Norse.
My father purchased a #3 back in the early 60's from a sporting goods store that was in a mall, of all places. Even more unique was that this particlular mall was one of the first of its kind in this area. So it was as much an attraction as a shopping location. It was called Harundale Mall and was about 10 miles south of Baltimore. It has been torn down and converted into a shopping plaza in the past five years or so. Anyway ...
He removed the top wood, cut down the stock and had a local gunsmith install Williams sights. That is the only deer gun he has ever owned. He doesn't hunt as often anymore, but when he does, he uses that same Brit.
he taught me to reload on .303 ammo. I now have those dies and have used them ever since.
Around 1980 he gave me a barreled action from a #4 that was missing some parts. He obtained the action sometime in the 1960's, but doesn't remember from where. It had the stripper bridge and rear sight mount milled off and whoever did it did a very nice job. At the time I worked part-time at a local gun shop and started buying parts to build it into a nice sporter. I was fortunate to pick up a Fagen semi-inletted Walnut stock and Weaver one piece scope base and tip-off rings. After obtaining the parts, I lost interest and put everything away.
About four years ago I "re-located" the action and parts and completed the project over a winter. The stock came out very nice. I had the barrel crowned, but otherwise left it its original length. I had to fabricate a side mounted bracket that would accomodate the Weaver mount and had a gunsmith drill and tap them. I have a cheapo Wal Mart Tasco 3X9X40 mounted. For sentimental reason I don't shoot it often, but its holding 1-2" three shot groups at 100 yds with PMP 174 gr soft points.
I have silently considered having a Handi re-chambered to .303. There really is not reason, given that the .308 and .30-06 are offered, but it would be neat.
Since completeing the Brit, I located a sporterized #4 that still had the battle sights. I was able to restore that one and I located one that was complete in battle dress, but had a split butt stock with the end of the barrel bent. I picked it up for a song and had the barrel shorted to 22 inches and restocked it with a spare buttstock and a sporterized forend. I mounted another Weaver base and put another cheapo Tasco on it. I had it out today, coincidently, and it is still shooting a 3" 3 shot group at 200 yds. Again, with PMP ammo.
I do hunt with mine and think they are among the best bolt actions I have ever shot/owned. They are simple to work on. Parts are available everywhere and ammo is still made by Rem and Win, among the off-brands. It is easy to reload for and, in may experiance, will shoot well with just about any IMR powder/bullet combination.
Long live the British Enfield!
Whew! Talk about long winded. Sorry.
EVOC ONE
