I am thinking of buying a surplus MKI Enfield from S.O.G--Southern Ohio Guns. They claim they are in good to very good condition and are goin for $89.00, ten dollars more for a hand-pick. I have heard that .303's are powerful and flat shooting--I want something with good range and knock-down power. Anyone familiar with the Enfield and the particulars of the .303 round? General comments?
The .303 is very comparable to a .308 in ballistics, and I've read some decent things about it. However, I've read it can be a bit of a challenge to handload in that it often suffers from shorter case life. If you're not going to be handloading, you'll probably average a couple more bucks a box for the ammo. The biggest problem though is that the places you're most likely to use the gun (out in the sticks) may not have a ready supply of the British ammo. I don't know....something to consider.
I can't find my ammo book to validate some stuff like I wanted, but here is my "top of the head" info. :... Indeed, the .303 is close in ballistics to the .308 (which is very good)...About 2600 to 2700 fps...but the .308 has the edge...The reason is the .303 has a rimmed case (like the .30/30) rather than the more modern "belted" case (at the bottom)...regardless, I say the "edge" for the .308 is not much, because of the case capacity on the .303. Also the .303's diameter is actually .311 not .303 or .308...(the .308 is really .308, same as .30/30, .30/06, .300 win.mag. etc.) You won't really know the differance, but it does make technically larger holes than "american" .30 calibers... You typically find bullet weight in grains of 174 or around that number in FMJ surplus rounds...Make sure, as you know, to use soft-points for hunting...A good thing with the .303 round is that it's easy to find cheap FMJ target rounds on the internet...Try finding cheap 7.65 Arg. rounds!...(reason why I sold my old mauser) The .303 is indeed powerful and somewhat flat-shooting, but because of the rimmed case, it cannot reliably reach out like a .270, .30-06, or .308 among more modern belted cartridges... Still, it can reach out better than a .30/30 which is considered to max effective range at 150 to 175 yards...The .303 should reach out reliably at 200 to 225 yards consistently...Of course it travels farther than this and you can make shots at greater distance, but bullet drop must be considered... the Enfield is considered by many to be a very fine field rifle...They are also battle proven. The famous Red Baron was shot as he flew across pastures chasing another plane...only to be killed by someone with a .303 rifle on the ground...
Hey ROXRAN, glad to know there is an arms expert here. I have some firearms questions if you do not mind. I am an amateur hunter and am thinking of purchasing two guns for hunting this season, a 12 gauge shotgun and a 7MM or 30-06. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these firearms? What should I be willing to pay for new or used models of these guns?
Thanks for the advice, I have already found Remmington "Core-locked" ammo in .303 loads. I have NEVER shot any big game with anything other that Core-Locked and it has never let me down. I like old military rifles anyway, and that .303 sounds like a good shooter. S.O.G. also has a large cahce of Gewehr 98 Mausers with Nazi proofs. They are letting them go right now for $179.00--excellent bores and good to very-good condition.
Glad to know you are interested in hunting Lil Pun!...Asking questions is the first step to being more responsible and proficient in your sport... A 12 gauge shotgun is a very good choice...Probably, the most vesatile long gun...In fact, I would recommend a 12 gauge "scattergun" before any other long gun... Home defense, and with the right loads, any game from birds and squirrels...to full size deer...No other long gun can say this...I wouldn't recommend a "Defender" type as your first shotgun. ...Get a real hunting shotgun...Look for features like an improved sighting rather than the front bead...and interchangeable chokes...remember chokes don't make the shot go farther, they keep the shot together longer for more effective range...Practice first with lighter bird loads (no. 9 loads) and work your way to heavier (no.4, no.2 no.0)...Recoil can be an issue with a 12 guage, UNLESS you work yourself up... 7mm vs. .30-06?...My choice would be the good ole .30-06. Oringinally a military round...I'm not sure if you are saying 7mm or 7mm magnum...but either way, I'd go with a .30-06...the .30-06 diameter is .308 rather than .284 for the 7mm...I always believe in bigger holes and this will result in quicker stops against game...Using softpoints, the primary wounding mechanism is the "mushrooming" of the bullet to incapacitate the game's vital organs and to do so quickly...The .30-06 is considered first in sales by all manufactures except Federal (who had it #2)...I recommend 150 or 165 grain bullets for deer...You also have the advantage of more choices with bullet weights with the .30-06...You can sometimes find 125 grain for varmint hunting, 180 for Elk, and 200 grain for dangerous bears... .30-06 is considered the highest level performer (power) that most hunters can comfortably shoot in a practice session...7mm magnum has slightly more range, but also more recoil to deal with... I am not a big fan of buying used firearms...I aways want to be the first with fine firearms...but don't discount the merits of finding good deals...I highly recommend the remington 710 in .30-06 as a new value choice,...(Of course, you can spend over a grand for a well made Browning) It has a bore-sighted scope already mounted and the price is hard to beat...($299)...I've shot it, and I think the quality is very good for the price...The Winchester model 70 is also a good value choice... On shotguns, I'd be more willing to get a used one, since it is harder to "mess one up"....Just make sure to inspect the barrel for signs of wear and make sure no rust marks (whatsoever) anywhere on the bolt carrier or any parts...A new one by Mossberg or Remington would be good choices...Prices should be about the same as the remington 710 I mentioned above...
Two things: 30-06 is the only thing I'd use if I were gun-hunting (I exclusively bowhunt and thus no longer own any conventional deer guns). I would go with the Mossberg shotgun, having experience with both it and the Remington when I was in the USMC. The Mossberg is more corrosion-resistant than the Remington. I also prefered the way the Mossberg felt versus the Remington, but remember, this is highly subjective. One my friends hates Glocks and love Sigs in pistols, I love Glocks and hate SW in everything except for revolvers. The 12 gauge is a very versatile weapon, but the kick for a newbie is kind of off-putting. Just remember, don't anticipate the recoil, allow it to surprise you.
