Thread: My mate has bought a Service Rifle, bugger!

He bought a nice cond 303B "as issued" for casual club comps. And the buggers don't want to know you if you only have a sporterized job, especially, for some reason, if it has a sensible optic on top. So I'm doing my research to acquire something that I can compete favorably with (I.e. beat him regularly @Mikej ). Naturally that rules out the Enfield 303.

So this post is not a WTB. Not that I'm averse to buying off the forum as I have a high regard for that from prior experience. What I'm really interested in is folks views on rifles to go for and respective traps and tricks. So here's my current thinking.

First I have too many old Enfields now in hunting configs to buy another. But given I have plenty of components, should I consider a good P14, if i can find one? My first criteria understanding assurances re accuracy will be difficult to get, will be a really bright clean bore with excellent rifling. The sights will be of the next importance. I don't shoot much with iron these days. At a mimimum I need to be able to see the front blade lol. But preferably a decent aperture sight and hopefully windage adjustment.. although, once I sort a load and make any necessary physical windage adjustments with a hammer nothing further will be required. After that the wood needs to be sound but does not have to be pretty - I am after a good shooter, not necessarily a top collector grade. That out of the way I'm now focused on calibre and make.

Top of my list is 6.5x55 Swede. I have a nice CZ 550 in this and all the bits and combustibles to go with it. A lovely agreeable calibre to shoot. A Carl Gustafson seems to be the ducks nuts for quality, and pricey for a top one. But there are others that would meet my basic criteria. Thoughts?

Second, would be 7x57mm calibre wise but I don't know much about "as issued" military versions or values or is what to look out for. I have one in an Interarms Mark X that is a delight to take walkabout and got me a nice fallow earlier in the year plus has stocked our freezer with goat. I like the calibre to shoot.

I've kind of ruled out the 6.5mm Carcano as an oddball projectile wise and for some reason despite its perfidous use in Dallas, I have doubts about inherent accuracy. I do have dies and brass but the family-promised sporterised rifle has yet to appear and its been a couple of years so not looking that likely. They are price friendly but there are good reasons for that I guess. Will probably get out of this calibre all together next 12 months if said rifle does not materialize.

I have no experience, components or gear for other calibres like the 8mm varieties that appear from time to time, ditto for Mosin Nagant and Arisaka.

So there ya go team. Have at it and let's hear your thoughts and advice. Oh, pricewise I don't have particular restraints but I won't be going silly spending thousands. Gotta protect my hard-earned rep as a tight arse....