Lee Enfield No. 1 Mk III, .303 Cal.

Lee Enfield No. 1 Mk III, Sporter, .303 Cal.

Jump To “Section” On This Page

Intended Use
Effective Range
Specs & Features
Safety
Action
Trigger
Stock
Buttplate
Sights
Magazines
Optics
Accessories
Utility Pouch
Sling
Bipod
Flash Hider
Light
Optics
Ammo Handling
What Would I Change?
Ammunition
Factory
Handloaded
Shooting Results
Factory
Subsonic Handloads
Mid-Power Handloads
High Velocity “Varmint” Handloads
Full Power Handloads

Intended Use

A simple, easy to operate, reliable, capable, rifle for general use. Can be employed for Small or Large game at any range you think you can hit at.

Effective Range

Poor Eyesight X Iron Sights, Divided by Lack of Skill clearly make this a 125 Yd. Rifle for me. Most of my range time will probably vary between 25 and 75 Yds.

Factory Specs & Features

.303 British, Cal.
2 Piece Wooden Stock
Gunsmith Drilled for Optics Rail
22″ Barrel
Steel Receiver
5 or 10 Shot Capacity
Matt Black Finish
Trapdoor Buttstock
42″ Overall Length
13.75″ Length of Pull
Military 2 Stage Trigger
Traditional Bolt Action Repeater
Military Sling Swivels
Medium Weight

Many different “Sporterized” versions of Lee Enfields have been made over the years. This is just a good example of one of them.

Safety

Swing style, LH side mounted easy access safety.

Action

This is a “Cock on Closing”, Bolt Action, Repeater.

Bolt

This rifle has a 2 piece bolt with a replaceable “Bolt Head” to adjust head-spacing.

Trigger

Standard issue, Non-Adjustable, 2 Stage Trigger. Magazine release is also located inside the trigger guard.

**Magazine Release in Front of Trigger**

Muzzle

Standard, non-threaded factory muzzle.

Stock

The stock is an original issue military, 2 piece stock that has been “Sporterized”.

Buttplate

This rifle still has the original military issue brass buttplate with trapdoor. There is no shock absorption features to this at all folks.

Sights

Even with bad eyesight these sights are easy to line up.

Magazines

This rifle was originally issued with a “Detachable 10 Shot Box Type Mag”

Sporterized versions of these magazines are available and range in quality from “Good to Bad”.

Optics

Not fitted for optics, it is drilled and tapped for a scope base though. I have no intention of mounting any optics on this rifle.

Accessories

Utility Pouch

Not really a utility pouch but it does make a simple ammo holder.

Sling

Any simple sling will do.

Bipod

This rifle is not designed or fitted for a bipod.

Flash Hider

Not available.

Light

This rifle is not designed for a light mount. It would not be legal under normal hunting circumstances either.

Optics

The rifle was drilled and tapped for an optics base but I have no intention of putting optics on this rifle.

Ammunition Handling

You have to carry your ammo some way?

What would I Change?

Keeping it simple was the main priority for this rifle, so, nothing.

Ammunition

Factory

Standard .303 British, Cal. ammo

Handloaded

Handloading is almost a necessity with this rifle, factory ammunition is just to expensive.

Shooting Results

Factory Ammunition

I have not tested this rifle with factory ammunition & at today’s prices I don’t think I will be.

Handloaded Ammunition

Subsonic Handloads

These will be the first loads tested in this rifle. The brass needs to be “Fire-Formed” to my rifle chamber so this will be done with low & mid power loads.

Mid-Power Handloads

Untested at this time.

High Velocity “Varmint” Handloads

This rifle, equipped with only iron sights is not ideal for this type of shooting so I will not be pursuing these types of loads.

Full Power Handloads

Untested at this time.

What’s Next?

Need to prep some range brass and load to mod power levels for “Fire Forming”. I plan on using .32 Cal. pistol bullets for this project.

Jump To “Main Page” For Details