Aim Surplus Enf-2A Enfield 2A .308 NATO/7.62x51 Rifles

[jack19512]

Anyone have any experience with these rifles?  I don't have a .308 rifle yet, would this be a good candidate?

[Mikey]

If you are looking for a mil-spec shooter in 7.62x51 Nato these may be fun rifles.  I do not know how well they hold up to the higher pressure 308 Winchester hunting rounds or whether they shoot them well enough to hunt with but maybe some of the other folks who have them can help ya out some more.  Mikey.

[Buford]

I picked one up after reading the write up in http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/762ishy/index.asp  (I hope it is OK to post a link here) - mine came through with a near new bore and a black painted stock.  It is not too pretty, but they seem to shoot well. I found another link about them that might give you even more information: http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/ishy/index.asp

[jack19512]

Thanks for the info.  Looks like I am going to have to read up some more on the difference between the NATO ammo and the 308 winchester ammo.

I do reload so maybe that would help some but one of the articles stated the NATO brass and the 308 Winchester brass is not the same.  Looks like I have some research to do.  Thanks

[jh45gun]

Jack not trying to discourage you if you get one I hope you get a good one. I ordered one several years ago and the bore looked mint as did the crown, yet the best I could do with it was 3 to 4 inch groups at 50 yards.    I even scoped it with a no gunsmithing mount they sold for them which by the way was junk and even with the scope mounted the groups stayed about the same. Ammo used was standard 308 factory hunting ammo and the English NATO Millsurp stuff which is match grade ammo and great shooting ammo. I was very disapointed in it and the groups it shot considering I know how a good 308 gun will shoot as that is why I bought my Encore pistol in 308 it is a good round and inherently accurate. For what it was worth the nato and the 308 both shot fine in the gun as far as function goes I do not think you have to worry about shooting 308 in them if you get one. I had the gunsmith inspect the crown and the bore and he said they were ok so I really do not know why it did not shoot well unless the bore was oversize I do not know I never slugged it as if it could not shoot standard ammo ok I did not want it.

[Swampman]

I've done quite a bit of research on these guns and I feel that factroy ammo will eventually set the bolt back.  I don't think the action is really strong enough for the chambering.  This is just my opinion based on what I have read.  I might be wrong.

[Stan in SC]

I have shot three commercial .308 in mine and my experience was hard bolt lift so I figured that it would,as swampman said,eventually set the lugs back.I now only shoot milsurp 7.62X51NATO.Others have said they fired .308 all the time.
Your rifle,your choice.

Stan

[win308]

I think the steel is OK for the load, but the guns are SLOW !!  I have a Longbranch .303 #4 that is slick and fast.  The bolt flys back and forth and the bolt operates with ease.  The couple of Indian .308 Enfields I have owned have "sticky" steel that makes the bolt opening and closing a chore. You literally have to fight the bolt open and closed.  Sometimes they eject the empty, sometimes they don't.  Overall, not a fun gun in my opinion.

If you just want a cheap .308 bolt gun, go ahead, but I gave up and sold mine.  Just not a slick bolt action at all.