Thread: Bolt Action Rifles

Originally Posted by heelerau

I have a couple of No1 Mk 1 enfields, both originally with magazine cut offs and long range sights. One is a Sparkbrook action and I have had it made into a brush gun with Lithgow heavy barrel am still working up loads for it. The other one was sporterised in the 1920s by a mate of my late father, I have nailed roos with it at about 300 yds using WW! mk 4 ball, nickle plated and corrosive primers, have to use boiling water to clean the barrel. Amazing old rifle, bore is nearly shot out but still shoots really well.
Back on track, I suspect straight pulls were thought to be faster than the bolt action. The Canadian Ross used to jam in the mud during WW!.
Funny just got a note from a mate in SA here is his Schmidt Rubin straight pull and his first target shot off the bench at 100yds,he is happy as a cat with two tails!!

Cheers all

Heelerau

You bring up a very good point about Enfield's that have barrels that look shot out, yet will shoot pretty damned true. Also I've read of accuracy issues with the standard ball ammunition, but I've never found it to be anything but accurate. I picked up some Israeli ammunition made just after WWII that was absolutely nail drivers in my old No. 4 MkII.

In spite of the critics so-called shortcomings ie. the two part stock, cordite propellent, sight radius (No. I Mk III), rimmed cartridges, etc, the Enfield's, even abused, are reliable and accurate.

This thread has me nostalgic to purchase another.

I should have said, the MK4 ball which is round nosed leaves a fist sized exit wound, so suspect the round tumbles on entry into target, it may be age of the round as well, don't really recommend using such old ammo.


Cheers Heelerau

heelerau,

The 174 gr Mk VII round had a sizable fiber, aluminium or plastic filler plug at the nose of the projectile, and these are known for tumbling after penetrating live tissue

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ