How can I modernize a 303??
Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Enfield Rifles
Forum Description: Anything that has to do with the great Enfield rifles!
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4861
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 8:19pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: How can I modernize a 303??
Posted By: RefineryHub
Subject: How can I modernize a 303??
Date Posted: November 12 2011 at 6:48am
|
Ok I have a 1941 Lithgow No1 MkIII* S,M.L.E . I would love to change it over to a more modern rifle for hunting deer and hogs. Does anyone have a write up on building / rebuilding a 303 ? My knowledge on building rifles are limited but I pick up stuff really fast. |
Replies:
Posted By: SW28fan
Date Posted: November 12 2011 at 8:13am
|
I have built two rifles from stripped actions and to be honest if you just want a rifle to hunt with I'd get a Savage bolt gun in 308. Far less work and most likely less money. ------------- Have a Nice Day If already having a nice day please disregard |
Posted By: RefineryHub
Date Posted: November 12 2011 at 8:34am
Its not about the money with me. The rifle was my grandfathers from the 40s And everyone does 308s 300s 7mm 30-30 30-06 270 etc... I like to be different |
SW28fan wrote:Posted By: No4Enfield
Date Posted: November 12 2011 at 9:24am
| ill buy that No1 MkIII from you to save it, you can use the funds for buying a different gun |
Posted By: runvs68
Date Posted: November 12 2011 at 9:49am
This is a quote from my post about the 1918 No1 MKIII i was just given. I think its the best of both worlds. If the rifle is in good shape find the military spec replacement parts or take them off the gun and save them till the time you are ready to use a different gun for hunting. If you only ever plan to hunt with it (and this is where others will get mad at me, but imo) sporterrize it. Options on Stocks for Sporterizing it: ATI Synth Stock: http://www.gunaccessories.com/ati/SyntheticStocks/index.asp Ram Line Synth Stock: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/518118/ram-line-syntech-rifle-stock-enfield-number-1-mark-iii-2-piece-synthetic-black People have varied thoughts on which of these are better. Boyds offers a wood sporterized stock: http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Sporterized-British-Lee-Enfield-s/149.htm As far as scope mounts : http://atigunstocks.com/p-27-enfield-scope-mount-no-1-mk-3.aspx (this is the only one I like so far) ------------- New to my Enfield but I love it!! |
Posted By: Ed Hill
Date Posted: November 12 2011 at 10:02am
|
RH, most of the members here are concerned with keeping their Enfields original. That 41 is a living piece of WWII history and many feel it should be kept intact ( if it's in nice original shape). The Lithgow's sell at a premium in the U.S., if it's nice and you decide to leave it, you can pick up #4's at gun shows or swaps for $125 or less. There are a lot of options for synthetic stocks and scope rails for the #4. In the end, it is your rifle, and there are people here who can point you to sportier parts ( and will probably be happy to buy your original stock). Ed
|
Posted By: White Rhino
Date Posted: November 12 2011 at 10:23am
|
I second that Ed !!!!! ------------- "White Rhino" "Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer." --W. C. Fields |
Posted By: sayak
Date Posted: November 12 2011 at 11:06am
Refinery, is the rifle you inherited from your father stock military, or is it already "sporterized"? If your dad already modified it, and you wish to update it, you should do it. If it is in the original shape, you might consider keeping it that way and finding another previously altered .303, or other milsurp rifle to modify. I have found both a No.1 Mk III, and a No. 4 Mk 1 that were already heavily modified and have made hunting rifles from them which I have used on moose and caribou. The action is as smooth (or smoother) on the Enfield as any modern rifle and with a Boyds or ATI stock and a decent scope you would have a great shooting rifle which you enjoyed building. ------------- I support hard work, creativity, freedom, responsibility and truth |
Posted By: Rob
Date Posted: November 12 2011 at 11:25am
|
All I have are sporterized enfields,I am trying to put one back to original configuration,we see lots of #1's sporterized around here ,most cut up not to bad.I tried to turn mine#1mrk3 into something it's not( a modern hunting rifle)just didnt work so now I have an ati stock set for a #1for sale. and am still trying to acquire parts to make it original.It had been modified before but luckly they didnt cut the barrel.full millitary is unique in the feild nowadays So in my opinion I would unbolt anything you dont want on it to make it a sporter but keep it all so if your son wants to return it to millitary spec. then atleast its there.
I got a nice whitetail doe this morning with mine. ------------- A true measure of a man is not how he act's when thing's are going well.But how he act's when things are going Bad. R.S.G. |
Posted By: Tertle
Date Posted: November 12 2011 at 5:16pm
|
Im new here so i hope im not speaking out of turn. If the woods been cut then i personally have no problem in you further altering the woods, and there are some EXTREMELY great articles on how to improve the accuracy of the good old LE, i will post a link at the end that again im not in anyway associated other than ive met the guy and well impressed with his work and hav e bought my own copy of his book.... but i digress. But if the rifles been altered i would rather see you get her out and using the great old rifle. If the rifle is in it original state please reconsider, that rifle is a part of history, its a tangible real link with our grandfathers and the hell they faced and the courage they showed. I know that may sound deep but its true. I would rather see you sell her to someone for a fair price and put that money to a rifle that will suit you better. As a last resort an option would be to CAREFULY remove the woods, put them aside, sporterise with modern ATI stocks etc BUT PLEASE no mods to the metal, not cutting or drilling, there are other options! then when its time you can put her back together and you have a rifle thats the way she should be! Plus i myself have one or three Enfields, im still after a decent Lithgow, they are a very good rifle. the site for ideas on how to accurise the old girls http://www.enfieldresource.com/2012-complete-book-lee-enfield-accurizing" rel="nofollow - http://www.enfieldresource.com/2012-complete-book-lee-enfield-accurizing just my 2cents worth Tertle ------------- www.allaboutenfields.co.nz is a small project of mine, any positive critisms or help greatly appreciated, cheers :) |
Posted By: raubvogel
Date Posted: November 13 2011 at 1:42am
Ed, if I do bump into a #4 for $100 I will sure rescue it. 
|
Posted By: Ed Hill
Date Posted: November 13 2011 at 2:04am
|
We have a couple small local gunshows. If you go after deer season, I have seen sporter enfields sell for $85 to $125. These are bubba jobs, but shoot fine and had nice barrels. If I wanted a project, Id start with one of these. Ed
|
Posted By: Beerhunter
Date Posted: November 13 2011 at 6:09am
|
Posted By: Smokey
Date Posted: November 13 2011 at 8:27am
|
My opinion, for what it's worth:
I would keep the rifle in "as issued" condition, if it's unmodified.
If it's been modified, I'd return it to "as issued" condition depending on the extent of the changes done.
Why?
1) It's an historical item.
2) In years to come it'll be worth far more in the "as issued" condition.
3) You can buy a good hunting rifle for far less than a proper job of "sporterizing" it
4) If it's in good condition "as issued" it'll be a pretty useful rifle as is..
5) Out of respect for the veteran who used it.
I use all my military rifles in the original (except repaired as needed) condition, and they work pretty well that way.
|
Posted By: RefineryHub
Date Posted: November 13 2011 at 9:47am
all numbers match. it looks like its been sporterized but the numbers on the barrel match the the rest the weapon. only thing I can see that been replaced is the stock because its stamped 1943 The history of the weapon is it was my grandfathers and was issued to him. I dont plan on trashing the parts. I want to save the parts to put it back later on when I pass it down to my son.  |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: November 13 2011 at 9:48pm
|
Its already sporterised, both the stock & unfortunately the barrel.Any collectable value is gone so go for it as an economical sporter. I'm not sure how you're trying to "Modernize it"? What's the actual goal. Lightening, scoping what? ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: RefineryHub
Date Posted: November 13 2011 at 10:08pm
| trigger job, lighten, scope the stock is stamped 1943 barrel has matching numbers with bolt and everything else |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: November 14 2011 at 1:39am
|
OK trigger: Check out either the replacement unit from CanWest, goes for about $139 Canadian last time I looked, U.S. dealer is: Dow Arms Room 9250 U.S. Highway 301or the replacement trigger only from : |
Posted By: Tertle
Date Posted: November 14 2011 at 5:47am
|
I like that scope mount, thats now on my list for xmas!!! ------------- www.allaboutenfields.co.nz is a small project of mine, any positive critisms or help greatly appreciated, cheers :) |
Posted By: Rob
Date Posted: November 14 2011 at 10:36am
|
Shamu doesnt that scope mount only work if you have the rear flip-up mounting tabs?
It does look nice tho,I want one for my #5
my #1 doesnt have the rear flip sites and ,I cant see the rear to well on the pic.on page one but it doesnt does it?It sure beats drilling and tapping into the charger bridge and the front of the action
Which two of mine have been.:(
------------- A true measure of a man is not how he act's when thing's are going well.But how he act's when things are going Bad. R.S.G. |
Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: November 14 2011 at 11:20am
|
im in agreement that its your rifle , and if altered irrepairably there is nothing wrong with making it what you want , should it have been restorabvle io would be firmly in the camp of 'sell it to someone who cares and buy a sported version'
seems thats a moot point , did anyone recomend our resident conversion expert ?
|
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: November 14 2011 at 9:44pm
|
Rob: The rear mounts through the pivot holes for the standard rear sight if that's what you're referring to. ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: ducaninfrance
Date Posted: November 15 2011 at 12:01am
That, i am afraid to say, is a very sad sight
 ------------- Duncan. Peace is that brief, quiet moment in history.......... when everybody stands around reloading. |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: November 15 2011 at 12:37am
|
Tertle: I'm not sure who handles the Fultons mount in NZ but the contact in the UK for them is: G E Fulton & Son. Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NZ ENGLAND. Tel: +44 (0)1483 473204 Fax: +44 (0)1483 475011 Email: mailto:enquiries@fultonsofbisley.com" rel="nofollow - enquires@fultonsofbisley.com They should be able to either sell you one & ship it, or give you a NZ importer/dealer. ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: Tertle
Date Posted: November 15 2011 at 10:36am
|
Shamu, Thanks, i have just the rifle that its going to be used on!! ------------- www.allaboutenfields.co.nz is a small project of mine, any positive critisms or help greatly appreciated, cheers :) |
Posted By: Bloodwyn
Date Posted: November 30 2011 at 12:01pm
|
Hey RefineryHub, I have a No 4 T that I sporterised but that was only because someone else had cut off the bayonet lug otherwise I would have preferred to restore it accurately. That being said… yours is FUBAR like mine but it’s easy to make it pretty. Just google “aftermarket stock for SMLE” and you will get any number of hits leading to a nice composite Monte Carlo style stock for about 100 somalians. It will require some modification to fit properly but I did mine with a dremmel tool. Here is my crappy picture of my pretty rifle. ------------- This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis~ I go armed at all times and shoot where I find it necessary as I am an American. ~Bloodwyn~ |
Posted By: No4Enfield
Date Posted: December 01 2011 at 6:48am
| Ive decided instead of butchering a classi to buy the new Ruger Gunsite Scout in .308, yes its a Mauser type short action, but takes 10 round detachable mags, has iron sights and can accept optics, it even has a flash reducer |
Posted By: Bloodwyn
Date Posted: December 01 2011 at 7:37am
|
Yes sir #4, the butchering jobs I have seen make my skin crawl. I had many different military arms left to me by my Grandfather. Every one sporterized but one MK III. As big of a pain in the tale it was to disseminate what was worth keeping I must say the work led me to some satisfaction with the SMLE’s. You should have seen this Carcano “saddle gun” it would have been pretty cool with bayonets and such available but the wood and the bayonet lug butchered. They didn’t even remove the front sight protector just cut right through it. I made a deal with my neighbor. Gave him the gun if he would buy and keep 500 surplus rounds I tracked down for him…and made him promises to call to arms when the aliens land. So everybody is happy in the end…I guess. ------------- This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis~ I go armed at all times and shoot where I find it necessary as I am an American. ~Bloodwyn~ |
Posted By: MJ11
Date Posted: December 03 2011 at 12:23am
|
Just a troll looking
for controversy and disorder. No photos or credibility of any
kind.
...MJ...  |
Posted By: Bloodwyn
Date Posted: December 03 2011 at 3:09am
Hi MJ, If its me you are referring to…What would you like pictures of ? I have posted a few on this forum but they are embarrassing to me compared to other members photo’s so I have elected to spare them where at all possible. That being said just let me know what pictures you need to see that would add “credibility” to my post and I will be happy to snap a few. Here is a couple of my pitiful No 4 Mk I T before I started work ------------- This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis~ I go armed at all times and shoot where I find it necessary as I am an American. ~Bloodwyn~ |
I hope this helps ease the controversy.
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: December 03 2011 at 5:08am
I'll get the popcorn, who's getting the soda?
 ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: MJ11
Date Posted: December 04 2011 at 12:15am
|
Wow that is a project. My next one.  |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: December 04 2011 at 5:38am
|
Raphael: "A little wood, a little stain a couple of throw pillows a T.V. news reporter"................. 
------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: Bloodwyn
Date Posted: December 04 2011 at 6:54am
Man…mine was not that bad as it retained its front sight and sight guard if it was in that condition it would have been too much for me in the beginning and I would have missed out, now I have developed a fondness for these Lee Enfield’s. My black Lee is an abomination in these forums I know but I feel like I have breathed new life into her. None of my local gun friends care much about the old L.E.’s but they all appreciate what I have done to mine leading me to believe that what ever the future holds someone will want to keep and care for my No4. I see your next project has the lower scope mounts attached as did mine. The T mark was hidden under the front lower mount. MJ, Is this the case with the one you have pictured? I understand the “T” means it has been sent to ------------- This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis~ I go armed at all times and shoot where I find it necessary as I am an American. ~Bloodwyn~ |
Posted By: MJ11
Date Posted: December 04 2011 at 11:45am
the T wasn't added at H&H till '44 and most had the T added at field and station repair shops during FTR this is why they appear in odd placements and strange angles. If a rifle had the pads and all the CES equipments that was proof of the H&H connection.  Today you can still find the odd T rifle without the T here you can see a '41 and '45 that had the T added during FTR.  |
Posted By: Enfield Rookie
Date Posted: July 07 2013 at 6:29am
|
Hi All, first post I was given a 5No4 MkI* (this is exactly how it is stamped although the "o" and the "k" are underlined) 1943 I am curious as to why it has the "5" designation at the front This weapon has been sporterized however, it appears to be a nice job, I believe it would be a simple restore, I may be wrong Am thinking of purchasing an ATI stock and putting a scope on it In addition to clarifying the "5" designation, could anyone recommend the best mounts for applying a scope to this. I am thinking of taking it out deer hunting later this year Thanks in advance for any replies, I have already learned much from going through the forum prior to registering |
Posted By: Alan de Enfield
Date Posted: July 07 2013 at 3:40pm
|
The "5" is actually an "S" and the rifle will have been manufactured by Savage in the USA ------------- Its not what you've got thats important, its what you hav'nt got, but still want, thats important. |
Posted By: Enfield Rookie
Date Posted: July 08 2013 at 4:42am
Thanks for the reply  Much appreciatedI "Wikipedia'd" it as well and saw the production post 1942 in North America was Savage and a Canadian location, I thought as this gun has been Canadian as long as anyone knows, that it would have been from the Canadian manufacturer Very light little gun, I have yet to fire it, I cleaned it thoroughly, noticed the rifling is fairly light although this is definitely not a weapon that has been used much. I also noticed the very poor fit to the stock along the barrel, again, this is sporterized, I'm not going to go through the bother of bedding it or anything else, I may just leave the stock as is yet would like to try a scope on it for fun, my eyes simply are not that good anymore for open sight shooting at any distance I do believe it would be an effective deer gun for up to 100 - 150 yds |
Posted By: Iphonetonyg
Date Posted: November 19 2016 at 6:07pm
| Mine has an aftermarket Monte Carlo stock and forearm and a scope mount with a 3-9×40 scope. Can convert back with an hour if I wanted. Didn't hurt original parts or components. Would share a picture but they won't let you upload photos directly. |
Posted By: Iphonetonyg
Date Posted: November 19 2016 at 6:13pm
|
Posted By: Iphonetonyg
Date Posted: November 19 2016 at 6:16pm
 Here is mine |