Enfield Performance...

[TrafficMan]

Is it possible to get MOA or even Sub MOA performance out of a No.4 MkI with one of the available aftermarket scope mounts and a little trigger work?

Particular rifle in question is my 1943 BSA No.4MkI -- thinking about a Cad Technic Mount with a good quality scope.

 

[armoredman]

I swear my 1943 Longbranch is far more accurate than I am. If I replace the peep rear sight with a micrometer, and get that front sight screw tool, (shipped today from Numrich), with the handloads I am trying to tweak, I can't see why I couldn't make it a real tackdriver!
Right now I get 2.5 inches at 100 yards with one handload, and I just started experimenting.

 

[rbernie]

One and a half MOA is do-able with some degree of repeatability if you get a good unit. You might get an MOA group or two on occasion out of that good rifle when the gods smile kindly upon you. But I doubt that you'll see sub-MOA groups often, if ever at all. Been there, done that with four (4) different No4Mk1 Enfields.

But 1.5" groups at 100 yards is plenty good enough accuracy for hunting, sporting, or social work.

 

[Davo]

Its kinda fuzzy but

what was that thing about enfields shooting very well at 700 yards or so? Something about the rifle/ammo combo coming into harmony at that range? I cant imagine how that would work.

 

[jlmurphy]

Over in Great Britain they have done a lot of " Regulating" to get the various Enfields to shoot better, I remember something about shimming the front handguard. This was for high power service rifle competition where the rifle has to remain mostly stock. For real accuracy the forend is shortened, the barrel upgraded and isolated as much as possible, I think MOA might be possible. The real limiting factor is the action, with only 1 lug at the rear, flexing and stretching is almost guaranteed. Good luck, you'll learn a lot and have fun trying!

 

[swingset]

If you get a good barrel, are willing to invest the time to learn how to properly bed the N4 action (often center-bedded), and work up a good load for it, it's very possible to get MOA out of a No4.

 

[ball3006]

Ditto what swingset says........

I have a Savage Enfield that will do very close to 1 inch at 50 yards with S&B ammo. My old eyes just can't see well enough to shoot iron sights at longer ranges.......chris3

 

[rbernie]

Let's clarify what we mean when we say 'MOA performance' out of a rifle. My definition means that the rifle shoots 1" groups at 100 yards using five-round shot groupings, and does so repeatedly and consistently. This doesn't mean 'did it once' or 'does it occasionally', but rather that the rifle can perform to that standard at any time.

That's why I say that the Enfield is usually a 1 1/2 MOA rifle - because a good example can, if fed decent ammo, REPEATEDLY place five shots into a group that measures, center-to-center of the largest span, one and a half inches or less at 100 yards. Getting an Enfield to do 1" groupings or less at 100 yards solidly and repetatively is very rare indeed.

 

[swingset]

Getting an Enfield to do 1" groupings or less at 100 yards solidly and repetatively is very rare indeed.

That's true of nearly every service rifle. Very few are actually consistent MOA shooters, even the K31 and M38 Swede don't do it with regularity.

But, as I said above, with the proper setup and a relatively good barrel, an Enfield can EASILY do this, and there are examples in my safe that do. A DCRA No4, with a good target sight, has little problem achieving sub-MOA performance.

 

[Firehand]

With a good barrel & trigger, definately. From what I've seen/read, free-float the barrel inside the forend/handguard is a big factor.

Friend got hold of a #4 Mk1(T) sniper a few years ago, and stuck an old Redfield scope on it 'till could find an original. That rifle has one of the best triggers I've ever seen, and would consistently- with standard ball- get 1 to 1.25" groups at 100 yards. With better ammo, would get below MOA.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

The consistant 1½ MOA mentioned by rbernie is about as good as it gets. Again, consistantly.

IF the barrel and rifling are in excellent condition, it will most likely be a very good shooter. The supposed "weakness" of the action is a non-issue, it was built for the .303, not overbuilt. It's just fine for the round being fired.

I'd suggest for handloading you use the 174-gr Sierra Matchking. I get good results from Reloader-15.

 

[MJ]

5 sighting shots

I screwed this one not the rifle. But it shows the what is possible and this one does this all the time. I can change scopes and it still holds hard around an inch+ and shoots into an apple at 200.





*MJ*

 

[Sunray]

Yep, but a scope will not improve accuracy with any rifle that doesn't shoot well with iron sights. A scope is a sight that lets you see the target better. Nothing more. You should slug the bore. Hammer a cast .30 cal bullet through the barrel and measure it with a micrometer. A No. 4 barrel can measure between .311" and .315" and still be considered ok. Then use the appropriate diameter bullet. Good ammo is far more important than the sights.