Thread: Stalking with a .303

Originally Posted by stagstalker

When I bush hunt with my L E 303 its bolt half closed with around half way up the chamber. So you can see the base half of the brass. You need to finish pushing the bolt forward and down in order to chamber and fire. I always found the friction there was pretty good for holding in place.

Awesome exactly how I do it

Well thanks everyone for taking part in the discussion, a great discussion on a very relevant topic. it sounds like we have reached a general consensus

I shot my first deer a red spiker with my 303 target rifle parker hale aperture rear sights tunnel foresight with a blade had shot the previous weekend at 200 and 300 yards at a club shoot so knew it was zeroed - goat shooting with it I knew where 500-600 was on the aperture sight and mates were always very impressed I could drop goats at some range - heavy hell I was young and fit did not worry me - club secretary would sell me 75 round packet of 1958 ammo for the princely sum of $4 no bloody wonder deaf today as more often than not a good day lowering the neighbors goat population shot of the lot -and yes the army ammo did the job the goats did not like it up them

Hi GC , if your in slippery country I'd suggest empty chamber , otherwise half bolt as suggested.
I'm another that's never lost a round yet.
But usually carry empty if the goings suspect.
Lost a few but also had a few stand and watch as I try to sneak one up the spout.
Probably wondering what the hell ?
Pennyless

40 odd yrs ago remember a demo by a DOL inspector on .303 safety (or lack thereof) trusty old military issue blank ammo chambered and brass butt dropped heavily onto gravel whoa whats that noise.
anther blank round chambered action uncocked and he produces a crescent taps the striker end same result!
never forgotten it .if i am using my .303 c(alas these days rarely) a round is never chambered until target is sighted and verified beyond all doubt.
BTW180gn softnoseis a weeee bit heavy on jackos and hares (dont ask) but is fine for composting them.

Bush stalking goats with my no.1 mk3 and I don't even move with one up the spout, instead I close the bolt on an empty chamber with the rounds in the mag ready to go, I find the enfield action so slick and fast that the millisecond it takes to fully cycle the bolt is not detrimental to the hunt. Good reason to practice your mad minute drills with dummy rounds I reckon.
With deer I do the half closed bolt method as you say just due to worry of noise.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

With practice you can get very quick, a couple of "mad minutes" practice and he should be right

Sorry @Marty Henry, forgot about you. :-D

Originally Posted by kotuku

40 odd yrs ago remember a demo by a DOL inspector on .303 safety (or lack thereof) trusty old military issue blank ammo chambered and brass butt dropped heavily onto gravel whoa whats that noise.
anther blank round chambered action uncocked and he produces a crescent taps the striker end same result!
never forgotten it .if i am using my .303 c(alas these days rarely) a round is never chambered until target is sighted and verified beyond all doubt.
BTW180gn softnoseis a weeee bit heavy on jackos and hares (dont ask) but is fine for composting them.

The demos shown you were done with the bolt handle down. Lift the .303 bolt handle and the firing pin is not able to touch the primer.

Thats what the grooves on the rear underside of the bolt body do.

The .303 bolt will not close accidentally, nor will the handle go down accidentally, because ... cock on close.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Mate up north dropped his 8mm Mauser down bank as he fell.striker was rested on primer,hit rock n fired.he got lucky,it took half a hand,entered chest,hit collar bone and deflected outwards. I was shown the scars. Yeah nah not something I desire.

Peter Paul Mauser should have stuck with cock-on-close. So many begin well but lose their way...