British .303

[jon lynn]

I found a .303 that looks like a Springfield, but I can't see much except for British Crown type stamps, and a flower stamp on the top of the action, and barrel.

The bore looks okay, but the muzzle will defenantly need some polishing. They want $200 even.


They also have a Stevens 200 in .308 for $260, and an NEF Ultra in .243 for $225.

But being the oddball I am, the .303 calls me. How much you think it might cost to have it machined for scope bases?

Your opinions please.

[Joe Boleo]

Is the rifle in original military condition, or has it been sporterized? That .303 that looks like a Springfield may be an Enfield P-14 the was made by Winchester, Remington and Eddystone for Great Britain in WWI.

There are "no drill" mounts available from S& K Insta-Mounts that will fit that rifle. If the rifle is still in military condition, it is worth much more without holes drilled in the receiver. Take care...
Joe

[Adam Helmer]

jon lynn,


What model .303 Rifle are you talking about?
Look on the left side of the receiver for any model designations such as "No.4. Mk1*". Also look at the metal stock connecting band below the bolt knob for additional information.

If you have a MkIII, scoping it will be expensive. If you have a No.4, Mk1, there are no drill mounts you can use for a scope. By the time you drill and tap this old war horse and recrown the muzzle, you would be better off buying a used sporter rifle in the caliber of your choice.

Adam

[jon lynn]

I'll stop back by tommorow and write every number and mark I can find. The pawn shop guy did say Eddystone.

But I am not looking for it to save as a military rifle, I want to sporterize it. I guess it's a sentemental replacment for the Mauser I sporterized in Germany.

[Catfish]

You should slug the barrel also. The bores in the old British army rifle went from .311 to .313 as I recall. I have been seeing the VZ 24 Mausers at gun shows for under $ 100 and one of these would be better to sportarize in my oppenion. I just took the stock off of one and am going to rebarrel it to .35 Whelen. Mid-Way has so barrels on sale now so I thought I would try one.

[jon lynn]

Okay, got all the info on the .303

on the right hand side of receiver:

ERA
Serial number


On the left side Barrel
MADE IN USA, stamped over something I can’t read and two tiny stamps before the “303”and a tiny number 4 after, then BM in a circle with three lines coming out of the top.

On the left side of receiver:
An arrow pointing left then’ NETR PROOF’ stamped over a stamp of G&R with two crossed flags with an “F” under the flags, then a circle stamp with HM in it and a crown on top, then a perfectly legible arrow/and the “G&R” over the crossed flags and F on the bottom

[Adam Helmer]

jon lynn,

It sounds like you have a P-14 Enfield in .303 caliber.

Adam

[jon lynn]

Is it worth $200 as is? In your opinions?

[GoodOlBoy]

If you like 303s yes I think it is worth it (Though I would try to talk the price down a bit more, but thats me)

I like 303s, I just don't own one.

GoodOlBoy

[wrenchman]

in my area the actions them self are going for more then 200.

[gumpokc]

Jon, the .303 or the .308 would work well for what you want to do with it, and not alot of difference between them in performance.

the .308 may have _slightly_ better availability, but you shouldnt have to look too hard around here to find .303 ammo.

I know you were looking at 91/30's for abit, all three are roughly equal. The differences in between them show up more on paper then in normal usage.

[jon lynn]

Hey Gump!

I gave up on the 91/30's the secret is out, they aint cheap no more. I keep steering back to a simple NEF in .243 or .308 and then all I have to do is slap my VX-II on it because the Weaver rings are still on it.

I never reason with the cost of a rebuilding project, from machine work and a new stock from Boyds, then the must have new trigger from timney it adds up, I might as well just keep it simple.

[Brithunter]

Originally posted by jon lynn
Okay, got all the info on the .303

on the right hand side of receiver:

ERA
Serial number


On the left side Barrel
MADE IN USA, stamped over something I can’t read and two tiny stamps before the “303”and a tiny number 4 after, then BM in a circle with three lines coming out of the top.

On the left side of receiver:
An arrow pointing left then’ NETR PROOF’ stamped over a stamp of G&R with two crossed flags with an “F” under the flags, then a circle stamp with HM in it and a crown on top, then a perfectly legible arrow/and the “G&R” over the crossed flags and F on the bottom

It's an Eddystone manufactured P-14 rifle and that's NITRO PROOF!

It should also have 303 2.222" 18 Tons

Which is standard British proof marking.

[dakotah]

I have a 303 P-14 and I am keeping it military. The case holds a little more than the 308 Winchester. I load this 303 more than the loads printed for the SMLE's -- it is a stronger action and has front locking lugs - so less case stretch. The brass I use holds up excellently -- so far no failures.

I got a good price on it - less than $200. But I have seen these going for $300 and more.

Since I don't shoot factory loads very often - rarely. The lack of factory loads doesn't make much difference to me. I think that I am using Speer 150 grain bullets currently (without checking for sure.)


The SMLE's can be bought very cheaply on auctions - on the WEB.

[DON WALKUP]

i had a .303 in full military furniture that would hold a 3" group at 100 yards. (off of sandbags, of course) it was the later model no 4 with the fold up micrometer leaf-sight. that was with the old milsurp ammo, too...handloads might have done better.

if i recall correctly... B-sqare offers(ed) a scope mount that mounted to the side of the reciever didn't they? it had to be drilled and tapped but could be done in a good garage workshope with a good drill press and solid vise. (i could be wrong about this so research b-sqare and see)

[Gil Martin]

I have a No.4 Mark I WWII British Enfield with an S&K Insta-Mount that does not require drilling. Merely remove the rear sight and put the base in its place. It works well. S&K offers various no drill scope mounts for a lot of military rifles. All the best...
Gil

[Murf]

The P 14 was sold to the Brit when theyhad a real shortage of rifles early in WW I. Theyare considered a quite good rifle but to sporterise one involves a lot of work. As stated many were stripped and the actions used for custom rifles chambered in some very hot for their day rimmed magnums.

One possible problem for a hunting rifle is that the .303 being a rimmed cartridge is prone to jams unless care is taken while loading to ensure the rim of each cartridge is ahead of the one below it in the mag. The army never had this problem as they used stripper clips for loading.
Also as stated above the P 17 is very similar. When the US entered WW I they also had a shortage of rifles and P 17's were developed to use the 30-06 rimless cartridge since not enough Springfields were available. Alvin York used a P 17.

Any scope system for a Lee Enfield No 1 Mk3 or No4 Mk1 will not work on a P14 as they are totally different actions.

[dakotah]

That P14 has a clip that forces the cases to be in the correct position like Murph said. If you wanted to customize and change to most other calibers, the magazine would likely have to go. Mybe a 444 Marlin would work without throwing away the mag???

If a fellow would want to make a rifle up in a caliber with a case base dimension similar or larger than the 303, I suspect that it would be feasible. Wasn't it A-Square that made up some large calibers from a P17?? Would a P14 work as well?

With a P14, it is my opinion that you could get very respectable velocities out of the 303. I tried loading them hot (308 Win velocities) and never had a case problem.

It is my intention though to keep mine military and use cast bullets. There is an active cast bullet 'military rifle' group about 45 miles from here. Maybe I will be able to get something going with this rifle.

There are too many rifles out there available in 300 Win Mag or even bigger. It seems that the option is: converting one of these almost 100 year old rifles and ending up with a custom??? rilfe and possibly not worth as much as the original (especially if I do the work) but costing more than the rifles available on the market.

I have heard a lot of good and a lot of bad regarding the SMLE. but personally I would like to have one. I think they would be a lot of fun.