Thread: .303 Help

Just after advise from more knowledgeable people on this particular listing Parker Hale SMLE 1942 .303 | Trade Me
I've never been into rifles like this before but this caught my eye, so just wanting to know, good, bad or otherwise?
Thanks.

You can usually pick one up for 2-300 so I think it's overpriced

If you want to hunt with it a 303 is a cheap rifle as a starter

Not bad, been FTR'd. (factory through repair ) so it should be in good knick.
Seems a bit expensive, I've seem fully wooded 303's go for that price.
Just because he hasn't used it doesn't mean the previous owner didn't give it heaps.

Thanks.
I wouldn't be buying one for hunting just to play with at the range and the odd nzda shoot.


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Originally Posted by Dreamer

Thanks.
I wouldn't be buying one for hunting just to play with at the range and the odd nzda shoot.


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Just note its not eligible for NZDA service rifle shoots in its current form, as its been 'sporterised'.
Also, only commercial .303 factory ammo is available these days, gone are the days of cheap mil surp, unless you have an old uncle with a few hundred rounds stored under the house.

Ask to see evidence it is a Parkerhale, ie the foresight on the LHS or knox should be stamped such or its a "copy". As a rule PH also tended to remove the original serial number and put their own 6 or 7? digit number in the same spot on the wrist It doesnt look like this to me. $550 also seems too much. There is an auction in Wellington on the 11th (this weekend) btw, sporterised guns are usually pretty cheap in these 1/2 that of the above. For $500~600 odd you should get a decent full No4.

Thanks @dogmatix and @steven for the info, much appreciated.

If you want a .303 only buy one you can see in person they may look nice on the out side but if it has been fed a diet of mil-sup ammo the barrel could be stuffed I spent a long time looking for
the one have the barrel is quite good but I looked up a few sewer pipes before I found it, the last factory .303's from Parker Hale and BSA were made in the early 1960's from actions made in the 1940's
and they have been shot with mil-surp ammo so the throats are worn, if you want a target rifle I think you will be disappointed but for hunting in the bush the .303 is still a viable option,
the one on TM is to pricey I payed $325 for a BSA sporter from a gunshop it was the best of 4 that they had, best bet go to the gun shops in your area and look at all the .303's on the shelves
sooner or later you will find a good one get the gun shop to run a clean patch or 2 through the barrel most are full of gunk and need a good clean

There are new match grade 303 barrels from Criterion for No4s just coming out but they are $500 odd. Most 303s are now so stuffed that spending $500 to re-barrel makes no sense, you might as well spend a few hundred more and get a tikka.