I'm sure before there were Bubbas there were Nigels and Courtneys and Chauncys.
It's an English rifle after all.
It's an English rifle after all.
Who Bubbaed your Enfield?
- Thread starter GunnyUSMC
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GunnyUSMC
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The thing to remember is that time changes the way we look at things.
Back in the day sporterizing a rifle was common pratice. It was a way to save money when buying a hunting rifle. You could not go to your local dealer and find low end priced, new, rifles. It wasn't until the late 70's that Remington and others started marketing lower cost rifles. But still, a lot of hunters just didn't have the extra cash for new guns. You could still buy a surplus rifle and sporterize it for less then a new rifle.
Now days these old rifles are getting harder to find and the cost has gone up too. You can also buy a new rifle for less then what it cost to sporterise an old rifle.
But when it comes right down to it, it's your rifle and you can do as you please.
I have restored a few Enfields. Some ended up costing me as much or even more then just finding a good clean and correct one. But to me it is not always about the cost. It's just fun.
I have a 1917 BSA No1 MkIII that I am restoring right now. I have $135 in the rifle, $70 in a replacement stock set and about $40 in some parts. I have a 1918 BSA No1 MkIII in good shape coming in this week and have $225 tied up in it with the shipping. I think that the 1917 will have a place that will be a little closer to my heart.
Back in the day sporterizing a rifle was common pratice. It was a way to save money when buying a hunting rifle. You could not go to your local dealer and find low end priced, new, rifles. It wasn't until the late 70's that Remington and others started marketing lower cost rifles. But still, a lot of hunters just didn't have the extra cash for new guns. You could still buy a surplus rifle and sporterize it for less then a new rifle.
Now days these old rifles are getting harder to find and the cost has gone up too. You can also buy a new rifle for less then what it cost to sporterise an old rifle.
But when it comes right down to it, it's your rifle and you can do as you please.
I have restored a few Enfields. Some ended up costing me as much or even more then just finding a good clean and correct one. But to me it is not always about the cost. It's just fun.
I have a 1917 BSA No1 MkIII that I am restoring right now. I have $135 in the rifle, $70 in a replacement stock set and about $40 in some parts. I have a 1918 BSA No1 MkIII in good shape coming in this week and have $225 tied up in it with the shipping. I think that the 1917 will have a place that will be a little closer to my heart.
What really gets to me is that I can't find a decent bolt gun to hunt with in .303 British. I would buy that rifle in a heart beat. You can get a Ruger No.1 in .303 British if you can find one, but they are just not made today. That is a bummer.
So what do I do? Cut up my perfect 1943 Lithgow, or have a custom rifle made? What are my options or did I just name them?
So what do I do? Cut up my perfect 1943 Lithgow, or have a custom rifle made? What are my options or did I just name them?
dirtyjim
Member
those are your options.
i need to get back to work on my 303 mauser. 1903 high hump turk action with siamese bottom metal built in the style of the slant box rigbys
i need to get back to work on my 303 mauser. 1903 high hump turk action with siamese bottom metal built in the style of the slant box rigbys
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I'd take a properly sporterized Enfield like dirtyjim's above over a new stainless/synthetic monstrosity or original Enfield any day of the week. Bubba or not.
Yep, those prices look real good until you realize how hard folks had to work to make that money back then.
CraigC,
My Enfield shoots pretty good, but I can't shoot irons worth a darn on the No.1 Mk3 sights. I can't really shoot those style, a v with a front post, very well these days. The sights float on me. Now something like an A2 peep or Williams I can shoot really well.
I think they make a Williams for the No.1 Mk3, but like you, I'd like to have a sporterized Enfield.
I know one thing, I'll be taking my Lithgow to the woods with me this year more than I have in the past.
I am loading up some .312, 174 grain Hornady round nose bullets tonight with W760, BLC-2, and IMR 4350 for load testing this weekend. Got them all ready to put powder in tonight. I am hoping the W760 works out because I have a couple .lbs of it, but nothing to that it will shot in but the Enfiled. Crossing my fingers that it does shoot well with the 174 grain round nose. I am looking to get 2400 fps from it.
My Enfield shoots pretty good, but I can't shoot irons worth a darn on the No.1 Mk3 sights. I can't really shoot those style, a v with a front post, very well these days. The sights float on me. Now something like an A2 peep or Williams I can shoot really well.
I think they make a Williams for the No.1 Mk3, but like you, I'd like to have a sporterized Enfield.
I know one thing, I'll be taking my Lithgow to the woods with me this year more than I have in the past.
I am loading up some .312, 174 grain Hornady round nose bullets tonight with W760, BLC-2, and IMR 4350 for load testing this weekend. Got them all ready to put powder in tonight. I am hoping the W760 works out because I have a couple .lbs of it, but nothing to that it will shot in but the Enfiled. Crossing my fingers that it does shoot well with the 174 grain round nose. I am looking to get 2400 fps from it.
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GunnyUSMC
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There are many Enfields out there that have been poorly sportered. I look for the ones that only the wood has been altered. I have a stash of parts to put a few more back in original dress.
There is a Savage No.4 Mk I* at a local shop for $145. Someone ground off the US Property mark. They also had another No.4 Mk I that had a cut down barrel for about the same price. So if your looking for an Enfield for a project, just stop off at your local gun stores and pawn shops. You just may find one for a good price that has already been altered.
I have one or two cut down Enfield No.4 Mk I forends sitting in my junk stock box. If someone needs one, I would be more then happy to dig them out and see if they would be good for a sporter project.
There is a Savage No.4 Mk I* at a local shop for $145. Someone ground off the US Property mark. They also had another No.4 Mk I that had a cut down barrel for about the same price. So if your looking for an Enfield for a project, just stop off at your local gun stores and pawn shops. You just may find one for a good price that has already been altered.
I have one or two cut down Enfield No.4 Mk I forends sitting in my junk stock box. If someone needs one, I would be more then happy to dig them out and see if they would be good for a sporter project.
gb6491
Member
That was the case with my No.4 Mk.1
Regards,
Greg
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