Here in Canada, the reason everyone had a 303, was price. I have heard many stories of people walking into a big department store and choosing a 303 from a wooden barrel full of 303's, and the price was $15! Keep in mind that a Winchester mod. 70 was $150 and wouldn't kill a moose or deer any deader. Everyone wanted a Winchester or Mauser in 270 or 30-06, but at just $15 for a very tough rifle with a little less power than a 308, and a little more power than a 300 Savage, the 303 fit the pocket book best! Great job so far on refinishing your 303!
I bought an old 1905 BSA 303 for 5 pounds when I was 16. That thing used to singe my eye boroughs every time I fired it! I moved on and traded it and now I have a selection of 303's SMLE and No.4's plus a No.4 (T). Just gave my son a .25/303 SMLE and a 270/303 P14. Fantastic round and great rifle. I hand load with BARNAUL 125gn SP at 2,750 fps. Everything I hit falls down! The .303 Brit has killed more game around the world (including elephants) than any other cartridge. Nothing wrong with the old ones.
I am lucky enough to own two of these rifles. First is my 1943, full stock, ALL numbers matching beautiful shooter. Second is the first large caliber rifle l ever shot, my fathers 1943 Sporterized Enfield. Absolutely rock solid rifle. Even though it survived a fire, in which virtually all metal finish was removed and the stock was charred, then being locked up for well over a year, after a good going through it is still nut on at 100yrds. Love them both.
Thanks for putting out this video. For me it could not have come at a better time. I had started work on a poorly sporterized lee-enfield 1916 BSA MK III* that a friend sold to me for 50$. Found a beautifully grained old Bishop walnut stock for it that I finished with multiple coats of linseed oil. I too wanted to replace the original sights and install a barrel band but come up short on courage. Now you have inspired me to continue with the project. You’re doing some really nice work, can’t wait to see the end result. Thanks
My dad bought 2 .303 NO. 4 Mark 1's in 1961 for $11.88 each...I still have one of them...shot a big buck in November 1970 while in HS with it. I have not fired it in 52 years, but may use it this year for deer hunting...no need to test fire it...I know how it hits...
I have a 303 that I built up from bits I had, just a barelled action and no wood or magazine. I re-stocked it. The action is from 1899; the original barrel was a bit rough so I have replaced it with a better one. I made a bridge mounted windage adjustable aperture rear sight... good for my old eyes. With the right powder, notably BL-C2 a 303 with 150gr bullets can hit over 2700 with normal pressures, which is very close to 308 ballistics. With iron sights, sighted in 3" high or a tad less at 100 yards, you end up with an MPBR of close to 250 yards for a 10" target size. That's "minute of deer".... This will take you past 300 yards with a bit of holdover and still aiming at hair not air, and 300 is about the limit for iron sights. The MPBR method is a bit of lost art these days wit range finders and 'dopable' scopes, but it works as well as it always did. I handload Hornady 150gr bullets and use the aforementioned BL-C2. These Chronograph at about 2700. When you reload, just neck size them only and they will be good for double figure reloads. Full length sizing will get you head separations sometimes. Good brass helps..... Norma or Lapua if you can get it... but Winchester or RP is OK. A Lee factory crimp die helps relieve shoulder stress when seating bullets too. With the right bedding a Lee will shoot pretty well... around 2MoA with good loads. Well worth the trouble. I'd recommend a few pounds upward fore end pressure on the skinny Lee barrel. Good luck with your old Lee Enfield... they are good rifles, much underestimated in these "600 yards 1MoA" days... 🙂
@@KathrynLiz1 I found ppu brass not to be too bad either. Probably not as s good as the others but with a collet die I've about 6 reloads before full length size
@@vincethewoodlander Yes it's surprisingly good for the price. when you do get to full length size, just "bump" the case in the die enough to make it chamber easily. This works the brass the minimum amount and helps avoid head separations...
Great video Sir! These old gals are simply awesome! Judging from your comments we are the same age. My experiences are similar to yours. I have a No4Mk1, but have recently added a No5 Jungle Carbine. Today, when I handload, I generally load down a tad.....174 gr JRN @ 2150. Our Florida distances are quite close....50 yds+/-.... & our deer aren't particularly big or tough. But then again, I am not either anymore. Love the content.
Have you reloaded any 150 or 180gn bullets? I've had some good luck with 44.2 gn of h4350 but this last batch of imr3031 frustrated me. Looking for any advice if you've experience. Thanks and thanks for watching!
@@vincethewoodlander I have been using Hornady 174 gr JSP's and PPU 180 gr JSP's over 37.5 grs of A4064. Not a fan of recoil anymore 🙃. For my Jungle Carbine I took off the way too short (for me anyway) buttstock and replaced it with a spare #4 butt/brass buttplate. Am heading out tomorrow to restock the feeders and will have this along with me. Five gizmos I have in my ".303 toolbox" are 1) broken shell extractor, 2)front sight adjustment tool 3) firing pin takedown tool 4) long slotted screwdriver for tightening the buttstock and 5) standard length reversable 2 bit screwdriver for all other screws. I carry a 2nd broken shell extractor in the butt trap along with a modified boresnake. For my purposes, I have found that the 3 point Galco Ching-sling is the best way to get off an accurate shot. Sorry to ramble. But .303s are addictive.
Bellissima arma il 303, io posseggo un Lee-Enfield n4 mk1 del 1943 modificato dalla Parker Hale nel 1948 per la caccia. Lo uso in Italia con grande soddisfazione per la caccia di selezione ai cervidi e cinghiali.
In Canada it was a poor man's rifle, yet took more game in Canada than any other calibre from 1920 to 90's ... The Canadian rangers used it till 2019 because it was great in the cold and frozen landscape of our arctic. It is still used up there by hunters... I own a couple great rifles and very dependable...
I love the Enfield rifles, I am glad yours performs so well, how tight does it group compared to the original? as it looks like the original lightweight barrel, am curious as the reason for the stock going all the way up to the end on the Enfields it to give downpressure to compensate for the lack of stiffness, usually at the muzzle for the sake of accuracy... on the early ones it was complicated but adjustable with springs and the no.4 it was done with just pressure on the nosecap about 2-4 lbs if memory serves not worked on one for a while but its one of the secrets of its accuracy, nice job though and I know how much time it takes to get things like this right, so this one is definatly a labour of love but it will outlast you...
It has always been sporterized since I bought it in the early 90s so I'm uncertain of the accuracy difference. You're the second person to mention the up/down pressure and I'm curious to find out why the physics of that helps. I was always under the impression that free floating and letting the harmonics happen as they may was best versus worrying about barrels whipping around. I am open to and would love new knowledge or information. Thanks for your help in advance and thanks for watching.
Been busy lately with construction and hunting but I've been working up loads, practicing this whole time and planning on deer hunting with it next week. Hopefully I get it on video. Thanks for asking and watching
A question. Why dies the heavier bullet lose energy more quickly? It would seem that a heavier bullet would carry its punch further due to heavier mass and perhaos lower air friction if the muzzle velocity is lower.
The lower energy is caused by the lower initial and extended velocity in the bullet with more mass.. It has to do with the mathematical formula for kinetic energy. KE = 1/2 MV^2. If I double the mass (M) energy will double. If I double the velocity (V), energy will increase 4x because velocity has an exponential factor (^2). If both bullets hit the target at the same velocity the heavier bullet would be able to do more Work. This would allow it to penetrate further because it exerts more Force against the target but that's a lesson for a different time. Lol. You made me dig up some buried knowledge to explain. Basically the lighter bullet is going faster and possesses more energy. I hope it helps. Thanks for the question.
Not a pro here but I had to start somewhere and by knowing the rifles ballistics and what round to shoot, I could then know how to pick and how to adjust or file down my rear sight which I was putting on the rifle. Ballistics are simply where I chose to start. Thanks for asking/watching.
Can't believe ammo is so high for such an iconic proven round, I like the cartridge but it's to expensive for me unfortunately. In my area of the south central United States 30-30 is ideal for woods hunting and Federal blue box 170gr is only $17.99 at my Walmart
Thank you ti sharing this video, I would like to kwo what type of butts stock and foreharm did you put on your rifle. i did check for 303 ans i can not find one like yours,. Fernand
The forehead was the original when they sporterized it. The butt stock I got from Boyd's gunstocks. They do sell forends for them too. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching.
beauty job its going to turn out awesome i bet!! personallu i would not have reblued the barrel! I would have really polished it and made it chrome looking!! Just my 2 cents
Thank you, you're probably right I didn't do the math, but that's usually how this stuff goes. I remodel lots of houses for sentimental people. However more than money was involved. - I was stir crazy bc of the ribs and I'm used to using my hands daily - the rifle is nostalgic for me, I've owned it over 30 years and killed lots of deer - I wanted to try something new Truthfully, I was paying for more than just a rifle although I can't count it with numbers.
Here in Canada, the reason everyone had a 303, was price. I have heard many stories of people walking into a big department store and choosing a 303 from a wooden barrel full of 303's, and the price was $15! Keep in mind that a Winchester mod. 70 was $150 and wouldn't kill a moose or deer any deader. Everyone wanted a Winchester or Mauser in 270 or 30-06, but at just $15 for a very tough rifle with a little less power than a 308, and a little more power than a 300 Savage, the 303 fit the pocket book best! Great job so far on refinishing your 303!
That's pretty much why I got mine as a teenager. Found myself in need of a rifle without much cash. Luckily there was a large surplus dealer near me.
303 and 308. At 100 to 200 yrds,no deer can tell the difference.
Yep my father said $15-$25 and that’s pushing it
I bought an old 1905 BSA 303 for 5 pounds when I was 16. That thing used to singe my eye boroughs every time I fired it! I moved on and traded it and now I have a selection of 303's SMLE and No.4's plus a No.4 (T). Just gave my son a .25/303 SMLE and a 270/303 P14. Fantastic round and great rifle. I hand load with BARNAUL 125gn SP at 2,750 fps. Everything I hit falls down! The .303 Brit has killed more game around the world (including elephants) than any other cartridge. Nothing wrong with the old ones.
Agreed... Nothing wrong with the old ones. Thanks for watching
I am lucky enough to own two of these rifles. First is my 1943, full stock, ALL numbers matching beautiful shooter. Second is the first large caliber rifle l ever shot, my fathers 1943 Sporterized Enfield. Absolutely rock solid rifle. Even though it survived a fire, in which virtually all metal finish was removed and the stock was charred, then being locked up for well over a year, after a good going through it is still nut on at 100yrds. Love them both.
@@bewilderment9268 good to walk around with good memories.
Thanks for putting out this video. For me it could not have come at a better time. I had started work on a poorly sporterized lee-enfield 1916 BSA MK III* that a friend sold to me for 50$. Found a beautifully grained old Bishop walnut stock for it that I finished with multiple coats of linseed oil. I too wanted to replace the original sights and install a barrel band but come up short on courage. Now you have inspired me to continue with the project.
You’re doing some really nice work, can’t wait to see the end result. Thanks
Thank you. It'll feel good to revive things. Good luck
My dad bought 2 .303 NO. 4 Mark 1's in 1961 for $11.88 each...I still have one of them...shot a big buck in November 1970 while in HS with it. I have not fired it in 52 years, but may use it this year for deer hunting...no need to test fire it...I know how it hits...
It's a nice thing to have good memories tied to a gun you carry when you're in the woods. Good luck. Thanks for watching.
Well done, I fully approve of what you are doing. After seventeen million of them there can't be much wrong with a smelly, it'll get the job done.
Thank you. I agree it's a good rifle with outstanding history. Thanks for watching
Ah yes! The good old days when every major city in England had a world renowned gun factory 😂👍🏴
Don't worry. History will repeat itself. Thanks for watching.
I have a 303 that I built up from bits I had, just a barelled action and no wood or magazine. I re-stocked it. The action is from 1899; the original barrel was a bit rough so I have replaced it with a better one. I made a bridge mounted windage adjustable aperture rear sight... good for my old eyes. With the right powder, notably BL-C2 a 303 with 150gr bullets can hit over 2700 with normal pressures, which is very close to 308 ballistics.
With iron sights, sighted in 3" high or a tad less at 100 yards, you end up with an MPBR of close to 250 yards for a 10" target size. That's "minute of deer".... This will take you past 300 yards with a bit of holdover and still aiming at hair not air, and 300 is about the limit for iron sights. The MPBR method is a bit of lost art these days wit range finders and 'dopable' scopes, but it works as well as it always did. I handload Hornady 150gr bullets and use the aforementioned BL-C2. These Chronograph at about 2700. When you reload, just neck size them only and they will be good for double figure reloads. Full length sizing will get you head separations sometimes. Good brass helps..... Norma or Lapua if you can get it... but Winchester or RP is OK. A Lee factory crimp die helps relieve shoulder stress when seating bullets too.
With the right bedding a Lee will shoot pretty well... around 2MoA with good loads. Well worth the trouble. I'd recommend a few pounds upward fore end pressure on the skinny Lee barrel.
Good luck with your old Lee Enfield... they are good rifles, much underestimated in these "600 yards 1MoA" days... 🙂
@@KathrynLiz1 good info thank you
@@KathrynLiz1 I found ppu brass not to be too bad either. Probably not as s good as the others but with a collet die I've about 6 reloads before full length size
@@vincethewoodlander Yes it's surprisingly good for the price. when you do get to full length size, just "bump" the case in the die enough to make it chamber easily. This works the brass the minimum amount and helps avoid head separations...
I enjoy your videos. You speak slowly, clearly, and intelligently. Carry on. I'll go too..
Thank you
Nice upgrades .
Thanks 👍
Glad you using iron sights, can't wait for the finished product. From South Africa.
Here in South Africa I have shot duiker, springbuck, fallow deer, blesbuck, mountain reedbuck and bushbuck, no problem.
Excellent information.
@@concernedaussie1330 thank you
Great video look forward to another.
Great video Sir! These old gals are simply awesome! Judging from your comments we are the same age. My experiences are similar to yours. I have a No4Mk1, but have recently added a No5 Jungle Carbine. Today, when I handload, I generally load down a tad.....174 gr JRN @ 2150. Our Florida distances are quite close....50 yds+/-.... & our deer aren't particularly big or tough. But then again, I am not either anymore. Love the content.
Have you reloaded any 150 or 180gn bullets? I've had some good luck with 44.2 gn of h4350 but this last batch of imr3031 frustrated me. Looking for any advice if you've experience. Thanks and thanks for watching!
@@vincethewoodlander I have been using Hornady 174 gr JSP's and PPU 180 gr JSP's over 37.5 grs of A4064. Not a fan of recoil anymore 🙃. For my Jungle Carbine I took off the way too short (for me anyway) buttstock and replaced it with a spare #4 butt/brass buttplate. Am heading out tomorrow to restock the feeders and will have this along with me. Five gizmos I have in my ".303 toolbox" are 1) broken shell extractor, 2)front sight adjustment tool 3) firing pin takedown tool 4) long slotted screwdriver for tightening the buttstock and 5) standard length reversable 2 bit screwdriver for all other screws. I carry a 2nd broken shell extractor in the butt trap along with a modified boresnake. For my purposes, I have found that the 3 point Galco Ching-sling is the best way to get off an accurate shot. Sorry to ramble. But .303s are addictive.
The 303 British has taken more Big Game In The Dark Continent Than Any Other Big Game Cartridge!
Nicely done
Thank you
Great choice for sure. It will put a lot of food on the table without breaking the bank. My only ? is continuing availability of ammo.
Agreed, I'm currently struggling to find a good reload. Thanks for watching
My pleasure. two minds thinking alike.@@vincethewoodlander
Bellissima arma il 303, io posseggo un Lee-Enfield n4 mk1 del 1943 modificato dalla Parker Hale nel 1948 per la caccia. Lo uso in Italia con grande soddisfazione per la caccia di selezione ai cervidi e cinghiali.
Grazie...I think they're nice as well. Mine has killed quite a few deer too
In Canada it was a poor man's rifle, yet took more game in Canada than any other calibre from 1920 to 90's ... The Canadian rangers used it till 2019 because it was great in the cold and frozen landscape of our arctic. It is still used up there by hunters... I own a couple great rifles and very dependable...
@@subdawg1331 it's a great rifle and even better to use them in order to remember their history.
I just got a Parker Hale Hunting Rifle dumped on me. It might look nice restored.
I always liked those. It would look good.
I love the Enfield rifles, I am glad yours performs so well, how tight does it group compared to the original? as it looks like the original lightweight barrel, am curious as the reason for the stock going all the way up to the end on the Enfields it to give downpressure to compensate for the lack of stiffness, usually at the muzzle for the sake of accuracy... on the early ones it was complicated but adjustable with springs and the no.4 it was done with just pressure on the nosecap about 2-4 lbs if memory serves not worked on one for a while but its one of the secrets of its accuracy, nice job though and I know how much time it takes to get things like this right, so this one is definatly a labour of love but it will outlast you...
It has always been sporterized since I bought it in the early 90s so I'm uncertain of the accuracy difference. You're the second person to mention the up/down pressure and I'm curious to find out why the physics of that helps. I was always under the impression that free floating and letting the harmonics happen as they may was best versus worrying about barrels whipping around. I am open to and would love new knowledge or information. Thanks for your help in advance and thanks for watching.
When do we get to see you hunting the Enfield?
Been busy lately with construction and hunting but I've been working up loads, practicing this whole time and planning on deer hunting with it next week. Hopefully I get it on video. Thanks for asking and watching
A question. Why dies the heavier bullet lose energy more quickly? It would seem that a heavier bullet would carry its punch further due to heavier mass and perhaos lower air friction if the muzzle velocity is lower.
The lower energy is caused by the lower initial and extended velocity in the bullet with more mass.. It has to do with the mathematical formula for kinetic energy. KE = 1/2 MV^2. If I double the mass (M) energy will double. If I double the velocity (V), energy will increase 4x because velocity has an exponential factor (^2). If both bullets hit the target at the same velocity the heavier bullet would be able to do more Work. This would allow it to penetrate further because it exerts more Force against the target but that's a lesson for a different time. Lol. You made me dig up some buried knowledge to explain. Basically the lighter bullet is going faster and possesses more energy. I hope it helps. Thanks for the question.
so - what does all the ballistic data have to do with refinishing the rifle
Not a pro here but I had to start somewhere and by knowing the rifles ballistics and what round to shoot, I could then know how to pick and how to adjust or file down my rear sight which I was putting on the rifle. Ballistics are simply where I chose to start. Thanks for asking/watching.
Can't believe ammo is so high for such an iconic proven round, I like the cartridge but it's to expensive for me unfortunately. In my area of the south central United States 30-30 is ideal for woods hunting and Federal blue box 170gr is only $17.99 at my Walmart
Yes the ammo is crazy price. I've taken to reloading for it. Not that easy to do though. I've found it to be really picky.
If the gun is for hunting the price is irrelevant. A few bucks for a deer is well worth it. Just isn't when shooting paper
@@M8Military you obviously don't practice much lol
Thank you ti sharing this video, I would like to kwo what type of butts stock and foreharm did you put on your rifle. i did check for 303 ans i can not find one like yours,. Fernand
The forehead was the original when they sporterized it. The butt stock I got from Boyd's gunstocks. They do sell forends for them too. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching.
Thank you very much, have a good day
So, you had to jump a horse? Why wouldn't he move out of your way?
Lol, that's funny! Seriously. wish I had a good joke to give back but can't think of one.
beauty job its going to turn out awesome i bet!! personallu i would not have reblued the barrel! I would have really polished it and made it chrome looking!! Just my 2 cents
I do like the look of "bright" barrels but have no experience in maintaining them other than in my old flintlock rifle. Thanks for watching.
Boy, you have done nice job but at the end of the day you spend more cash refining this gun than a modern second hand rifle.
Thank you, you're probably right I didn't do the math, but that's usually how this stuff goes. I remodel lots of houses for sentimental people. However more than money was involved.
- I was stir crazy bc of the ribs and I'm used to using my hands daily
- the rifle is nostalgic for me, I've owned it over 30 years and killed lots of deer
- I wanted to try something new
Truthfully, I was paying for more than just a rifle although I can't count it with numbers.