Lee-Enfield #4 Mk.1
.303 British
This project started when I purchased a basket
case #4 Mk1 Enfield rifle, disassembled, for $30. The previous owner had attempted to
sporterize the wood, chopping the length and checkering that looked just horrid. After
getting the cosmoline out, the bore looked like a sewer pipe, and the owner had stripped
off the blueing of the barrelled receiver and it has rusted in many spots. Still, for $30,
I got a magazine, a set of parts and a box of brass in the deal. I assembled and fired it,
getting 8" groups at 100 yards. I then noticed that SOG was selling barreled actions
for $7.95 each. I ordered two and one turned out to be a very good candidate. I planned to
use the rest of the parts gun to make a sporter, but I ran into some bargains that took me
down another path. Here is what I did:
Original parts gun, $30
Fiberforce synthetic stock, $55
Barrelled recievers $16
Flush fitting 5 round magazine, $30
Uncle Mikes black nylon sling and swivels $15
Weaver TO-1 scope base & rings $15
Gunsmithing to cut the barrel to 21 1/4"
inches, recessed crown, drill & tap for scope base, milling of unneccesary metal from
trigger guard and reciever. $60
Used Bushnell Sportsview 3x9 BDC scope, $25
Total cost $245
Was it worth the cost? Well, look at the
targets to the right and decide for yourself. The final rifle is 42" in length,
21.25" barrel, flush magazine, weighing it at around 6 1/4 pounds. It uses a Long
Branch 1941 Reciever, two groove barrel. |
  These
targets were shot at 100 yards using 50's vintage FN surplus ammo (bundled in cloth
bandoliers and strippers). The last target I got stung by a sweatbee and pulled the 5th
shot off to the left about 3 inches. These groups are a bit off center, since the scope I
bought used turned out to not be horizontally adjustable. It has been sent back to
Bushnell for repair. Since there are no provisions for iron sights now, I am using a
Simmons 4x scope for the time being. These where shot from a bench, using a Harris bipod
borrowed from my Swede M96
Here is a closeup showing the flush five round
magazine.
This is a closeup of the Weaver TO-1 scope
mount (drilling & tapping required.), Millet rings and a new Tasco wide view scope.
Here you can see the recessed crown job on the
muzzle, and a bottom view of the magazine.
 
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