Nice review. Thorough, well organized, articulate. I'll be looking for other vids from you.

@314299

8 жыл бұрын

+Michael Bullington Thanks.

Once again my friend, thanks. Prvi is becoming a major player in supplying many of my milsurps with ammo. It is as reasonably priced as you will find and is great for reloading. And it seems they offer the best selection of ammo for collectors. Thanks again.

Appreciate the good footage & data. Nice set up.

@314299

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it, thanks for the feedback.

That action is CRAZY smooth. Enfields have always been known for that.

@314299

8 жыл бұрын

+LIVE2HUNT Yep, it's pretty slick.

Outstanding ammo!!I love it!!

Thanks for the great review. I debated with my friend and gunsmith about which ammo to get for my new #1 Mk iii and he said that the weakest part in Privi ammo normally is the powder, meaning they use cheap stuft. I largely made the same observation when shooting their .30-06 SP loads. The brass and bullets seem, as you said before, to be quite high quality, actually much better than S&B ammo. Its cases ruptured in my Heym quite often, i.e. 75-80% of them.

I chronographed some of this stuff a few years back as a prelude to shooting the first handloads I ever made, mostly to check that I was aligned through the screens. With the screens set about as far away as you've got them, I got velocities between 2300 and 2380fps. Rifle was a Lithgow SMLE with a pretty good-looking barrel. I only shot four rounds, so I'm not sure that says much, but it supports your contention that velocities seem a bit down on advertised spec.

Very informatief and entertaining, thank you

I always loved those aperture rear peep sights. I have one on a '03 Springfield. It's a tack driver.

@314299

8 жыл бұрын

+Richard Najjar The Parker Hale sight is certainly more precision adjustable than the original sights. The 1903 Springfield does have a reputation for accuracy.

Nicely done. The lighting issue is no red herring, especially for those of us hunting for sight pictures through progressive lenses. You have probably assisted AIM Surplus in liquidating their Privi .303 stock. I will acquire some in due course. Thanks!

The velocity of this stuff might have been improved on a bit, but its not really a major issue to me as it's not all that far off. I did this shooting on a rather cool day, just a bit above freezing and that would reduce the velocities a bit over room temperatures. I've had some bad experiences with S&B rifle ammo, but to be fair I've not used a lot of the stuff.

A very thorough ammo test, Well done. Do you use a center hold, or six o clock, on your target with open sights?

I'd like to do that. I'll keep my eyes open to see if any of the stores around here stock that.

Excellent review! You should compare these to the Remington UMC 174gr

I recently picked up a new to me #4 mk1 w/the mk1/2 FTR marking and can't wait to shoot and start reloading for that old warhorse.

@314299

2 жыл бұрын

Nice. Good luck with your new rifle.

Really sweet rifle, nice to see one that missed being hacked up! lol during the 90s in NZ it would seem the surplus rifle importers had a guy working full time sporterising Lee Enfields and selling them by the bushel... Was just thinking a great third video to your PPU ammo series would be to show the increased accuracy potential from using firing fire formed reloads in the militarily spec Lee Enfield chambers :-)

I know that when I shot it at extended range from a No.1 MkIII*, all I could do was set the military iron sights for the stated range and hope for the best. The bullets were hitting the targets within the scoring area at 300, 500 and 600 yards (the competition in question wasn't shot at 400). I cannot vouch for more than that.

What has been the tightest group you've been able to achieve with this rifle at 100 yards (with any ammunition)?

I would like to see if this stuff shoots to the sights of a standard No 4 rifle out further, say 300 or 500 yards. But a test like that might have to wait for a bit.

As the barrel gets HOT, the size of your group will always expand! I always keep to three shot groups when testing light or medium weight barrels. It you have a 26 or 28 inch HEAVY BARREL on a Sniper or Police Tactical Rifle, this effect isn't as noticeable. But, even then, if you space out your shots, and let the barrel have a chance to dissipate at least some of the heat, your groups will always be smaller and more consistent. (Just the result of my 60 years of experience on the rifle range!)

A old ww2 service rifle with iron sights and cheap ammo produced a 1 1/2 ins group not bad at all , good shooting

@314299

7 жыл бұрын

This particular Lee Enfield is not quite a "standard" service rifle, it is one built up for target shooting by Fultons of England. Most Lee Enfield rifles will only shoot three to four minute of angle. The idea was to give the ammo the best possible chance to show what it could do. Thanks for commenting.

@reddevilparatrooper

7 жыл бұрын

I got the same result shooting my Lee Enfield #1 Mk 111* 1942 Australian Lithgow with a 1916 style U notch battle sight.I am indeed very happy...

great review nice rifle

I think they did quite a bit of restructuring. I have among my shot shells some of the old style S&B shells (black with red clays and lines and stuff). However, they are besides Rottweil almost the only producer of decent 16ga shells, especially for trap-loads (at our trap-range, we may only use 24g-loads@2.4mm to "reduce noise-emissions effecting homes nearby").

Thanks for the test I need to get a few boxes.

Excellent review. I wish all the youtube reviewers were as methodical and articulate as yourself.

@314299

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback.

PPU FMJBT shoots great out of my Aussie No.1 MkIII. I have an end of War Savage #4 with a zinc buttplate that would need a larger diameter bullet so I just keep it in the rack.

That 174gr Prvi is my go to load for my Enfield. I have started to dabble a bit in hand loading the .303 cartridge after watching your video on the Lee Loader kit.

@314299

9 жыл бұрын

The problem with loading for 303 at the moment is the lack of .311" projectiles, I've not seen any for sale for awhile.

@MrHondaguy1

9 жыл бұрын

Yeah I hear that. I've been having a hard time finding projectiles myself. Finally ordered some online.

@314299

9 жыл бұрын

MrHondaguy1 I've heard that some Speer .311" bullets have come up for sale recently.

@MrHondaguy1

9 жыл бұрын

What I bought, I got from bullets.com. They have about 4 different offerings for .311 diameter.

Well done. Thank you. I have a No4 mkll and it is good to know pp works well as that ammo I can get

@314299

4 жыл бұрын

You are welcome. Hope it works as well for you as it did for me.

Hi from England. We use this same factory ammo as it is very good quality and readilly available at a good price, and I then I save the excellent brass for my home loading. The trick is consistency - mainly achieved by weighing each case and grouping them into "Caseguard" boxes of 50 off all at close to same weight. This gives the consistency as case volume is proportional to its weight. (I use "Lee" case trimming tools). Bullet weight variation does not sem matter so much. With a well set up and properly bedded L.E. No.4 rifle you should by its design be able to routinely obtain 11/2" groups at 100 yards or even better if you are an excellent rifle man/woman. The design was for 2 moa on the battlefield which is a 2" group at 100 yards.

@314299

3 жыл бұрын

My experience with common, used/worn, out of the crate Lee Enfield rifles is that about 4 MOA is a realistic expectation.

Not surprisingly .303 is one of the more common calibers of ammo sold in Canada, but most .303 ammo is 180 grain softpoint. I'm pretty sure there are two or three stores in town that sell Remington 303, but just that 180 grain load, not the 174. I'll ask around and perhaps they might bring some in.

I used a six o clock hold as it seems to be the most repeatable for me. My middle aged eyeballs are sometimes the limiting factor.

Its everywhere down here. It used to be that you had no choice but to reload for .303 and then all of a sudden the big chain stores started carrying a lot of it. No Prvi though :(

Great set of videos. Is that a parker hale 5c sight? I have a 5a on my SMLE sure does help my old tired eyes. There are a lot of old school target shooter cork bedding tips that could tighten up your groups. And if the purist don't mind an 11 degree target crown would help even more since you may be recrowning anyway.

@314299

6 жыл бұрын

Yes, the rifle is set up with a PH5C rear sight. Also the rifle is "Regulated by Fultons" of Bisley, England so I think all the trick bedding stuff was already done and so it is probably ringing as much accuracy out of the ammo as the rifle/shooter/ammo combination was capable of that day.

I'm pretty sure our local gun shop has a few boxes in stock.

We'll see what they get for it when it's back in stock, but they seem to be pretty fair.

I'm rather partial to the Privi Partizan ammunition. I have a 'stash' of .303 British ammunition; my chronograph results parallel yours very well. I just purchased a P17 rifle and I have a Ross rifle (the later one) which has been poorly sporterized. I haven't shot either one, but that activity is on my list. Good groups. Looks like you might have to come up a couple clicks of elevation, but rather pleasing all in all.. Good review. Well presente and well narrated.

@314299

3 жыл бұрын

I like PPU ammo as well, they make a lot of "surplus" type loads that no one else does, and most of their ammo is of good quality.

I used to shoot one of these in Army cadets in about 1971-1973. They used to kick like a mule and ours had brass recoil plates on them which really hurt. Then they introduced an upgrade or something with a rubber recoil pad. Now I shoot loads of modern shotguns for trap shooting and I find it strange that some people moan about the recoil on these shotguns! They are so soft compared to the old 303.

Those are excellent groups from a SMLE. especially with iron sights!

@314299

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

Thank you very much for running the test of the PPU ammunition. The groups are all to the left of the bullseye, could the rifle be moving. ? Or maybe the sights need adjustments ?

@314299

3 жыл бұрын

Different loads shoot to different points of impact, so yes the sights need to be adjusted to match the load. The point of the test was to see how big the groups were with this load, I was not terribly concerned where the rounds landed as I only had the one box to test.

In short - slower than regulation MkVII but probably going to hold velocity a bit better at extended ranges, and at 1.5MOA for those last five shots it's probably capable of shooting as well as any Lee-Enfield rifle you stuff it into, given that most of them probably aren't as nicely tuned as that lovely beastie you were shooting. Wish I could get some locally - will have to do some asking around.

sounds about right! mine averaged 2,400 fps from a 1942 no1 mkIII* Lithgow.

@314299

9 жыл бұрын

It was a cool day when I tested it. It might get another 50 fps on a warm day.

My no 4 mk 2 isnt as nice as yours but it does shoot the privy pretty well

Looks like AIM had a good price on it, it costs about $21 a box up here.

My No.4 Mk.1 shot slightly low and four inches left with PPU 174gr. But with the Remington UMC 174 and surplus British 174 Mk.VII I was putting shots right were I aimed. The UMC was actually grouping sub MOA at 100yds.

@314299

8 жыл бұрын

+Tyler McCommon Interesting. Just goes to show how you cant rely on how you should try things for yourself to see how your individual rifle behaves with a particular loading.

@flyinglunchbox6169

8 жыл бұрын

Oddly the most precise round I fired was PPU 150gr SP which made a 3 shot group with each round touching. But the shots were hitting 6inches low at 100 yds.

@314299

8 жыл бұрын

+Tyler McCommon Barrel harmonics and bedding can make strange things happen.

@flyinglunchbox6169

8 жыл бұрын

Odd question have you ever encountered a Royal Navy Marked Lee Enfield No.4 Mk.1?

@314299

8 жыл бұрын

+Tyler McCommon No, I cant say that I have.

Temperature is definitely an issue with respect to bullet-velocety, especially when it comes near or drops below 0°C. But still, you already said it several times here and in your videos, at this price, the ammo is a really good deal. Concerning S&B: They make some really good shot-shells for hunting and trap but the rifle-ammo I won't buy anymore.

That’s a very good grouping.

@314299

3 жыл бұрын

Not bad for a guy with middle aged eyes.

I have 2 MK 2 (F)'s One is a 1949 model and the other 1951. They are both tac drivers with 174gr bullets. With 150 grainers not so much, but still groups under 2 inches. I like the Hornady 150gr Interlock bullets. They are .312 and give best accuracy of the 150's. Btw I still have lots of cordite loaded milsurp ammo. I pull the bullets and reload, because apparently the primers are highly corrosive.

@314299

4 жыл бұрын

I've also had less accuracy overall with 150 grain bullets when compared to most 170-180 grain projectiles. As for cordite loaded 303 it does indeed have corrosive primers, however you can certainly shoot the stuff providing you clean the bore and chamber properly after use.

Do you have lower front stock 'pressure' on the barrel? I oiled the wood and placed shims under receiver which helped. Just wondered how important it is.

@314299

6 жыл бұрын

There are a lot of different approaches to bedding the fore-end on a No.4, and I really don't know what approach was used on this rifle as I have never taken the wood off. I can only assume it was whatever approach was deemed "best" by Fultons of Bisley who set this rifle up for target shooting.

Yes, It's sad to think of all the decent rifles which were hacked up, but it's still going on with people butchering Mosin Nagants and SKS rifles. Whatever is cheap and plentiful will meet hands of the basement gun plumber. That's a good idea for a video, I have something similar in mind regarding military chambers and loading for them.

thats what i call a fine looking rifle !

@314299

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, it's certainly in nice shape.

good video. just curious as to why you did not adjust your sights to raise POI to the center of the target? Just one of my pet peeves. The point of target shooting is to hit the center of the target, right?

@314299

10 жыл бұрын

I'm not "target shooting" for score in the video, I'm test shooting ammo for group size. I dont care where the group is, as long as it's somewhere on the target. If I were shooting for score, or at a game animal then point of impact is of utmost importance.

Those FPS specks from the factory are likely correct ... the problem with Enfields Rifles for hand-loaders is their notoriously large chambers. Factory new brass will often lose 100+ fps expanding that case to fit the chamber.

@314299

8 жыл бұрын

+Bravo21 This rifle has quite a tight chamber by Lee Enfield standards, having been selected for fitting up as a service/target rifle. Indeed some energy is lost expanding the brass, but there are a lot of other variables at work as well, I think the biggest one in this case is temperature. Test facilities at ballistic facilities are most likely a lot warmer than my test conditions were. My own experience in chronographing ammo shows significant velocity changes when you test in summer and then compare the same ammo in fall/winter.

@AirborneMOC031

9 ай бұрын

The chambers aren't "notoriously large"; they are pretty much in the spec the Brits requested. The problem is the notoriously large American made reloading dies that they designed for American made .303 British chambered American rifles that came after the Lee Enfield i.e. the Winchester 1895. The fact there are about a hundred military surplus rifles in the country for every one American built rifle chambered in .303 British doesn't seem to concern the manufacturers much.

@garyh1449

11 күн бұрын

@@AirborneMOC031 Savage 99 was never chambered in 303 British, however the Winchester 1895 was.

@AirborneMOC031

6 күн бұрын

@@garyh1449 You are correct; my error. Thank you.

Thanks.

Ya i got lucky to have a nice bore. It was well taking care of except for sportin it.

Good stuff in spite of some what erratic velocities.

@314299

9 жыл бұрын

Velocity variation does not seem to be terribly important unless shooting at long range.

@yahatinda

9 жыл бұрын

Thats one dandy rifle. Do you know what the B.C. is on those bullets? Lol, around here EVERYTHING is long range. [Western Canada]. The new range near Milo AB. is a duzy ,best in this country.

@314299

9 жыл бұрын

Ray Hansen I've not been able to find a BC for these bullets, at least on the factory website. I expectr they are about 0.470 or so, based on the similar Hornady product. As for long range i dont think many folks are shooting .303's at really long range, but if they are they are probably more expert than I am. How long is the range in Milo? Our local range is 600 yards.

PPU ammunition is good quality for its money.I've shot this stuff at 800mtrs with good accuracy.

2.250 spread is standard infantry rifle at ww2 time sniper quality rifle was 1 to 2 inch spread with 174 grain fmj bullet

@314299

4 жыл бұрын

Back when the rifles were new out of the factory the accuracy was better, but don't expect that sort of performance out of most of the very used Lee Enfield rifles out there.

Prvi brass makes for amazingly good reloads with either the Matchking, or Hornady Match bullets and 4064. I'd rather use this brass than IVI (new production military)

@314299

7 жыл бұрын

In do not have any personal experience with new IVI military .303 brass, but I heard that it was pretty consistent compared to older IVI .303 brass.

@IanDinBC

7 жыл бұрын

It is consistent, but it reminds me of commercial Winchester brass.

@314299

7 жыл бұрын

Should be decent then.

What size groups do you normally get? I've thought about getting a Lee Enfield for fun and hunting. Thanks

@314299

4 жыл бұрын

Most regular Lee Enfield rifles shoot about 4 MOA.

@brianlee6849

4 жыл бұрын

@@314299 Thanks

I'm guessing that yours has a pretty good bore?

@johnshepherd7958

3 жыл бұрын

His rifle without doubt is a very good one. Obviously it is well set up and properly bedded and accurised, as he is achieving better than 2 moa accuracy with modern factory ammo. I have to use my own home loads to achieve the same.

Rather low velocity for what you got compared to mine... I shot the same load, 174 fmjbt... I got an average of 2517 fps and Stand Dev of 24, 10 feet from muzzle... 10 shots... Rather high velocity for 303 Brit... Im using a no4 mk2 with an excellent bore... Rifle has very little use, possibly no military use in it's entire life... It does have British acceptance marks and various other markings... I also tested Royal Lab 1939 (reliable ammo for its age, not click bang stuff for me.) the same day to make sure there was no high reading errors of some sort with my chronograph... With the Royal Lab 1939 I got 2431 fps average and stand Devi of 37. 10 feet from muzzle... I guess I will retest my ppu 174 fmjbt 303 British ammo. Thanks for posting... I thought I'd share that with you, if you care to know. Hopefully I didn't confuse you, I'm typing with my phone. Thank you.

@314299

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info, very interesting.

Where did you get the rear site? how did you mount it. I also have a Enfield (1943) pleaase let me know. Good Video.

@314299

10 жыл бұрын

This sight was on the rifle when I purchased it. They are no longer manufactured but used ones appear on auction sites from time to time. There is no special mount required, the sight attaches to the existing rear sight holes and the existing ejector screw hole. The original style sight can be put back on the rifle to return it to the original configuration.

@Mr2wings

10 жыл бұрын

thanks!

@johnshepherd7958

3 жыл бұрын

The excellent Parker Hale No. 5C target sight has windage adjustment which the ladder battle sight does not have, but requires a slightly longer ejector screw to the standard one. It is about 3/32" longer. Note - the 5C sight does not fit the the Lee Enfield SMLE No.1 rifle. It is made specifically for the No. 4 rifle - Mk1, Mk 1 star, Mk 2, Mk 1/2, and Mk 3 (plus the No. 4T sniper rifle variant which has its own scope instead).

Question? Is your no4 a two grove barrel?

@314299

6 жыл бұрын

No, it is a five groove barrel.

@redfoot69

4 жыл бұрын

@@314299 5 groove is 1 few rifles that would be sent over for sniper conversation if found to be promising long branch made some of the best and bsa also

How did you mount that rear aperture sight to the gun?

@314299

8 жыл бұрын

+Timothy Hartwell The PH5C sight mounts using the existing holes for the original rear sight axis pin as well as a special long ejector screw. No extra holes are required and the rifle may be put back to the original condition if required.

Thanks for the reply. If you are shooting NRA matches then I would think the target crown is prohibited. I also have a No Thanks for the reply. I also have a No4 Long Branch set up as a trade pattern sniper. I did an 11 degree crown and some cork bedding, it will shoot under 1.75 MOA at 100 yards with POF surplus ammo and 1.25 with DOC.

anybody noticed a 303 has a distinct sound of its own??

@314299

8 жыл бұрын

+clarence trotter The action sound or the should of the shot?

@11xr1east

8 жыл бұрын

314299 Shooting Channel the shot, sound of that bullet when it's discharged.

@11xr1east

8 жыл бұрын

314299 Shooting Channel i own this exact model. I took it to the range when i first bought it and had fun shooting it.

@314299

8 жыл бұрын

+clarence trotter I cant say I think the sound of a .303 being fired is particularly distinctive, sounds pretty much like most other full size rifles (.308, 30/06, etc) to me.

@hitoshisawa8479

8 жыл бұрын

+314299 Shooting Channel and 7.7mm

After ya set the bullets did you use a factory crimp die?

@314299

10 жыл бұрын

Yes, used the factory crimp die to approximate the original crimp.

@aracp1892

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Just bought forty rounds of this bullet for the first time. Any Experience or knowledge on number of reloads when neck sizing only? Thanks again

@314299

10 жыл бұрын

aracp You should have no problem getting 20 reloads out of a case (probably more) if you use a Lee Collet neck sizing die or other purpose made neck sizing die, far fewer if you try to partially size with a standard full length die.

@aracp1892

10 жыл бұрын

Outstanding. I have the 3 piece pacesetter die set from Lee. It has the neck sizing collet die along with the full length sizing die. Guess I will need a factory Crimp Die too huh? Also I would like to see a "partial resize" with a die like my full length sizer. Don't quite get that operation. 1/2 stroke or what?? Thanks again.

My groups are the same so OT not me lol kool tux 4 ur 🎥 big help

@314299

2 жыл бұрын

Good to know.

what kinda gun where you useing

@314299

8 жыл бұрын

Lee Enfield #4 Mk2 with Parker Hale sights.

For sure. That gun was designed around that that round and that round only will function in one. From what I can gather even spitzer nullets will not feed properly in a Mannlicher. Sure would like to have one.

Sub-2" with iron sight is excellet one any day.

@314299

8 жыл бұрын

+Deador Especially with middle aged eyeballs!

303 rifles were originally developed to only shoot a tight group of 2" as British army tactics prefered volley fire to individual fire originally

@314299

9 жыл бұрын

if you are interested in the original accuracy standards for Lee Enfield rifles check out this video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/iKBhy7GNiJXFh7g.html

@AirborneMOC031

9 ай бұрын

Wong on both accounts. First hint should be that the volley sights on the earlier pattern Lee Enfields disappeared early in the war and were never brought back. There are British pams covering this from the 1920's that cover this that can be downloaded as .pdfs from the net.

Anyone ever use 180gr ppu?

@314299

Жыл бұрын

I don't recall ever having tried the 180 grain PPU 303 load, but hopefully one of the viewers has some experience with it and can give an opinion,

@notmkr-busta2937

Жыл бұрын

@@314299 that would be great! Just got a free sporter no4, am 15 so first deer gun

The Long Branch .303

@314299

2 жыл бұрын

.

@gradyhernandez4699

2 жыл бұрын

@@314299 I scored three boxes of Hornady 303 British in a trade

That commercial load is very conservative. I'm sure if you reload and get these 100 fps the cartridges are asking for, the groups will get tighter

@314299

2 жыл бұрын

Yes this stuff is about a hundred feet a second slower than military Mk 7 ammo that I tested here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Y46ij7Wte9azfps.html As for if the accuracy would get better or not is debatable. It might get better or it might get worse. As I have no PPU 174 grain bullets to test that question will have to go unanswered by me in this rifle.

@AirborneMOC031

7 ай бұрын

More velocity doesn't mean a thing unless it gets you to a node.

Ilike rhe long branch 303

@314299

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks.