Enfield rifle

[elmer]

I have a enfield in 308 with a 3x9x40 simmons scope on it, what kind of groups should I get out of this?

[trust me]

Look at your bore real close. Nice and sharp grooves all the way to the muzzle? If so it should shoot as good as any other rifle.

My old 303 Enfield has the rifling worn away in the muzzle for about 2 inches. It won't shoot for beans. Some military rifles have been in service of 2 or 3 countries around the world, and their treatment can be good or bad.

[Auk1124]

Look at your bore real close. Nice and sharp grooves all the way to the muzzle? If so it should shoot as good as any other rifle.

My old 303 Enfield has the rifling worn away in the muzzle for about 2 inches. It won't shoot for beans. Some military rifles have been in service of 2 or 3 countries around the world, and their treatment can be good or bad.

While the thought of milsurp butchery makes many people ill, in the case of your Enfield I'd sporterize if I was you, unless it is a particularly rare one. Chop a couple inches off that old barrel and recrown, bolt on a scope, and you may have yourself a dandy deer rifle.

[elmer]

I have already put a scope on it, and a sporter stock, less weight, I have killed a deer with it, but at 25 yds. When I shot up too 100 yds the group goes wild. Will not keep a good group. I am thinking that the scope may not be level. I will try to post pics of the base that I had to use. What would be a good base if I have to change it? The one I used is a drill less mount that uses two set screws to hold it in place.

[Auk1124]

I use an S&K no-drill scope mount on mine, with Weaver extension rings and a Sightron SII 3-9x40 scope. Left the wood original. Mine groups pretty good at 100 and my scope mount is solid (love the S&K Enfield base, but S&K's Mosin Nagant scope base isn't nearly as good, IMO)... could be your scope, scope base, ammo, muzzle crown, or something else... Those old milsurp guns aren't as accurate as modern hunting rifles, but most should be deer-gun accurate out to 100.

[trust me]

My Mk III has already been sporterized. I'd like to bob the barrel, and would do it myself in a minute, but it would take the front site off as well, and I don't have any provisions for replacing it.

I'd like to keep it open sights, as I love that old British adjustable.

[elmer]

If you cut off a inch of the barrel how do you recrawn it? The front sight is not a problem on mine as I have already taken it off.

[Auk1124]

Midwayusa used to sell a recrowning jig that you could put in a drill press. I've also heard of guys recrowning by taking ball bearings and welding a drill bit stem to them, then covering the ball in abrasive polish and chucking that in a drill press.

I also heard of one guy that claimed to effectively recrown with only a small hand file, but dunno about that one.

[trust me]

I've read about, but not tried, using a little compound on a fine round grinding stone in a low speed drill.

As far as whacking off the barrel, I'd use a hacksaw and vise and square up with a file. Haven't worked up the nerve yet, but may soon.

[elmer]

Here are a few pics of the mount that I have. Sorry about the fuzzy pics.

[killinmammals]

all the enfields that I have looked at that we sell at my work seem to be in really good condition...well considering the usage and age. I have seen a couple that the end of the barrel was worn smooth as far back as you could see.

[westkybanded]

Mine's kind of like the one you describe... to 50 yards, it's one hole... Get to 100, and you're looking at 4-6". It needs recrowning BADLY. Almost no rifling left at the end.