Lee-Enfield Myths: Why Didn't We Commonwealth Types Notice Any Of Them?

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Rowan joins Bloke on the Range for a discussion about the common Lee-Enfield and .303 British myths, which seem to originate in the US. How could the rifles have been used for so long in the British Empire and Commonwealth, including in competition out to 1000 yards, without people noticing that they're apparently terribly inaccurate, dangerously weak, with dangerous headspace problems and systematic rimlock / rimjam problems with the magazine? And that none of this managed to make it into the training materials?
Note 15.01.2019: Just this minute I happened upon a page with a couple of Lee-Enfield bolt failures of various types: dave2.freeshell...
Keywords
SMLE No.4 Springfield Mauser kar98 kar98k 98k Gew98 03A3

[@hairy-dairyman]

I was told this when I was learning. "Your great grandfather couldn't break it, your grandfather couldn't break it, your old man couldn't break it and you will not break it"

[@john-paulsilke893]

Wow! 😲

[@hairy-dairyman]

@@dsar9489 happy to have it stolen

[@jimnickles2347]

NEVER had a problem with a SMLE. Slickest-working Action ever made.

[@otherdalek]

@James Glennen you never met Bubba... ...specailly when he has that "I think I can improve it" look in his eyes.

[@SinginShooter]

Or you do and he says "worked fine til you got here".

[@rickbear7249]

I am one of Britain's foremost experts on the Lee-Enfield No.4 rifle. The Lee-Enfield No.4 is the rifle I grew up on, from 13yrs 9mnths, in 1973, and I've been winning the British National Rifle Association's service rifle competitions with it ever since. Thank you, it is such a pleasure to have come across this comprehensive video which explains what so many of today's shooters are getting wrong. If you own a Lee-Enfield rifle, then THIS is THE video you need to watch. I totally agree with everything that is said in this video. I cringe when I hear, particularly American, shooters saying that the Lee-Enfield rifles have headspace issues or are inaccurate. Invariably, they are not holding the rifle correctly. My No.4 Mk2 is capable of 8 inches grouping accuracy at 1,000 yards, and that's shot off-hand with no sling nor any support. I have taken many poor shooting No.4s and adjusted their aging stocking up so they shoot 8 inches at 1,000 yards. Of course, this depends upon obtaining military specification Mk.7 •303 ammunition and correct Hold of the rifle. On jamming of the magazine, it's important to be aware that the Charger (sometimes incorrectly referred to as the "clip") was designed for topping-up of the 10 round magazine, and *never* for completely charging with 10 rounds, which should always be done 1 round at a time. (Idiots who prescribe competitions where you begin with an empty magazine, which must be charged with a full 10 rounds using 2x 5 rounds charger clips, do not know what they're talking about. NRA or Great Britain, take note!) The rear-locking action of the Lee-Enfield series of rifles is part of something called the "self compensating" accuracy capability of these rifles, where the whole of the action absorbs the recoil as a spring. This is impossible in a Mauser type (front locking) action and, together with the Lee-Enfield barrel's ability to move upwards at the muzzle, makes these rifles super accurate at longer ranges. Let's (briefly) look at the headspace issue, as there is a half-truth in here. When a Lee-Enfield rifle and its bolt are manufactured, they don't actually fit. What happens next is that the manufacturer fires a carefully-measured over-charged round through the rifle that is intended to stretch the metal of the rear-locking receiver, so that the receiver is stretched, but not beyond its point of elasticity. (Similar to the way your wheel-locking studs should be tightened to a specific torque, but never beyond, so that the springiness of the threaded studs holds the wheel nuts under tension.) The result is to permanently "mate" a Lee-Enfield rifle to its bolt. You must *never* swap bolts between Lee-Enfield rifles, even if they have the same size bolt head. Ok, so far so good. But along comes the British government who insist that all rifles sold to the UK public must be sent to a Proof House, where another so-called "proof round" is put through the rifle as, supposedly, "proof" that it is safe. This disregards that hundreds of thousands of Lee-Enfield rifles were manufactured and used in two world wars without a single recorded case of a failure! The problem arises in that this second "proof round" is not calibrated to the rifle's metallurgy. It over-stretches the springy metal in the receiver. In theory, this could take the metal to a point where the metal is stretched beyond its intended stretch, to a point where a fracture failure of the rear-locking action is possible. Fortunately, there have been no such failures, but it is annoying as it can affect the accuracy of a Lee-Enfield action that's been through this nonsensical second proofing process. And that's where one of the myths came from. Simply because it's sometimes necessary to fit a larger bolt head after this second proofing in order to correct the vandalism of the British government to the rifle's headspace. The other story owes its origins to a very small number of 7.62mm NATO Cadet Target Rifles that were based on the No.4 action. These rifles underwent a totally unnecessary, and flawed, hardening process. (Why would you harden metal that's intended to act as a spring?) The result was that, on inspection, it was found that the metal had been denatured and microscopic stress fractures were suspected. All of these rifles were condemned. It does not affect any other No.4 or Lee-Enfield action, but (as such stories are want to do) the inaccurate story of failures of the Lee-Enfield action went around the world, causing much nonsense to join the myths about these extremely strong rifles. Finally, there is one more thing to be aware of -- as this one has resulted in fatalities -- and that's that the Lee-Enfield action has a "half cocked" safety mechanism that will engage if you're squeezing the trigger at the same time as you're closing the bolt. It's something that rarely happens if you are doing rapid fire by twisting a fixed middle finger onto the trigger as you close the bolt with a twist of your wrist. What happens is that the firing mechanism locks at half-cock. This (seemingly) makes it impossible to either squeeze the trigger or open the bolt. It prevents the rifle firing on a half closed bolt, which could cause the unrestrained bolt to fly backwards, through your eye and through your head. You ARE protected from this, but you're not protected from your own stupidity. Some people have tried putting their booted foot onto the bolt handle in order to force it to open. The result has been a •303 bullet through the forehead. Corrective action for a Lee-Enfield that's at half cock is to keep the rifle pointing down range, grab the back of the bolt's cocking piece (which is conveniently ridged or has a button) and pull the firing pin back to full cock. You can now fire the rifle or open the bolt quite safely. Anyhow, congratulations on a superb myth-breaking video. Just one last point. For those who claim the Lee-Enfield's rear-locking action is a dangerous point of weakness, a recent request for British military records of failures returned the statement "insufficient data". In other words, in all of the British Empire's military records, they had no data. It hasn't happened. Rick Bear

[@marcogram1216]

Is there any truth that the post war Fazakerly rifles have tighter chambers?

[@rickbear7249]

@@marcogram1216 Not that I'm aware of. I own one of the so-called Irish batch of No.4 Mk2s and it gauges as standard, but then I'm not a qualified REME armourer nor a gun maker. Certainly, any wartime contingency slackening of standards would have ended after the war, but I've never heard this one before. It seems unlikely, as there would have to be a reason to change from the sealed pattern rifle.

[@marcogram1216]

@@rickbear7249 Thank you. I still see the Fazakerly rifles pop up from time to time. I picked up several cases of MEN surplus .303 and if it's as good as the 7.62 I'll be happy.

[@chrislovato5702]

I also grew up with Lee Enfield No4 Mk2 being in the RAF cadets from 1970-1975. I gained the expert marksmen badge and now that I am very old, I am lucky enough to still be able to hit targets and place shots in tight groups. Great rifle.

[@sarchlalaith8836]

Teach me how to properly adjust the aging stock and up pressure please

[@3of11]

This man is so Australian he pisses vegemite.

[@dsar9489]

I should probably see my doctor about that... - Rowan

[@TheRangaTanGaming]

I believe you mean pisses beer and shits vegimite. Also, his but likely tastes like lamingtons.

[@Activated_Complex]

He sweats eucalyptus oil.

[@Pattern51lover]

Ow... and gross 🤮

[@royfr8136]

They all play it up

[@joelmacdonald6994]

I actually really enjoy the more technical talk. Just like other historical appreciation channels, you feed the nerd in me. The channels of guys just shooting and blasting are fun, but I just as much enjoy people going over the technical details, digging up historical data, and just presenting that. I’d rather a one hour video with great detail than a 5 minute one that barely scratches the surface. I’m am not the TikTok generation. Keep it coming!

[@alexmartin9177]

“Treat it rough it’s not your girlfriend.” Instant response from my wife: “some girls like it rough”

[@john-paulsilke893]

Alex Martin that’s a keeper. Also don’t go to bed angry or you may wake up after she does something that makes you sad and possibly more angry.

[@derekmcmanus1423]

Alex Martin some girls certainly do! 😀

[@cattledog901]

"I want a lady in the streets but a freak in the bed" - Ludacris

[@canadiannavigator3346]

Alex Martin ... Lucky 🍀 bastard

[@logitimate]

Does she like to be operated in a smart, soldierly manner?

[@simplymadness8849]

Listening to passionate experts talk about their area of expertise is always a learning experience, but when that area of expertise is bolt action rifle musketry, it’s downright therapeutic.

[@Finwolven]

"Which I'm not sure you want to do on a two-way range" - that is the most British understated way of describing a battlefield I have ever heard. Love it!

[@bobthebomb1596]

Took me a couple of seconds then I spat tea :)

[@drops2cents260]

@@bobthebomb1596/videos > then I spat tea :) That's actually quite British from you. :-)

[@bornagaingeek7279]

“.......their idea of rapid fire, doesn’t go much beyond 6 rounds in a minute.” *Lee Enfield falls over laughing*

[@derekbrogan4241]

Lol it's not that fast

[@chrislefroy1034]

@@derekbrogan4241 the Lee Enfield? 25-30 a minute is a bit faster than 6.. British minimum acceptance was 15 aimed a minute..

[@otherdalek]

@@chrislefroy1034 It seems a properly trained bloke can do better gfycat.com/gifs/detail/evenpleasingdobermanpinscher

[@jeffpollard7304]

derek Brogan : Average for a basic trained rifleman, was 25-30 accurate grouping!

[@SvenTviking]

Jeff Pollard Not quite that high!

[@frittsm6417]

I am of firm belief that "myths" come about from guys with damn little shooting experience sitting around and talking about rifles then have never owned or fired.

[@john-paulsilke893]

Fritts M yup theory heroes that don’t have anything constructive to add. A bunch of pansies who have never gotten anything other then participation trophies and are bitter about it. It’s okay to suck, just don’t bring down people who don’t. (I’m no prize myself but I was taught how to say, “I don’t know” and then try to find out the answer after).

[@petethebastard]

Or yanks not liking British rifles....

[@Crash-To-Desktop]

I mean, Ian and Karl from InRange seem to think the Enfield is an overrated weapon. Who am I supposed to believe, them or Bloke?

[@SinginShooter]

Overrated? No. Overhyped? Yes.

[@logitimate]

@@Crash-To-Desktop Solution: Videotaped debate between Bloke and Ian and/or Karl, followed by an acid test of actual shooting. *drools*

[@timmaxey148]

Speaking from a strictly American perspective, I would say that anyone who thinks Enfields are flawed has never: A) Fired one, or B) Been fired at by one. They certainly can’t be familiar with bolt guns.

[@nolhrt]

When I was a member of the Irish army reserve back in the late seventies. We still used the No. 4. We were strictly taught to use finger and thumb to cock the rifle, never the palm and to keep it at the shoulder while doing so. We were told that if the bolt wasn't fully closed or loose when fired you would break your wrist if palming. Ever since I cringe when I see someone palming a bolt. We would also taught to be smooth when dry firing by placing a penny on top of the stock. We had excellent training on Lee Enfield but we soon moved onto the FN FAL. Even so many preferred the No. 4 for accuracy. We were taught the mad minute too. Ten lads on the range firing 'five rounds rapid fire' really did sound like machine gun fire.

[@rickbear7249]

nolhrt, actually it's impossible for a well-maintained No.4 to go off at half-cock. It's just one of the brilliant features of Lee-Enfield rifles. You can try this for yourself. Push the bolt "half closed" forwards and it'll either snap shut or go to half-cock. If it goes to half-cock, then pulling the trigger has no effect. Also, you'll find you can't open the bolt. This is a safety feature but, unfortunately, has led to one or two deaths. People tried to open the bolt by putting the heel of their boot on the bolt handle (with the muzzle pointed at their head) and this released the sear, resulting in a shot through the head. I've forgotten the exact details, but it happened at the NRA's Bisley ranges at least once. As and when I'm able to run some more master classes, I'll show you precisely how it works using a skeletonised No.4 rifle. It's all about that second cut under the bolt. That 2nd cut catches the sear if the bolt isn't properly turned as the bolt is closed. Rick

[@janlipski5215]

That's absolutely 💯 correct

[@xgford94]

Rowan needs his own channel

[@dermotrooney9584]

Agreed.

[@dylanwight5764]

@skaindu "We gotta be real careful around this lovely girl! They sure have a temper! Let's take a closer look!" *puts entire head in breach somehow*

[@dylanwight5764]

@skaindu I may have been describing my .308 conversion of an ex-Australian Rifle No.1 Use it for pigs up on by Kakadu.

[@con6lex]

I like his rifle drag technique.

[@dylanwight5764]

@skaindu Hey, sometimes you just need a more economical rifle to run, and good quality .303 can be hard to come by, so I leave _that_ rifle for the range and take the .308 out pigging.

[@soyentak5076]

You ever hear the joke about an anzac and a canuck in a trench. Everyone is happy cause your wingman is either an anzac or a canuck. Battle of Amiens FTW

[@iwillnotcomply2002]

Whats a canuck

[@allenlarabie8854]

@@iwillnotcomply2002 A Canadian

[@iwillnotcomply2002]

@@allenlarabie8854 of course well done.

[@alganhar1]

I love how people always forget that the majority of troops fighting at the Battle of Amiens were British.....

[@BingoFrogstrangler]

78% of CEF were either expats or 1st generation English/Scots,very few French Canadians , please check Canadian census.

[@gregsummers7350]

Men, 75 minutes of sheer joy. I guess know one of the You Tube chaps who knocks the Lee-Enfield. The Wiki entry is also wrong in the rate of fire achievable in rapid fire. 54 years ago I learnt the SMLE as an Air Force cadet, "with a smart and forceful action" that any young teenager can achieve; so I find it hard that full grown men claim to have problems with the SMLE. (Later on SLR L1A1, F88 and finally the SOCOM M4 with its rabbit cartridge.) I love the 10 round magazine. The mags I had were steel and never dented: so I cannot understand the american complaints - maybe the jealousy with their 5-round sporting rifle. Thank you again from Greg in Thailand

[@rockywr]

Hold on a minute, a blue job cadet and they gave you a proper rifle ? it beggars belief. hehehe...

[@rickbear7249]

@rockywr me too! But we did have a RN shooting coach 😄

[@JohnSmith-dt1tw]

We need more of these videos with insanely detailed angry rants! This and the one with Ian are perfect!

[@peterlovett5841]

@John Smith I was wondering whether that was Ian at the end of the video of the first stage dressed in uniform with the pony tail?

[@betaich]

@@peterlovett5841 probably was

[@wierdalien1]

@@dsar9489 you mean Angry rants with facts.

[@tiortedrootsky]

angry facts with rants

[@otherdalek]

@@tiortedrootsky How about Angry Ants?

[@USAACbrat]

The only Enfield I've owned was a 1917 sporterized and rebarreled by Sears in the 60's under the Ted Williams brand it was excellent and shot under 2 moa. love your channel '

[@SidneyBroadshead]

*Meet The Sniper* "I'll be honest wif ya. My parents do NOT care for it." "Dad...Dad, I'm not a crazed gunman. I'm an Assassin. Well, the difference bein' one's a job and the other's mental sickness. Dad...Dad...just put Mum on the phone..."

[@ZGryphon]

"They're quite insistent that you not use violence." "Which is odd for the Germans." Shots fired, as it were.

[@burville100]

Very interesting conversation the both of you had. Glad to hear headspace is an urban myth... for the 303 anyway. Having only owning my no4 mk2 for 24 months I am going to have to start practicing more on my accuracy. Been enjoying just shooting it rather than honing in on accuracy. Seeing Rowan going through the paces with the 303 at the end was awesome.

[@douglascollins3621]

Rommel fought in both World wars and he said the Australians were the best fighting force he had every faced. True fact. Gramps was belting down rounds at Trobuk and they both had respect for each other’s fighting capabilities. Nice shooting Boss, from further down under 🇦🇺

[@olvrbmw]

Whew, second moment of area ... That made my engineer antennae perk up. Just bought a Lithgow SMLE. So, I'm geeking out on this stuff.

[@Tuning3434]

Nah, I got flashbacks from work today when discussing headroom, mechanical tolerances and how you expect ammunition to cope with tolerances in a mechanism where they've even bothered to qualify with a caliper. I'll tell you one thing, the more extensive stuff becomes, the less people are willing to qualify (this is not true, by the way, they only don't want to spend money qualify the essential functional parts. {Pencile pushers can moan infinitely long if not the correct sticker is placed)

[@pweter351]

Same

[@con6lex]

Thank you for having Rowan on the channel! He is incredibly knowledgeable, a good presenter, and can back up what he says with incredible runs.

[@dsar9489]

Why thankyou - Rowan

[@keithplymale2374]

My Lee Enfield is a Lithgow 1941/42 No. I Mk. III* I bought in the early 1990's and I have never had an issue with it. It was still in the cosmoline. I was told about rim jam in the early 1990's but as long as I loaded the chargers right I never had it happen with any ammo, mil sup or commercial.

[@dunxy]

I have one same era, only got year before last though, handed in in the amnesty at my LGS,right place right time. Im the first reg'd owner.10/10 on the barrel, she shoots great but I use my no4 as a shooter, because I don't care about it,Lithgow is special.

[@philiprourke7732]

Im very new to the Lee Enfield, haven't had my no 4 mk 2 for all that long. Finding the bloke on the range videos super helpful...I am in Australia and the only ammo I can get where I live is PPU. I choose the 150 grain and it is surprisingly consistent. I have a black carbon reset target with a 12 inch disc and I shoot that at 300 meters when I am at the range..the fact that I hit it so consistently amazes me as I can barely see it depending on the light conditions. I do have a constant rim jam problem with these rounds, I load my clips staggered as suggested..first 5 go in perfect no rim jam on the the top round..however..the next 5 always go in with a rim jam on the top round..I have never tried forcing it to go by shoving the bolt foward...I will try that however. Learned just recently to stagger my rounds and be sure to mark the top of the clip. Working up to having some fun with a mad minute test...did not think I was ever going to be able to do that because of the rim jam problem, thought it was the rifle...but its probably the PPU rounds..so thanks to the videos from BOTR, I know what to do now..

[@JenniferinIllinois]

Rowan is quickly becoming a legend! The bayonet charge is epic!!!!! Great conversation.

[@dsar9489]

Have my own channel now - Rowan

[@monkeyship74401]

Beware the Man with one gun. He PROBABLY knows hw to use it.

[@MattyK166]

@@dsar9489 I'll check it out. I just dropped a comment to say I spied your LF18 badge with the S as I was watching this vid. I have one myself but without the S. Was always very proud of achieving it (more than rank I think) and it often raised questions when I was wearing mess kit.

[@christiansantiago3007]

Just got a No. 4 rifle recently and have been enjoying your videos until I can get out and try it myself. I am glad I made the jump to british engineering. Enjoyed learning more.

[@norman3605]

How to pronounce „M1 Garand“? Easy! Repeat after me: „US Rifle, Caliber 30, M1“. You‘ll get it correct every time!

[@tsartomato]

эм один гаранд

[@Autobotmatt428]

lol

[@otherdalek]

The Ping Rifle

[@anthonyhayes1267]

@@otherdalek applies to a few rifles. M95 clips ping when they fall out and hit the ground

[@moosemaimer]

Now I just want a T-shirt of a Garand that says "the machine that goes PING"

[@lewisward4359]

I was reading the forums from 2005-2009 and was amazed by the discrepancy in understand the Lee -Enfield. Brits, Canadians, and Aussies disagreed and Americans were often clueless. One gunsmith said the sporterized No. 4 MK1 was un shootable using ASME specs, while another would say, barring any obvious problems take it out in the woods and hold a way from face and shoot. They are built like a tank. Obviously, one would rely on the British Commonwealth for information!

[@arnevisscher5245]

There's a tube station in London that provides ample warning with respect to the taste of fosters.

[@jic1]

There's a tube station called 'Blandfosters'?

[@arnevisscher5245]

(For anyone who's never been to London: the tube station is called cockfosters :') )

[@alistairthomson8710]

Just pass out on the Piccadilly Line from Heathrow after too many free tinnies on the plane and you'll become intimately acquainted.

[@SMarkar14]

Nice work Rowan. Hopefully I'll see you back on the range soon.

[@johnstibbs2535]

Over an hour video that could’ve just been “most Americans are ignorant to anything that isn’t wholly American”

[@Voelund]

Mate on the Range (or if we are to go full Monty Python's Flying Circus, Bruce on the Range)?

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Line up on an Aussie range, Bruce, Bruce, Bruce, Bruce, Bruce, and Bruce.

[@doktormusmatta]

@@snowflakemelter1172 Is your name not Bruce? That's going to cause a little confusion.

[@baobo67]

Every Bruce I know has a Le Enfield made by the Bruces at The Lithgow Small Arms Factory.

[@jackscott2594]

Unbreakable and standard ten shots into three inches at one hundred yards and super slick bolt regardless of configuration if you ain’t Aussie kiwi Indian Canadian Pom or South African you just won’t understand the only rifle to have done everything everywhere

[@rickbear7249]

A few of you have asked about coaching in how to shoot the Lee-Enfield No.4 rifle. I had intended to create a KZbin channel to pass on some of the skills and the knowledge that I've been fortunate enough to have been taught myself. But, sadly, I was persuaded that there is too much Trolling on KZbin websites. So that won't be happening. However, once we get this Covid-19 Pandemic under control, then I'm more than happy to drive to Bisley (in the UK) to give one-on-one or group coaching in some of the things I've been privileged enough to be taught. "Passing it on" as it was generously passed on to me. Things like setting up your rifle. All sorts of techniques: such as where to rest your aim during an agony snaps competition (it's not in the centre of your frontage). And how to deal with mirage when your target appears to be moving by several minutes of windage on a very hot day. This latter requires you really know your sight adjustments so you can aim at something closer; something that's not so affected by mirage; where you adjust your sight and aim-off to bring you into the bull ring of your target. It'll be sometime later in 2021, but happy to share so you too can enjoy what I've had the privilege to learn. Meanwhile, stay safe and enjoy your Lee-Enfield rifles. Rick

[@LN997-i8x]

Canadian here, the rifles issued to the Rangers likely haven't seen an armourer in decades. About all they did was supply them with some ammunition once a year, or maybe send out the odd replacement part (if they had any). Everything else was up to whoever the rifle was issued to. I suspect the majority of them are in quite poor shape by now. They just got used up.

[@TheWolfsnack]

that said....I would still jump at the opportunity to grab one for a restoration project...being Canadian...who knows, maybe I will get a chance.

[@chrissilsby4312]

If this is so, when they DeMil it, they could sell the good parts. Which are worth a lot more than the weapon itself.

[@canabox7112]

I seen them for $895! They used to be $60!

[@rickbear7249]

One of the world's best pamphlets on the No.4 comes from the Canadians. It's available for FREE on the Internet under "accurization". Just be careful not to do "central bedding" else you'll disqualify yourself from many competitions. See my own posts elsewhere on this forum. Rick Bear

[@brianhowe1982]

"You're being too rough." IT'S A BATTLE RIFLE, SLAP IT!!

[@novagate22]

I'd still like to see Thales make a proper repro of the MkIV - even if it was a limited run each year. Same form, modern materials, right along with the Lithgow rifles. Maybe in 7.62 for fun as well.

[@dsar9489]

If certainly pay what ever exorbitant fee they came up with for one. - Rowan

[@nato7924]

I often think that, I also wonder if we could get a 308-25 sporter version😂

[@robagrant1969]

Speaking as an American who has experienced all of these “mythical problems”, we’re not making this up. What we are doing, and I’ve learned this through experience, is using improperly tuned equipment with no training. My first No 4 mk1 gave me fits like you wouldn’t believe. Two years later, my no1 mk3 runs smooth as anything I own. Oddly enough, so too does my no4 mk1 now. In that time I learned to tweak the feed lips of the magazine and the striper clips, but more importantly I learned how to use the rifle. Training is everything and British soldiers were very well trained, average Americans a hundred years later, not so much.

[@simonforget280]

From what I've been told, most Lee Enfield No. 4 Mk 1* in service with the Canadian Rangers are worn out. They were well maintained and kept but used beyond their militia purpose as Inuits were authorized to used them for hunting as well. This being said, there is still a sizeable amount of Lee Enfield No. 4 Mk 1* that have been issued to Cadets for drill (without the firing mechanism). These should be the ones that should be look after as they have very little, if any, firing. Lastly, .303 mil spec brass ammo is very hard to find in Canada too. The Canadian Forces had a lot in inventory 25 years ago but I haven't heard they issued new contracts for that type of ammo ever since. Keep up your excellent work!

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

I trained as a rifle marksman/sniper in the 1960s, using the SMLE .303. I never experienced any of the mythical "problems" with any of my rifles. I later "graduated" to the L1A1, but switched back to the .303. My ex-wife stole my "Skill at Arms, Rifle" shoulder flash, with the gold "R" and "S", the so-and-so.

[@downunderrob]

"The Machine that goes Ping"😆😆😆🤣😂🤣😂 Oh the bloody Yanks will love that!😗😂🤣😆😂🤣

[@monkeyship74401]

Yes, We do very much love our Machine that goes PING. My Daughter loves my M1 too. I seem to recall that some country wanted as many as they could get their hands on as Lend Lease in 1940.

[@downunderrob]

@@monkeyship74401 Wouldn't have been Australia, cupcake. We still loved our No1 Mk III SMLE.

[@monkeyship74401]

@@downunderrob I have an Ishipor (sp) That I think is a No 1 mk III (+/-) in 7.62 NATO. It holds the #2 spot of former military rifles at my house.

[@brentandrade5861]

Rowan is very adept with that smle! I taught my nephew to use his gramps lefty in very similar fashion... the ol guys face was priceless when the boy ran 50 rounds out in a few minutes. He was 12. I'm building a 1942 action into a 7x57r carbine just because I wanted a mate to the mk1 we did in 6.5x53r. Very good dependable pieces. I'd enjoy watching more of his shooting footage.

[@CountSpartula]

Lee-Enfields are lovely rifles. Functional (Well for a bolt action anyway) AND beautiful. What could be better?

[@jamescstanley5018]

Proud Brit here. I have yet to watch this "epic", but with over 100 comments it must worth a good watch or two! I usualy check out the comments to see if a long video is worth my time watching, this one qualifies in spades. May well comment after the second or third watch!!

[@bcabmac]

When you're looking for information and advice, always listen to the guy who is obsessed with the subject. I think this guy is obsessed, I'm listening!!! Lol

[@jmfa57]

As soon as this video is done playing, I will be leaving to pick up my Ishapore No. 1 Mk. III. I thoroughly enjoyed this video, gents, many thanks for your insights!

[@jerroldshelton9367]

That was an excellent video. For much of my life, I heard that Lee Enfields "sucked" because the rear-locking action was weak and springy, because the magazines were fragile, because no rifle with a two-piece stock can be accurate......... But I wound up getting myself a sporterized Long Branch No.4 Mk1* that was supposedly made into a hunting rifle by Elwood Epps in Ontario, Canada. I paid $90.00 for it even though it looked like a brand-new rifle. It was a marvelous wild pig gun. It still is. When my son was old enough for a centerfire rifle, he said he wanted my Enfield. He has no interest in any other full-power rifle. "Everything else is second class" according to him. He's probably the biggest Enfield fan-boy outside of the Commonwealth!

[@rickbear7249]

That "springy" rear-locking actually allows the action to s-t-r-e-t-c-h (together with the down-pressure in the barrel of the No.4) which results in the rifle automatically adjusting itself for variations in military ammunition. It makes these rifles more accurate. It's called [self] "compensation"; which I've discussed elsewhere on this thread. Rick

[@jerroldshelton9367]

@@martkbanjoboy8853 Elwood Epps is not "supposed" but the provenance of the rifle I gave to my son is. My son doesn't care one way or the other. All he cares about is that its a Long Branch Lee-Enfield.

[@theoriginalOSOK]

I used to have a nice collection of SMLE's and I had to let them go to raise money about 7 years ago.... but I did recently get a No.4 MkI* - Savage. Interestingly, I never had a Savage previously.... but I'm happy to have one again. I handload and cast bullets so the brass and other components kept sending vibes about feeling neglected so.... I had to fix that. Seeing sporterized rifles in those competition vids... and I didn't know if you could still own a SMLE in Australia... glad you can - really, not too handicapped with the SMLE. I think they're the best martial bolt gun in terms of true practical use. The 10 round mags and push to cock design are an advantage. The 303 Brit is a great cartridge too - similar really to the 7.62x51 with heavier bullets.

[@steveww1507]

as a kid I was all ways told of WW1 the Germans had the best hunting rifle, The Americans had the best target rifle and the English had the best battle rifle . Great vid by the way from a Yank .

[@robstirling3173]

Thanks Blokes, a very interesting chat especially while locked down and not being able to shoot at Bisley.

[@joshkent4888]

Gday world. I'm actually drinking a beer right now watching this. Coopers if you care. I've got 2 303s because of our stupid gun laws.

[@frenchstudentA]

California chiming in here. I'll keep you company; I got a pint o Guinness myself, along with a steak and ale pie. I've also got two .303s, partially because of my state's stupid gun laws, partially because they're damn fine rifles. A soldier's weapon if ever there was one.

[@theoriginaldylangreene]

Coopers make a damn good beer. Coming from a whinging pommy bastard ;-) . Last time I was in "Earths arse-end" I had a great time drinking their OPA and session ale; it's a crying shame that the only 'Oz' beers we get in the UK are Fosters and Castlemaine 4X.

[@felixd7818]

We need VB in the states. All we get is Fosters. Please send donations to..........

[@dunxy]

Only 2? 2 is still way better than none, even if it is a bit un-Australian ;) Coopers Vintage is the go!

[@bruceinoz8002]

Never mind the XXXX or Fosters. Get yourself around some Bundaberg Rum.

[@markmcdermott7496]

Rowan, I'm wondering if the WW2 digger Trevor Cooke you mention was the same true gentleman i had the good fortune of meeting in the late 80's at the Mackay SSAA range during military rifle & pistol shoots. I spend many amazing hours over several years listening to his experiences in New Guinea and he was a wealth of knowledge in all things 303. Ironically and if my memory serves me correctly, I recall Trevor commenting that his weaponry of choice when guarding Japanese prisoners during the the closing stages of the war and their subsequent repatriation home was a luger and Thompson machine gun. We also fished the reefs off the Whitsunday's and i had the upmost respect of this true Aussie hero. Unfortunately Trevor's senior years was cut short during a car accident in Airlie Beach which was a tragic loss to us all. It was a true pleasure and honor knowing Trevor. RIP Cookie.

[@henrynelson11]

Rumour is the Canadian government is going to dispose of the rangers' Lee-Enfields as opposed to surplusing/selling them off :(

[@borkwoof696]

Commissar lubi they‘ve adopted a variant of the Tikka T3x

[@borkwoof696]

Shown at 18:00

[@corporalpunishment1133]

If you like a Mauser over a lee enfield you obviously don't shoot them. Springfield 1903A3 is very good too it's like a Mauser but design better.

[@davidlyon1899]

canada! a lovely people in the grip of short sighted,politically correct ...tcha,what is the point.

[@justdustino1371]

With Trudeau in charge up there....nothing would surprise me.

[@sampointau]

We still used MK III smle in cadets at shoots held at Malabar (ANZAC) range in Sydney in 1975. Rifles were all dated between 1941-1944, all Lithgow small arms factory made and we used issued ammunition which was still on the availability list from the army munitions supply. We also fired BRENs as well. Qualification was out to 500 yards. I was in the Q Store at our school and was well aware of dates etc. Out of the whole firearms stock held we had 100 fireable 303 MK III, 10 22 calibre MK III training rifles and 15 DP (Unsafe to fire, yellow bands painted on stock and forward wood and muzzle.) Also 15 fireable 303 BRENs complète with full spares Kita and second barrels in matching serials with 20 magazines each and 5 DP training BRENs. Oh and ammunition came in two ways, in pre loaded clips in cotton bandolier and bulk in wooden case for BRENagazine loading using the 2 crank loaders we held. We also had around 1500 of dummy rounds which were silver with 3 indented slots and a primer hole painted red. We also had 2 MK III with wire wound forewood and stocks which only fired the ballestite cartridge for grenade launching fitted with grenade discharging cups.

[@AUSSIEDAVEROCKS]

The myths were promoted by the fans of other rifles trash talking their competition.

[@stejac51]

... got taught the 'middle finger trigger' technique way back in 1966 during my 'School Cadet Unit' days on the classification range .... fond memories ...

[@australian3308]

I'll be frank (shirley not), and mention I have owned around 197 Lee Enfields (plus a Lee Metford or five) in the past 30 years collecting them. Not a single failure of ANY nature. Not a single wood split (not even the "infamous" coachwood explosion, that again, RARELY happens except in 'Murica). Not a single rim jam (and I still have around 700 rounds of MF Mk VII - no, it is not for sale!). ONCE had a magazine that misfed, but I simply rebent the lips ever so slightly in the field and it worked again. One headspace issue on a No5, but that was because the prior owner had dicked with it (no one can tell if the bolt head is original to the rifle anyway). I am not saying the Lee Enfield is prime, but it darned near is. I had 2 Springfield HIGH NUMBER receivers crack (sent the data to the relevant researchers - John Beard in particular) in the USA. One was Rock Island, once was Springfield. I am NOT a fan of the 03 or 03A3 as a result. I also found they don't shoot as well as a Swede M96 either. And having shot M1 Garands before they became Firearm non grata here , I feel those too are severly over-sensationalised, requiring tinkering with triggerguard lockup and so on to get accurate. I think Rowan will need to do future vids on such axiomatic myths as exploding coachwood foreends (foreends without copper blocks), serialised magazines (Australian service rifle SMLEs NEVER had serialised magazines, be they Lithgow or Brit), Australian heavy barrel conversions of the SMLE (SMLE III* HT snipers, SMLE III* H Marksman rifles, SMLE club heavy rifles including the Long Tom Range patterns and so on) and possibly even the multitude of range sights used in Australia (Mues, Central, Rawson, Parker Hale and so on). Oh, and we still need to insist on the pronunciation of Lithgow. It is NOT - repeat NOT - Lith-GOW as 99.9% of American's pronounce it, it is Lith-GO. The W is most assuredly NOT pronounced at all.

[@frenchstudentA]

197 Lee-Enfields? Cor blimey, save some for the rest of us!

[@randymagnum143]

Yea, m1's require proper bedding. Garand designed a rifle that was so easy to field strip, grunts popped them apart, mixed up all the pieces, and slapped 'em back together. Thousands and thousands of times. And went out and blasted through tens of thousands of rounds. Until the throats were hopelessly eroded. And cleaned them with steel cleaning rods, from the muzzle, until you could drop a bullet out of sight into the muzzle. My first m1 shot 4", the te and me were beyond measurement. The stock wobbled around. It got it's third barrel, as it had been rebarreled already for the Korean conflict, this time a nice mint lmr barrel. It also got a nice boyds stock that has to be tapped on (carefully) with a mallet, and the oprod straightened. It will shoot, for the most part, slightly above an inch. So easy, a cave man could do it. And it has the best sights of any rifle *EVER*

[@simonferrer]

Then why have the W if you don't use it?

[@dunxy]

I approve of this comment! :) I have a savage no4 with a Central peep, VERY common combination here as i almost always see another the same when i visit the range.I know the one i have won a couple of championships in the hands of its last owner. Ive got it shooting just under 2moa running handloads with 180gr S&B FMJ's and she rings gong at 500 no problamo,easily out shoots both my Swede's as well, admittedly ive not done any load development on them though, much prefer shooting my Enfields.

[@TheRealColBosch]

We even have a famous actor named John Lithgow - pronounced properly - and people still muff up the plant name.

[@jacksoncz8536]

First off I am an American, yesterday I was complaining to a friend of the stupity of adopting the Krag rather than some form of Lee. (By the way Mr Lee spent most of his life here not Canada,). I own a number of Mk III,s and number 4s. And a BSA made stalking rifle. Great video

[@rickbear7249]

You do realise that America's favourite rifle, the Rimington 700 is an Enfield design? As is the xxxxxx which is the US version of the Lee-Enfield No.3 which we only issued to the old folks of Dad's Army 😉

[@jacksoncz8536]

@@rickbear7249 lol You mean like the two REM Md 30 Express’s that I own and hunt with. Made from extra M-1917 parts? There are in fact a number of design differences between the P-14/M-1917 action and the Md-700. I personally much prefer the 14/17 rifles. US never produced Mk1 III’s Savage did produce No 4’s. If you ever get to AZ come shooting, we can try them all.

[@jacksoncz8536]

@@rickbear7249 C&Rarsenal has an excellent show on the devoloment of the P-13, according to them it was based on the Sprogfield 1903 So they could say it wasn't a Mauser copy Of course the 1903 is based on the Mauser 1893/95

[@Simon_Nonymous]

Nice to see one K98 fan popped by long enough to down vote... Used a No 4 since I was 12, never knew there was a thing called rim jam till I found the interweb.

[@Shelldrakeaus]

I got a 98 but i love all rifles.

[@otherdalek]

Now you need to insure you have a rim jam every time you use it. Someone must make a rim jam kit and sell it on ebay

[@deanwilliams4365]

@@otherdalek what is rim jam? had a Mk4 since i was 14, 40 years now

[@tini4580]

grow up around enfields, Father used them as a battle rifle and hunting, owned a couple over the years and never heard of Rim Jam until recently and internet.

[@pcb8639]

Just came across you channel. I've had my No 4 since 1993 and was the only rifle I had for sometime. You video was very educational and I learned a lot. I look forward to watching your past videos and thank you for making them.

[@USAACbrat]

Dropping the stock seems to be an American thing because they have never been trained to run a bolt action, since 1942. I see it all the time.

[@steve-rr3nq]

I have 2- no.1 mkIII, and 1 NO.4 mk1/2 , and an ishy 2A1. I love them all. My original, was a sporterized NO.1 mkIII cut off stock. I have taken a lot of deer, with it. I love the action. I had a NO.5 jungle carbine, but it would nearly lift you out of a tree stand. I have all kinds of rifles, but the two that go hunting, are the SMLE sporterized, or a mauser K98, in 3006. I paid less than 100 bucks for each, and it doesn't hurt them to sit in the rain all day, and make the shot, at dusk. never fail.

[@3of11]

Straight bolt handles are essential for lefties to have a fighting chance. I can work Finnish mosins left handed without leaving the shoulder!

[@jasonshafer7305]

in those times a military man was required to learn to shoot the rifle right handed if he was left handed to begin with.

[@Orkneyshooter]

One of my favourite KZbin Videos of all time.

[@TheRealColBosch]

I'm an American. I cannot ever remember having a rim jam in any short Lee-Enfield I ever fired, and I've fired quite a few: English and Indian makes from the Mk. I* up to the L42A1 (which, of course, can't rimlock). I've seen them happen in the charger-converted long Lees - C&Rsenal has one on video - but that conversion was a bit of a kludge. I can't even recall reading about it being an issue back in the pre-Internet days, when American gun magazines established so many of the myths that persist today. I'll grant that I was shooting Commonwealth surplus ammunition, since at the time American production .303 was insanely overpriced.

[@missouripatriot6926]

Hey i have a 2a1 and it shoots great but after every shot or less i baby it and go slow the bolt head pops up slightly and hang up on the chrager bridge or it flips up to the take the bolt put position only after i have shot the round extracted and i pull the bolt to the rear then it hangs up

[@blueishgreen76]

As a PSA I would like to point out that the .067" "no-go" thickness for 303 head-spacing often quoted in the U.S. in not written anywhere in SAAMI specifications (SAAMI Z299.2). It is a "recommendation" from a certain gauge manufacturer. The same manufacturer has a "field" gauge milled to 0.70" which is still under the actual SAAMI maximum of 0.071" (Is 0.071" conservative? sure, but not bonkers like 0.67"). The marketing descriptions of the two products in question seem to imply that they are SAAMI specs, but if you read closely they never actually explicitly say it. I've always suspected that some of the gauge manufacturers know which side there bread is buttered on, and error on the side of creating make-work jobs for gunsmiths.

[@BlokeontheRange]

Wouldn't surprise me. I had to correct someone on a Facebook forum who was passing off some really, really short gauges that were probably those. SAAMI (and worse) gauges are responsible for a lot of Bubbas "fixing" guns with no problems in the US, and sometimes causing genuine ones..

[@blueishgreen76]

​@@BlokeontheRange Just to clarify further, "SAAMI gauge" in the U.S only means that the dimensions falls somewhere within the allowable SAAMI head-space range. Unfortunately people assume that "SAAMI gauge" length's actually have some specific meaning beyond that and never take the 2 min to look it up for free on the SAAMI website. Why waste 2 minutes of your life when you can spend a weekend and $100+ to butcher your rifle?

[@skipmaloney178]

I tell my students that "the firearm you have is designed to contain a series of explosions that you could not possibly come close to replicating. Operate it with absolute authority and it will obey."

[@rickbear7249]

Hopefully not "explosions" but controlled-burns 😄. It's actually a fascinating subject if you attend one of my lectures. Lots of interesting stuff you need to know if you hope to remanufacture ammunition that'll group at 6" at 1,000 yds.

[@davidlyon1899]

fascinating,i could not believe the photos of the exploded chamber at 58.26 to 58.36.good show!

[@stevencox75]

Rowan is a dead set ledge

[@bruceinoz8002]

Back, again. Regarding the "hardness" and "toughness" (two related but vert different material characteristics) of rifle actions: P. O. Ackley discusses this in great detail in the opening chapters of Volume 2 of his epic tome, "Handbook for Shooters and reloaders", published 1966. I bought my two-volume set in 1976. Chapter one is twenty-two pages of text , titled: "The Strength of Military Actions". This is followed by Chapter Two:: "A few Causes of Blowups". Chapter Five covers: "Hardness Tests as Applied to Guns". Such books have probably been long "culled" from public and academic libraries, to ensure the peasants do not acquire forbidden knowledge, but they are probably floating about out there. Lee Enfield actions do not "blow-up or shatter like several front-lockers do.. They BEND. The right-side body rail is a LOT less robust than the left side. Interestingly enough, the "right-side" bolt lug extends almost the entire length of the bolt body. Tus it is unlikely to shear off, even at extreme pressures. NO service ammo will generate anything like the pressure to do such damage. generously-loaded factory PROOF cartridge will NOT "blow up" a SMLE, UNLESS there are faulty materials and components in play.. Leaving a steel cleaning rod in the barrel and touching the bullet will certainly ruin your day and probably your rifle, but the bolt is unlikely to have leapt out of its locking recesses / surfaces and rearranged your face.. ALL SMLE receivers are made from straight Carbon steel, no fancy alloys, but some fairly fancy furnace work to obtain overall "toughness" and hardness where required. I do not know about Brit production techniques, but if owners of Lithgow rifles look VERY closely an a "fresh" body, they will see an odd, circular "stain" in the outer body surface. This is NOT a defect, but a "little-documented" feature. The factory used a stiff electric current through a pointed carbon rod, (not unlike the old carbon-arc rods used in serious Cine projectors). The idea was to locally heat the carbon steel in the region of the locking shoulders. When the pyrometer said the word, it was quenched to spot harden only the required material. The original specs have been published on line in several places. I have originals of early and late Brit specifications. No. 4 actions are a different matter So far, I have not scored a similar type of specification document. There was still a fair amount of "hand-fitting" in the No4, mainly in stocking-up, but nothing like the olde worlde procedures on the SMLE. Interestingly, if you find Lithgow bolt-heads with tiny LETTER stamps on them, (NOT the common letter "M", which simply denoted "MILD steel , surface hardened to spec, like the original "malleable cast iron bolt-heads), they are postWW2 spares, of "extra-length" bolt-heads to get the tired old girls over the line at examinations, until such time the L1A1 was in service. Speaking of the L1A1, Lithgow had a half-hearted go at building a "second-line", 7.62 conversion on the No. 1 action, complete with an early FAL-type magazine . They welded on a reinforcing rail on the right side of the body, just as the Turks did on a swag of captured SMLEs they converted to 7.92 x 57. Then, the rifle was test-fired with OILED 7.62 NATO proof rounds, with fairly predictable results. What a shame! Thus there was only going to be a "proper", gas-operated, 7.62mm rifle issued to Australian military outfits.. That the Indians barely broke a sweat, (and that was probably from the curry), introducing the 2A etc, while they beavered away reverse-engineering" the FAL / L1A1 rifles, is instructive. I would expect that the WW2 North American No. 4 factories looked a little different in layout and machinery from the original ones. Does anyone have any photos for comparison?

[@SootHead]

Geeky but intensely interesting. Learned a lot.

[@rednecksniper4715]

“Minimize movement, maximize your speed” Jerry Miculek

[@DRNewcomb]

I think to discuss the question of action strength you have to first define, "What exactly does that mean?" If it means, "Strong enough for the intended use with the intended ammo." Then, sure the SMLE is plenty strong enough. If it means, "Strong enough to be idiot-proof. Strong enough to be converted to an overpowered, super hot wildcat cartridge, loaded up until the primers blow." Then maybe it's not all that "strong". Sometimes, in the US, when someone discusses this subject, they're really asking , "Is it idiot-proof?" The headspace question is only important if you reload ammo back to factory spec. Excessive headspace and/or an over-generous chamber lead to either short brass life or frequent annealing.

[@eribertoacedo9505]

I have a 7>62>51 NATO 25” barrel added a flash/M/ brake, enjoy shooting this rifle has a Simmons Pro50 Scoop, B-Square made the mount for it. Thank you for this video on the Enfield. Great Rifles. / San Diego Ca

[@avp5964]

Great video enjoy Rowan, had to rewatch the end of Zulu because of your reference gotta have that directed rank fire

[@jeffreyreardon7487]

You see the long Lee's

[@avp5964]

​@@dsar9489 I'm sorry my comment should have been split it wasn't clear, really enjoyed your contribution and as an aside Mike reminded me of rank firing, mainly this bit where he talks about firing on command in ranks, drilled infantry formations are always a sight to see kzbin.info/www/bejne/ap-1h6Vqm9lkrbM The bit in Zulu it made me think of kzbin.info/www/bejne/pILVdmushLJjqdU Great video I enjoyed your expertise, going to have to check out your channel now thank you. Subscriber #23 look forward to hearing more from you.

[@jeffreyreardon7487]

@@dsar9489 I'm shooting a cadet in my picture at the American chapter of the Victorian rifles. Also, just subbed, mate

[@jeffreyreardon7487]

@@dsar9489 facebook.com/groups/254885401552389/?ref=share

[@avp5964]

@@dsar9489 Appreciate the work, it's not trivial. Your perspective is unique and enjoyable feel free to let the camera roll

[@jonathangabel8868]

Not an American gun publication, but Lt. Col John Weeks, of the Parachute Regiment and third generation of his family to serve in the infantry, discussed the No. 1 MK. III and its rimmed rounds in his book, “Infantry Weapons,” and stated, “one irritating feature was that some care had to be taken in filling the chargers with which the magazine was usually loaded, as jams could easily be induced if the rims were not in the right order. There were times when this could be embarrassing, to say the least.”

[@Full_Otto_Bismarck]

But that's impossible, the Lee Enfield is completely perfect and has no flaws what so ever

[@USSEnterpriseA1701]

After watching this, I have a few thoughts. First off, I am indeed a Lee shooter in the U.S., not in any sort of competitive sense, just recreational, but a #5 'jungle carbine' was the first full powered rifle I ever fired. I had never so much as heard of a rim jam until I got into Mosins and even then I've only ever had one or two rim jam incidents with one of the roughly dozen Mosins I have (a mix of Russian refurbs and Finn creations). I don't baby any of my bolt action rifles and I can operate most of them fairly fast. It's funny, but with a bit of lithium grease on the cocking cam and a brisk stroke on the bolt handle, I find there to be virtually no difference in smoothness between my Mosins and my Lees, the 'sticky bolt' problem ceased to be an issue for me after doing that. Interestingly, I am one of those guys you talked about that prefers a straight bolt handle, but I at least usually run them from the shoulder. I don't claim to be as fast as either of you and definitely not as accurate, but comparing myself against myself, I am usually faster with the straight bolts than the bent bolts. Honestly I think the difference comes down to what I'm used to rather than any benefit from the design. What you practice with matters, and it just so happens that these days it's easier to get to my Mosins than it is my Lees (basically the stuff that has been in the collection longer ended up at the back). I am still pretty good with a Lee, but stuff like the 1903 Springfield or my M48 I just have a harder time being fast with. Of course being an American, if I really want to be fast, I spring for a lever action which outruns all of my bolt actions, right up until I have to reload ;). Also, while I'm not as obsessed with headspace as most seem to be, I do at least have a few field gauges in the 'at home' toolkit, just in case. Funnily enough, one of them is that piece of junk SAAMI .303 field gauge that I have since discontinued the use of. It turns out my 7.62x54r field gauge is exactly the same size as the proper British .303 field gauge, so I use it instead. Never had anything, Mosin or Lee, fail that gauge. Mostly I was more concerned with some of my Mosins and their condition/mismatched parts from who knows how many rifles from 3 or 4 differing manufacturing standards from each of the different countries (Russia, Finland, U.S., and maybe some French). True, Finland never made whole rifles, but they did make some replacement parts from time to time. Heck, one of my Finns has a relined 1905 Tula barrel on a 1917 Ishevsk receiver, must have one heck of a story behind it.

[@monkeyship74401]

I'm about halfway through and have some comments on shooting and loading from the shoulder. I have an Ishipor in 7.62 nato. I have a Mosin, a k98k,, a copy of a springfield 03a3 made by santa fe (it's wierd) and some modern bolt rifles. We americans aren't trained in the same manner as you were on manipulating bolts. From the Commonwealth comments, "It's what we have, Deal With It!" Because of your commentary, I have decided I need a .303 and a million rounds to practice with. Thank you for forcing me to find and feed another rifle from the WWII era. I hope you are happy with yourselves! :)

[@BlokeontheRange]

We make no apologies for encouraging more people to buy more milsurp!!! :D

[@victuff9765]

Hi Bloke, it's worse than you stated... the semiauto fullbore rifle ban came into law in 1988! The handgun ban (unless it's blackpowder cap & ball) came into law in the 1990's... That's why you're living in Switzerland😀

[@BlokeontheRange]

I put in a text correction since I mis-spoke :)

[@victuff9765]

@@BlokeontheRange that's OK mate, after all you were very young at the time😉 Cheers, Vic

[@serverlan763]

The SSG action is sublime. I have 2x Steyr Professionals, one in 30/06 and the other . 270 and they both have the same type of action as the SSG. Multiple rear locking lugs and hammer forged barrels. Outstanding out of the box accuracy hunting rifles from the 1980s

[@momouppa]

Weatherby used rear locking Schultz and Larsen actions for a time in with their 378 Weatherby Magnums.

[@dunxy]

Great video,ive never personally had a rimjam and have only ever seen it once on the range.I think the way us Aussies work our three oh's must be in the blood! Nobody ever showed me and I work mine the same(as does every other competent user i see at the range here down under,seen some mighty impressive middle finger work by older guys) it just feels right! I hadn't even had a lot of range time when i first took my mates bubbad no4 (before i acquired my own) to the range so i don't even think i could have picked it up from watching other people. Enfields are by far my favourite service rifle.

[@xgford94]

OMG Belmont Range, not expecting to see that

[@KathrynLiz1]

Great video... have just re-barrelled an old Lee Enfield action with a better tube (used)... it had been 'sporterised' so I am trying to make something useful of it. The new barrel is quite reasonable, whereas the old one was decidedly rough (corrosive ammo by the look of it), and I started with just the barreled action with no sights. It now has an aperture rear (windage adjustable) and ramp foresight (elevation adj) and I have made it a stock. I've put as much upward pressure on the barrel as I can, but the short forend limits this a bit. The action is dated 1899 (Victoria cartouche) so the old girl is 121 years old this year. I was lucky in that on fitting the new barrel the headspace was perfect, a bit better than the old barrel actually that had had a shim fitted, I think at the factory as it was the original barrel I am pretty sure..... took a bit of unscrewing too .....so I didn't have to juggle bolt heads..... it's nice when Murphy keeps his nose out of the workshop. Just have to refit the front sight to the new barrel and we will see how she shoots....should be a useful rifle.... :-) Lee Enfields rock...... Now I have an action with no barrel.....and a lot of 5.45 x 30 ammo I now have no rifle for..... hmmmmmmmm

[@Cdre_Satori]

"It's not your girlfriend!" Jeez, that is word for word what I was told. And then I was told to be rougher with girls too. :P

[@wierdalien1]

Respectfully rough

[@Cdre_Satori]

@@wierdalien1occasionally consentualy rough covers it best I think.

[@wierdalien1]

@@Cdre_Satori depends on the girl, but yes consent always

[@mrk396ss]

MY nephew has my dad's old Lee -Enfield Mk IV and it puts in 1/2 MOA with reloads . It is still a great Whitetail killer.

[@KB9813]

I've had this issue with bad once fired brass I got at a gun show cause it was cheap. A tapered round file will pull a case out of the chamber. Also, the bedding is voodoo on No.1. Contact points are funky.

[@KB9813]

@@dsar9489 How do you even check if the bedding is proper on a No.1? Have 1917 Lithgow that has a 46 rebuild. Its 1945 barrel bore is still brand new, but the stock has a traumatic history. I think its correct, but am not sure. No.4 is easy, No.1. Er....

[@dalanwanbdiska6542]

My sporter is free floated at the tip and it has some shims in the barrel midway and it is bed at the knoxform and also shimmed at the draws. I got this from a book on accurizing the lee enfield. The stock does have up pressure half way at the barrel and the rest is free floating.

[@BlokeontheRange]

That's a form of centre bedding, like on a SR(b) rifle. Does it shoot well?

[@BlokeontheRange]

A little addendum on the subject of rimjams. Fast forward to about 27 seconds in the video below. There's a naval type loading a No.4 with chargers. You can see that the top round of .303 Mk.VII has almost certainly gone in rim-behind the one below. Yet it doesn't put up any resistance to the bolt being closed. Funny that! :D kzbin.info/www/bejne/jH6tdXyEbNh3mrM

[@pweter351]

QMRC is my club, only stoppage I have ever had with my SMLE was when in ejected case lands back on top of the next round. Never had rim jam I always load the stripper clips up down as per the manual. That way you stuff them in without making sure you have them the right way round. My 1917 matching number HV shot very well and I have never had any training at all. Then I put a new stock on it as the 1917 one was getting cracks near the wrist band. Now it shoots terrible. I need to bed the stock in properly.

[@rklkify]

interestingly i've never actually seen S&B 303 ammo in stores in my area, it's usually remington or PPU

[@Mathos1001]

At the only store in my area that carries .303, there is a stack of S&B that just sits there while they are constantly having to order PPU.

[@vikinglord7545]

I have a box of S&B in my stash right now. Well, half a box. Never had a problem with it.

[@SnoopReddogg]

S&B 303 ammo is alright...until you reload it.

[@derekheuring2984]

How does one win a a 'WWI' class with a rifle introduced in 1962 (Ishapore 2A1) and chambered for a cartridge introduced in the 1950's (7.62 NATO)? Inquiring minds want to know. Great video though and brought back wonderful memories of my younger days when I was beating AR15s with 30 round mags with my SMLE and No.5 back in the late 1980's. The only thing I did different from the manual was to stagger the rims rather than interleave them and paint one end of the charger so the rounds entered in an advantageous order.

[@BlokeontheRange]

Cos they were very, very liberal on what counted. It was more design origin.

[@calska140]

Beating 1/4 of the semi auto shooters with a bolt action? Consider me impressed.

[@mooslionheart]

Fantastic Examination Bloke! Next time devote an hour long episode to dispelling the many multitude of myths surrounding this Ishapore 2a1 (which did not blow or seize up once during this 2 Gun match🦊)

[@thelongslowgoodbye]

As a fellow Queenslander, I approve.

[@thomas-lo8pl]

In the late 70's when I was an Armourer in the NZ Army there were still No 4 T Sniper rifles in service. For these we bedded the metal to wood at the knoxs bulge, the front end of the woodwork and a portion of the magazine housing then finally we inserted and fitted a block about the mid stock point. The means was basic fitting using bearing blue and lots of patience and learned skill. And, we were trained not to palm the bolt because finger gripping has better control. It was also said that palming the bolt risked nerve damage in the hand. Not sure that is true but that is what I was taught.

[@truckerallikatuk]

Awesome video, well worth the hour.

[@BlokeontheRange]

Thanks!

[@gerry343]

I wish the British Army had kept a few SMLEs purely for ceremonials. Seeing soldiers marching with red tunics and bearskins carrying the current bullpup always grates with me.

[@BlokeontheRange]

They should have kept Long Lees for ceremonial. They're the classiest looking for that sort of thing. I get the point that they're active soldiers so the principle is they carry the rifle of the day, but the classiest-looking the Guards have been was around 1900 with MLE's.

[@gerry343]

@@BlokeontheRange Plenty of other militaries have kept old bolt actions for their ceremonial and guard duties.

[@revmarcell6449]

The only problem with .303 Enfield is very corrosive ammunition. I’ve never experienced any other problems with my dozen or so .303 rifles and carbines. Even the charger clips work as designed, and work very well.I did have a real problem with my Indian cal 7.62 NATO No 3. My rifle had a mismatched magazine. They eject off of a projection of the magazine edge. My British 7.62 NATO target rifle has no negatives at all. The Enfield rifles are generally excellent reliable rifles. My Australian heavy barrel No3 is one of the most accurate rifles I own.

[@KathrynLiz1]

In both #1s and #4s I have never had a rim jam with any brand of ammo or brass. The only feed issue I ever had with a .303 was a P14 that didn't release the round from the feed lips, which would lock the rifle up and dent the round underneath the one being fed.... That did take a bit of investigation to correct.... but with SMLEs, they just ran... Great rifles....