El Cheapo Lee Enfield .303

[Heckler303]

So a while back I purchased a lee enfield for $100 bucks. Pretty good price for one of these, it's a lithgow 1944 (even though it's stamped 1943). The rifling is fairly worn and it shows signs of use, but for that amount of money I couldn't get a barreled action for the same price if I looked online.


So, here's the rifle before I got to work on it:








After a healthy paint strip, re-bluing, woodworking, birchwood casey-ing and the brass buttplate on the buffing wheel, I'm at this stage. Looking fairly good from my angle.







Some of you with an eye for detail may just be able to see where I've reblued some if it, but It's gotten really hard for me to tell whats the original finish and what I just slapped on from the squeezy bottle







I'm fairly happy with the rifle now, it looks good, it suprisingly shoots fairly well, but that big chunk of the butt and around the pistol grip bothers me to no end, it's fairly hard finding another one made from queensland maple for under *insert amount wallet doesn't hold here*.

I like it, it's fun and its just another lee enfield to add to the collection. Thanks for reading

[AZZA'S HJ47]

I hear you looks smick. Im currently looking for a in good nick BSA 303 and from what ive seen there dont seem to be such a thing

[AusTac]

looking good mate love my one, so easy to work on

[Mr.Seacucumber]

Looks awesome

[sandgroperbill]

I would love to find an emily in good nick, or lee metford. Nearly impossible, though, but I can dream

[GLS_1956]

I like although I only have one.SMLEs

[Heckler303]

Thanks for the replies everybody, it was another good project to work with and use tru-oil on, so now I've had a bit of practice with it, I'll see what else I can work with in the safe.

[sandgroperbill]

That's the trick. Learn on something cheap that has already been cut down. Even though it was cheap and not in original nick, it should still prove a great hunting rifle for you. I like .303s, thhere's something special about them.

[Wm.Traynor]

I like .303s, thhere's something special about them.

Yes; they've got a 10 round magazine

[Oldbloke]

303 roughly equates to a 308. So ok for hunting most medium to large game

[gunnnie]

Good job. Wouldn't be impossible to fully restore the old girl to original spec.

Don't know that I'd equate the 303British round with the 308W, even roughly!

Difference in diameter, sectional density & ballistic coefficient. But do agree on its use on Australian game & I would even up that to include buffalo.

[Heckler303]

Good job. Wouldn't be impossible to fully restore the old girl to original spec.

Don't know that I'd equate the 303British round with the 308W, even roughly!

Difference in diameter, sectional density & ballistic coefficient. But do agree on its use on Australian game & I would even up that to include buffalo.

Actually, there is a box of Winchester X 180grn softtip 303 I have, but that's going to used on deer with my P14 Sporter, and fireformed to .303 Epps.
Oh yeah, I forgot to make a thread about that thing, better get the camera out again.

[BBJ]

Lovely timber now