Miss my .303

[JJD]

Hey guys,

I’ve been looking around for a .303 for a few months but having no luck at the local dealers and the AAA auction was a bloodbath.

I had a beauty No4 Mk1 that I sold off before I went overseas for half of last year. Over a year later now and I regret that decision, I miss that rifle and the good times we had.

Just a shot in the dark to see if anyone here is east of Melbourne and has a No4 or P14 they’d be willing to part with. Not looking for a fine specimen, just a good honest full-wood companion.

Cheers.

[JimmyS]

G'day JJD,

Not exactly what you're looking for, but certainly just as much fun, if not more than your standard SMLE.

https://ssaagunsales.com/listing/25952

Have a gander.

[in2anity]

the AAA auction was a bloodbath.

Tell me about it

You occasionally see Mk1*s on abusedguns for around $900. They are the ones you have to pounce on, the morning of the listing.

[in2anity]

This is a 308 https://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=183444
But i'd guess it would group better than an as-issued No4.

[JJD]

Speaking of .308W, this is a beauty
https://m.usedguns.com.au/Product_Desc.aspx?Pid=183056

But I’ve got a bunch of .303 brass I’m hoping to reload and my budget is more around $750

[in2anity]

Speaking of .308W, this is a beauty
https://m.usedguns.com.au/Product_Desc.aspx?Pid=183056

But I’ve got a bunch of .303 brass I’m hoping to reload and my budget is more around $750

ooh yeah nice - that's a master grade gun, that one. In this day-and-age, $750 is a pretty tight budget for a No4, unless the barrel is cooked.

[JJD]

Damn you might be right by the way things are looking. They’ve either got more expensive in the last 3 years or I got a pretty good deal on my last one.

[in2anity]

FMD how depressing was the AAA. I had a $2000 max bid on a p14, which was indicating $450-600. Didn't dream i'd go close to my max. It went for $2200. I saw multiple No4 Mk1*s go for more than $1500 that day - madness.

[marksman]

G'day JJD,

Not exactly what you're looking for, but certainly just as much fun, if not more than your standard SMLE.

https://ssaagunsales.com/listing/25952

Have a gander.

this is exactly what l would like although a bit cheaper and complete with volley sight

[JJD]

FMD how depressing was the AAA. I had a $2000 max bid on a p14, which was indicating $450-600. Didn't dream i'd go close to my max. It went for $2200. I saw multiple No4 Mk1*s go for more than $1500 that day - madness.

Yeah couldn’t agree more. I was disillusioned into believing I might get a No5 for ~$1200 but most went for $3000. The estimates were ridiculous.

[in2anity]

Yeah couldn’t agree more. I was disillusioned into believing I might get a No5 for ~$1200 but most went for $3000. The estimates were ridiculous.

Jeezus dafuq was up with the jungles? Have they suddenly discovered that jungles had gold inlaying?

[JJD]

Yeah couldn’t agree more. I was disillusioned into believing I might get a No5 for ~$1200 but most went for $3000. The estimates were ridiculous.

Jeezus dafuq was up with the jungles? Have they suddenly discovered that jungles had gold inlaying?

Yeah don’t know who is buying them at that price. And an extra 28% by the time the auction gets its cut and GST. Too rich for my blood that’s for sure.

[bladeracer]

My dealer has No1Mk3 on the shelf, I can ask if you like?
I find the No1 fits the hands better than the No4, but the No4's rear sight is way better.

[in2anity]

I find the No1 fits the hands better than the No4, but the No4's rear sight is way better.

How do you come to that conclusion? The buttstocks are close to identical? FWIW I don't feel the SMLEs "fit the hands" very well. The grip is uncomfortably straight for my liking. You get used to it though. Can't use it as an excuse for missing V bull

[bladeracer]

I find the No1 fits the hands better than the No4, but the No4's rear sight is way better.

How do you come to that conclusion? The buttstocks are close to identical? FWIW I don't feel the SMLEs "fit the hands" very well. The grip is uncomfortably straight for my liking. You get used to it though. Can't use it as an excuse for missing V bull

I can't imagine anybody could pick up the two rifles just by the wrist and not feel immediately which is which.

My Lithgow No1MkIII* is 140mm girth around the top of the wrist, and is quite rounded in shape.
My Longbranch No4Mk1* is 152mm around, and has very square corners.

I find the No1 significantly nicer to hold.

How big is a V bull, and at what distance?

[No1Mk3]

G'day bladeracer,
V on the CSD Core target is 150mm, target is used out to 500m, Cheers.

[No1Mk3]

Yeah couldn’t agree more. I was disillusioned into believing I might get a No5 for ~$1200 but most went for $3000. The estimates were ridiculous.

Jeezus dafuq was up with the jungles? Have they suddenly discovered that jungles had gold inlaying?

Yeah don’t know who is buying them at that price. And an extra 28% by the time the auction gets its cut and GST. Too rich for my blood that’s for sure.

G'day JJD,
It's not 28% it is 16 1/2% GST included. Cheers.

[bladeracer]

G'day bladeracer,
V on the CSD Core target is 150mm, target is used out to 500m, Cheers.

Wow, that's going to be fun to practice on with iron sights

[bladeracer]

Speaking of .308W, this is a beauty
https://m.usedguns.com.au/Product_Desc.aspx?Pid=183056

But I’ve got a bunch of .303 brass I’m hoping to reload and my budget is more around $750

I think the only way you'll find something for that sort of money is by knowing somebody that is selling one. Join some clubs, forums and Facebook groups.
Let your dealer know as well, he may do a nice deal on a trade-in knowing it's already sold to you instead of sitting on the rack waiting to sell.

[in2anity]

G'day bladeracer,
V on the CSD Core target is 150mm, target is used out to 500m, Cheers.

Wow, that's going to be fun to practice on with iron sights

It’s amazing how good you can get with a six-o’clock hold, a square blade and the square bottom edge of the standard service silhouette. Things I once thought impossible I’ve now witnessed with my own eyes, like putting 10 rounds into sub 2moa at 500m, from the prone sling position, with an essentially an as-issued service rifle (albeit a freakishly good one).

There are stories of shooters using accurized No4s and grouping into 15” at 1000m. From how good the very best are, I tend to believe it.

[JJD]

Yeah couldn’t agree more. I was disillusioned into believing I might get a No5 for ~$1200 but most went for $3000. The estimates were ridiculous.

Jeezus dafuq was up with the jungles? Have they suddenly discovered that jungles had gold inlaying?

Yeah don’t know who is buying them at that price. And an extra 28% by the time the auction gets its cut and GST. Too rich for my blood that’s for sure.

G'day JJD,
It's not 28% it is 16 1/2% GST included. Cheers.

“ The total Buyers premium including this service is therefore 18% +GST.”

Maybe I’ve misunderstood this.

[JJD]

My dealer has No1Mk3 on the shelf, I can ask if you like?
I find the No1 fits the hands better than the No4, but the No4's rear sight is way better.

Hey Blade,

Is that the one at C&A? I had a look in person today, just really prefer the No4 to be honest.

[Florey55]

You are better off placing a "Want To Buy" advert in usedguns, or ozgunsales.

[bladeracer]

My dealer has No1Mk3 on the shelf, I can ask if you like?
I find the No1 fits the hands better than the No4, but the No4's rear sight is way better.

Hey Blade,

Is that the one at C&A? I had a look in person today, just really prefer the No4 to be honest.

Yep, that's the one.
If you just want to relive old memories you can borrow my No4Mk1*.

[AZZA'S HJ47]

Id never sell my 303 i was lucky enough to pick up a No 5 mk1 on the cheap. Love my 303's and ill never part with them.