Bayonet and sling for a 1941 Lithgow SMLE

[bogart]

I bought a smellie bayonet last year from Jeremy Tinniswood.

£85.00

Good condition.

Nice you live near Bisley takes me hours to get there but am coming down with the club on 5th NOv.

[Dougan]

Welcome to the forum bogart - I've got a Lithgow too...it shoots very nicely

Not tried her yet but will do on the 5th Nov been assured she is a good one. Can I ask what sort of groupings you get?

I did some testing of PPU against 'neck sized' home loads, and got groups of 10" and 6" inches at 200 yrds - this was rested on a bag, but with open v sights, so could possibly be even better. The rifle is in very good condition, but the barrel isn't perfect...it has had use.

If yours is in good condition, but doesn't group well, get it checked by an armourer...just in case someone has had it apart, and not put it back together properly again...

Let us know how the first shoot goes...a few pictures in the 'Range Reports' section is always apreciated

[dromia]

With everything being in place and a reasonable barrel I would expect 4"-5" groups from a .303" with factory. Good components, experimentation and careful handloading should get you down to around the 2"-3" mark, all at 100 yrds

Cast boolits that fit the rifle, strict quality control, experimentation and careful handloading can get you the magic 1MOA group out to 300 yrds, getting that group out beyond 300 requires a bit more work and access to more specific alloys.

The main problem you will have in shooting meaningful groups with Enfields is the sights. With a good aperture or scope mounted and consistent bench technique you will be surprised at how much better your rifle will group for you.

ATI make a good no gunsmithing scope mount for the No1 if you want to really check your groups.

http://atigunstocks.com/p-27-enfield-sc ... -mk-3.aspx

The last one I got from the states a couple of years ago was around £40.

[Watcher]

The Australians used British made bayonets so it would be 'correct' to use one on yours. I have a 1941 Lithgow (C720**); nice gun.

[bogart]

Welcome to the forum bogart - I've got a Lithgow too...it shoots very nicely

Not tried her yet but will do on the 5th Nov been assured she is a good one. Can I ask what sort of groupings you get?

I did some testing of PPU against 'neck sized' home loads, and got groups of 10" and 6" inches at 200 yrds - this was rested on a bag, but with open v sights, so could possibly be even better. The rifle is in very good condition, but the barrel isn't perfect...it has had use.

If yours is in good condition, but doesn't group well, get it checked by an armourer...just in case someone has had it apart, and not put it back together properly again...

Let us know how the first shoot goes...a few pictures in the 'Range Reports' section is always apreciated

Must remember to take my camera :mrgreen:

[bogart]

With everything being in place and a reasonable barrel I would expect 4"-5" groups from a .303" with factory. Good components, experimentation and careful handloading should get you down to around the 2"-3" mark, all at 100 yrds

Cast boolits that fit the rifle, strict quality control, experimentation and careful handloading can get you the magic 1MOA group out to 300 yrds, getting that group out beyond 300 requires a bit more work and access to more specific alloys.

The main problem you will have in shooting meaningful groups with Enfields is the sights. With a good aperture or scope mounted and consistent bench technique you will be surprised at how much better your rifle will group for you.

ATI make a good no gunsmithing scope mount for the No1 if you want to really check your groups.

http://atigunstocks.com/p-27-enfield-sc ... -mk-3.aspx

The last one I got from the states a couple of years ago was around £40.

Interesting

[bogart]

The Australians used British made bayonets so it would be 'correct' to use one on yours. I have a 1941 Lithgow (C720**); nice gun.

Lithgow did make some of their own , also were made in a town called Orange now I'm unsure if these are one and
the same. I believe, after being informed by a knowlegeable Australian source, that a WWII Lithgow would almost
certainly have been fitted with an Australian manufactured bayonet. Not the end of the world if I don't get one but would be nice

[bogart]

Now another question is am I okay or would it be frowned upon on using a rifle at Bisley with a bayonet fitted?

[Watcher]

You need these people!!

http://www.leeenfieldrifleassociation.o ... wpage=home

[Watcher]

My son using my Lithgow on Short Siberia on Wednesday...