VIDEO: Finest Bolt Action Battle Rifle in History?

[Billy Shears]

I think that if you look past the max cap of the rifle, which is its finest point, it really isn't anything special. So, I'll disagree that it's the best. I think for functions sake, the 1903 was hands down the best that saw use.

I have to disagree with you. The Enfield has more than just a ten round magazine going for it. The bolt really was quicker to operate, thanks to a 60 degree bolt turn (as opposed to the Mauser's [or Springfield's] 90 degrees), a shorter bolt throw (thanks to the rear locking lugs, which meant the cartridge didn't have to be pushed past the locking lugs to be chambered), and the cock on closing action. All these features made for a faster cycling bolt action, which was advantageous in a battle rifle. This came at the cost of less theoretical accuracy. I say theoretical, because while it may be true that the front locking Mauser-type bolt has more absolute mechanical accuracy, it really didn't make any appreciable difference in an iron-sighted battle rifle shot by an ordinary soldier -- and anyway, as the No.4 sniper rifle showed, the Lee-Enfield action was still capable of very great accuracy.

As for the '03, I really can't agree that it's better. It's not any sort of improvement on the German original from which it was copied, and as fielded in WWI, it had a few significant flaws. One was the straight stock, which was not superior to the semi pistol grip stock of the Enfield or the Mauser, and shooters of the WWII '03A3 always preferred to shoot the C stock versions with the semi pistol grip, as opposed to the straight stock variants, which they said seemed to kick harder. Another problem was the sights. The Springfield's sights were great for a target rifle, but the M1917 Enfield had much better battle sights, despite the lack of windage adjustment. Also, the M1903's sights were regulated so that point of aim and point of impact coincided at, IIRC something like 500 yards, which meant that in the trenches, where actual ranges were much shorter, most of the shots US infantrymen fired (those that still had the Springfield, as opposed to the M1917, which was used by the majority of doughboys) actually went over the heads of the German soldiers.

 

[csa77]

there's no finer rifle then the enfield. my RIC carbine 1 of 10,000

 

[henschman]

No doubt they are great rifles... I prefer my FR-8 though.

The capacity thing isn't really all it's cracked up to be... after you empty the initial load, you're just loading from 5 round stripper clips like everybody else. Also it's made up for by the possibility of getting your rims overlapping the wrong way and jamming up your action.

 

[Billy Shears]

The capacity thing isn't really all it's cracked up to be... after you empty the initial load, you're just loading from 5 round stripper clips like everybody else. Also it's made up for by the possibility of getting your rims overlapping the wrong way and jamming up your action.

You still end up being a bit faster, even with the need to load from 5 round stripper clips, because you don't have to stop shooting to reload quite as often. It winds up being marginally faster. As for the rims... I've never had that problem. As long as you load your clips the right way, there's no problem, and that's not at all difficult to do. Then you just strip the rounds in like any other clip loaded rifle.

 

[henschman]

Also I find the cock-on-open Mauser action to be smoother and easier to operate than the Enfield cock-on-close.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The downside to cock-on-closing is that it requires much greater sear engagement for safety reasons, and therefore usually doesn't have such a good trigger pull.

 

[rodinal220]

Two No1 MKIII* Lithgows and a Canadian Longbranch No4 MkI*. I prefer the No4 because of the peep sight. With match type ammo excellent shooters.

 

[csa77]

cock on close gives more efficient use of your energy and its gives quicker case extraction. no matter what the mauser group says, cock on close is ideal for combat rifles. mausers are pretty good guns but cock on opening will never be anything but a glorified hunting rifle

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The early Mausers were designed for cock-on-closing. The Germans and their customers cound that cock-on-opening was better in nasty, filthy conditions.

 

[Ignition Override]

EMNofSeattle:
Your info looks much more plausible than the versions I've read.

Your last sentence seems to sum up other similar comments.
Was it on Wikipedia, by chance?

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I have been hunting with a no5 for about 5 years now. Once you learn how to "work" the bolt it is amazing how fast it really is compared to any bolt gun I've ever shot. They are rugged, dependable, easy to maintain and accurate. What more could someone want from a battle rifle? Probably the most user friendly battle rifle ever made.

 

[CZguy]

I'll cede the best battle rifle issue, but for my needs the 1903 Springfield, or Mauser are best.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

British tactics -- for example, long range volley fire -- played to the strengths of the Lee-Enfield, which produced a synergistic effect. Similarly, German tactics played up the strength of the machinegun.

It's kind of silly to talk about the weaponry without considering the tactics.

 

[PTMCCAIN]

Wow, I never imagined when I put up this post it would lead to such a fascinating discussion. I've learned so much by reading all the informed/informative posts here.

Thanks.