Saw an Enfield .303 for sale - The Firearms Forum

RunningOnMT · 06-05-2009, 04:26 PM

On a quick trip to my local gun shop I stopped by the used firearms rack and spied an Enfield .303 for $249.00. I didn't get any model or serial numbers on it. This thing was in beautiful condition. While i know it wasn't new the stock looked brand new. Assuming someone refinished it they did a beautiful job. Bluing is 100%. I didn't take time to check out the bore. What do you all think...is it a buy? How scarce is .303 ammo these days?

bcj1755 · 06-05-2009, 05:37 PM

.303 is very scarce around here. That's why I traded my last Enfield for a K98k (and even then I ended up having to sell the K98k

) $249 is what i paid for my last SMLE No4 Mk1 and it was pretty good shape. The stock had a couple small rough spots and the metal was missing some blueing but the bore was very nice. If it's in as good shape as you say and you can find a supply of .303 (or can reload it) I'd go for it. But then, the K98k and SMLE are my two all time favorite bolt action rifles

pawn · 06-05-2009, 06:25 PM

i think the mil-surp 303 brit may be drying up. it is still being produced by many manufacturers, for example:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/b...spx?c=96&s=917

pinecone70 · 06-05-2009, 06:58 PM

The only .303s I can get locally are hunting rounds, and they have been priced at $17.99/box of 20. Ouch! I wouldn't get rid of my .303 though, for any price. I think $249 is a decent price, they aren't easy to find and one of my buddies is still looking after more than a year.

islenos · 06-05-2009, 07:36 PM

I reload for mine, you can get brass just about anywhere.

BobMcG · 06-06-2009, 05:29 PM

The price is very good for one in really good condition even if restored a bit. I've seen quite a few beaters at gun shows of late with $250 on them. I've also seen bulk surplus ammo for them too, but as mentioned, handloading could solve the ammo issue.

Maximilian II · 06-11-2009, 05:26 PM

I got one in the '90's for $65. It was heavily used, but still in the grease from storage. I still shoot it occasionally.
The safety is broken on mine, it won't stay locked and just flies around. I leave the striker down and just cock it when I'm ready to shoot.
It's a fun old gun to shoot, and ammo here is still accessible.

ponycar17 · 06-11-2009, 07:43 PM

A buddy had one of those in high school. He put a synthetic stock, scope, and bi-pod on it. It was a very fun gun to shoot with the old surplus ammo. We basically wasted ammo because it was so cheap to shoot. It seems the cheap ammo aspect may have changed...

06-05-2009, 04:26 PM	#1
RunningOnMT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Contributor Posts: 4,720	Saw an Enfield .303 for sale On a quick trip to my local gun shop I stopped by the used firearms rack and spied an Enfield .303 for $249.00. I didn't get any model or serial numbers on it. This thing was in beautiful condition. While i know it wasn't new the stock looked brand new. Assuming someone refinished it they did a beautiful job. Bluing is 100%. I didn't take time to check out the bore. What do you all think...is it a buy? How scarce is .303 ammo these days? -->

06-05-2009, 05:37 PM	#2
bcj1755 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: A wretched hive of scum and villiany Posts: 4,357	Re: Saw an Enfield .303 for sale .303 is very scarce around here. That's why I traded my last Enfield for a K98k (and even then I ended up having to sell the K98k) $249 is what i paid for my last SMLE No4 Mk1 and it was pretty good shape. The stock had a couple small rough spots and the metal was missing some blueing but the bore was very nice. If it's in as good shape as you say and you can find a supply of .303 (or can reload it) I'd go for it. But then, the K98k and SMLE are my two all time favorite bolt action rifles __________________ History is much like an endless waltz. The three beats of war, peace, and revolution continue on forever. Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges - Cicero If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen. - Samuel Adams

06-05-2009, 06:25 PM	#3
pawn Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Crossville, TN Posts: 1,469	Re: Saw an Enfield .303 for sale i think the mil-surp 303 brit may be drying up. it is still being produced by many manufacturers, for example: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/b...spx?c=96&s=917 __________________ Take care when you get information. The truth is generally seen, rarely heard. -Balthasar Gracian

06-05-2009, 06:58 PM	#4
pinecone70 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Gal! Posts: 4,730	Re: Saw an Enfield .303 for sale The only .303s I can get locally are hunting rounds, and they have been priced at $17.99/box of 20. Ouch! I wouldn't get rid of my .303 though, for any price. I think $249 is a decent price, they aren't easy to find and one of my buddies is still looking after more than a year. __________________ _____________________________________________ "Miss Scarlet, in the library...with a revolver...."

06-05-2009, 07:36 PM	#5
islenos Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,244	Re: Saw an Enfield .303 for sale I reload for mine, you can get brass just about anywhere. __________________

06-06-2009, 05:29 PM	#6
BobMcG Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Somewhere in the Twilight Zone. Contributor Posts: 1,119	Re: Saw an Enfield .303 for sale The price is very good for one in really good condition even if restored a bit. I've seen quite a few beaters at gun shows of late with $250 on them. I've also seen bulk surplus ammo for them too, but as mentioned, handloading could solve the ammo issue.

06-11-2009, 05:26 PM	#7
Maximilian II Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northwest GA Posts: 1,381	Re: Saw an Enfield .303 for sale I got one in the '90's for $65. It was heavily used, but still in the grease from storage. I still shoot it occasionally. The safety is broken on mine, it won't stay locked and just flies around. I leave the striker down and just cock it when I'm ready to shoot. It's a fun old gun to shoot, and ammo here is still accessible. __________________ Karma is just justice, without the satisfaction. And I don't believe in justice. -Joe Sarno, bagman.

06-11-2009, 07:43 PM	#8
ponycar17 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: South Carolina Contributor Posts: 4,884	Re: Saw an Enfield .303 for sale A buddy had one of those in high school. He put a synthetic stock, scope, and bi-pod on it. It was a very fun gun to shoot with the old surplus ammo. We basically wasted ammo because it was so cheap to shoot. It seems the cheap ammo aspect may have changed... __________________ Arm yourself with intellectual Ammunition! Gunfacts 5.1 Myth-Busting Facts JustFacts.com on Gun Control Stopping Power, the Downloadable Book