Hi Tom, I ordered My Parker Hale 303 L/E. In 1970, I was 19,through Henderson's General Store,In Roseneath Ontario Canada, I still have the Original Bill of Sale $59.95 , The store & My Buddy Goldie Henderson are Gone , But I still have My 303, We spent many Years at Deer Camp together, Goldie & I , Till this Day when I shoulder the Old Girl I can't help but Smile & Remember Deer Camp Memories, Also that Year I was fortunate to get an 8 pt. Buck , MY 1st. Yr. At Deer Camp, Through the Original Peep sight, Cheers, From Roseneath Ontario.
I personally like the .303 cartridge. I was fortunate enough to acquire a Globe model 200 Long-Branch. Being a Canadian makes that more desirable to me. I enjoyed your video very much, a pleasant rate of information, you are calm and you bring good information to your viewers. Will watch the series and stay tuned for more. Congrats and thank you. Dave & The Girls.
Thank you Tom for a very I interesting video I in in England and 80 years old but that's the best talk on bores I have ever enjoyed learnt a lot all the best Eric
Hi Tom, my first rifle I purchased as a spotty faced 16 year old was a cut down No.4 mk1 for the pultry sum of $27,they threw in a box of winchester Silvertip 150gn shells. It was a potential tomato stake as far as accuracy was concerned but I learned to hunt with it and got me enough experience to get in close enough without a scope to secure deer. Enjoyed the video,they are great rifles.
the aperture sights are perfect, i love em. You cant buy a new rifle with soghts like that for under like 1000 bucks with a smooth action like a enfield
Hi Tom, And yet another affy fine video! I'm kind of glad (sorry not trying be rude) things did not go to plan at the range. It just means all us viewers will see more videos with you and that Parker Hale - yay👍. It has become a tradition for me to watch your videos on Sunday evenings - a blessing. Thanks for promoting the 303 round - you are doing a great job with Anglo American relations! Take care and best wishes for the New Year.
I’ve had mine for 53 years now . Things to check out are rear stock fit I used bedding to insure tight fit . Also the gaps on front stock at the rear above trigger. The gaps on left and right sides need to be the same not touching the wrist. Also bed around the front takedown screw. My barrel is free float 2 inch in front of the screw. Mine is a 1942 lithgow 5 groves shoots 2 inch at 100 yards with rear peep sights.
Your a lucky man and im very happy for you thst you found the rifle you wanted !/when my grandfather had his gun shop here in canada and i was 45 years younger he used to sell a bunch of these and "converted" 100's of no4 enflieds /there great guns and the 303 will never die !!
Many thanks for generosity of spirit, Tom for sharing your knowledge and practitioner's experience. It is greatly appreciated and of high value. I am traveling this journey of yours with the Parker Hale .303 British with immense interest. I have recently put down a deposit (sight unseen) on a similar rifle for a similar purpose. Paperwork needs to be completed and it then can be shipped from interstate. A mount to be procured, a scope found and on it will go. The one I have purchased has a 19" barrel, which I understand was not unusual in the Australian market. It will bark and the muzzle velocity compromised but I have been looking for a long time and it became available. It has no recoil pad and a 10 shot magazine which I suspect might be a replacement for the original. Hopefully, it will go bang and put the bullets in the place aimed or perhaps, likely, it won't! The journey will be a compelling unknown. How often do we go to the range with great expectation and ambition only to return feeling empty disappointment but with a new lead to follow up! Good luck with your quest. I hope you have time to keep us updated on the progress of this project. All the very best. Rob
Hey, Tom. Thanks for sharing. Once your scope issue is solved, the old war horse should produce some sub 2" groups with commercial loads. I had forgotten just how gorgeous the wood on the rifle really is. Can't wait to see more videos on this one. We got the cold front this morning (Jan 2) that you were referring to. Brrrrr. Chilly for East Texas (30). Happy New Year to you and your family. I didn't hunt this year. I think I'm done with deer hunting at my age (75).
I had a 1917 Lithgow mark III I mounted a 4x32" Nicko Sterling scope using a Parker Hale bridge to mount the scope on. I consistently managed to place 3 shots inside 11/2 " grouping at 100 yards. The recoil of the 303 is brutal on scopes.
Tom , Im seeing today on 2/22/24. I bought some Herters 303 British at my local Cabela's. The 180 sp grouped amazing out of my #1 mk 3 . I suggest you give them a try .I will be in the hunt for a P&H 303 your rifle is gorgeous.
Glad to see the old Lee Enfield still in use . Those Parker Hale conversions could be bought here in Canada for about $150 back in the 1970's . When I started hunting most of the hunters I ran into either had a 3030 or a Lee Enfield . There are still a lot of them in use and a lot more hiding in closets .
Also if you want to soften up that old recoil pad, chuck it in a zip lock back and drown it in Armor All (the original concentrate spray bottle variety, not any other). Those pads were real rubber and if you drown it for a good 2-3 days and then dry it out you will get a lot of spring back into it, almost like new. They also do well to hold stain if you ever want to darken them for that more traditional English colour/look.
Really like your channel ! Just bought a sporterized 303 Lithgow lee enfield, someone took great pride and care customing it himself with a new barrel, a beautiful bespoke walnut stock and oil finish. Their is a homy feel to it what is very charming. They are very interesting and practical rifles. I might do some "improvement" and drill the action for a scope :) let see. Great videos
I would add the scope but that was always a tough call on modifying a really nice rifle and that sounds like a really nice one. But the scope would add to the functionality at least for me and I would really want to know just how good it can shoot after being remarried and I suspect really really good? Congrats on getting a great rifle.
These are great rifles. In Canada these sporters are very common . I had accuracy issues with my no1mk3 sporter with an aftermarket montecarlo walnut stock as the barrel heated up. Against what I read on the internet I generously free floated the barrel and can put 4 shots in .75” groups with factory 180grain Winchester loads. They are a poor mans 308 in my opinion. Wouldn’t trade mine for a savage axis. And from experience they work very well on deer and black bear. Hope to see a follow up video to this one. And am a big fan of the channel.
Shot a 56 inch rack bull moose here in Ontario Canada at 186 yards with a model 1 mark 3 made in 1917 using 180 winchester x 180 grain. Ran 60 yards and laid down I walked up to it about 10 yards and gave him a "coup de gras" I have a 20 year old bushnell trophy on it but I just love that parker hale look it's just so classy looking..happy new year and be safe looking forward to the next video...😎🤘
Nice Moose! And I have to say I was really pleased with how the Parker Hale actually shot. I was worried that it just wasn't going to feel as good as a standard Lee Enfield but it actually did. And Happy New Year to you as well!
Nice video, too bad about the old scope but I'm sure you have something else stuck away...knowing that you reload I'm guessing a new scope and some load development and it will settle down and shoot as you want it to..its a beautiful rifle and with the way you like the way it shoots, I'm sure you will figure it out. I looked up the local weather and it looks like my old area got hit with a tornado...and it looks like in a week or so you guys are going to be cold again....God Bless and have a good week.
Great video, Happy New Year. I just traded out my m4mk2 for something(s) else. We can't hunt with a .30 cal rifle where I live. The full military Lee, no matter how nice, is of no practical use for me. The cost of ammo now and the increasing scarcity of the brass alone and one of your previous videos compelled me to trade. Good looking rifle. Your videos feel like a fireside chat. Please keep it up.
I note that on all the videos about No 4's no mention is made of the action being a rear locking. Serious iron sight target shooters back in the 70's used them for up to 600yds but went to forward locking beyond 600yds for consistant accuracy, the theory was that bolt compression over it's length was a problem beyond 600yds. I had a PH target version in 7.62 at the time and never felt comfortable with it at 800 - 1000yds compared to my mauser actioned Sako and a lot off shooters felt the same.
Welcome to the new year Mr. River. I appreciated this video, looks like a beautiful rifle. I also agree with others that it will likely be a sweet shooter after you get the scope issue solved or replaced with another. Best wishes once again Tom, I look forward with baited breath to more video content upcoming. God bless
Hi Tom, Ithe SMLE and No4 have similar bolts bodies but boltheads are different. From the looks of yours, the bolt head is cupping the guide rail in an overhand position like an "n" in line with the SMLE (No1 Mk III/*) whereas the No4 runs along the guide rail with a "u" shape. That at least solves the mystery of it being a custom no 1 or 4. Good luck with you scope!
HillDog, there aren't many rifles and cartridges left that I have any desire for but that Ruger #1 in 303 is one of the few that I still want! A fine single shot rifle based on a Farquharson design chambered in a rimed cartridge that was chambered in the original Farquharson rifles just seems like one of those perfect rifle and cartridge combinations. Congrats on yours sit! And if the good Lord is willing, I'll have one eventually myself.
Very true on the stock design, much better that an original Lee-Enfield. My old #4 Mk1 always preferred Federal 180 grain, with Winchester Power Points as a second choice. Remington always performed worse for me. Some handloads loaded with Lee collet dies and some good bullets , and it'll do well. Actually, it shot the Federal and Winchester very well. Sorry your scope went crazy. Very few dependable scopes made, unless a man spends a small fortune on one. Nice video. Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looking at the rear sight mounting positioned mid-rifle, this appears to be a modified number 1. The rear sight on the number 4 is mounted back of the receiver. I shoot a number 1 mk lll* with iron sights and not-so-good eyesight anymore, my best groups at 100 metres is about 5 inches, best I can manage.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving It's gonna be a fine rifle. Heck, who knows. New scope and tinkering with hand loads it just may do minute of angle or less. I inherited a model 100 308 from my dad he bought in 62. It's killed a lot of deer. Many bullets have gone through the barrel but to this day I can still achieve 1 1/4-1 3/4 at a 100. Good enough considering. All in all your gun is a treasure. Beautiful piece of work. To be honest. I'm jealous. Happy New Year
I believe once you change out the scope to one that doesn’t jump around like a Jack rabbit. The rifle will do fine. There is likely a problem with the scope adjustments not working as they should. Using the target you have you can check the adjustments before shooting or bore sighting. Find the center of adjustments on both windage and elevation. Then while looking thru the scope and centered on target turn the elevation up and down and see if it returns to the center of the target and if it moves the distance you moved the adjustments. If it does; then bore sight the scope to the target. Then give the rifle a good thump on the recoil pad with your hand. Then line up the bore to the target and see if the scope has changed adjustment. If it did; save you ammo until you put a scope on that doesn’t. Lots of mid-priced scopes do fine; but, some of the same type and model don’t. There is a little quality control problem with them more than others. Not finding this out can cost a lot of money until you do. You can use iron sights to test for accuracy if you want too. That is not a bad thing to do before you mount a scope; if you think about it either. ✨🦉✨🙄 P.S. I am betting them good old Remington Core-lokt round nose shoot the best and hit the hardest.
Hopping in and out on this first video I saw from you but hope to see more of them. I have 1 ? Was that scope a Redfield? Didn't see you or anyone mention , so I may have missed that.Just going by the markings and hope i'm wrong seeing I have 2 of them.
Good video. thank you. I hope you get the ole thing working for you. At my age ( 71) I don't have time to mess with old rifles. I don't have anything like your history and experience. Shoot, I have enough trouble getting my new model 70s to put the pills where I want them. %^))
I had to laugh when I read that Reed because I don't have time either! But I do love setting them up so I manage to squeeze it in. And promise you aren't the only one that has trouble setting up new ones either. I'm hoping to get back to setting up the model 70 Westerner soon now that deer season is over. I ran out of time on it back in October when season opened.
Sorry your scope is defective. I had a brand new one that was screwy too. The adjustments were reversed somehow. Up was down and right was left. Had me going for a while at the range. lol. A new scope should solve your shifting issues. Good luck and Happy New Year. MH
Thanks Mark, and I agree a new scope should fix me right up and it was nice to see just how good this rifle actually shoots and that the accuracy potential is there. Happy New Year to you as well!
I was getting similar groupings with my No4(sequential shots landing left, then right, then left). I shimmed the barrel where it meets the receiver with a 1" square piece of bicycle inner tube
I enjoyed the video! I have looked at those Parker Hales .303s. So the #4’s have a thicker barrel? Looking forward to seeing how you resolve the scope issue.
Yes, no4 are heavier. Enfields in general will shoot better with their military stocking. But no4 can shoot pretty well anyways because of that heavier barrell. No4 mk2 are even better bore wise, usually a bit tighter. Mk2 were post war , so nicer construction over all.
I picked up a Parker hale no4 Supreme, decided not to use the weaver tip off mount and use a much better addley precision with better rings. See how it shoots gas checked 215 grn lead round nose. Milsurp enfield guy, who loves the look of parker hales, so I had to get one. Now I need someone to take me hunting!
Looks like 1 1/2 MOA for the Winchesters was not too bad before the scope started acting up. Let us know if you can figure out what happened with it and what it was. Be interesting to know.
Yes Sir it is a Redfield and it is 2x7. This rifle in this cartridge seems like a perfect woods gun and 2x7 just seemed perfect for that as well. And the rifle was sporterized by Parker Hale at their factory. They had quite a few different models and I had been look for one for a lot of years before finding this one.
I've seen this with old scopes before: they hold thier zero fine, until you go and adjust them! I think they get "set in thier ways" as it were..lol I also think that you will eliminate the left/ right stringing by floating the barrel.. My $.02, adjusted for inflation...
Nice rifle! Did you put some meat in the freezer last season? Did you end up swapping the scope out? You’re right about Alabama. I think we’re the tornado capital of the south. Lol
Thanks for posting this video! I have the same rifle, for about 5 yrs now, but it is built on a 1915 SHTLE (Short Lee Enfield) action. When I used the original rear barrel mounted sight and the front sight, my groups were very reproducible for approximately 15 rounds, then they would become erratic. After I mounted a Williams aperture site on the receiver, my first four rounds would group, but after that the thin barrel would heat up too much and the rifle becomes erratic. Apparently when the sight is mounted on the barrel, they move together to allow consistent groups longer. Did you ever try another known reliable scope? I am wondering if your bore sighting check showed that the barrel had moved drastically while the barrel was too hot.
I did and my results were greatly improved. I still haven't got it quite squared away for hunting season but it is close. And that's a great point about the rear sight moving with the barrel. I've never thought about that.
I don't have any experience with the 303. One of my cousins hunted with one for a little while and sold it, that was years ago, so I can't remember why.
In the British Army, when the Lee Enfield was coming to the end its service life, the standard for a Marksman's qualification was a maximum three inch group with five rounds at 200 yards with iron sights in rhe prone position - without a Rest Something seems very wrong with either the rifle or the sighting if the best that you are achieving is that wide a group at 100 yards with a Rest.
My moms bf loves corelokts, sadly i couldn't find his core lokt bullets for reloading so i loaded him some 165 swift sirrocco 2 a little different from what hes used to.
I've never been impressed by anything about Core-Lokts except for how they perform on deer. I've never gotten great accuracy out of them and they have poor ballistic coefficients but I've killed more deer with Core-Lokts than any other bullet, mainly because they were always available and easy to find. But they have never let me down and every time I pulled the trigger on a deer while shooting Core-Lokts I knew what the outcome was going to be. I have to give it to them they flat out work.
It actually is, LOL. I filmed this earlier this week and temps were in the low 70's. But that type of weather in the winter doesn't last long here and we pay for it with severe weather. Monday is suppose to be 49 for a high and 29 for the low which is much more typical for winter, and that sort of extreme change in the weather creates a lot of instability which usually results in some tornadoes when the cold front finally moves through.
It wouldn't hurt it to be glass bedded but first I want to see just how good it will shoot as is. If I can consistently get 1.5 MOA or less I think I will leave it as is? We shall find out soon enough, I hope?
You only have to do it when turning the turret counter-clockwise. Then you are "loosening" the screw and the erector tube inside the scope is relying on spring pressure from opposing side to move into position. Springs wear out. Tap it, or fire a shot and let recoil do it. But that's wasting ammo. Better scopes don't really have this issue but old habits die hard.
Remington core lokt has been inaccurate in every rifle I've ever tried it in. Remington ammo is garbage compared to its competitors in a comparative price range. PPU is better and cheaper than Remington.
Hi Tom, I ordered My Parker Hale 303 L/E. In 1970, I was 19,through Henderson's General Store,In Roseneath Ontario Canada, I still have the Original Bill of Sale $59.95 , The store & My Buddy Goldie Henderson are Gone , But I still have My 303, We spent many Years at Deer Camp together, Goldie & I , Till this Day when I shoulder the Old Girl I can't help but Smile & Remember Deer Camp Memories, Also that Year I was fortunate to get an 8 pt. Buck , MY 1st. Yr. At Deer Camp, Through the Original Peep sight, Cheers, From Roseneath Ontario.
I personally like the .303 cartridge. I was fortunate enough to acquire a Globe model 200 Long-Branch. Being a Canadian makes that more desirable to me. I enjoyed your video very much, a pleasant rate of information, you are calm and you bring good information to your viewers. Will watch the series and stay tuned for more. Congrats and thank you. Dave & The Girls.
Thank you Tom for a very I interesting video I in in England and 80 years old but that's the best talk on bores I have ever enjoyed learnt a lot all the best Eric
Hi Tom, my first rifle I purchased as a spotty faced 16 year old was a cut down No.4 mk1 for the pultry sum of $27,they threw in a box of winchester Silvertip 150gn shells. It was a potential tomato stake as far as accuracy was concerned but I learned to hunt with it and got me enough experience to get in close enough without a scope to secure deer. Enjoyed the video,they are great rifles.
Don't under estimate the aperture sights the No.4 was issued with. Perfectly adequate for most hunting situations. It's all I use.
Yep that's what it is
the aperture sights are perfect, i love em. You cant buy a new rifle with soghts like that for under like 1000 bucks with a smooth action like a enfield
@@pcakes1878So true!
Hi Tom, And yet another affy fine video! I'm kind of glad (sorry not trying be rude) things did not go to plan at the range. It just means all us viewers will see more videos with you and that Parker Hale - yay👍. It has become a tradition for me to watch your videos on Sunday evenings - a blessing. Thanks for promoting the 303 round - you are doing a great job with Anglo American relations!
Take care and best wishes for the New Year.
I’ve had mine for 53 years now . Things to check out are rear stock fit I used bedding to insure tight fit . Also the gaps on front stock at the rear above trigger. The gaps on left and right sides need to be the same not touching the wrist. Also bed around the front takedown screw. My barrel is free float 2 inch in front of the screw. Mine is a 1942 lithgow 5 groves shoots 2 inch at 100 yards with rear peep sights.
I hope you didn't give up. I enjoy your channel and am looking forward to the next Lee Enfield installment.
That scope issue would drive me nuts , I would have another one mounted pronto!
Your a lucky man and im very happy for you thst you found the rifle you wanted !/when my grandfather had his gun shop here in canada and i was 45 years younger he used to sell a bunch of these and "converted" 100's of no4 enflieds /there great guns and the 303 will never die !!
This is almost as good as being there. Tim you are a good companion on the range and I love to be with you.
I'm glad you think so Jean!
Many thanks for generosity of spirit, Tom for sharing your knowledge and practitioner's experience. It is greatly appreciated and of high value. I am traveling this journey of yours with the Parker Hale .303 British with immense interest. I have recently put down a deposit (sight unseen) on a similar rifle for a similar purpose. Paperwork needs to be completed and it then can be shipped from interstate. A mount to be procured, a scope found and on it will go. The one I have purchased has a 19" barrel, which I understand was not unusual in the Australian market. It will bark and the muzzle velocity compromised but I have been looking for a long time and it became available. It has no recoil pad and a 10 shot magazine which I suspect might be a replacement for the original. Hopefully, it will go bang and put the bullets in the place aimed or perhaps, likely, it won't! The journey will be a compelling unknown. How often do we go to the range with great expectation and ambition only to return feeling empty disappointment but with a new lead to follow up! Good luck with your quest. I hope you have time to keep us updated on the progress of this project. All the very best. Rob
Ah! The joy of sighting in. Nice video, thoughtful. Nice looking rifle. Happy New Year!
Siting in can turn into an adventure quick! And Happy New Year to you as well!
Hey, Tom. Thanks for sharing. Once your scope issue is solved, the old war horse should produce some sub 2" groups with commercial loads. I had forgotten just how gorgeous the wood on the rifle really is. Can't wait to see more videos on this one. We got the cold front this morning (Jan 2) that you were referring to. Brrrrr. Chilly for East Texas (30). Happy New Year to you and your family. I didn't hunt this year. I think I'm done with deer hunting at my age (75).
I had a 1917 Lithgow mark III
I mounted a 4x32" Nicko Sterling scope using a Parker Hale bridge to mount the scope on.
I consistently managed to place 3 shots inside 11/2 " grouping at 100 yards.
The recoil of the 303 is brutal on scopes.
@@rolandrobertson2686 Brutal? How so compared to any other rifle's recoil? I'm curious.
Maybe the Easter Bunny will bring you a nice Leopold scope. I put a new one on my 3006. 3.9.40... great scope. Good luck. God bless
I have a couple of Parker Hale rifles, a 270 by Alex Martin of Glasgow, and a box standard 308,cant beat them they have never let me down
Great first shot! Good bore sight.
Tom , Im seeing today on 2/22/24. I bought some Herters 303 British at my local Cabela's. The 180 sp grouped amazing out of my #1 mk 3 . I suggest you give them a try .I will be in the hunt for a P&H 303 your rifle is gorgeous.
Glad to see the old Lee Enfield still in use . Those Parker Hale conversions could be bought here in Canada for about $150 back in the 1970's . When I started hunting most of the hunters I ran into either had a 3030 or a Lee Enfield . There are still a lot of them in use and a lot more hiding in closets .
Absolutely beautiful 303 British! I've gotta get a scope on mine.
Have one of these exact rifles that I rebuilt in 303/375. Re-shaped the forend end re-checkered the lot.
Also if you want to soften up that old recoil pad, chuck it in a zip lock back and drown it in Armor All (the original concentrate spray bottle variety, not any other). Those pads were real rubber and if you drown it for a good 2-3 days and then dry it out you will get a lot of spring back into it, almost like new. They also do well to hold stain if you ever want to darken them for that more traditional English colour/look.
Very interesting review. It was very interesting to hear your findings. Thank you for your interesting discussions. Happy New Years.
Really like your channel !
Just bought a sporterized 303 Lithgow lee enfield, someone took great pride and care customing it himself with a new barrel, a beautiful bespoke walnut stock and oil finish. Their is a homy feel to it what is very charming.
They are very interesting and practical rifles.
I might do some "improvement" and drill the action for a scope :) let see.
Great videos
I would add the scope but that was always a tough call on modifying a really nice rifle and that sounds like a really nice one. But the scope would add to the functionality at least for me and I would really want to know just how good it can shoot after being remarried and I suspect really really good? Congrats on getting a great rifle.
These are great rifles. In Canada these sporters are very common . I had accuracy issues with my no1mk3 sporter with an aftermarket montecarlo walnut stock as the barrel heated up. Against what I read on the internet I generously free floated the barrel and can put 4 shots in .75” groups with factory 180grain Winchester loads. They are a poor mans 308 in my opinion. Wouldn’t trade mine for a savage axis. And from experience they work very well on deer and black bear. Hope to see a follow up video to this one. And am a big fan of the channel.
They work well on moose and elk also!
I have a Parker Hale in 308 in a 308,great gun
Shot a 56 inch rack bull moose here in Ontario Canada at 186 yards with a model 1 mark 3 made in 1917 using 180 winchester x 180 grain. Ran 60 yards and laid down I walked up to it about 10 yards and gave him a "coup de gras" I have a 20 year old bushnell trophy on it but I just love that parker hale look it's just so classy looking..happy new year and be safe looking forward to the next video...😎🤘
Nice Moose! And I have to say I was really pleased with how the Parker Hale actually shot. I was worried that it just wasn't going to feel as good as a standard Lee Enfield but it actually did. And Happy New Year to you as well!
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving thanks tom Is there any way of sending those pictures of us and the moose to you?
The current world record alaska/yukon moose was taken with a 303
Fantastic. Always feels like a visit Tom. I feel it must be a No.4 due to the vintage of your PH model.
Cheers
Yours is a No. 4 like mine: you can also tell by the shape of the safety lever. Mine really likes 150 gr. Hornady SST's.
Nice video, too bad about the old scope but I'm sure you have something else stuck away...knowing that you reload I'm guessing a new scope and some load development and it will settle down and shoot as you want it to..its a beautiful rifle and with the way you like the way it shoots, I'm sure you will figure it out. I looked up the local weather and it looks like my old area got hit with a tornado...and it looks like in a week or so you guys are going to be cold again....God Bless and have a good week.
Love that ol boom stick..Hope you get the scope issue's fixed Mr Tom
Thanks David, and I'm sure it will be an easy fix. I should be able to just change scopes?
Great video, Happy New Year.
I just traded out my m4mk2 for something(s) else. We can't hunt with a .30 cal rifle where I live. The full military Lee, no matter how nice, is of no practical use for me. The cost of ammo now and the increasing scarcity of the brass alone and one of your previous videos compelled me to trade.
Good looking rifle.
Your videos feel like a fireside chat. Please keep it up.
Lovely looking rifle
Looks like you're almost there. I hope you'll show us how it shoots with the new scope. Happy New Year!
Roger, I will definitely show it shoots I get the scope changed out and I get back to the range. And Happy New Year to you as well!
Great video again Tom!
Great show.
Thanks Bob
Happy New Year Tom! Another good video.
I note that on all the videos about No 4's no mention is made of the action being a rear locking.
Serious iron sight target shooters back in the 70's used them for up to 600yds but went to forward locking beyond 600yds for consistant accuracy, the theory was that bolt compression over it's length was a problem beyond 600yds.
I had a PH target version in 7.62 at the time and never felt comfortable with it at 800 - 1000yds compared to my mauser actioned Sako and a lot off shooters felt the same.
Welcome to the new year Mr. River.
I appreciated this video, looks like a beautiful rifle. I also agree with others that it will likely be a sweet shooter after you get the scope issue solved or replaced with another. Best wishes once again Tom, I look forward with baited breath to more video content upcoming.
God bless
Hi Tom,
Ithe SMLE and No4 have similar bolts bodies but boltheads are different. From the looks of yours, the bolt head is cupping the guide rail in an overhand position like an "n" in line with the SMLE (No1 Mk III/*) whereas the No4 runs along the guide rail with a "u" shape.
That at least solves the mystery of it being a custom no 1 or 4. Good luck with you scope!
Sure is a mighty nice rifle Tom
the 303 british is a great nostalgic cartridge, i shoot one in a ruger #1
HillDog, there aren't many rifles and cartridges left that I have any desire for but that Ruger #1 in 303 is one of the few that I still want! A fine single shot rifle based on a Farquharson design chambered in a rimed cartridge that was chambered in the original Farquharson rifles just seems like one of those perfect rifle and cartridge combinations. Congrats on yours sit! And if the good Lord is willing, I'll have one eventually myself.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I been keeping my eyes open a winchester 1895 in 303 that what the mounties up here were issued once upon a time .
Tom River I hope you come across a good Ross rifle sometime .
Just saw your video just wanted to say I have a paker hale 308 rifle and I was made in England and a good looking gun shout get
They are a good looking gun, and yours would be based on a Mauser action which is about as good as it gets.
Very true on the stock design, much better that an original Lee-Enfield. My old #4 Mk1 always preferred Federal 180 grain, with Winchester Power Points as a second choice. Remington always performed worse for me. Some handloads loaded with Lee collet dies and some good bullets , and it'll do well. Actually, it shot the Federal and Winchester very well. Sorry your scope went crazy. Very few dependable scopes made, unless a man spends a small fortune on one. Nice video. Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Kent, and at least we know it shoots and shoots well so it wasn't a wasted range trip. And Happy New Year to you to!
Tom, that's a Number 4.
Looking at the rear sight mounting positioned mid-rifle, this appears to be a modified number 1. The rear sight on the number 4 is mounted back of the receiver. I shoot a number 1 mk lll* with iron sights and not-so-good eyesight anymore, my best groups at 100 metres is about 5 inches, best I can manage.
303 is probably the most popular gun, and harvested more deer and
N any other rifle in CANADA
As I'm sitting here watching this video,
I can't help but think how good a savage 99 would be in your collection
Regardless, that is a sweet weapon. New scope and it will be fine. Not looking like a tack driver but it will still make a fine deer rifle.
Thanks Russell, and that was my thoughts exactly. It should be a fine deer rifle.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving
It's gonna be a fine rifle. Heck, who knows. New scope and tinkering with hand loads it just may do minute of angle or less. I inherited a model 100 308 from my dad he bought in 62. It's killed a lot of deer. Many bullets have gone through the barrel but to this day I can still achieve 1 1/4-1 3/4 at a 100. Good enough considering. All in all your gun is a treasure. Beautiful piece of work. To be honest. I'm jealous. Happy New Year
Hi Tom, I like your videos. What is your opinion on shooting with both eyes open>
Thanks, Elo McMillan
I believe once you change out the scope to one that doesn’t jump around like a Jack rabbit. The rifle will do fine. There is likely a problem with the scope adjustments not working as they should. Using the target you have you can check the adjustments before shooting or bore sighting. Find the center of adjustments on both windage and elevation. Then while looking thru the scope and centered on target turn the elevation up and down and see if it returns to the center of the target and if it moves the distance you moved the adjustments. If it does; then bore sight the scope to the target. Then give the rifle a good thump on the recoil pad with your hand. Then line up the bore to the target and see if the scope has changed adjustment. If it did; save you ammo until you put a scope on that doesn’t. Lots of mid-priced scopes do fine; but, some of the same type and model don’t. There is a little quality control problem with them more than others. Not finding this out can cost a lot of money until you do. You can use iron sights to test for accuracy if you want too. That is not a bad thing to do before you mount a scope; if you think about it either. ✨🦉✨🙄 P.S. I am betting them good old Remington Core-lokt round nose shoot the best and hit the hardest.
Hopping in and out on this first video I saw from you but hope to see more of them. I have 1 ? Was that scope a Redfield? Didn't see you or anyone mention , so I may have missed that.Just going by the markings and hope i'm wrong seeing I have 2 of them.
Good video. thank you. I hope you get the ole thing working for you. At my age ( 71) I don't have time to mess with old rifles. I don't have anything like your history and experience. Shoot, I have enough trouble getting my new model 70s to put the pills where I want them. %^))
I had to laugh when I read that Reed because I don't have time either! But I do love setting them up so I manage to squeeze it in. And promise you aren't the only one that has trouble setting up new ones either. I'm hoping to get back to setting up the model 70 Westerner soon now that deer season is over. I ran out of time on it back in October when season opened.
Can you do a follow up vid plz
Sorry your scope is defective. I had a brand new one that was screwy too. The adjustments were reversed somehow. Up was down and right was left. Had me going for a while at the range. lol. A new scope should solve your shifting issues. Good luck and Happy New Year. MH
Thanks Mark, and I agree a new scope should fix me right up and it was nice to see just how good this rifle actually shoots and that the accuracy potential is there. Happy New Year to you as well!
Happy New Year🥳😇
And Happy New Year to you to Dana!
I was getting similar groupings with my No4(sequential shots landing left, then right, then left). I shimmed the barrel where it meets the receiver with a 1" square piece of bicycle inner tube
I enjoyed the video! I have looked at those Parker Hales .303s. So the #4’s have a thicker barrel? Looking forward to seeing how you resolve the scope issue.
Yes, no4 are heavier.
Enfields in general will shoot better with their military stocking. But no4 can shoot pretty well anyways because of that heavier barrell. No4 mk2 are even better bore wise, usually a bit tighter. Mk2 were post war , so nicer construction over all.
Great video. I still prefer iron sights on my rifles. Happy New Year Tom.
U forgot to mention what brand scope u have on that rifle........?take care!
I picked up a Parker hale no4 Supreme, decided not to use the weaver tip off mount and use a much better addley precision with better rings. See how it shoots gas checked 215 grn lead round nose.
Milsurp enfield guy, who loves the look of parker hales, so I had to get one. Now I need someone to take me hunting!
Sounds like a really nice find! And if you lived closer I could put you on some deer because you certainly have a fine rifle for hunting them.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving
Indeed!
Looks like 1 1/2 MOA for the Winchesters was not too bad before the scope started acting up. Let us know if you can figure out what happened with it and what it was. Be interesting to know.
For sure you have a no. 4 my friend. Someone did a nice job on that sporter. Is that a Redfield scope? Looks like a 2x7.
Yes Sir it is a Redfield and it is 2x7. This rifle in this cartridge seems like a perfect woods gun and 2x7 just seemed perfect for that as well.
And the rifle was sporterized by Parker Hale at their factory. They had quite a few different models and I had been look for one for a lot of years before finding this one.
Tom, just stick a Leopold on the rifle and it will be brilliant
I've seen this with old scopes before: they hold thier zero fine, until you go and adjust them! I think they get "set in thier ways" as it were..lol I also think that you will eliminate the left/ right stringing by floating the barrel.. My $.02, adjusted for inflation...
The Canadian Long Branch Essential Agencies .303 is beyond. Get one.
Nice rifle! Did you put some meat in the freezer last season? Did you end up swapping the scope out?
You’re right about Alabama. I think we’re the tornado capital of the south. Lol
Thanks for posting this video! I have the same rifle, for about 5 yrs now, but it is built on a 1915 SHTLE (Short Lee Enfield) action. When I used the original rear barrel mounted sight and the front sight, my groups were very reproducible for approximately 15 rounds, then they would become erratic. After I mounted a Williams aperture site on the receiver, my first four rounds would group, but after that the thin barrel would heat up too much and the rifle becomes erratic. Apparently when the sight is mounted on the barrel, they move together to allow consistent groups longer. Did you ever try another known reliable scope? I am wondering if your bore sighting check showed that the barrel had moved drastically while the barrel was too hot.
I did and my results were greatly improved. I still haven't got it quite squared away for hunting season but it is close. And that's a great point about the rear sight moving with the barrel. I've never thought about that.
I don't have any experience with the 303. One of my cousins hunted with one for a little while and sold it, that was years ago, so I can't remember why.
It's really close to a 300 Savage. In fact they're almost identical in performance.
Which is the number one reason why my father always made sure there were iron sights on his gun.
In the British Army, when the Lee Enfield was coming to the end its service life, the standard for a Marksman's qualification was a maximum three inch group with five rounds at 200 yards with iron sights in rhe prone position - without a Rest
Something seems very wrong with either the rifle or the sighting if the best that you are achieving is that wide a group at 100 yards with a Rest.
My moms bf loves corelokts, sadly i couldn't find his core lokt bullets for reloading so i loaded him some 165 swift sirrocco 2 a little different from what hes used to.
I've never been impressed by anything about Core-Lokts except for how they perform on deer. I've never gotten great accuracy out of them and they have poor ballistic coefficients but I've killed more deer with Core-Lokts than any other bullet, mainly because they were always available and easy to find. But they have never let me down and every time I pulled the trigger on a deer while shooting Core-Lokts I knew what the outcome was going to be. I have to give it to them they flat out work.
I would prefer the 10 shot magazine. 🙂
Is it winter there?
It actually is, LOL. I filmed this earlier this week and temps were in the low 70's. But that type of weather in the winter doesn't last long here and we pay for it with severe weather. Monday is suppose to be 49 for a high and 29 for the low which is much more typical for winter, and that sort of extreme change in the weather creates a lot of instability which usually results in some tornadoes when the cold front finally moves through.
Does it need to be glass bedded
It wouldn't hurt it to be glass bedded but first I want to see just how good it will shoot as is. If I can consistently get 1.5 MOA or less I think I will leave it as is? We shall find out soon enough, I hope?
Reminds me of my groups and why does folks adjust scopes then tap turent
You only have to do it when turning the turret counter-clockwise. Then you are "loosening" the screw and the erector tube inside the scope is relying on spring pressure from opposing side to move into position. Springs wear out. Tap it, or fire a shot and let recoil do it. But that's wasting ammo. Better scopes don't really have this issue but old habits die hard.
Maybe get a binocular so you can see your shots. Definitely cheaper than a spotting scope
Definitely short range ballistics and accuracy. Not very good, but good enough to fill the freezer.
It's minute of deer all day.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving if it fits, it ships! Nothing wrong with that as long as you respect the limitations of the rifle.
Put a Leupold on it.
well the rifle has been made to shoot 174 grn to 180 grn
These rifles have dropped more moose and other large game at distances of up to 300 yds up here than any other "hunting" rifles.
If you have a No1 , the mag will not fit your No4. The No4 action is more square than the No1
Parker Hale No1/No4 magazines is not interchangeable with standard SMLE/Enfield mags.
It’s a no4 rifle
My brother got bumed in prison last year
Feberal :)
That's what I'm thinking to!
Wonderful old .303-just a bad scope!
180 REM ONLY !!!!!
Remington core lokt has been inaccurate in every rifle I've ever tried it in. Remington ammo is garbage compared to its competitors in a comparative price range. PPU is better and cheaper than Remington.
TRY THE 130GR
YEP TRY 130 0R 140 GR
IN FEDERAL