Thread: Is .303 good to shoot deer and goats with?

Planning on buying a lee enfield 303 will it be fine to shoot deer,goats just general NZ hunting? Let me know your thoughts

Yes, worked for forestry service culling teams for decades...

There's a thread somewhere where Steve shot a deer with one or so he says

Yes it'll work

Yes, but so many of the cheap ones are worn out and for the price of a good one you can buy something more adaptable (ie easier to fit scopes etc)

the old 303 has killed more animals across the world than any other calibre ever will

One day I would really love an SMLE just for something different

303 is just perfect. I use one but shoot cast with it. Have fun.

Shot a deer with mine a few months back for old times sake.

Yep will do the job fine if you can find a reasonable one, what type of hunting are you going to be doing?
If much open country is on the cards i would look for something a bit more modern.

Originally Posted by Bavarian_Hunter

the old 303 has killed more animals across the world than any other calibre ever will

I'm sure thousands of German soldiers can attest to its effectiveness too.

Could make for a bit of a mess on a small goat but it'll certainly be effective! I hunted with a full wood No.4 Mk.1 during my first whitetail season.

If anyone has Lee Enfields for sale in original condition PM me

Best bet to getting a good one is to buy one that has been factory sporterized I bought a nice BSA sporter for xmas the barrel is fine just needed a good scrubbing, haunt your local gun shops one will turn up people are always trading them in on upgrades