[dotocomo]

Hi All,

Thanks for your feedback on my rifle selections last month and here is an update on how it all went. I ended up buying a second hand Stainless Ranch and Parker Hale (Enfield) .303 rifles.

First thing is that I enjoyed them plenty over my holiday and shot many rounds through to get them accurized and up to hunting. (The bad news was I didnt get to go hunting but that didnt matter)

Some concerns I did have with my Ruger Ranch is that my front sight is to high (and/or my back sight wont go up far enough) I am wondering if you have had these experience before, what it means is that i filed dwon my front sight but even so i am still shooting low, say 3-6 inches at 50 metres. What this means that as a useful hunting rifle it doesnt make the grade.

Here are my thoughts:

1. I buy the proper type Garand back sight for the Ranch rifle and then will have more control over my back site settings.

2. I buy a good scope and be done with the back sight all together! (the only reason why i didnt was because it was going to cost me $250 USD for the scope so ran out of cash but do intend to buy it for hunting purposes)


Lastly, there is no better feeling than letting off 5 rounds in quick succession not caring for what you hit. Whoa, what a noise this gun makes!

I have a photo attached of both my rifles and see the photo section if you want a look.

Boy does that Enfield .303 have some kick!

and is accurate i might add!

 

[dotocomo]

forgot to put the caliber of my Ruger Ranch as .223

 

[fastang50]

You can get a replacement rear sight, the william 'guide' sight or 'foolproof' sight are available from midwayusa.com. They will give you enough adjustment to get things on target. You may also consider ordering a replacement front sight while you're at it if you think you'd like something different. Eagle makes one with a HK style sight, Choate makes one with an M1 type sight. Good luck.

 

[djskit]

SCOPE IT DANNO -
That's why its a ranch rifle!

 

[gutpile]

also check out www.milletsights.com they have a nice garand style rear peep for the mini.

 

[cajungeo]

You can get a Leupold, Burris, Sightron, Nikon in the 2-7x32 to 3-9x40mm range scope between $179 to $199. These scopes are in the lower end of the top brands, but are far sharper, and rugged than the high end of the cheap scopes. I have 2 leupold's, and they are guaranteed forever. Check out Midsouth, Midway, and Natchez.

 

[Billc]

Possibly I missed it, but you did raise the rear sight all the way? There is a receiver (peep)sight that uses the ranch setup to mount--mounts on the scope sight base and may offer you some utility. Why not a used Leopold scope? About as near bullet proof as you can get and available used..... I have them on several rifles and get another when I need another scope.

You can reach out and "touch" with that .303. A good choice and a handsome rifle--not at all like a shovel

 

[gutpile]

i have a nice old no.4 enfield that i sporterized, farthest i have shot it is around 250 yards, at that range can bust bowling ball sized rocks very easily using the flip up peep set on the 200 yard setting. i would imagine that the canucks and british used them to very good effect against the germans and japanese back in 'the big one'. very accurate weapon.

 

[dotocomo]

Thinking at xmas, will get a Leopold Scope in grey metallic colour to go with the rifle. Will spend the $200 USD to make sure it is rugged and up to the task.

Thanks for your help.......

 

[dotocomo]

it is amazing the differance the .303 is to the .223, and i certainly wouldnt want to be sot by a .303, the .223 pales in comparison with power

i agree, those germans would have got a blasting in WW1 & WW2, quite scary the power they have, .303 is a great round, but would probably be to much recoil for an assault rifle,

the Chuck Hawks internet site writes a good article saying that the .243 (6mm) round would be good middle ground

if you havent already, check out this site as it is very good on all topics of rifles and ammunition

 

[MDWINK]

dotocomo, Is your .303 actually a Parker Hale, or is it an Enfield/Long Branch/Savage/Fazakerly/BSA #4, #5, or maybe #1mkIII? As a collector and competitor with the #4's and #5's, I always have a lot of fun at the range when people question my "old rifle", especially when the Long Branch #4 and the Fazakerlt #5 will shoot a 6" 10 shot group at a good pace at 100 yards, as long as I do my part! I really like the #5 (AKA "Jungle Carbine") as it is a light weight, high capicity boom stick that is very fast handling. There is a marked difference in the recoil with the shorter barrel, but nothing like a Russian M44 or a Styer-Manlicher M95 straight pull carbine. Also note thet the Afgan Rebels fighting the Soviets used #1mk3 rifles at 500+ yards very effectivly against their enemies. At any rate, you did well to get into a .303. These are great rifles that still have a lot of life in them.

 

[dotocomo]

I am not sure, as my rifle is back in New Zealand and i am working in Singapore. What I do know is that it is a Parker Hale and an Enfield at the same time. Interesting point and will check when i am back in NZ. What i can tell you is that the writing on the barrel is cut in half so is hard to read. (I am retty sure it is a Pakrer Hale (then again not sure!!!))

About those Jungle No.5's, I was very close to buying one that was in very good condition and was only $200 USD for the rifle. This is the type of rifle that you would not scope and use purely on iron sights. Am still thinking of getting one.....

You can check out my rifle picture in the Mini 14 gallery if you would like to look?!

 

[Bear 1769]

I had A NO.5 ya need to know them well to shoot them. 10 shots would give ya two good groups. No cure was ever found that I have heard of. A wandering zero.

 

[gutpile]

hey mdwink, you didnt ask me but i'll tell ya about my no.4, (love them enfields too!) at one time i had 3, an austalian lithgow, a bsa no.4 and a long branch no. 4, the lithgow was a 1941 and the bsa was from 1943, both had seen some rough service but were shooters, i sold them but kept the long branch, it is from 1950 and was in unissued condition when i got it. i put a synthetic stock on it and use it as my rainy day deer rifle, it is very accurate and shoots better than i can hold it, im not a bench rest shooter and dont claim to be, but this rifle will group 2 inches with the peeps with me holding it across my knee while leaning with my back against a fence post back of my barn. when we get serious about shooting down on the farm we roll a carhartt jacket up and use the jeep hood for a rest. i think the crack in my windshield was courtesy of my brothers ranch rifle.......