In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

An Enfield As a Hunting rifle?

marcpottermarcpotter Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
edited January 2002 in General Discussion
I've been looking at military surplus #4 Mk1 and #1 Mk3 enfields and I'm just wondering what you guys thoughts are about using it as a hunting rifle.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • simonbssimonbs Member Posts: 994 ✭
    edited November -1
    Is that the .303?If so, my ex-fire chief used one.I use a Garand.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    As long as it goes bang everytime, you dont mind carrying it, and it hits somewhere near the point of aim, why not?
    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gunpaqgunpaq Member Posts: 4,607 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    MARCPOTTER: Can't go wrong with either one I have both in stock and sport configurations. Find a good one and check it out thoroughly before you buy. Used a No.4 for deer this year and dropped one dead in it's tracks at 125+ yards - not bad for an $80 rifle with a $17 scope. The .303 will do you for deer and black bear.
    Pack slow, fall stable, pull high, hit dead center.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't think much of it as a sporting rifle, but it will do the job and many have been used.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    The .303 is a medium weight cartridge, but more than sufficient for any north american game such as deer and black bear, but with proper handloading and shot placement can take out any moose or similar game.
    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pops401pops401 Member Posts: 616 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Gotta go with Rob, why not.Went on a trip in 1971 with a brand new Ruger 77 in 7mm mag. The Guide dropped it handing it up to me on the horse and broke the stock. They gave me an 03-A3 to use, and I got my biggest Moose with it. Like Rob said, if it does the job, then it works.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • royc38royc38 Member Posts: 2,235 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For hunting.. Yes. Some people cry about the weight but these are the same people that had their mommy dress them until they got their driver's license.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    I had a cousin-by-marriage who was an old Cajun raised in the backwoods. He had two big game rifles. Both were #4 Enfields with the barrels cut back and the forestocks shortened. Both had side-mounted scopes. He had two just alike in case one broke. Both of them together probably weren't worth $300, but he hunted deer, hogs, antelope, elk, and moose with the pair. Anything bigger than a squirrel and not flying. He nearly always got one-shot kills. Probably more of a testimony of the man than the machine, but those are the machines he used and used well.
    Certified SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of the General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the premier gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net Jesus is Lord!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • talontalon Member Posts: 150 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't count on reloading any brass coming out of a military .303 chamber. The chambers are way oversize (for good combat reasons) and resizing is a pain, and case neck & body splits are common after 1 or 2 reloads.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shootist3006Shootist3006 Member Posts: 4,171
    edited November -1
    Can't think of a single reason not to. I have a #4 Mk5 jungle carbine that I sporterized years ago, makes the best darn brush gun I've ever handled. Mounted an aimpoint on it and it is one of the fastest pointing/shooting guns around. A great gun for boar or bear!But as talon said, it is rough on brass. I can get 3 or 4 loads by neck sizing only but that's about it.
    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Brits have a history of building ugly firearms. If you can get past the looks you will find the smoothest, fastest shooting high power bolt action ever.A friend, really into Enfields, demonstrated he could outshoot the M-1 in accurate aimed rapid fire using the 303 Enfield. Since their ugliness is liable to crack the glass in my gun case I've never owned one.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TLynnTLynn Member Posts: 353 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's a great rifle. Fact is the sporterized No. 4 Mark I was the first one I ever owned. Just have to remember to put the scope on it if I want to shoot it.Got another one that is stock - again they hit what you aim at and will take things down while hunting.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Second all the above positives *but* be sure the headspace is good - some of these old Enfields have been known to have such a problem there that one can have separations even w/ new factory ammo. I have some specimens I used to demonstrate this for Hunter Safety.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.