Gun question

[KanadianKrusty]

So I started deer-hunting last year and my dad decided to give me his Lee-Enfield .303 (made in 1915, modified for hunting in 1953), it's in PERFECT condition, shot MAYBE 40 rounds since my dad's neighbor bought it 30 years ago. And I was wondering, how much could it be worth?, not that I have any intention of selling it because it's a beautiful weapon (and very accurate too), but I'm just curious.

[Yeager]

HIDE IT QUICK BEFORE THE MOUNTIES GET YOU!!!!

its not worth much in a free country but in canada it could get you 10 years. hehe

[KanadianKrusty]

what do you mean?, my dad had it registered and got all the necessary papers so we can hunt with it (like with any other gun)

[john9001]

<>

for a hunting rifle? glad i live in a free country.

[bigsky]

i doubt its worth much as a collectable gun. once its modified any collectors value goes out the window. and they made alot of enfields. however if it shoots good and you like it then it has value to you.

[Gman]

Unfortunately you aren't looking at a very high value.  Even unissued/unmodified WW1 and WW2 Lee Enfields don't go for a whole lot.

We have a rack of rifles such as yours here at my shop, and the usual price is in between 125 and 250$ depending on condition.

[Dune]

Worth in terms of dollars?  Probably not much.

However, if it will shot straight, the Lee in .303 would make a great deer rifle.  Even elk if you wanted to.

In fact, here is a thread about reloading hunting bullets for the .303:  http://www.nookhill.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=009443#000008

and here is a page all about loading for the .303

http://www3.sympatico.ca/shooters/303Page.htm

BTW Winchester:

http://www.winchester.com/ammunition/store/cfrproductsheet.aspx?symbol=X303B1&qrystr=Y2FydGxpc3QrQUQwLU16QXpJRUp5YVhScGMyZytBQ1UtM2QrQUNZLXVzZWxpc3QrQUQwLW5vbmUrQUNZLWJyYW5kbGlzdCtBRDAtbm9uZStBQ1ktYnVsbGV0dHlwZStBRDAtbm9uZQ==

and Federal:
http://www.federalcartridge.com/ammocat20.asp?s1=1

make factory hunting ammo for the caliber.

[Toad]

Bought one 30 years ago for $10. Sold it for $20 about two years later.

Saw one yesterday in a gun shop; used but decent enough. Military issue configuration. $125. Didn't look at the bore though.. didn't buy it either.

[Leslie]

.303 should be a great deer rifle.  Knock em flat.

I hunted with a 1895 Mauser 7 x 57 (Chilean Army surplus) for awhile, open sights.  Paid $40 for it.  Problem was the sights' closest setting was 200 meters, and you had to hold considerably lower at 50 to 100 yards average deer range(guesstimate).

It was fun to shoot and hunt with though.  It only killed one deer...the time I let my buddy borrow it.  And that shot was made from about 15 yards away.  He was 30 feet up in a pine tree and said he was aiming at the deer's feet, so that gives you an idea how much Kentucky windage was involved.

I think those old Enfields set the trigger on the bolt back part of the action, instead of pushing forward.  You must use effort to pull the bolt back...opposite from the normal action of most rifles.  Does that sound right to you Krusty?

Anyhow, those old rifles are way cool to hunt with, and .303 is plenty of cartridge for deer.  Good luck with hunting this season.  



Les

[Dune]

I don't have my Enfield handy, so I can't tell you how the action is set up, but I do know that its action is one of the fastest bolt actions ever made.  Much faster than a Springfield or standard Mauser.

[Toad]

THe main "difference" in the Enfield is that it is "**** on closing" of the bolt.

Good article here; it's a fine rifle if the bore is good and it's pretty close to .30-06 in the deer killing department.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LEE ENFIELD RIFLE

The rifle originally introduced in 1895 was designed by James Paris Lee (1831-1904), a Scottish born firearms designer who worked chiefly in the USA and Canada. His design incorporated a "****-on-closing" bolt with rear locking lugs and a detachable 10 round magazine....

The rear locking lugs allowed a bolt movement of the same length as the cartridge and the design of the locking surfaces gave a particularly easy movement to the bolt handle. These features combined, made the Lee Enfield the fastest and lightest rifle to manipulate.

LOL! you can't say   c  o  c  k  on this bbs even if you're talking about a rifle!

[lazs2]

bought an "unissued" WWII australian enfield for 120 bucks.   Shoots fine.   They are about 10% less powerfull than an ought six which makes em powerfull enough for allmost anything.

Smooth action.. ten round mag that is removable..  decent but not excellent inherrent accuraccy..   the .303 is a rimmed cartrige which can cause accuracy problems..  the two piece stock can cause problems too I have heard.   I have seen zytel (plastic) one piece stocks for em for less than 100 bucks.
lazs

[Curval]

Originally posted by john9001
<>

for a hunting rifle? glad i live in a free country.

April came and went without so much as a pencil lifted to prepare tax returns.

Glad "I" live in a free country.

[lazs2]

curval.. it would be paradise if..... it weren't an island.... you could own and shoot as many firearms as you cared to.... unleaded preimium gas was under $2 a gallon and It was as cheap as the States to build a Hot Rod.   I also want all the goods to be as cheap as the states and UPS to arrive the next day or so for about $10 a package.  
lazs

[Curval]

lol lazs...

I just couldn't let John's post go without making a comment.  I know I sound like a broken record on this issue..but the same applies to him.