Thread: My mate has bought a Service Rifle, bugger!

The Surplus Steel service rifle match held in North Taranaki in January is going to be epic. (https://boltactionmedianzco.com/ss2023)

Rules for that event:
"Any bolt action military issue rifle in original “as issued” condition is allowed in its original service calibers only such as 303, 8mm , 6.5x55 and 7.5x55..."
"Infantry class rifles are to be as issued bolt actions for infantry use with original iron sights and no modifications to stocks other changes that would have got you put on latrine duty during the war. So that means no post war target shooting sights, specialty slings or bipods. If it didn’t come with it for infantry use then you can’t use it."

I should be shooting a No.4 at that match.

Originally Posted by Jhon

Not sure what a "Fat Boy " is unless you mean still fully wooded?

Yes it is fully wooded but has a fat bulge just forward and around the magazine well

Originally Posted by Longranger

Yes it is fully wooded but has a fat bulge just forward and around the magazine well

Did I read somewhere that some late P14s were issued in 308? If not, per @Gillie post above, it would not qualify as its not the original calibre.

Originally Posted by Jhon

Did I read somewhere that some late P14s were issued in 308? If not, per @Gillie post above, it would not qualify as its not the original calibre.

I doubt it, certainly not in the British or Commonwealth armies.
The P14 production history was very short, just around the 1st World War.
You may be thinking of its cousin the M17 in 30-06 which the Yanks copied the P14 to produce for use in WW1.

However the action has been used due to its great strength (well, generally Winchester ones) for custom builds in some pretty powerful magnums.

But, my first fullbore rifle at the change from 303 to 7.62 was a rebarreled P14 (Winchester) using an Omark blank.
That one I converted to cock on opening and fitted a Dayton Traister trigger. It shot very well.

I still have another P14, long unused, reballered with a Schultz and Larsen barrel blank in 7.62 for range use.
It has had a plate tig welded on the underside of the action so is only single shot. It has a NZ made match trigger fitted.

yes I shoot a 2A and a 2A1 in 7.62 one of which is really accurate. To be honest you cant go past a good no4 if starting out
My favorite is my 57 FTRd lithgow but I struggle on bright days now with the SMLEs sights.

Ok so I'm feeling persuaded on the No4..so about sights. Ladder or Target?

Originally Posted by Jhon

Ok so I'm feeling persuaded on the No4..so about sights. Ladder or Target?

Target sights will knock you out of service class.

Originally Posted by NZShoota

Target sights will knock you out of service class.

Thks!

Originally Posted by Jhon

Thks!

You need to get one with the “singer sight” adjustable for elevation. Windage can be adjusted using the front blade.

So if a rifle has been rebarrelled and is missing its original bayonet lug, will that disqualify it from Service Match?

What about mismatched wood?

And if it has been rebarreled what are the chances the stock has been setup properly as per issue?

So much to consider!

Originally Posted by Jhon

So if a rifle has been rebarrelled and is missing its original bayonet lug, will that disqualify it from Service Match?

What about mismatched wood?

And if it has been rebarreled what are the chances the stock has been setup properly as per issue?


So much to consider!

It should be ok as some of the criterion barrels had no lugs. No big deal unless you plan to fit a pig sticker to it

They're called Lee-Enfields for fucks sake. Or just call it a .303. You're better than this.
(But never just an ""Ënfield"" like an ignorant American on Youtube. An Enfield is a muzzleloading percussion rifle.)

Originally Posted by JohnDuxbury

They're called Lee-Enfields for fucks sake. Or just call it a .303. You're better than this.
(But never just an ""Ënfield"" like an ignorant American on Youtube. An Enfield is a muzzleloading percussion rifle.)

I think you will find it's actually a motorbike

Originally Posted by JohnDuxbury

They're called Lee-Enfields for fucks sake. Or just call it a .303. You're better than this.
(But never just an ""Ënfield"" like an ignorant American on Youtube. An Enfield is a muzzleloading percussion rifle.)

Umm...I think I missed your point...

nah thats a Royal Enfield.....fella at bible study has one.