Enfield

glockrod · 07-11-2012, 14:18

I stopped into a gun shop today and saw a big, heavy, old hunk of metal and steel that perked my interest, but I have absolutely no idea about it.

It was simply listed as an Enfield in .308. I thought they were only .303 British, but I guess it could have been converted even though it looked very original.

I have no idea which model Enfield. I know that it is a bolt action with LOTS of levers and do-dads on it. It had a stripper clip loader over what appeared to be a detachable magaazine(capacity?-10 maybe). It was wood all the way from the metal butt cap to the front sights and completely surrounding the barrel.

It was in average condition, not super but not awful. It appeared to be shootable. Safely...well I dont know?

What is it, and what could it be worth?

Rod

45caldan · 07-11-2012, 14:32

You found an Ishapore from India.
They were made to be NATO compatable in .308 (7.62).
They are not worth a lot of $$$. Maybe 250 or so for a good condition example.

Berto · 07-11-2012, 14:38

The Ishapore 2A and 2A1 Enfields are the guns produced from the Royal Factory Ishapore, India. They were made from higher strength steels and served as a stopgap until the FN FAL could be issued. Used the NATO round.
I have one, chopped down and sold as a 'Tanker' by the importer. I pulled the front end furniture and scoped it, it shoots pretty well.

glockrod · 07-11-2012, 15:07

Makes sense as I forgot to mention that the price was only about $225-250.

Was the mag detachable and how many rounds?

What the heck are all those levers on the left side of the reciever and why does the piece stick out the back of the bolt so far?

Is it a reasonable weapon?

It would be good to have a backup to the HK91. Plus, I could use the gun itself as a weapon if the zombies come for my brains!!!

Rod

427 · 07-11-2012, 16:15

The magazine is a 12 rounder. It is detachable, but enfields are meant to be loaded via stripper clips.

The only lever on the left side is a safety.

The piece on the back of the bolt is the cocking piece.

They are accurate shooters.

IMO, The price you gave is a little high for the condition you gave, but you can always haggle.

Batesmotel · 07-11-2012, 16:41

Mag is detachable but meant to be detached and replaced if damaged. They load from the top.

Nice gun but if you get the enfield bug get a .303 with the 3 piece stock.

Look up Rule 303.

countrygun · 07-11-2012, 17:20

I like them a lot. Here is what I did with one of the "Tankerized" #4s in .303.

It feeds from stripper clips, singly, or by swapping mags. I added a vernier rear sight to replace the 2 position flipper, and added a "sniper" sling swivel on the foreward action screw, cut the excess wood off the fore end and made an Iron sighted "Scout rifle"

JDSTG58 · 07-11-2012, 18:06

.........

The_Gun_Guru · 07-11-2012, 21:20

The Enfield is definitely an interesting gun. I have two - a Savage marked "U.S. Property" and a Long Brance (Canadian).

Mine are both .303 British.

TGG

ETA.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by countrygun

I like them a lot. Here is what I did with one of the "Tankerized" #4s in .303.

It feeds from stripper clips, singly, or by swapping mags. I added a vernier rear sight to replace the 2 position flipper, and added a "sniper" sling swivel on the foreward action screw, cut the excess wood off the fore end and made an Iron sighted "Scout rifle"

THAT looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

glockrod · 07-12-2012, 07:57

I reload. Could I just make up a lighter load, or is the headspacing, etc. going to be an issue no matter what.

Of course, I would probably just buy Nato ammo since I will not likely use this as a hunting rifle. That is what I have the Browning A-Bolt .30-06 for. Would the Steel case Wolf .308 work since I have not idea if it is loaded to Nato specs or not?

Rod

Berto · 07-12-2012, 13:59

NATO spec works fine, never tried steel cased...I don't see a problem there either though.
I've used commercial .308 too, with no issues. The only thing I might avoid would be 'light magnum' stuff in .308 as they may actually be substancially higher in pressure vs the usual varieties of NATO and .308 win commercial stuff.

fnfalman · 07-12-2012, 14:08

Oh, I thought you guys were talking about this Enfield.

The_Gun_Guru · 07-12-2012, 15:07

I had to take some pics too! The Savage is on top....Long Branch is on the bottom:

YES! They need to be cleaned up

TGG

raven11 · 07-12-2012, 16:32

I always had a soft spot for a MKIII

jdavionic · 07-12-2012, 16:42

I reload as well. Mine is a .303brit. I really struggled to get the right load. Turns out the issue for me was actually bullet selection. I kept having accuracy issues and was getting 'hotter' rounds than I should have. However I finally solved the mystery by slugging my barrel. Just tossing that out there in case you encounter something similar. Perhaps it will save you the time that I put into it all.

countrygun · 07-12-2012, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdavionic

I reload as well. Mine is a .303brit. I really struggled to get the right load. Turns out the issue for me was actually bullet selection. I kept having accuracy issues and was getting 'hotter' rounds than I should have. However I finally solved the mystery by slugging my barrel. Just tossing that out there in case you encounter something similar. Perhaps it will save you the time that I put into it all.

Bullet weight can be critical as well. The "American" loads are based on a 150 to 180 gn load to get velocity. The British used a 215, or so, and the rifles, generally do better with the heavier bullets due to rifling twist. Unfortunately the only 215s i was able to find are Woodleighs, and they are spendy.

Berto · 07-12-2012, 20:28

Go to Stephen Redgewell's site 303british.com for anything you want to know about Enfields, or reloading .303 Brit (or Epps).
The guy is a goldmine of info.

Coastal · 07-14-2012, 00:31

There have been some genuine (i.e. non-Ishapore) Lee Enfields re-chambered for 7.62mm--in Canada they used to be fairly common for Target Rifle competition. But--if you do pick up the rifle be sure to get the headspace checked, and don't use hot ammunition. The rear-locking Lee Enfield action is built more for speed than strength--I was on the firing line a few years ago when a fellow shooter blew up his .308 Lee Enfield rifle...while he was unhurt, the rifle's extractor was embedded in the Range Officer's shoulder, requiring a hospital visit. If it were me I would pass and wait for a .303 to show up....and if not, stick with 7.62mm NATO rounds and forego .308 commercial altogether.