Thread: 303 bullets tumbling

Originally Posted by Old_School

OK, thats true, but I guess it would be a start, anything has to be better than these bullets that are tumbling!
From what ive learned, the wood has to be tight on the barrel to reduce flexing when fired or something? I believe thats why the lee enfield was fully wooded?
If thats the case, wouldnt all sporters not perform as good?



Yes, ive learned quite a bit about them over the last week!
They were definitely a common rifle and the most common rifle that most kiwis used for deer once upon a time. Im probably going to look at a 308 for the majority of my hunting, but I still would like a .303 for the kiwi tradition more than anything. I know a fair few who have one, even if they dont use it regularly. Still good for target practice, and they are a bit of our kiwi history.

Your right about the increased demand of .303 rifles, the shops have all told me the same thing. Its quite funny, because there is/was a large number of people who said they wouldnt waste their time with one once upon a time.

Lesson learned anyway, I didnt know much about what to look for when buying one of these, and clearly some of these sellers are selling junk to naive buyers. I dont think I paid too much though, as the parts price on this is still worth at least half of what I paid.

Im pretty sure this barrel is shot, these bullets were clearly tumbling at 30 metres, but if I find the rifling is OK further down, then it might be possible to cut down the barrel as suggested and make it shorter. My friends rifle has been cut down and had it threaded for a suppressor, perhaps this is a common thing done not only to make it suit a suppressor, but make use of worn out barrels perhaps?

I dont handload (yet) but thats what I plan to do to save money on ammo.




The one ive found for $800 isint actually a lee enfield, but an american version and its not 100% identical, things like the magazine are not interchangeable with a lee enfield.
Ive seen the odd wooded enfield go on trademe for under $1000, but who knows what the barrel is like on any of them. I definitely wont buy anything online anyway, I want to inspect anything in person to know what im buying. Im in no rush, so would rather wait for something to come my way thats suitable.

Cheap .303s are still out there! I just bought a no.1 mk3* sporterised for $70! Rough wood but still has the front barrel band, bore is like a mirror and it shoots way straighter than my no.5 which I paid $800 for.
Keep an eye on trademe for honest old blokes who don't care for the way the current market is going.
If I ever sell it it's gonna be $70 again.
I'll probably keep it though hah.