My New Hunting Rifle
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 22 окт 2024
- So I bought a gun ... again!
An Army & Navy Lee Speed .303 rifle, a dream gun of mine! This is a beautiful piece of history and a very sweet shooter.
Enjoy
To Become a Channel Member and give us your support:
/ @tgsoutdoors
To support our channel by getting TGS Merch please go to:
www.tgsoutdoor...
teespring.com/...
To get your very own custom-fit guards head over to: customfitguard...
For 10% off your order use code- TGS10
Subscribe & hit the alarm bell for plenty more where this came from!
Podcast: open.spotify.c...
Instagram: / tgs.outdoors
Facebook: / thegunshopbotley
Find Jonny on Instagram - / jonny.carter.shooting
Him: "What if I said cutting-edge hunting rifle?"
Me: "Meh."
Him: "What if I said a 130 year old Lee-Speed?"
Me: "Go on..."
Exactly my thought.
I have wanted one of these since I read the book, "The Man-Eaters of Tsavo" many years ago
I have a copy of "Man Eaters of Tsavo" sitting on the shelf and just finished "Game Trails Across Africa", I may need to finally open that one up.
@@Tuton25 it is well worth the time to read, a good look into life in 1898 Africa
I thought the same thing! Val Kilmer's rifle from the movie "The ghost and the darkness." Based on the book you mention. Maybe not the most accurate account of what happened, but one of my favorite movies nonetheless.
@William Wallace Prove it.
I was beginning to think I was the only person to have read The Man-eaters of Tsavo. There was a similar book written by an old colonial type who worked for the Indian Govt - “ The roar of the Tiger” may be? He hunted down man-eating tigers that terrorised villages in his part of the country. His tales of long nights waiting in tree hides above a tethered goat were totally gripping. Seeing very little except shades of grey but listening intently to the sounds of the jungle at night and then - sometimes after several hours - suddenly being aware of the presence of the tiger. He couldn’t see it and he hadn’t heard it approach but he just “knew” it was close.
After 40yrs the closest I’ve got is controlling grey squirrels in a nearby wood🤷♂️.
A lovely rifle, I can quite see the appeal.
That's a gorgeous gun. Character, class, patina and history.
@William Wallace So, what the fuck is wrong with you, mate?
@@Vulvaetix that guy is literally commenting the same bull crap underneath each comment like some turd who has no life
It’s so beautiful, it’s colonizing my eyes.
@William Wallace Hey everybody - we found one of the Arkham escapees
Ok that made me laugh lol
I was about to rain down hatred because of a sportorized Lee. 4 seconds in my heart was warmed by what it actually was. A beautiful rifle sir!
Love it. Beautiful rifle
These guns were built to shoot and enjoy their lives in the field. Unfortunately too many end up in safes and collections rarely seeing the light of day and rarer still to fulfill their purpose of sending lead down range.
Old guns deserve love too
Beautiful old rifle. Val Kilmer uses one in The Ghost and the Darkness as does Rachel Weisz in The Mummy Returns. They were very popular with British Officers serving in the wilder parts of the Empire as they could have a good sporting rifle that used readily available service ammunition.
What a lovely video!
The Lee Speed is one of the guns that I had wanted to buy as a bargain at auction - so it was nice to see a good example and get some of the history.
In 2017 when we were allowed to travel I spent some time on a friends farm in Africa.
I was able to borrow his fathers old rifle, a 1917 Mk III Sporterised Enfield in .303.
I shot a handful of warthog, a blue wildebeest and a Kudu.
Hunting on foot in Africa with a 100 hundred year old rifle is one of the moments that I will treasure for a very long time.
Please could you do a similar video on a falling block .303 and one of the David Lloyd stalking rifles.
By the way the Aramberri is working out well - part of me wants to re-blue it and lavish some attention on the stock because it handles so well but it is unlikely to increase its value.
Many thanks
Mike
You could do with a macro lens and letting us really see the detail. The engraving really needs to be shown. Thanks
Just bought a 90 year old rifle myself, highly underrated rifles! Glad there are others out there enjoying good old rifles ;)
A mate of mine has a very good example, of a Lee Speed, and I have been Smitten by it, from the first time I handled it, years ago now. Thank You for sharing your example, with the world! Very Much Appreciated. JB
Lovely rifle. I'm lucky enough to have been taken to the A&N store in Victoria (London) when I was a child. ' still remember it as a treasure trove.
Nothing like old rifles to get the day going
That is a fine rifle I would not mind having one of those in my Collection I am a big fan of Lee Enfields.
I do appreciate an old fashioned hunting rifle with history behind it, so when are you going to do a video of hunting with this rifle? Ideal Roe rut rifle!
Would love to take a nice buck with it, get it charging in on the cherrywood and 💥 🥩
What a lovely example .I have a reproduction BSA catalogue of this time , the rifle seems to be a No 1 Pattern , with a 10 shot magazine not the usual 5 shot ( no extra cost ) at 210 shillings which is £10 & 10 shillings . Interestingly it was available in.303 Brit ,7x57 Mauser ,8mm (Lebel ),375 Express .also 32-40 Winchester and .410 bore in a single shot . I have seen and handled many of these rifles , mainly in rough to stuffed condition , New Zealand bush , weather , mountains and corrosively primed ammo , and extensive culling of deer have not been kind to these rifles . I have a later one built in 1924 by Alf Parker on a number SMLE MK 111 action . It is brand new and shoots (5) 170 gr bullets into 4 inches at 100 m . Speed patented a number of improvements to the Lee Enfield , which is why you will see his name on barrel bands etc .
@William Wallace Me too
What an excellent candidate for a rebore to .35/303. I love this caliber, it's very practical where I live and with this one having a seemingly worn out bore, it would be a great way to get it back in the hunting fields.
My maternal grandfather, whom I never knew, had a similar more plain vanilla BSA version that served him well in farm and hunting use in southern Africa. My father also carried it while standing guard at my cub and scout camps in SWA in the 70’s, until the military supplied H&K G3’s. The rifling is pretty threadbare (farmers were less aware of the effects of corrosive propellants), and the bluing is patchy, and the gun is in storage 10,000 km from where I am. I do remember it’s light and wandy handling though, which contrasts hugely with my K31.
There's something about an old rifle that just warms the soul. I've always liked properly made sporters that started off as a military piece. Griffin and Howe are about the best here in the US with their Springfield 1903's. That's a pretty rifle you've got, good hunting!
Rule 303! ;-) Don't lament the accuracy by the way; it's "minute of deer" and can still get the job done.
Handsome revision of the classic rifle.I have used a similar one for many years,always reliable.
Ive got my grandfather's 303 that has been sporterized and love it . Its one of my favorites.
Beautiful gun and the patina is bang on.
I'm a vintage Mauser man at heart but would be happy to have one of these in my safe.
Yes, I like the turkish Mauser in 8 mm and the long branch 303
I've been craving an Enfield based modern rifle for YEARS now. I love my old jungle carbine.
I came by an 1899 action years back, and eventually got around to finding a decent barrel for it. I had to make some sights (ramp foresight elevation adjustable, windage adjustable aperture rear)... I stocked it, managed to get a magazine from a friend... tuned out fairly tidy... :-)
That's a nice rifle you have there... it will be regulated for the Mk6 or 7 round probably. I usually shoot handloads with 150gr soft points at about 2750.... good load...
Slug the barrel and work up some cast lead loads for it man. I've had cloverleaf groups at a 100 yards from an old smle. Cast lead and fireformed brass are the ticket for those older pieces. Easier on the firearm too.
What a gorgeous gun! My lee-enfield mk1 turned 104 this year. I take it moose hunting because it never fails. In the rain, the snow, the mud, swamp, forest or field.
I also have a Military issue full wood No 1Mk 1* non charger guide rifle ( as yours is ) in very good condition which will also shoot 5 shots into 3". The rifle was made in 1910 , it went to the 2nd Boer war in South Africa . The guy it was issued to carved his name and serial number into the butt , so I have been able to track him down , seems he was in the same outfit as my Grandfather's Brother . I still shoot it on special occasions .
The ammo your rifle was made for was probably the Mk VI round nose 215 grain going 2060 fps , or the Mk VII 175 gr pointed bullet going 2450 fps so it may shoot better with a heavy bullet .
Hi enjoyed the review I’ve owed 3 different 303 rifles slug the bore a few thou in bullet diameter makes a big difference you may need a bigger bullet diameter 👍
Your collection? You lucky bastard! I will also mention I remember seeing an article in 'Guns Australia 'about an Aussie company producing a set of rifles one looking like a L.E no 4, a sporter and a model similar to the LE sniper rifles of the 70's I've never seen or shot one but I expect their still around.
I have an 1898 mk1 that was sportered and looks like a lee speed. Marbles sight. Beautiful checkering. Someone put in the time. I'm smitten with it.
I have just acquired a cased 1896 Army & Navy Lee Speed Sporting rifle, mag cut off 6 round mag thumb safety catch.
That is a pretty gun. I see why you like it so much!!
Nice to hear story about army and navy store. There was an ‘A&N’ as we called it in Chichester many years ago. We didn’t shop in there as we were poor but I never new the history which is great to find out about. Cheers.
I know this is an older video but I would check the bore diameter inside. It could be as large as .313 or more so with properly sized bullets I could see a rifle like this shooting well under 2" groups at 100 meters or beyond
The Lee-Enfield .303 was/is a beautiful rifle. Used one in the Army Cadets and loved it (even though is was rechambered for .22
In the 1960's I had a Lee Speed by Army and Navy of that quality in 375 Express (Not Magnum). It was a joy to carry and shoot.
I have your rifle's sibling in my safe - looks just about identical. But oh I wish I could find additional magazines! I use her for hunts in timber when the weather isn't nasty. 150 gr Hornady Interlocks give me 2" groups at 100 yards (from a rest) - which translates to very good medicine on elk at medium/short range. I did not know Karamojo Bell used one as a meat gun - I'll have to brag to the boys on that score. thank you for an informative video!
Regulated for the 215 grain bullet, in India they make a sporter based on the Lee Enfield No1 but chambered in the .315 Indian which is identical to the 8x50R Austrian .323 244 grain projectile. BSA obviously produced .303 sporting rifles but chambered for the 8x50R Austrian, and the .375 rimmed 2.5". The .303 was the most popular.
I have a lee medford mk2 speed rifle with a 1888 bayonet. Still shoots like a charm. Good old british .303
Beutiful gun, I love my 1909 imperial Finnish captured mosin. All original, long barrel, perfect for big game. Definitely my favorite hunting rifle.
Nice 👍 rifle! Being a history buff it was interesting video. My WWII German Mauser is very accurate for hunting and nice to shoot, as well as my Marlin lever-action 45-70.
I could shoot 1.5 inch groups with my Lee Enfield Longbranch No 4 .I loved it .I also had a sporterised BSA No4 which shot really well and was quite elegant.
Bet you could drastically improve those groups with some hand loaded ammo and a bit of load development!
I keep a carbine with 174 Sierras u see the truck seat. It’s comfortable out to 150 easy. Coyotes at that range get both shoulders blown out. Never run. Just straight death.
Growing up in Canada a .303, was my first hunting rifle. Took my very first bull moose with it.
That awesome platform in one form or another has been dirt napping two legged and four legged game for over a century on every continent. I believe the Canadian indigenous ranger patrol just gave their's up a few years ago.
I say that mind you being a Garand man myself.
Beautiful rifle!
I've owned a #1 mkIII* for over 20 years, and I've wanted a Lee Speed for longer than that. Sadly they're not as readily available here in the the States.
A few years ago, I narrowly missed out on buying a London Sporting Arms Lee Speed rifle and chose to get a 303 boltgun built on a Siamese Mauser instead. I hoped that Medwell and Perrett would eventually build a Lee Speed in addition to their Mauser system rifles, but they seem to have gone under. Sad! Interest in Lee Enfield system rifles is high and the new straight wall cartridge regulations in several states in the US would make appropriately sized new Lee Speeds chambered in 360 Buckhammer, 444 Marlin etc a premium option to the budget 350 Legends that are very popular. And, with the explosion in pig populations in the US, new Lee Speeds would make for a superb and classy alternative to the more popular ARs in use these days. It is "kind of sad" as you say that no one makes an Enfield system rifle these days. Perhaps, it will be an American company that steps into the role. We make Martini system rifles in 303 (Damko in Washington State) and I think it will be an American company that eventually builds new Lee Speeds. A pity they won't be made in the UK...
Originally it had a smaller, probably a 5 round magazine. I'd research the safety of shooting the MK VII round if it's not cordite. I have several No.1 MKI***'s from about 1906 and some still have black powder barrels.
Hand load experimentation will get you tighter groups than "3" @ 60". Find a bullet/ powder combo the gun likes.
The bore could just be that wallered out, 50 years of cordite and early 20th century manufacturing quality.
Many of the bores were pitted from Cordite. I have one from 1894 and was owned by a renowned explorer. University of Glasgow has all the records if needed to find history.
I like to take out the old ones sometimes, but that is a beauty.
A simple and beautifully made rifle will always have a place in the field, in my opinion more so than the "latest and greatest" polymer stocked long-range thingy.
From what I can see in the video, that bolt locks on the front locking lugs and not in the rear. That lug in the rear looks like the safety lug in case there's a catastrophic failure and the bolt flies back toward the shooters face. In that event the back safety lug would stop the bolt from injuring the shooter. The Mauser 98k (k98) has the same thing.
There is no front locking lugs on a lee action. Rear only. Time to do your homework.
@@tays8306 You're right! I guess I didn't get a good look at the thing. Edit: I just looked at it again and I can see that I mistook the lump on bolt head for a locking lug. I've never seen that kind of thing before as far as I can remember. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
@@ATINKERER
Cock on close and rear lugs make for a real fast and smooth action.
I have shot a few whitetails with 303 and they dont go no were haha. Iron sites are just hard to see early in the morning and late in the evenings but still love using it time time
Nice looking rifle - bottom line, its a high grade, hand engraved, deep checkered, and hand fitted classic piece of history - where you can smile knowing it would be a $5,000 custom rifle today. I would consider epoxy-bedding the action - I bet you could get it shooting better groups. There is a good chance there is barrel rub spot on the fore end.
Quintessentially English well done. Looks fairly smart and gets the job done without been to smug, showy or loud about it (unlike some countries) then just moves on. All the best from Yorkshire
Strange, when I applied for a .303 for deer I was told it "wasn't a hunting cartridge" and that my feo "didn't know of anyone who had been granted that in the country", despite my protests. Had to settle for a .308. Fortunately there are lots of no.4 conversions about...
That's very strange. If it can be loaded to meet the ballistic requirements and expanding projectiles are available, I don't see what the provenance or typical use of a cartridge has anything to do with it.
I have a PPU 150gr SP load that is deer legal, no problem. Trying to source some Barnes TSX is a little more tricky in the UK.
@@ApurtureSci that's what I said to him. But he was adamant that nobody hunted deer with a .303. If I had remembered, I had a copy of the shooting times with an article from a guy who was using a no.4T that I should have shown him. Even showed him the PPU & S&B soft point ammunition that is available. In a later conversation I asked him if he did any shooting at all and he refused to answer, so I imagine he didn't actually know that a .303 is deer legal, or just assumed it wasn't.
@@camd2677 The problem is partly due to the Deer Act being written to make the Enfield with standard military FMJ ammo to not be able to meet it. Something about soldiers in Fort William topping up their rations lol.
That’s the problem with the system as it is, if your FEO doesn’t like the idea, it’s a no-go regardless of its merit or logic.
I once saw a picture of Somerset police form saying a person had authority to acquire any 22 except the ar7, a little 6 shot semi auto survivor rifle that can be broken down, and that it required a separate form. Why ONLY that one needed a separate form? They don’t actually meet minimum length by just a fraction because the receiver can be unscrewed form the stock, but the gun is specifically cleared to be section 1 and there are so many takedown 22s anyway, why a form for only that?
They must just dislike the idea of people actually owning the gun, so put up an extra barrier no-one else uses
Beautiful rifle. You didn't mention the state of the bore or what efforts you've gone to in order to realize it's full accuracy potential. it would be interesting to know. There's a lot you can do in terms of load development to improve accuracy; even with a worn rifle.
Very pretty gun. A ton of military surplus Enfields have been in American gun shows forever (so it seems), and they are nice, but that one is super.
Good enough for the Man Eaters of Tsavo-that is the ultimate Safari Classic!
Damn I’ve wanted one of them forever! Sporter SMLEs are a dime a dozen here in the states but a Lee Speed? Lord I want one! I once saw a .410 Lee Speed type shotgun online. Was already sold but I was drooling
Had two Lee Enfiel MK5's jungle carbine in .303 Br....great guns !
Lee Enfields of any kind are elegant rifles but to my welding arc-flashed eyeballs the finest of all are the old No. 1 Mk. II SMLE's. Your Lee Speed is a very close second.
I had a sporterized 303 enfield many years ago. It cost me $125 CAD. Now they go for that up to $300. Mine was mangled by a gunsmith who had parkinsons when I entrusted him to drill and tap it for a modern scope (the proper scope being worth 3 times the amount I paid for the rifle and extremely rare). I ended up selling it as it was no good for hunting. That is a nice rifle though, the wood is just what you want.
I use an old 303 rifle for hunting deer Iron sites she has served me well !
Excellent and will still do the job. Lovely old rifle.
A man of culture!
Personally I prefer my Kar98 for weekend hunting, but if I could get my hands on a gun like this, I'd do it in a heartbeat
I have one by holland and holland.. was fitted with a flip down peep sight on the bolt (rigby peep) i love it
Nice time capsule!
While I'd generally bank on the accuracy of the Mauser/Enfield, that gun certainly packs a lot more charm than my 1917. Very nice find!
Those M1917s or P17s as we call them, are lovely rifles. I wouldn't knock them, I love the P14 which is practically the same rifle but in .303. Still, the SMLE is the bees knees and while many come close for me, none surpass it.
Triggers are helpful lol! This gun is so Limey, but so damn beautiful. Almost Springfield 19O3. Making jokes, mucking about. But a really unique and wonderful weapon.
Interesting video and a very nice gun. Not sure about your sports direct comparison but I get your point.
It's much more spiritually satisfying hunting with a rifle with history and character. Nice rifle !!
A proper British stalking rifle! Well done, Johnny! Wonderful video.
That is a very nice purchase. Must visit your shop once we are free of lockdown- sounds inteteresting.
The most amazing Britiish rifle designed by American James Paris Lee! It's amazing what the British can do with American technology. Yes nothing wrong with being patriotic.
Congratulations what a beautiful rifle! These videos keep getting better and better, love the B roll shots!
Heck, I've got an old mosin m44 that'll do 1.5 moa on irons. Not nearly as beautiful, but it was only 80 bucks.
Never really had the love for the Lee Enfield, but that is a beautiful gun.....
You know what lads. I had an Ishapore. 303 .Used it at 100 200 and 300 ...cooked it. And imean cooked it with rapid fire .Never ever jammed .E VER ..Later used a 7.62 conversion. Long barrel .Same story ..Used to sit up out of the pit and shoot off the hip at 300 for fun.Truth .Good metal ..Must have been.
A great piece of Great British history, very good looking it is too.
I have one like this in .410 from my grandfather.I love it , but with the original rifling would be a dream...
Your single shot 410 cost 42 shillings and 6 pence without a safety and 47/6 with a safety . I had one of these guns in 2½ " for a while , then sold it to a mate for his grandson . There was also a deluxe version with heart walnut , with checkering , polishing and engraving for 63/- shillings
@@duncnz3129 Thanks for the information Dunc
Your taste is amazing!! Don’t throw it out of a tree like in the movie the ghost and the darkness!!
That looks very nice
Love this and your grin when looking at it Johnny
The Ghost and the darkness.. absolutely beautiful gun.
Beautiful rifle. It would be great to see you shooting at the end of the video.
It's interesting to see the magazine cut-off on the commercial Long Lee.
I have a soft spot for nice sporterized rifles. I have a gorgeous type 99.
Wow! Talk about a thing of beauty!!
Now that's more like it, mate! Welcome to the civilised world, .303 is after all, the gentleman's calibre.
@William Wallace Howay mate, give it a rest. I'm certainly not that invested in his content but I don't need to agree with him on everything--for example, he has very expensive taste in guns--especially politics (I'd probably have more in common with you). After all, we all love firearms here.
@William Wallace so basically he’s not a conspiracy theorist...? But will he take your Freeeeeeeeeeeedom...?
Ive got a couple of these. Military and sporting.
You did a amazing video I really enjoyed watching it pretty sweet looking gun
@William Wallace you really need to stop commenting the same bullcrap underneath every comment you turd
I am now officially, jealous. A truly classic rifle.
So, lets see how it shoots. I friend has a Lee .303, in aftermarket stock, that I covet....
123 years of pure pleasure.no more words needed.🤗
It would be nice to know what Bloke on the Range's modern (1990s) Australian made Lee-Enfield action can do in terms of accuracy. It's debateable as to whether any Enfield accuracy issues (at a practical/hunting level rather than bench-rest or whatever) are inherent to the action or simply artefacts of age and the materials and manufacturing techniques of it's time.
I agree that it's a shame no L-E actions are made these days, even in India, because it's a simple, rugged and, despite the Mauser fanboys protestations, strong action. It always seems that it would be an ideal starting point for an inexpensive rimfire action if nothing else.
Yes I have a heavy barrel Parker Hale T4 from the early 1960s that shoots 0.75MOA. The Lee Enfield action does well in accuracy terms if you fit a decent barrel and scope.
@William Wallace Sod off you Septic idiot.
All the Lithgow Lee Enfield parts made in Australia were sold to a US company maybe 30 or so years ago , they were assembled into working rifles and sold on the collector market . I had a .22rf one for a while . They can be identified by the importers name and address ,in accordance with USA law, being written in very fine letters on the right hand side of the action just under or near the charger guide .
@William Wallace Nice im going to join. Finaly a man of reason.
Thank You.
Any advice to get my application past the FEO. This could only be supposed by a Mk4 Number1 delightfully looking weapon. Go on how much ? ( I know if you have to ask you can’t afford it, and that goes for ladies and rifles!)
Stunning rifle, I love the 303 Brit, have two, FFF Approved
Nice rifle? What ammo have you used? I have limited experience with the "plainer sister", the RIC carbine. Thanks for sharing!