Thread: Cheap .303s... how bad are they?

Just buy an old Husqvarna,cant go wrong. If its in good condition it will be a lifelong weapon even for ya grandkids.

I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet but get the headspace checked if you can before buying. This is especially important with Lee Enfields, as I understand it; rushed war-time production, a rimmed cartridge, and rear locking lugs add up to some slop in the headspacing after tens of thousands of rounds (which most of these .303's will have done). Most gun shops and just about all gunsmiths will have the headspace gauges for .303 British, but you might not know with a private sale. If you end up buying a nice one and it closes on the 'no-go' gauge, all is not lost as the bolt heads just unscrew to swap out, and they were produced in different lengths (lettered corresponding with length e.g. M,N,O) and gunsmiths will often have a box of bolt heads to rummage through to find one that's good to go.

I haven't had a lot of experience with them. Had a nice Parker Hale version that shot like crap crap and after shooting 10 - 12 rounds I had a look at the spent case to find the primers were so pierced by the firing pin I could see day light ( all the way through.
Took it back. Had another that a mates looking after that's a 1916 year that's also been sported up, even bedded. Shoots 2-3 inchs at 100mtr, would have been a very nice rifle in it's day.
There is something cool about walking out for a hunt or stalking around with a rifle of that age and history, however once the nostalgia wears off sometimes you have to admit that the idea is better than the reality.
However if carrying a bit of history is your thing ( I like the idea ) then it can be extremely satisfying to knock an animal over with a 70yr old plus rifle.

And of course if you do leave very early one morning and slog silently to the top of a very big hill that resembles Chunik Bar and the deer are coming at you thick and fast.......well you have the right bit of kit

I have my late uncles one. He used it to put himself through university.
Taken it on a few walks.
It also shoots very well but just be wear.
Was onto a mob of goats in some manuka and while working the bolt the gun AD on me?
Scared the living daylights out of me.
A small manuka leaf had caught up under the bolt. Which I turn caused it to discharge.
Still a great gun though.

Originally Posted by Scottishkiwi

@rambo-6mmrem Its only to tie me over and to get me out in the bush more, once i gain more experience and confidence ill step up to a remington or tikka.. plus im a history buff so its cool to have a piece of history.. even if its a bit rusty

@Scottishkiwi my view and my view only but a 303 wont help you to build confidence or experience they kick like shit which as much as you say I don't mind it dose make a difference
and the history part well in my opinion that's gone when someone takes it out of it military configuration (sportarizes it )

I was a young new shooter as well and been there done that

It was my first thought, but ammo isnt cheap and finding a good cheap 303 is harder. So I opted for the sks, easy to find reliable and the one I have is good out to 150m on open sights, miss and you have another 5 to follow that one real quick.
And ammo is cheap and easy to get in all sorts of types.

Originally Posted by Natatale

It was my first thought, but ammo isnt cheap and finding a good cheap 303 is harder. So I opted for the sks, easy to find reliable and the one I have is good out to 150m on open sights, miss and you have another 5 to follow that one real quick.
And ammo is cheap and easy to get in all sorts of types.

Yeah thats a very good point, the 303 ammo has become quite expensive. I also had SKS, great little round, I put a scope on mine 1.5 MOA at 100 mtrs and pleasant to shoot and got plenty of smack down, soft points, hollow points, fmj, hort fast and makes a very handy bush rifle.

.308 Weatherby Vanguard | Trade Me
$1R 6.5 x 55 mm Carl Gustav Swedish Mauser! | Trade Me
.243 Parker Hale | Trade Me
Savage 7mm-08 Savage Axis Near new | Trade Me

there's lots of options for under 500 dollars that are way better options than a 303
ammo cheaper and easier to buy as well ive been down the 303 route in-fact ive had a few and in my honest opinion its a waste of money (and that's comeing from a guy that likes old guns) but I still stick to my tikka for hunting if you want one for history reasons get a good full wood one and shoot it on the range but honestly its a case of buy once cry once when it comes to a good hunter