Blacksmoke
Member
With all the posts about Mumbai and the local police armed with SMLE No. 4s I got interested in my 1/III again. It has been sitting in the back of the safe for about twelve years, undisturbed by me. In fact, I have never even fired it since purchasing it in 1995.
So, my first question is about factory ammo. The US makes are expensive- $38 to $34 per 20. I have not located bulk reloaders like Cabella's offers for just about every other cartridge n use. I did find this Serbian outfit- Prvi Partizan that offers 150 grain soft points and 174 grain FMJs at under $15 per 20. Has anyone experience with this manufacturer?
Second, like with my former SKS, the stock is made for someone with shorter arms. Has anyone found a stock extension ready made like for the SKS? I have not found one made for the SMLE. I could make my own and makes a nice indoor winter project but....
Third, while this rifle has the year "1915" stamped behind hte bolt the butt plate is aluminum. Something tells me that is not the original butt plate. Is that so?
Fourth, there is a really weird stamped marks, like inspection or proof marks, on the left side of the Reciever. If I can find my camera cable the photo will be posted. The marks are not like Western alphabet characters. They almost look like Hebrew? I am no scholar Middle Eastern alphabets. There are other marks like squiggly lines like serpents. No Crescent Moons. Does that sound familar to anyone? I will get the photo added on ASAP.
Fifth, not having served in the King's Service I did not learn the manual-of-arms for this rifle. In shoulder position for firing it seems a little front heavy. Normally, my left hand would be under the site or near it. However, to balance this rifle the left hand wants to be farther foward than I am used to- at the first full band. Where do you grip the fore end? Am I the only one who has this balance issue?
Sixth, assuming my usual marksman like skill with this rifle
, I was thinking about Whitetails and maybe Pronghorns. I sold my .25-06 and this SMLE with 150 grain soft points might do the job. Has anyone hunted with theirs?
Ok, thanks for wading through this and if you are inclined to respond I do appreciate it.
So, my first question is about factory ammo. The US makes are expensive- $38 to $34 per 20. I have not located bulk reloaders like Cabella's offers for just about every other cartridge n use. I did find this Serbian outfit- Prvi Partizan that offers 150 grain soft points and 174 grain FMJs at under $15 per 20. Has anyone experience with this manufacturer?
Second, like with my former SKS, the stock is made for someone with shorter arms. Has anyone found a stock extension ready made like for the SKS? I have not found one made for the SMLE. I could make my own and makes a nice indoor winter project but....
Third, while this rifle has the year "1915" stamped behind hte bolt the butt plate is aluminum. Something tells me that is not the original butt plate. Is that so?
Fourth, there is a really weird stamped marks, like inspection or proof marks, on the left side of the Reciever. If I can find my camera cable the photo will be posted. The marks are not like Western alphabet characters. They almost look like Hebrew? I am no scholar Middle Eastern alphabets. There are other marks like squiggly lines like serpents. No Crescent Moons. Does that sound familar to anyone? I will get the photo added on ASAP.
Fifth, not having served in the King's Service I did not learn the manual-of-arms for this rifle. In shoulder position for firing it seems a little front heavy. Normally, my left hand would be under the site or near it. However, to balance this rifle the left hand wants to be farther foward than I am used to- at the first full band. Where do you grip the fore end? Am I the only one who has this balance issue?
Sixth, assuming my usual marksman like skill with this rifle
, I was thinking about Whitetails and maybe Pronghorns. I sold my .25-06 and this SMLE with 150 grain soft points might do the job. Has anyone hunted with theirs?Ok, thanks for wading through this and if you are inclined to respond I do appreciate it.
