.303 british rifle - Page 2

honda450 · #31 08-28-2009, 07:15 PM

Stevens also made the 303 Mark 1 Number 4 in the USA. Sold mine just keep the Lithgow Mark 3 number 1* now for historic reasons. Mark and Number always confused me.

303 told me what the * meant but I forgot.

BobM · #32 08-28-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheClash

bob have you scoped yours or do you still have the peep sites on them?

No I put a Bushnell 4X scope on it about a year after I bought it. I had the peep sight in my garage for a long time, but 4 moves later I can't find it.

TheClash · #33 08-28-2009, 11:45 PM

well i pick mine up on wednesday or thursday...a range report and pics will follow

sycosean · #34 08-29-2009, 12:37 AM

Hey Clash,

I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents on the whole .303 rifle discussion. I have 3 Ross rifles. I used one for deer hunting last fall it was an old WW2 sniper rifle with a weaver k2 scope on it and it dropped the whitetail easily at 350 yards. The Ross is one of the most accurate rifles ever made. I love the ones I have so if you ever get a chance at getting one or even shooting one I highly recommend it.

SycoSean

303 Epps · #35 08-30-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honda450

Mark and Number always confused me.

303 told me what the * meant but I forgot.

Honda, its been a while!

The * means war time model, where things were modified for increased production. For the No1 Mk 3* one of the differences is the windage adjustable rear sight. The war time * production dropped it, whereas No 1s prior to 1914 will have it.

honda450 · #36 08-30-2009, 08:04 AM

Thanks 303. I will have to remember that.

Iron Brew · #37 08-30-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sycosean

Hey Clash,

I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents on the whole .303 rifle discussion. I have 3 Ross rifles. I used one for deer hunting last fall it was an old WW2 sniper rifle with a weaver k2 scope on it and it dropped the whitetail easily at 350 yards. The Ross is one of the most accurate rifles ever made. I love the ones I have so if you ever get a chance at getting one or even shooting one I highly recommend it.

SycoSean

I've been interested in grabbing a ross (cheapish) to play with. Haven't got to a store when they've had one... Found one at a swap, but after looking at it... it was not in shape I would have been comfortable with.

They have a weird barrel thread on them, don't they?

Chief · #38 08-30-2009, 12:36 PM

Good luck at the range Clash! I just dropped mine off at Lock and Load on Friday to get it safety checked and I'll be off to the SPFGA range with mine hopefully next weekend.

TheClash · #39 08-30-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sycosean

Hey Clash,

I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents on the whole .303 rifle discussion. I have 3 Ross rifles. I used one for deer hunting last fall it was an old WW2 sniper rifle with a weaver k2 scope on it and it dropped the whitetail easily at 350 yards. The Ross is one of the most accurate rifles ever made. I love the ones I have so if you ever get a chance at getting one or even shooting one I highly recommend it.

SycoSean

good to know, thanks

theviking · #40 08-30-2009, 06:21 PM

got my p17 rechambered for 300win mag shoots well mine was us army issue in 30-06

Dick284 · #41 08-30-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 303 Epps

Honda, its been a while!

The * means war time model, where things were modified for increased production. For the No1 Mk 3* one of the differences is the windage adjustable rear sight. The war time * production dropped it, whereas No 1s prior to 1914 will have it.

The * in a No. 1 MkIII, was to indicate that the magazine cut off was removed.

Check out Small Arms of the World, it has some excellent info on the various British and Commonwelth 303 caliber rifles.

Some good info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee-Enfield

Dick284 · #42 08-30-2009, 06:50 PM

My 1943 Savage mauf #4 Mk1*

The * denotes the light weight model No4 , with the bolt release about 1/4 of the way back from the front edge of the ejection port.

honda450 · #43 08-30-2009, 07:23 PM

Pretty cool to look up the history of these rifles. But that Mark and Number still confuses me. Then throw in a *. Dang it.

honda450 · #44 08-30-2009, 08:11 PM

Number 1 Mark 3*

Adopted Jan. 1916

Same as the Number 1 Mark 3 except:

1. long range sight omitted
2. Cut off and cut off slot omitted.
3. Wind gauge omitted.
4. Lug on firing pin omitted.
5. Sling swivel mounting on front of trigger guard replaced by wire loop.
6. Butt marking disc omitted
7. Grooved cocking piece replaced instead of rounded.

Stevens and Savage were one in the same prior to WW2. Learn something everyday.

honda450 · #45 08-30-2009, 08:42 PM

Your rifle Dick284 was actually made by Stevens not Savage.

Dick284 · #46 08-30-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honda450

Your rifle Dick284 was actually made by Stevens not Savage.

Do tell?

Grizzly Adams · #47 08-31-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick284

My 1943 Savage mauf #4 Mk1*

The * denotes the light weight model No4 , with the bolt release about 1/4 of the way back from the front edge of the ejection port.

The reason they say US Property was that they were part of the Lend Lease Programm, before the Americans entered the war. Their way of saying, Hey we're neutral.

That particula method of bolt removal, is peculiar to the Savage made ones.
Grizz

sycosean · #48 08-31-2009, 03:24 PM

Hey Iron Brew,

The Ross has a really tight rifling. It tends to spit out the bullt instead of letting it release the bullet when shooting. That why it has a bit of a kick. It's also why it is as acurate as it is. There seems to be a lot of these rifles in B.C. and the maritimes. That'swhere I found mine. If I find another one I can let you know if you're interested.

SycoSean

Dick284 · #49 08-31-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honda450

Your rifle Dick284 was actually made by Stevens not Savage.

Since you have'nt posted why you think so let me explain it to you.

All the reciever parts and the rear sight are marked with the tell tale "squared S", all my information indicates that's a Savage made rifle.

Do you have a source of information to the contrary?

Grizzly Adams · #50 08-31-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick284

Since you have'nt posted why you think so let me explain it to you.

All the reciever parts and the rear sight are marked with the tell tale "squared S", all my information indicates that's a Savage made rifle.

Do you have a source of information to the contrary?

The american made #4s were made by Savage, in the former Stevens Arms plant, for Lend Lease, according to, Bolt Action Rifles. So, I guess he's half right.

The serial number includes the letter C for Chicopee Falls.
Grizz

BobM · #51 09-02-2009, 07:53 AM

Amazing response to your Thread about the 303, I learned a lot about my Mk 2
and I hope all of you who own them have as much fun with yours as I do.

Grizzly Adams · #52 09-02-2009, 08:02 AM

I have a #4, made at Ishapore, supposedly from re-cycled railroad tracks.

Didn't realize till recently that it's actually stocked in Mahogany.
Grizz

xsniper · #53 09-02-2009, 04:41 PM

I have 12 in my collection, starting with the Lee Medford which was the pre curser to the Lee Enfield and is stamped by Queen Vicky from the Boor War all the way up the line, even a Lee Enfield in 410 shot gun from India. If you want a real challenge, every stamping on the rifle means something, there is a guy out there (can't recall his name right now) who wrote a book on just the different markings and stamps on the Enfield rifles. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of any millitary wood and metal straps I would be interested as I have 4 that are not restored back to Millitary configuration yet.

303 Epps · #54 09-02-2009, 10:45 PM

[QUOTE=xsniper;381471] If you want a real challenge, every stamping on the rifle means something, there is a guy out there (can't recall his name right now) who wrote a book on just the different markings and stamps on the Enfield rifles. QUOTE]

Ian Skennerton is the authority on what all the markings mean, and wrote several books on the Lee Enfield. The best one for markings is "The Broad Arrow"

xsniper · #55 09-03-2009, 07:05 AM

Yes that is the man.

TheClash · #56 09-03-2009, 04:03 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TheClash · #57 09-03-2009, 10:18 PM

so things went well at the range....i have decided i need a few thigs though (the pics will make it very clear)...

#1 range finder.....hard to use the peep sites when you are pacing off and guestimating distances haha
#2 a better shooting rest..the sleeping mat box and sleeping bag left in the car were ok....but i think something more stable would be...well more stable haha.

we had targets at 100 and 250(could have been anywhere from 220-250......we had pacing disagreements haha). at the 250 marker there was also a 12 inch by 12 inch gong that my dad and i were both able to nail on our first tries at that distance. i think for my first time out witht h rifle and for peep sites i did ok.....i was using rem ammo and federals. both 180 grains and soft nose. i preferred the federals by a long shot.

enjoy:

notice the high tech rest and ear protection..ya ya i know i know..sorry we were a bit excited.....and in a rush

i was pleasantly surprised with this gun....the action is smooth and tight and the trigger breaks pretty crisp and clean

on closer inspection it seems that my grandfather shaped down the original stock and then added in the pistol grip...then stained it all to "match" my father did the checkering...and remembers it being a beast of a job.

munyee4321 · #58 09-03-2009, 10:23 PM

thats some fine shooting clash for peep sight. no problem taking an animal or two with that shooting!

Hows that range looking? same old same old? ps, if you ever shoot long range mid way up the back wall of the range is 485yards.
I was thinking about heading there this weekend, probably be busy?

TheClash · #59 09-03-2009, 10:27 PM

good to know good to know. i still think i need to snag a range finder..i am pretty sure the targets are not where i think they are...

and thanks, i am sure i just got lucky tonight. i need some more time behind it to get comfortable.

303 Epps · #60 09-03-2009, 10:55 PM

[QUOTE=TheClash;382154]well boys i finally have the rifle.....

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

What you have is a P14 rifle, manufactured by Winchester. They were all manufactured under the lend lease programme starting in 1916. Remington also manufactured the P14 at several sites and built a factory at Eddystone specifically for the P14. Based on shootability and some argue accuracy, collectors prefer the Winchester (W) followed by Remington (R), and lastly the Eddystone (RE). Keep your Winchester, it looks like it is doing a good job for you at the range with open sights!