cases, I am guessing that causes more throw in the bolt with those rifles.
Lee Enfield 303, the first weapon I received my Marksman cert with,... pretty old weapon but one of the smoothest I've used.
Me to as a RAF apprentice in 1962, I had no idea where this would lead me.
Who Dares Wins
Beautiful action, can't be denied. I remember the shoot off between the Lee Enfield and the Garand with Gunny R Lee Ermey, and it was only a little slower than the Garand (the lee enfield having absolutely crushed the springfield before).
1: The action is smooth and easy enough to cycle quickly keeping you close enough to on target.
2: You can accurately pull the trigger without letting go of the bolt handle after you cycle it.
3: You are also using the same had to fire it that you cycle the bolt with so the other hand can keep the gun rock steady.
Yeah....we know....we watched the video!!!!!!
In response to that last fanboy critisism about hunting rifles, I use my Lithgow No1MkIII as my primary hunting rifle when I know I'm dealing with bigger stuff like skippy or goat and it performs wonderfully. The only problem is if you manage to pick up a frankenrifle you're a bit stuffed for optics if you want to keep it clip loaded. Here in Australia where the Enfields were sold for as little as 8 quid in the 50s and 60s from surplus many farmers picked them up and I know more than one that still use the Enfield that their dads left with the property. It helped that .303 was always cheap here and even new .303 from PPG is still cheaper than comparable .308 and it costs next to nothing to hand load.
The only discomfort is that they're a bit front heavy but getting a $10 surplus sling off the internet and wrapping it around your arm makes that a non-issue.
Great video mate, I even learned a few things and I'm something of an Enfield nerd.
I can't take you seriously with that kermit the frog picture.
I first learned that middle finger on the trigger technique as a cadet aged 15 using our WW2 surplus SMLEs. It felt like a rite of passage getting my marksman certification. We had just 2 of the 4T models which we would share on competitions. We would also have competitions to time how fast we could break down and re assemble the SMG while blindfolded.
Tell me you're american without telling me you're american
Tell me you're European and have suffered through countless genocides and millions upon millions of deaths in the last 100 years or less but still claim NA is unsafe.@@kentknightofcaelin4537
Thought Micheal from Vsauce finally cracked
"You WILL upgrade to Red!!"
Loved the vid. Its honest. Most videos on the net would've edited out the part were you 'hit' your hat (to keep the crazies from posting a rage load of stupid comments), or the battery cutting out or anything else that doesn't support their own fanboyish fervor. This was simple enough, clear and honest. Good stuff. Thanks.
Same thoughts. Crazies love to think they can bully an honest man. You couldn't pay any of them enough money to go face and head to head with those bolt skills in live fire..
Peace..
Welcome to the internet then: tis an harsh place, and even though words can be mean, they're just words. You just ignore them.
And as you can notice from the comments, people didn't cared about he almost knocking his hat off the moment he said that the bolt was good enough for him not to hit himself in the face and the battery cut off.
Quit trying to make some victing calling when there is no need, this ain't buzzfeed.
Also poppa: most of the time when people are especially harsh on a topic they usually bring proof.
While you two only wrote to make some shame-calling.
Learned to shoot the SMLE in the cadets 40 odd years ago and even in the hands of hamfisted grammar school boys the things always worked.
The SMLE was a very well thought out weapon. The Mauser and the "American Mauser" might have one or two advantages but the Enfield was still better overall. I think the fact that it served in two world wars in the armies of a dozen countries and is still used by the Canadian arctic rangers and by the police in India says it all really.
Well it's basically a biathlon gun!
So? The Mauser served in a lot more countries and is the base for almost every bolt action rifle made today. Wheres your point? According to this argument the Mauser is way better than the Lee Enfield.
zoidberg444
Canadian rangers just gave it up for a new rifle this year actually
Howitzer933 They made a serious mistake. I know what rifle i'd want if it was all that was standing between me and being a polar bears dinner in -60°C.
zoidberg444 How many rifles copy the Mauser action rather than the SMLE action
Thanks for the video! The first rifle I've ever owned that I well and truly love is a No1 Mk.III, UK-made in 1907. Still shoots great, although I wish .303 British weren't so damned expensive.
All of them are accurate rifles, the Enfield allows a squad to lay down accurate firepower. Aka the mad minute.
I had an old ishnapor .303 . fired old cordite surplus rounds .never let me down .really roasted it to see if it tightened up .....nope... 100 yard steel plate became boring .later bought a 7.62 lee enfield conversion sporterized .same deal ....went on and on 26" barrel. 300 yards ..17" drop .10" target hit all day long .bags of practice and fun .great rifles .nothing ever broke .quite amazing.
Now I know why the British excelled with the "mad minute" of accurate rifle fire.
and they got paid more if they did so
Thanks!
You're more than welcome! :D
@@BlokeontheRange this is the only concise explanation of the SMLE’s nifty bolt action I’ve found on UA-cam. Least I could do. Cheers :)
Australians - Making ugly weapons that just work since 60,000BC.
He has done a heap on mods on it
He's not Australian...
ShinyFind Talking about the gun mate. Not the bloke.
Alexander nore is the gun Australian
thats where you guys are wrong, the base rifle is an International Arms M10 which IS Australian, if you look at blokes comment he states this plus lists the mods on this particular rifle.
Every Enfield I have used has been very smooth, with a quick action. Just as the one you show here. Excellent rifles.
There is another really good advantage I can add here ! If you use the standard issue military webbing sling and it is adjusted correctly for you yourself with the No.1 SMLE or the No. 4 rifles etc., (or a single point target sling) you will create a triangle of forces which holds the rifle butt tightly into your right shoulder (when shooting prone and resting on your left elbow). It does this so well that you can let go and remove your right hand without the rifle or your sight picture being compromised. This means in a competition you can load off the top singly or change magazines without taking your eye off the target, or make notes on a target diagram between shots. I am right handed but I cannot see how a left handed person could use this technique and get the benefits. This is very useful when competing at Bisley.
All other values aside is it feasible for left-handers to learn to shoot right-handed?
I was always told that the rear locking lugs on the Lee Enfield were the best feature,allowing for an extremely high rate of fire,as well demonstrated here.
I'm a former Colonist here in the Atlanta area and I've had an SMLE for 15 years and did not know it's superb characteristics until I saw your excellent video! Well done.
Thanks for the education on the Lee Enfield. I shot one once and was impressed by the fast action. I was also impressed with your fast shooting. Using the middle finger to pull the trigger nice. Good Job!
As a K98k owner, I can acknowledge how the Enfield is faster. But I do think the rifles are suited to each role.
TFB TV put it best I think.
The Germans brought a Hunting rifle,
The Americans brought a Target rifle,
The British brought a battle rifle,
And the Russians brought.... A rifle.
All Russians ever bring are durable, cheap rifles.
The Moisin has been manufactured in Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa, and used on every continent except Antarctica. My Moisin is Finnish. Of course the highest scoring sniper in the world was a Finn.
The Badass Bassist TFB TV is the biggest joke online. Way to negate anything you said.
The Badass Bassist I absolutely love the M1 Garand but it is not a target rifle, ,, some of those rifles were accurize but most of the sniper rifle's for the US during that time were 03 Springfield or model 17 s
Johannes van Hoek I believe he was referring to WW1 so it would be the
1903 Springfield
It's kinda funny when people constantly compare rifles of WW2 because the thing is while the Germans used the Kar98k, the 98k was not expected to directly engaged rifles like the Lee Enfield! Why people may ask? Because in WW2, the German infantry doctrine was focused on the machine gun. Where's the UK, the US, and to a certain extend Russia focused more on rifles and the machine gun was relegated to the support role, the Germans placed the machine gun as the front line offensive weapon while the riflemen were assigned to either protect the machine gun or capture the area that the machine gun cleared.
Germans had a kludged doctrine in WWII, with special antitank, weapons for special targets. In infantry they had the Universal machine gun for all infantry targets, but the MG-42 was too heavy to be a light machine gun, (particularly considering the weight of its ammunition) had a lower sustained rate of fire than the US .30 Browning, and didn't have the range of the US .50 Browning.
Though there's literally nothing wrong in comparing them as they stand, obviously.
I'd rather a Lee anyday.
They were smashed by superior numbers, not superior equipment or tactics. Germany was defeated in the east by the Russians, the werstern allies were merely annoying. Look at the map how far the Red Army had gotten and compare that to that little short trip from Normany to the Rhine... Idiot fucktard...
Hahaha, the west had just about bombed every german city to rubble and had completely decimated german infrastructure. I guess that was pretty annoying.
99smite
"the werstern [sic] allies were merely annoying"
I have no idea why people like you decide to lecture people on subjects about which you know little to nothing.
That claim is utterly absurd.
Would you like to take it back?
You can double down if you like, but I don't recommend it.
You'll come off looking really bad.
I love all old machinery because of the ingenious ways they tackled problems, and the inventiveness, and happy accidents like the bolt being just in the right position behind the trigger for doing the mad minute. I love that stuff.
Your style of commentary is just so amusing to me. Informative and funny. Subbed.
As an American who has a love of Springfields and mauser style actions (Winchester Model 70 is my favorite) i'll happily admit that the SMLE is by far the fastest and easiest action to work at speed. I love all rifles and they all have criticisms. Hopefully I'll be adding an SMLE to my collection soon. Great channel!
What a Lee Enfield informative You Tuber. Great video.. Thanks for sharing Friend...Canada
The Lee Enfield was my hunting rifle, where I lived in Western Canada we seldom got shots over 150 meter (deer hunting) and as there was a lot of trees and brush, the shorter length of the Lee Enfield was nice as you were not banging it on branches etc. We were limited to a 5 round capacity, but for hunting is was great, well it was a bit heavy.
Cheers from Tokyo!
German infantry: we are pinned down by numerous machine guns.
Reality: a small number of British soldiers using Lee Enfields & putting so much lead down range.
Enough said!
1701spacecadet 😳
At the Battle of Mons (1914), which was the first encounter the Germans had with the British Expeditionary Force -- a well-equipped, well-trained, professionally-led and highly disciplined professional army -- they were stopped cold by troops they outnumbered at times 14:1.
Hearing the roar of BEF Enfields, the German's assumed there were scores of machine guns on the British side.
[Incidentally, a year later only about 20% of the pre-war BEF were still alive.]
+Richard Short and my great uncle was one of them...private to colour sergeant in 7 weeks due to being only one left, plus his bravery. a true legend.
yes murdered by there commanders in stupid suicide attacks
and then they was forced to reload...
and then you get the problem of the lee. huge mag but tiny fucking clips drastically increasing reload time. and because they never fielded lee's like modern rifles with box mags for reloading. a german rifle can keep up and out pace you after some time.
hence why i generally like german rifles over the lee's. dont need to worry about using two clips. ya the 10 rounds are nice (not counting the fact there was conversions to increase the magazine size) and a far safer gun in general.
and rifle grenades are always fun to play with.
I believe your last point on the forward cocking is the best advantage of the rifle. Its a favorite.
This guy has made some great points. Nice work
Best military rifle ever the Lee Enfield!!!!
Rugged accurate quick firing and reliable
Whe I did National Service back in 1955 our 'reglar' instructior using a L/E .303 stuck 10 projectiles in a foot square in a shade ove 7 seconds
Great detailed analysis! Thanks for sharing.
That was a comprehensive argument! And i'm a Mauser fanboy!
The battery fail was the best thing that happened to the video. The bright background in the outdoor view caused the aperture of the camera lens to close so much that much of what you were explaining could not be seen. That being said, you have convinced me to find a Lee Enfield. Thank you.
One of the finest rifles ever made !
Cool video. Finally one where the shooter doesn't have trouble cycling the bolt. This seems to be a problem that plagues most American UA-camrs shooting the Lee-Enfield. Not sure if that's because they aren't used to the cock on close or if they're mostly shooting inferior Savage-made rifles, but I've never seen anyone in real life have that problem so it's nice to have a video showing how the gun _should_ function, even if it's not in military configuration. Cheers.
got to say it as a Canadian you see far more Lee Enfields in the woods than any of the others
No way! Whats next? Mausers as hunting rifles in Germany? M1 Garands in the US? Take your witch craft elsewhere! /s
Thanks to your wonderful demonstration I now have a greater understanding and respect for the Enfield. I then hit the subscribe button. Thanks
Thanks for the video and knowledge. My first deer rifle was a S.M.L.E. 303, loved that rifle, unfortunately it was stolen ☹☹. I've since acquired another Lee Enfield chambered in .308.
As a 13 year old cadet I achieved a 1 inch grouping with the No4 Lee Enfield at 100 yards. Even using rifles which were 40 plus years old the action was smooth and fast.I did exactly what you said, stayed in the aim whilst loading a new round.
Since then I've fired so many weapons from 120mm, (Wombat), anti tank missiles, (Milan), down to 5.56 but the Lee Enfield remains as my favourite
Love the british humor. I have become very interested in this rifle recently. Will probably pick one up soon.
you never just pick up one...especially with how the price has been going up on enfields lately....i just got my third today a 1915 no1 mk 3, that gets to sit with my canadian n04 mk1 and the ishapore .410
Great video. I've always had a high respect for the Enfield rifles alongside the contemporary Mausers and the Springfield. This was all the information I wanted to know about the bolt, and then some. I'm working on a little project trying to merge the functions of the Enfield's bolt as you described in the video with some key features of a mauser for dangerous game hunting. Learned some new things here to add to my research. Cheers.
Just came across your videos. You really know your stuff and this comes across. I am U.K. based so would never get a chance to see these weapons in action. Although did fire 303 when in ATC at camp many many years ago. These videos help me understand better what my figure wargame rules and metal/plastic figures are doing. Thank you for these interesting videos
Also a very fast rifle to shoot because of the aperture sight. Much easier to aim and stay on target with rapid fire. I know my fellow Canadians have loved the Enfield for many years. Awesome hunting rifle. Deer, Elk, and Moose no problem.
It'll dump 10 rds in 2 seconds, takes 10 or so to reloa
Whenever got leave from RCN while stationed in Esquimalt, I hunted throughout the PNW every chance I got and got all my ammo free from left over stocks of it still in HMCS Naden stores just after the transition to the FN. That old Lee Enfield is probably still out there now in the hands of some grandson of the native guy I sold it to for $25. Mine had the flip-up vernier adjustable for elev. rear "peep" sights.
At first. watching the fact that your hand never really left the bolt handle was the most salient feature of the video - everything else you said followed from that. This actually makes a great deal of sense of everything I've either heard or read of the Lee-Enfield, never having shot one myself.
My friend, you had me sold on the very first remarks you made in the video. I have a Mk IV and I absolutely love it. I recently undertook the challenge to restore the wood on it without destroying the "look" of the old 'Smelly.' I have owned just about every battle rifle made for both World Wars all the way through Vietnam and hands down without equivocation, the .303 is my number 1 go to. I hunt with it, would not hesitate to take it into battle and would make love to it, were it not for the bayonet lug LOL.
Thank you so very much for putting this video up! I learned quite a bit about it that I had just been taking for granted. You did a great job...
Have loved my No4MkII since the day I bought it.
Can't say I'm a fan boy of any of the rifles mentioned. I love the Springfield and the Mauser. (Lovely rifles to fire). However it's like the man said. The ergonomics of the SMLE really offered the subtle advantages that makes it top on my list of preferences. Not taking away from the German/American rifles, as they're excellent in their own rights. But the Canadian/Aussie in me simply loves the smooth action if the Lee Enfield and the good sights.
Doesn't the M1 garand fire 8 rounds in quick succession
@@glenkerr1059 specifically talking about the bolt action Springfield. the M1 is probably the best rifle in WW2, and certainly helped the Americans and the Allies win the war.
this is a great explanation of how it works. easy to listen to with no nonsense
What would life be without haters!! I couldn't find anyone who had experienced a reasonable answer. Excellent bolt working skills and obviously a studious Gent. Subbed for good attitude. I own 1917 eddystone floated in a #3 contour. 308 Norma mag. M98 R. Damage in win 270. I do also know your presentation is correct!!!
Stay Blessed and keep shooting@!
Enfields are the fucking bomb tho i got two and am always looking for more, Especialy in odd calibres
you should get the .648
Tristan Courter what do you call odd ? I've got a SMLE 303/25 Wildcat, converted by Sportco in South Australia ...
I have both a Garand and an SMLE. Love them both. The Garand is a prestigious status symbol and the SMLE is a fabulous working gun. I am very well armed with either.
That last camera angle was really weird.....
Bill Buck lol
I liked it ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )
Lmao
My Enfield’s action performed even faster when I sprayed some Rem Oil into & around the action.
So very fast, I love it!
Thanks for the video... I am a big fan of Lee field. Most of the departments have discarded considering this as old school. This video is really helpfull
I've been curious about the modern ones for a bolt rifle the enfield is my go to because of the GLORIOUS action
thanks for that, now I understand why the German troops in early ww 1 thought they were on the receiving end of machine gun fire. funky looking rifle too.
I was issued a Lee-Enfield 0.303 at school. We had the Combined Cadet Force in those times (I think they still do at that school) and shot these weapons at the range. Mine was stamped 1911 so then it was 50 years old and almost certainly saw service in WW1 and possibly early on in WW2. That had a 5 round magazine.
Still worked perfectly and although I knew little about firearms back then I do remember a silky smooth action of the bolt even though we were not trying to fire rapidly.
pointed out on an American video that for fast shooting he should be using his middle finger. The reply was "as an American I shoot for accuracy" oh dear wonder what my Granddad RIP. would have said if told he wasnt shooting accurately. I think a lot of Germans thought he was accurate enough. Btw he was a regular not conscript in WW1
Wish i had seen (and thus been able to link to) this video when i was in an argument with a guy that said that the speed and ergonomics of the SMLE was no real big advantage when compared to a Mauser or Mosin.
Thats a very interesting way of firing, holding the bolt and extending a finger onto the trigger. Never thought of that, very cool
The superb hunting rifle comment? I have my dad's old 1926 Enfield. It IS a superb hunting rifle. If you look at the actual stats vs .306 or .308, it actually performs better overall. I just find it a much more user friendly. The difference in cartridge size is negligible when bringing down a moose. It is a high powered rifle.
Rex Mundi What does moose taste like?
hahahahahaha well stated
a 303 is most certainly not a high power cartridge.
The difference in cartridge "size" is negligible but it somehow performs better overall? Interesting logic. Tell me what jurisdiction allows 10 rounds or more of magazine capacity for "hunting rifles". Here in the U.S. game animals are those that require a license and usually a "habitat stamp" to hunt them and for which there are limited seasons and usually a requirement that harvested animals must be tagged and checked in. And I've never heard of total capacities in excess of 6 rounds being legal. Usually its 5 rounds and very few commercial "hunting rifles" with internal magazines (whether "true" internal "blind" magazines with no hinged floorplate like a Remington 700 ADL or hinged-floorplate internal magazines that may or may not have a removable box magazine that attaches to it) have magazine capacities in excess of 4 rounds for that very reason.
Even those that will hold 5 rounds in the magazine will only do so with the bolt or floorplate open and those parts can't be closed with 5 rounds in the mag. The bolt must be open for a hinged floor plate to close with 5 rounds in the magazine and obviously the bolt must be back for 5 rounds to be inserted in a blind magazine. As soon as the magazine is full and the bolt is closed, a round is chambered and the rifle is in a "4 + 1" condition. And that's for the "mainstream" non-Magnum rifle cartridges like .308, .30-06 etc. Belted Magnum and short and super short Magnum cartridges and the big-bore "super Magnum" cartridges like .338 Remington Ultra Mag and .338 Lapua Magnum either have 2 or 3 round internal magazine capacity or "conventional" box magazines that protrude through the bottom of the stock. But still never more than 5 rounds total capacity if they're "sporting rifles" being used by hunters with a clue.
That's not a big deal or a "handicap" for people that can hit what the hell they're aiming at and in the U.S. even .30-06 Springfield isn't REALLY considered the "do-it-all" cartridge most foreigners seem to think Americans view it as. Especially not for LARGE game like elk, moose, grizzly bear etc. All other game animals in the U.S. are MEDIUM-SIZED GAME and THIN-SKINNED GAME at that. .338-caliber Magnum are considered a "minimum" for large game by most ethical and experienced hunters. Probably because there are no real penalties in terms of weight and bonuses in terms of "power" carrying a .338 magnum vs. a .300 magnum and typically not even over long-action non-magnum cartridges like .30-06 Springfield.
Sure magnums typically have 2-4" longer barrels but when the outer "profile" of those barrels and the size and length of the receiver and every other part of the rifle is identical to long-action non-Magnums and there's a bigger hole drilled through the middle of that barrel blank, the weight increases are slim to none. And ususually with "long magnums" you give up only one round of magazine capacity compared to long-action and short-action non-magnum cartridges. And .30-06-based "poor man's magnums" that use .30-06 cases necked up to .338 and even .35 like .338-06 and .35 Whelen take a .30-06 hunting rifle and make it lighter and "more powerful" with no magazine capacity loss at all. In many cases the existing .30-caliber barrel can be bored out and rifled for the larger bullets and a weight reduction is realized.
The major benefits of new and improved powders and "duplex load" light-magnum .30-06 ammunition like Hornady's Light Magnum 150-grain .30-06 ammo that clocks in excess of 3000 fps out of standard "short" .30-06 barrels which for decades now have been in the 20-22" range for modern hunting rifles in the 6.5-7.5 lb. range with synthetic stocks are advantages your beloved Lee-Enfield will never have even though they ARE applicable to .303 British ammunition. Sucks to be you having such a "superior" and "illegal" hunting rifle in most North American jurisdictions I'm familiar with unless you install a magazine capacity "limiter". Which there's no reason not to since the shitty 10-round Lee-Enfield magazines and those crappy springs were NEVER recommended for continual 10-round capacity. I've read early 1900s British "musketry" manuals that specifically state that 10 rounds should only be loaded in those magazines for immediate firing. Otherwise for general "carry" situations only 5 should be loaded.
Did you know that about your "superior" rifle? I seriously doubt it. Just like I seriously doubt you've ever harvested a moose anywhere but in a "big game hunt" video game and your own fantasies.
the canadian ranger in this article use a lee enfield to hunt since 2002 ...www.thestar.com/news/insight/2014/10/18/lack_of_spare_parts_triggers_the_end_for_old_reliable_leeenfield_rifle.html
dafuq? U sure this is no MG42?
i hope you're kidding
i'm don't know my guns, but an mg 42 is not a bolt action rifle i'm pretty sure
Im almost sure the first, secret prototypes were.
but they were different than the lee enfield.
So why is it shooting so fast then?
Once owned an SMLE 303, the best rifle I ever owned, rugged as!! Used for hunting here in Aotearoa (New Zealand) accurate as a lazer tougher than a brick, Dang! Sure miss it!
Very nice video. I would just like to say maybe do a video with the Sun not too bright in the background so easier to see the parts you are talking about clearer. Thank you.
8:40 "I showed you my Enfield, respond to me."
This video is utterly delightful. Thank you sir, I learned something today.
lee Enfield, my favorite rifle.
first video i watched from this guy, at the beginning i thought he would say hey vesauce.
love this....one of the reasons the Ishaport Enfiled is my favorite surplus rifles. due to being chambered in the easier to find(cheaper to) 7.62nato.
Thank you for the entertainment and sharing your knowledge
good information on the enfield. don't pay attention to the naysayers. they don't know what a bolt action rifle is anyway. they find fault if it does not support their limited knowledge.
Thats why i love lee Enfields!.. the best bolt action rifle! Number one for me!.. honestly.. the best
I still use my grandfathers Lee Enfield to hunt deer here in Canada. It works just fine. I like the 30-06 Springfield but my 303 is what I'm used to and it just works.
You should go Trudeau hunting.
As a Springfield fanboy, that intro has me offended
Amazing gun amazing action and amazing history
A secondary advantage to the 10 round magazine is using 5 round clips, the magazine can be "topped up" during pauses in battle. The 98K and Garand had to be shot empty before reloading.
Not quite, as Bloke has demonstrated. If it's got a clip loading system, it can be topped up by adding single rounds
Great video :) you did something right when you get a ton of pissed off comments :D
Gungeek Or you're making biased, sweeping blanket statements, false comparisons/contrasts, etc. For example, you can operate a Lee Enfield in 2 motions and can't with other rifles? That's patently false. Locking lugs are stronger farther back? False...
A daft punk
when did say any of that? tard.. :)
Bloke on the Range I suppose I should mention mine is a Finn, so she's slicker than ruskie sewer pipes. Still, it can be done on any decent nugget with a bit of muscle memory.
+A daft punk The reason Russian Mosins have such a bad reputation for sticky bolts is because of how the Russians stored them. They coated them with cosmoline which is great for preventing corrosion. A pain in the ass to get out of your action though. It's a hassle but once you clean that shit out its much better.
You mean like posting ignorant bullshit propaganda like "Lee-Enfields are as strong as any other bolt-action" when clearly most REAL "experts" and particularly experienced and knowledgeable Lee-Enfield enthusiasts admit that the reason there AREN'T "sporterized" Lee-Enfields chambered for much more powerful or even slightly more powerful cartridges and why only a VERY few commercial rifles copy the vaunted "cock-on-close/rear locking lug" design supposedly so "superior" for fast, accurate and reliable shooting is the long list of inherent weaknesses of the design? Yeah. That's "accomplishing something". Just like any comment contrary to that line of complete bullshit is automatically "pissed off".
Lighting issues, but cool for a first vid!
By pure happenstance, I saw this video just before I watched Dunkirk one night, and noticed one of the riflemen extras amongst the opening scenes doing exactly what you point out with the Lee Enfield's single two-stop motion whilst not losing contact with the target. Good one Bloke! :)
Very cool rifle over here in Canada more big game has been taken with the Lee-Enfield then anything else. lol
most common rifle in the country. Lee Enfield has felled a wider variety of game than any rifle in history
Yep
They have taken tons of Polar bear as well.
I killed my first Buck with a .22 LR
Bikerbob59 Even if that's true, it's a complete meaningless statistic that is easily chalked up to availability or any number of other factors more likely than it being a superior rifle.