When I was a kid in the 60's Lee Enfields could be bought for almost nothing in Canada. My dad had 3 or 4 of them, some sporterized, some not. Where I'm from, folks used these guns on everything up to and including moose. I live in America now, and I'm honestly surprised that anyone here knows anything about these guns. Well done, sir.
And thank you Mr F. I really do appreciate your comment there because that's how I want all of my videos to feel, and it's nice to know they do have that feel. And on a side note, that's what they feel like for me when I make them. I used to love just talking guns with family and friends and most of the people that I loved talking about all of this with are no longer here. And honestly I just really missed those conversations. So I thought it would be nice to have those same types of conversations here.
Only found your channel recently and I'm really enjoying it. Being from a Commonwealth country (prison colony ATM) I really enjoy the 303 stuff. Thankyou.
I agree wholeheartedly Mr F! What an absolutely wonderful experience, I'm a Brit (Or is it Limey?) Living in Australia, I have been a fan of L.E rifles since I was a little boy. I am currently circling a PH Supreme No4, which led me to this TH-cam channel. I think I'm sold on it from this video. I also bought a mint No4 about a decade ago, what struck me as off though was it was an American made rifle (Savage) destined for the NZ army, bought by a Brit, living in Australia! Anyway, just wanted to comment on how much I enjoyed this. God bless
I started out hunting with a Lee Enfield No. 4 Mk1 that I bought for $15 around 1968. Have newer rifles, more modern, but the old rifle will still do the job as good as any out there. Reliable, day in and day out.
When I was in my teens, a neighbor of ours became a pretty good friend and he helped my dad and I get into reloading our own ammunition. I became kind of obsessed with it and have been reloading for 35 years. That neighbor had a Model 70 chambered in 225 Winchester that he used for varmint hunting. Well, I thought that 225 was just the coolest thing ever. I even bought an SSK barrel from my T/C Contender, chambered in 6.5 JDJ (which uses 225 Win parent brass). Our neighbor wasn't in the best of health and passed away a few years later. His son inherited the rifle and within a few months had sold it off to buy drugs, which just about broke my heart. Fast-forward about 25 years and a local police officer friend of mine asked if he could come over to my shooting range and sight in his new rifle. I said of course he could and he showed up with a 1965 Model 70, chambered in 225 Winchester. It was in perfect original condition, practically NIB. He eventually showed pity on me and let me buy that rifle from him. I even found a couple hundred pieces of virgin brass for it. I truly understand how you feel, getting your hands on that Parker Hale Custom rifle. It feels like the circle is complete.
My dad gave me his parker hale in 270 win. It took more deer then i can remember. Well worn, scratched and to hell from brush, but it is a legend in the family and priceless to me. He passed away last summer and just a week ago i found the same rifle in mint conditon, the only one i have ever seen in a store, and i wasted no time and bought it.
I'm probably a little older then you but can remember the old Lee Enfields in varying degrees of being sporterized being very common in local deer camps behind Winchester model 94s and Marlin model 336. Some were near custom looking like your Parker Hale. Others looked like a farmer put it in a vise then used a hack saw and a rasp because that's actually close to what happened. There was even a small cottage industry to make taller front sights because the battle sights shot very high at 75 to 100 yards The were made to aim at the belt buckle and hit a standing enemy out to 300 yards not shoot at deer. Most were model 4s with the rear aperture sights. My fathers was a model 4 that looked a lot like your first rifle except only iron sights
Could you help me identify a rifle similar to this it started out as a No.4 Mk1 T and was highly customized. sometime, in its past, looks like a work of art .
I am in UK and I have one, owned it for decaded and love it, only about 6 years ago I bought a new scope mount for it, B-square, American made but boughy through a London gunsmith. No shortage of 303 ammo here in FMJ or softpoint great vid Tom, your entjusiasm is infectious. Best wishes. CLEM
Hey Tom…great presentation. When I was a 16 year old here in New Zealand…in 1973….the local gun store had 4 rifles on the wall…all Parker Hale 303…labelled No4 Standard…Deluxe…Supreme…and Custom… My meagre income back then could only stretch to $63 for the Supreme….and I got my first and many more deer and chamois with that rifle…the Custom was $95. The wood detail on that Custom is beautiful. Thanks from New Zealand.
I owned and used a Parker Hale Custom Lee Enfield No4 in the 1980's, at that time it was my No 1 stalking rife, I believe they called it "Woodland Stalker". Earlier this year a friend bought one of these rifles, Lo & behold it was my old rifle. I have an habit of taking off the recoil pads of my rifles and leaving a note with my name on, it was still there.
Yes that’s patterned after the wetherby its also known as the California spotter stock there still available from companies like Richards microdot stocks ECT
Once again, I'm jealous. Another masterpiece!! I'm in my sixties but if you ever want to adopt someone we can get the paper work started. Nice to hear you have the Enfield from your youth. That is one rifle that you would never part with. It's just been to much a part of your life. Come deer season, that would be the 1st one I'd pull out of the safe. May God bless you and yours.
Tom, just a gorgeous piece of wood on that classic. Can't wait to see some range time. In the not so long ago (before Covid) when I attended gun shows around here (Houston, Pasadena, Conroe, Fort Worth, Dallas) these Parker Hale enfields were not that uncommon and could be had usually for right around $400. Haven't gotten back into shows yet. Prices are so high. Thinking I will give it some time to settle down, but that may not happen. The political climate has made the seller aware that folks are willing to pay just about any price for ammo or firearms. Sad situation for the buyer.
I told my friend at the last gun show we attended that that show was a place for sellers and not buyers. But hopefully things will get back to normal soon? Maybe? But on a side note I didn't pay much more than that for this one. It was a good price. It just took forever to find it.
@@russellk6415 doing well. studying the word of God daily, searching for truth. the more I study, the more I realize what a miserable rat I am and how much I appreciate our Savior, Yeshua Messiah. If you have time, there are a couple websites worth listening to: One for Israel and Lion and Lamb Ministries. Learning so much from these Messianic Jews through the old Hebrew teachings of the New Covenant.
@@easttexan2933 Isnt that the truth. People better wake up. Time is nearer then most people believe. God will provide the peace needed. Hard times are coming. Be blessed my fellow Texan
Everybody has dreams and I am very happy you made one of yours come true. Very much looking forward to a range day with her once hunting season is over. Congratulations, could not happen to a nicer and more appreciative person. I very much enjoy being able to sit and watch your videos instead of the 6.5 stuff that seems to be all the vogue now.
Man! What a find! Looking frwd to videos on this gun. Nathan Foster has a video where he bedded his 303. He's a big fan of these. I have 3 nice sporterized war time rifles. A war time Mauser, a 1903A1 and a 1903A3. Two in 30-06 and one in 7x57 Mauser Ackley Improved.
Today, a fully original military service rifle like the Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk1, especially if in decent condition should (?must) be kept original. I think we can all agree on that. Consider however, that from the early 1900's to the mid 1950's there were something like 17,000,000 of the things made in it's various versions. That's a lot of Lee-Enfields. Sporterizing military rifles has a long and (sometimes) noble history. Great firms like Griffin & Howe did wonders on Springfield 03's and Mauser 98's. I haven't seen a Griffin & Howe sporterized Lee-Enfield but I wouldn't be surprised if they exist. Parker Hale also made excellent sporting Lee-Enfields like the one you have there. Lucky you!! Leaving aside the too many 'Bubba' jobs done by back yard hacks, there are many, many fine examples of Lee-Enfields sporterized by competent gunsmiths and talented amateurs. I've seen a few at my local gun range and have been tempted to 'give them a new home'. Unfortunately, the owners would as soon part with a leg than their pet .303 and who can blame them? One of these days I'm going to buy an inexpensive 'Bubba' version of an otherwise good condition No.4 Mk. 1, preferably one made at Long Branch (Maple Leaf Up!) and have a competent gunmaker do it up properly. That will cost more than buying a new rifle but it'll be worth it.
Yes, I think we can all agree that a Lee Enfield in it's original condition should be left that way. And I had similar thoughts as yourself about finding a really nice custom sporter or possibly making my own because I had almost given up on finding what I was looking for. And I had been discussing that with one of your fellow countrymen. He suggested I rebarrel my old No4, it's a Long Branch but I decided it was just in to poor of condition. Thankfully I finally found this one but I might still build one off in the future? That would just be a fun project.
I feel your love for these rifles as well. I have a 1916 No1 mk3 and a 1943 NO4 mk1 and I would say both were sportarized by DIYers back in the day. Not very pretty but they have the smoothest actions and they both still perform like champs. Neither have ever given me any grief in the many years I've owned them. I see a lot of these rifles for sale again these days going for around $300 to $500 here in Canada. Of course original full wood stock is much more. I guess with 303 Brit ammo getting harder to find and everyone wanting the newest and shiniest this was bound to happen. Oh well take care and thanks.
That's one beautiful rifle Tom congrats on finally getting it. I got a beat up # 1 looks much like your firsts rifle & 100+ yrs old, got for nothin & l won't part with it. They are great rifles. Cheers 🇨🇦
In the 60s Sears sold SMLE's for $40.00. I was once at a local sports shop and saw a barrel stuffed full of 8mm Mausers - $25.00 each. There was a huge amount of military bolt actions from WW2. The Minlicher/Caracano that Oswald used (allegedly) to kill JFK, was a mail order for $25.00. They were all inspected for safety and approved for retail sales. My first hunting rifle was my dad's 8mm Mauser that had been sporterized. It's story was that it was a battlefield capture. I got it when he bought a Winchester 284.
I had to pass on a Parker Hale M1200 (.308) at a gunshow when I was newly married and poor and for YEARS tried to find another (LONG before internet auctions). Have never seen another in person.
I learned to shoot on a Lee Enfield in the cadets back in early 90s. Deactivated no4 drill purpose rifles and no8 .22 fir target shooting. I’m waiting for a variation ( entry on firearm certificate ) that will allow me to buy one. Will just have to cope with 30-06 fir the time being.
Couple of beautiful rifles. My first hunt is pretty far back on the trail now but your story brings me back to treasured memories long tucked away. Thanks for sharing yours.
Just picked up a no4 mk1 parker hale deluxe myself. Have a bunch enfields in full military dress still, but need a good hunting rifle. I reload a ton of 303 so it makes sense. Its a good looking rifle.
Pretty rifle there: I had a sporterized No. 4 Mk. 1 done up by Churchill with a commercial barrel on which I put a Simmons fixed 4x scope. It was about a 2 1\2" to 3' rifle and it was one of the many rifles I sold when things got lean. In Canada I thought I could easily find another when things picked up and make do with an iron sighter in the meantime. I didn't know about Griffin and Howe accurizing our Long Branch rifles. I thought Holland & Holland did them too. Thanks for the information.
I had been keeping an eye for a Churchill as well and probably would have gotten it if I had found one in really good shape first. I had almost given up on finding a Parker Hale but then this one showed up. I can't even remember where I read that about Griffin and Howe accurizing your rifles but it surprised me. I've been doing research since on that and there is almost no information out there about it. The only thing I've been able to find that makes me believe it's true is I saw a Canadian Lee Enfield sniper with Griffin and Howe scope mounts so based on that it seems to be so. But I would like to find a little more info on that.
I had one of those Parker Hales years ago. I regret selling it. 🥺 That was about 30 years and many rifles ago. It was my first Magnum rifle. I bought it brand new. A .300WM. Gorgeous stock! I live in B.C., Canada and they were easy to find and inexpensive. I wanted a controlled round feed type action and that rifle was perfect. Especially since I was a young fella without alot of extra income to spend. But now I have a bone to pick with you Mr. River. After watching your fine video and seeing that beautiful PH, I'm now thinking of finding another one. I blame you.😄 Lord Thunderin'.
Rings are not hard to find for parker hale mounts if you know where to look sportsmatch make the rings to fit parker hale and they are a very good strong steady ring made from aircraft steel
I can add to you Xmas gift . It is the P-H supreme. Mine was the De Luxe.I have just checked in the P-H catalogue no.62A. In the '60's yours cost £14 16s 3d . Mine cost £9 10s 9d I think that PH would replace a bad barrel with a good from the stock of surplus ex army one. The best lock with a good barrel It may interest that in some States of Australia the use of military rounds for hunting was ,band. So some crafty Ausy. gunsmiths took the barrel off the 303 turn one turn off the barrel thread and then put the two together. The rifle then was firing round that was a military round p.s I now live in Australia but I am still English Ray, life member of the N.R.A. and of the N.R.A. of America
Jeffery, I'm pretty sure yours is going to have a different action than this one. The Parker Hales in the modern cartridges like 270 and 30-06 all have a really nice Mauser action. The old Lee Enfield actions that this one is built on is a great action also but not nearly as strong as that Mauser action so yours can handle a lot higher pressures. But both are great rifles and I do hope to get one of the Mauser based Parker Hales one day! But there are just so many rifles and so little time. LOL
Hey pal I swear you have some really good taste in guns, I've got a P17 BSA sporter under the name Whitworth in 270 and it reminds me a lotto these. Hoping to get one soon, there's one made by Cogswell and Harrison that is a No. 1 they used to make, such high quality guns. I also anted to mention I was able to pick up a very interesting Remington a while back, it was made in the late eighties/early nineties and has a very interesting synthetic stock , I found it or tracked it down or simply manifested some how after I watched another of your vids about the Ruger M77 Mk II all weather, of which I've had several of and really like. I even took one apart once and put it in the dishwasher because I was confined it wouldn't hurt it. I was right, aid turned out amazing and I even put the stock in at high temp to see if it could take it, it was the bait paddle stock you did a video on. Anyway, I got into researching synthetic stocks and I was able to find some really good info, especially after you mentioned Dupont having had something to do with it. I collected enough info for a video, hopefully I can redo it as it didn't go so well. Either way you'll like it as I think I've got some something you've never seen before and will be very interred in knowing about. Great vids, gotta love your enthusiasm. Especially about how we get when we find a gun we've been looking for, or simply find something new that we think needs taking another look at. Well said!! By the way the Parker Hale's you're talking about, be it Enfield or Mauser they re-barelled them. those are not the original barrels, their are models that have the original barrels mind you. But when they went to the effort of putting all the proof marks on it, specifically the one that says 18-19 pounds per square inch. Then you've got yourself a genuine rebelled sporter by BSA/Parker Hale/Alpine/Whitworth/Etc. The BSA catalogue you've got is amazing!!
BSA did a similar job with the P4, and both BSA and PH put that nasty little rear sight on rifles that had really nice aperture sights. I recently came across a P14 action from BSA with a rusted out barrel. I have rebuilt it in .308 as I happened to have a 308 barrel from a different rifle hanging around... I did build a Lee Enfield sporter starting with just the action, had to make the stock and sights from scratch, Turned out quite nice. That PH will serve you well....
Don in Utah I bought my Parker Hale 52 years ago in 270 Win carried it every year since. It has been used and slightly abused for Deer and Elk these many years . I paid 145.00 for it new and have never had any problems with it. my brother has 5 PH in many calibers ,all are good rifles
Great man with simple and forthright comments. An experienced man who know hunting and the simplicity of hunting. I live in Australia and live a similiar simple hunting life.
Picked up my first rifle a few weeks ago, Parker hale Lee Enfield no4mk1. Sighted it in this weekend and was a joy to shoot. Excited to get out next weekend and hopefully get my first deer
I just picked up one in 243. I have been looking for 20 years at least. My dad had one when I was a kid and I have been trying to get what I dreamed of.
Hi Tom I have a Parker hale in 308 Santa Barbara action it’s built with a medium action I can seat the bullets out too 2.900 plus and still fit in the mag it’s so accurate
Robert, I don't know about you but I have really enjoyed mine and if I ever get the No1 in 303 dialed in that I recently got I want to compare it to the PH at the range just to see which one shoots best. Last time I checked my scope on the PH it was really shooting great with the blue box Federal 150gr.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving Mine has been a safe queen unfortunately, that and I haven’t found a scope mount. The side receiver has been tapped for one. Mine is a No. 4 Mk 1* made in Canada.
Good video! Enjoyed your enthusiasm and I learned a great deal about Parker-Hale. I worked in a gun shop in the 70's and we sold the Parker-Hales with the Mark X action.
Beautiful! I have a the Custom No.1 - does 3" groups at 100m on factory (PPU) 180gr ammo. Not bad for a +100 year old rifle! To be honest, there's nothing that points better (to me) than old English sporters. They are just 'nice'. Cheers from Australia.
That's not bad at all! And when I bought this one I couldn't tell from the pictures if it was a No1 or a No4, and I didn't care. Both are great rifles. It will be interesting to see what sort of groups I get from this one and if I'll be able to increase the accuracy any from where it's currently at? I started with 3 inch groups from my old No4 using 180gr Remington Core-Locs and after a really good cleaning with JB Bore Cleaner my groups went to 1.5 inches using the same ammo. I can't wait to see what this one does.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I've just recently bought a packet of 180 Remington corelocks, would you believe! 1.5 inches is beaut - locally the shots on deer here are within 100m (more typically 20-60m). I also have a packet of Hornady Custom 150gr which I thought might do less damage but have yet to sight in properly. Thanks for replying! (For what it's worth, it's hard to ID your action without looking at the internals but it kinda looks like you have the original Parker Hale side mount scope - Part BA27 - that goes on the No1MkIII).
@@IngenieurAerospatia It's funny you said that because my very first thought when I picked it up was that it was a No1 because of the weight. But I compared it to the No4 action and I couldn't spot a single difference between them. Plus the No1 barrel looked to have a different profile where it screwed into the action than the No4. But I'll go back and double check that.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving You should be able to tell by the bolt heads - SMLE (No1MkIII) hooks over the guide rail whilst the No4 Mk1 has a groove where it cups the rail instead. That said, I don't have any literature to confirm if Parker Hale would have re-done any of the actions/retrofitted boltheads (too big of a job for a conversion job maybe).
I rarely go to shows anymore, but you still see some really nice conversions from the 50's and 60's. Jeweled bolts, inlaid stocks, many with peep sights. Scopes were not to be trusted when I was a kid. I get really irritated when some "Butthead" starts talking about "Bubba" when standing at a table with sporters on it. I have a couple '99 Savage rifles I still use to hunt, but even they were mostly modified in some way. My main hunting rifles are all sporters and I sold a lot of sporters I used on deer.
It is funny how gun shows and attitudes have changed over the years. It's getting tough to find a good hunting rifle at a gun show now, and the prices have certainly changed on what few are left. But it makes since that the prices would go up. They haven't made a model 99 in a lot of years now and they're never going to make lever action with that level of quality again. So the ones that are left are going to get more and more expensive as time goes by.
I'm so wanting a Parker hale 303 I feel like you being confident with my sporter #1mk3 from anything to moose, deer and bear. our Canadian inuit rangers even used it for hunting caraboo,seals and polar bears ....thanks for the great video hello from Canada...btw my winchester model 54 project rifle is almost done stay tuned 😉
Tom I hope you can help me with a few questions. What are the pros and cons of nitriding stainless steel? Will nitriding a shotgun barrel help with the adverse effects of steel shot and to what degree? Will a chrome lined barrel benefit from nitriding? Hope you know a good metallurgist. I enjoy your talks. Keep up the good work. Any information about other coatings will also be appreciated.
Robert, I actually do know a metallurgist, but I have a friend that is a mechanical engineer who will know a little more about nitriding. He's a gun guy. I'll pick his brain about this the next I see him but it might be a while, he's been having some serious back problems and has been out of work for a few weeks.
I'm not much of a hunting or gun buff, but my great uncle used to have one of these and - of course - I always wanted one. What a pleasure to watch your presentation. Bravo!
Hi Tom, I thoroughly enjoyed this video! I would love to see both these rifles at your range when deer season is over. I own a SMLE which belonged to my grandfather and before that his best friend who won the Silver Medal at the King's and Queen's prize at Bisley, U.K. in 1935. Look forward to hearing about your deer season and the Parker Hale👍
Great video made with true passion and enthusiasm. I totally agree with you on the historical value of sporterised military rifles. Here in Australia we had a number of gunsmiths that turned them out in various grades and mostly in wildcats of the 303. The 303-25 and 303-270 being the most popular. Great old rifles.
Tom, mine is a No.4, circa 1942 and went through the FTR program. It must have been purchased by Parker Hale and has the Parker Hale front sight and magazine. I’ll have to check to see if the rifle can still be fed by stripper-clip. On the rear it has the British “Singer” sight system. By my reckoning it’s the “deluxe”. Nice blueing too.
And the catalog is a rare find. Love to see photos of the various L.E. models. When I noticed the wood on your rifle I thought it might be a “Safari” from the 50’s?
I had hoped you would see this video. And I was just about to email you and let you know I finally found my PH. I have to go through the catalog and do some more digging on this one, but the research is going to have to wait for a few weeks. Hunting season is in and the deer just aren't going to wait. I'll let you know what I find out on this one.
Hi Tom. Really great to connect. My PH is a favourite rifle. I have owned it for years and using and carrying it is intuitive for me. I’ll take it out and photograph it for you.
it took me 10 years to find one in good shape werth bying and finaly i bought one off my uncle .sadly he sold it because he has cancer and wont be going hunting anymore but he told me at least it stays in the family😶
I love your approach and perspectives on rifle and calibre history. So nostalgic and informative (for example your video on why wood is better than synthetics for stocks. (And I agree that wood just is !!)). To me the proliferation, especially these days, of so many rifle variations and calibres, and associated videos thereof, somewhat overlook the historic significance of the earlier tried and true ways of our forefathers in the industry. For two other examples: 1) How many calibres do we really need ? 2) The lack of models without iron sights or at least the allowance for their fitting. However, I suppose that is what makes this whole subject so interesting to us.
Christopher I was just thinking the other day about what cartridges where available in the 1930's and hit me that the names have changed but that's about it. They had the 243, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 and so on back then it's just they were called 257 Roberts, 6.5x55, 7mm Mauser, and so on. They are all so ballistically similar that nothing has really changed but the names. You reminded me of that when you mentioned the proliferation of so many rifle variations and calibers. There's a lot out there but how many are actually new or do anything a 1/2 dozen other cartridges can't do?
Lovely rifle Parker hale rifle , like 303 25 sniper rifle sporter rifle , I used the old jungle carbine short barrell rifle with a cone flash hider 303 rifle great rifles
I've heard a lot of people say they love those jungle carbines. Those became pretty popular with collectors here and as a result it's rare to run across one these days.
Omg Mr. Tom!!! Your eyes are all lit up holding her!!!! I’m over the moon for you she is so dang pretty 😍 I would be afraid to take her out for a date in the woods!!! 30 year wait and you got her!! Wow just wow!!! Good luck in the stand tomorrow!!! Can’t wait to tell ya about the #1 H&H I shot the other day…. Weeeeee!!! Good luck Tom so happy for you!! -Star
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving hey Mr.Tom!! Omgosh!!! This 300 is so so sweet!!! Shot me up some 180 Nosler Accubonds and dang ain’t no kick!! Not even a joke!! Didn’t even move my ponytail lol… I ain’t big at all and I thought maybe these bullets were defective or something? The stick seems to fit me real fine so maybe that helps? I haven’t shot iron sights in a good while so it’s taking some time to get used to it but $80 dollars later lol I am able to have all the holes touching at 50 yards off sticks. I have to practice more for sure but I feel this rifle is gonna to be my go to. I did get a book on making bullets and what you said is true tho never doubted you for sure that the 3006 can almost equal the 300 Holland. So this winter when things settle I’m gonna get some training how to make my own. Look Mr Tom imma bring all girly talking about myself lol sorry 😞 Let’s here what you been doing? Did you get a deer 🦌? Did you fire that beautiful 303? How did she work out for you? Can’t wait to see and hear all about her!!! I took some pics of my rifles at the range the other day of the 300 and 405 I’m over on the IG my name is iskeet125 if you wanna peekaboo me lol. I don’t have too much posted yet tho Dang Mr Tom can’t wait to hear what’s been going on!!! Hope your weekend will be a great one!! Thanks for saying hey!! -Star 💫
Tom, I'd be really curious to see what your opinion is of the 10 round satterlee load development method for determining load charge and Jack Neary's method for finding seating depth. I've been able to take my '66 and '88 marlin 336's to sub moa and sub .75" with these 2 methods combined. Neary shoots 2 round groups changing the seating depth. 003" at a time. Usually 10 lengths (20 shots). Satterlee shoots 10 rounds increasing the charge weight .2-.3gna and measuring velocity for a flat spot where the velocity doesn't change much. With these 2 methods combined i think it makes for a great load development but I'd like to see your take on combining the two
I actually experimented with both when I was doing load development with the Winchester model 70 Westerner that I ended up figuring out has a barrel issue. I started with the traditional incremental load testing, or ladder test, and then I tried the Satterlee test and seating depth test and I reached the same results. My best powder charge was within .2 grains with both tests and the best seating depth turned out to be where I started at .023" off the lands. And now I'm going to do a lot of speculating, but I think .023"off the lands is about the sweet spot most of the older bullet designs? But I also think the newer high B.C. bullets like to be further back in general but vary a lot from manufacture to manufacture. That's something I want to do some experimenting with this spring if I can get the components by then? And with that said I think the Satterlee test and separate length testing is the best approach with the new bullet designs. But I think in most cases the old standard incremental testing works just as well if not better? You can fine tune a load better with the Satterlee test and length testing but I think the old incremental testing forces you to find a load that is going to be more stable. You might not have the exact perfect powder charge and depth with incidental testing and your groups could be big because you are off by just a hair. The Satterlee test and length testing would more precisely find that sweet spot and get a smaller group, but if that little bit of difference between the 2 methods makes that big of a difference in your group size then that isn't a very stable load to start with. On the other hand if you get a good group and low standard deviations in velocity with the old method even if it isn't the perfect sweet spot then you know it's an extremely stable load. I hope that made sense?
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving that made perfect sense to me. I will have to grab my recipe book tomorrow and see how far off the lands I have both of these rifles. In one of them I am running the old original 170gn winchester silvertips and in the other I am running the 160gn hornady FTX. So I did get to play with an old bullet and a new so based on that I should be able to give you an idea of old bullet vs new as far as seating goes to test your theory
Parker Hale also made rifles on the Mauser action. I remember reading one of the gun rags back in the early 70s about factory made varmint rifle . The Parker Hale was considered very accurate and a best buy.
That was the Super that I mentioned in the video, and those were really popular in the U.S. and can still be found easily for good prices online. But the Lee Enfields aren't nearly as easy to find.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving Tom , thanks for the reply. I not very familiar with the Lee Enfield. Shot and handled a few but that is about it. I was blessed to grow up a upper middle class family that had a dad that is a gun collector but would not spend money on more expensive firearms like Weatherbys , Sakos and pre 64 Winchester 70. He was more of a Remington , Marlin , and Savage 99 collector. That tradition has carried on with my two younger brothers and I . One brother is a hand gun and shotgun collector , another brother is a military firearms and western cowboy type firearms and I lean to hunting and target/varmint firearms. Too many firearms to list between the four of us. That does not include other relatives that are firearms collectors and hunters. I've hand loaded ammo , sighted in , and gun smithed on many of them.
The Parker Hale has the Parker Hale base and rings that attach to the side of the reciever. I might be able to find a parts number for you if that would be helpful? For my standard No4 Lee Enfield I have the S&K base that mounts were the rear peep sight goes and that is a really sold base and would be your best option for a standard No4.
Our bow season opened Sept.15 but it's still a little to warm for me in Sept. so i just wait for Oct.1. In the lower part of our state (S.C.) near the cost season opens in August, including rifle. Way to hot then!
i like your videos because you take the time to say wise and usefull advice and i like to listen to people with experience.it is a treat to me to lern from people with life experience 😊
Thank you very much for that Laurent. And yes I do have some experience, and a large part of my experiences are in how to do things wrong. But thankfully for me there are more lessons to be learned from mistakes than success.
most collectors don't realize that if parker hale and other similar company's didn't sporterise these rifles they were mostly heading for scrap , the numbers of decommissioned rifles were in the hundreds of thousands . they may have reemerged today and be collectable today but it will be as an early Toyota Landcruiser .
When I was a kid in the 60's Lee Enfields could be bought for almost nothing in Canada. My dad had 3 or 4 of them, some sporterized, some not. Where I'm from, folks used these guns on everything up to and including moose. I live in America now, and I'm honestly surprised that anyone here knows anything about these guns. Well done, sir.
Tom it's always a pleasure to Sit down and listen to you talk. Feels like we're having a great conversation sitting in your shop.
Thanks
And thank you Mr F. I really do appreciate your comment there because that's how I want all of my videos to feel, and it's nice to know they do have that feel. And on a side note, that's what they feel like for me when I make them. I used to love just talking guns with family and friends and most of the people that I loved talking about all of this with are no longer here. And honestly I just really missed those conversations. So I thought it would be nice to have those same types of conversations here.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving
And I love how much love you have for you guns and shooting. Thanks
Only found your channel recently and I'm really enjoying it. Being from a Commonwealth country (prison colony ATM) I really enjoy the 303 stuff. Thankyou.
I agree wholeheartedly Mr F!
What an absolutely wonderful experience, I'm a Brit (Or is it Limey?) Living in Australia, I have been a fan of L.E rifles since I was a little boy. I am currently circling a PH Supreme No4, which led me to this TH-cam channel.
I think I'm sold on it from this video.
I also bought a mint No4 about a decade ago, what struck me as off though was it was an American made rifle (Savage) destined for the NZ army, bought by a Brit, living in Australia!
Anyway, just wanted to comment on how much I enjoyed this.
God bless
Nice. Too bad they chopped the ghost ring sights though. That's the best part of a No.4 rifle in my books.
I started out hunting with a Lee Enfield No. 4 Mk1 that I bought for $15 around 1968. Have newer rifles, more modern, but the old rifle will still do the job as good as any out there. Reliable, day in and day out.
For the money, I do think the Lee Enfields are hard to beat for a hunting rifle. It's not a target rifle but it is a great hunting rifle.
When I was in my teens, a neighbor of ours became a pretty good friend and he helped my dad and I get into reloading our own ammunition. I became kind of obsessed with it and have been reloading for 35 years. That neighbor had a Model 70 chambered in 225 Winchester that he used for varmint hunting. Well, I thought that 225 was just the coolest thing ever. I even bought an SSK barrel from my T/C Contender, chambered in 6.5 JDJ (which uses 225 Win parent brass). Our neighbor wasn't in the best of health and passed away a few years later. His son inherited the rifle and within a few months had sold it off to buy drugs, which just about broke my heart. Fast-forward about 25 years and a local police officer friend of mine asked if he could come over to my shooting range and sight in his new rifle. I said of course he could and he showed up with a 1965 Model 70, chambered in 225 Winchester. It was in perfect original condition, practically NIB. He eventually showed pity on me and let me buy that rifle from him. I even found a couple hundred pieces of virgin brass for it.
I truly understand how you feel, getting your hands on that Parker Hale Custom rifle. It feels like the circle is complete.
My dad gave me his parker hale in 270 win. It took more deer then i can remember. Well worn, scratched and to hell from brush, but it is a legend in the family and priceless to me. He passed away last summer and just a week ago i found the same rifle in mint conditon, the only one i have ever seen in a store, and i wasted no time and bought it.
I'm probably a little older then you but can remember the old Lee Enfields in varying degrees of being sporterized being very common in local deer camps behind Winchester model 94s and Marlin model 336. Some were near custom looking like your Parker Hale. Others looked like a farmer put it in a vise then used a hack saw and a rasp because that's actually close to what happened. There was even a small cottage industry to make taller front sights because the battle sights shot very high at 75 to 100 yards The were made to aim at the belt buckle and hit a standing enemy out to 300 yards not shoot at deer. Most were model 4s with the rear aperture sights. My fathers was a model 4 that looked a lot like your first rifle except only iron sights
Could you help me identify a rifle similar to this it started out as a No.4 Mk1 T and was highly customized. sometime, in its past, looks like a work of art .
I am in UK and I have one, owned it for decaded and love it, only about 6 years ago I bought a new scope mount for it, B-square, American made but boughy through a London gunsmith. No shortage of 303 ammo here in FMJ or softpoint great vid Tom, your entjusiasm is infectious. Best wishes. CLEM
Hey Tom…great presentation. When I was a 16 year old here in New Zealand…in 1973….the local gun store had 4 rifles on the wall…all Parker Hale 303…labelled No4 Standard…Deluxe…Supreme…and Custom… My meagre income back then could only stretch to $63 for the Supreme….and I got my first and many more deer and chamois with that rifle…the Custom was $95. The wood detail on that Custom is beautiful. Thanks from New Zealand.
I owned and used a Parker Hale Custom Lee Enfield No4 in the 1980's, at that time it was my No 1 stalking rife, I believe they called it "Woodland Stalker". Earlier this year a friend bought one of these rifles, Lo & behold it was my old rifle. I have an habit of taking off the recoil pads of my rifles and leaving a note with my name on, it was still there.
That’s awesome!
Moose season in Ontario soon and more moose taken with .303 than any other rifle. I drew a tag and will be using mine. Nice PH.... Ta...
Good luck Dennis! And thanks.
The stocks appears to be very similar to the weatherby rifles
Yes that’s patterned after the wetherby its also known as the California spotter stock there still available from companies like Richards microdot stocks ECT
The old "Shotgun News" LOL...... Man I haven't heard of or seen one in years.. Great rifle Tom.. Congrats..
Thanks Tim
Once again, I'm jealous. Another masterpiece!! I'm in my sixties
but if you ever want to adopt someone we can get the paper work started. Nice to hear you have the Enfield from your youth. That is one rifle that you would never part with. It's just been to much a part of your life. Come deer season, that would be the 1st one I'd pull out of the safe. May God bless you and yours.
That’s a nice thought 🙏🏻👍🏻
Tom, just a gorgeous piece of wood on that classic. Can't wait to see some range time. In the not so long ago (before Covid) when I attended gun shows around here (Houston, Pasadena, Conroe, Fort Worth, Dallas) these Parker Hale enfields were not that uncommon and could be had usually for right around $400. Haven't gotten back into shows yet. Prices are so high. Thinking I will give it some time to settle down, but that may not happen. The political climate has made the seller aware that folks are willing to pay just about any price for ammo or firearms. Sad situation for the buyer.
I told my friend at the last gun show we attended that that show was a place for sellers and not buyers. But hopefully things will get back to normal soon? Maybe? But on a side note I didn't pay much more than that for this one. It was a good price. It just took forever to find it.
How you doing east Texan? Tom sure has a fine collection of old school rifles. Im jealous!! God bless you and yours.
@@russellk6415 doing well. studying the word of God daily, searching for truth. the more I study, the more I realize what a miserable rat I am and how much I appreciate our Savior, Yeshua Messiah. If you have time, there are a couple websites worth listening to: One for Israel and Lion and Lamb Ministries. Learning so much from these Messianic Jews through the old Hebrew teachings of the New Covenant.
@@easttexan2933
Isnt that the truth. People better wake up. Time is nearer then most people believe. God will provide the peace needed. Hard times are coming. Be blessed my fellow Texan
@@russellk6415 and you my brother in Messiah
Everybody has dreams and I am very happy you made one of yours come true. Very much looking forward to a range day with her once hunting season is over. Congratulations, could not happen to a nicer and more appreciative person. I very much enjoy being able to sit and watch your videos instead of the 6.5 stuff that seems to be all the vogue now.
Man! What a find! Looking frwd to videos on this gun.
Nathan Foster has a video where he bedded his 303. He's a big fan of these.
I have 3 nice sporterized war time rifles. A war time Mauser, a 1903A1 and a 1903A3. Two in 30-06 and one in 7x57 Mauser Ackley Improved.
Today, a fully original military service rifle like the Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk1, especially if in decent condition should (?must) be kept original. I think we can all agree on that. Consider however, that from the early 1900's to the mid 1950's there were something like 17,000,000 of the things made in it's various versions. That's a lot of Lee-Enfields.
Sporterizing military rifles has a long and (sometimes) noble history. Great firms like Griffin & Howe did wonders on Springfield 03's and Mauser 98's. I haven't seen a Griffin & Howe sporterized Lee-Enfield but I wouldn't be surprised if they exist. Parker Hale also made excellent sporting Lee-Enfields like the one you have there. Lucky you!!
Leaving aside the too many 'Bubba' jobs done by back yard hacks, there are many, many fine examples of Lee-Enfields sporterized by competent gunsmiths and talented amateurs. I've seen a few at my local gun range and have been tempted to 'give them a new home'. Unfortunately, the owners would as soon part with a leg than their pet .303 and who can blame them?
One of these days I'm going to buy an inexpensive 'Bubba' version of an otherwise good condition No.4 Mk. 1, preferably one made at Long Branch (Maple Leaf Up!) and have a competent gunmaker do it up properly. That will cost more than buying a new rifle but it'll be worth it.
Yes, I think we can all agree that a Lee Enfield in it's original condition should be left that way. And I had similar thoughts as yourself about finding a really nice custom sporter or possibly making my own because I had almost given up on finding what I was looking for. And I had been discussing that with one of your fellow countrymen. He suggested I rebarrel my old No4, it's a Long Branch but I decided it was just in to poor of condition. Thankfully I finally found this one but I might still build one off in the future? That would just be a fun project.
I feel your love for these rifles as well. I have a 1916 No1 mk3 and a 1943 NO4 mk1 and I would say both were sportarized by DIYers back in the day. Not very pretty but they have the smoothest actions and they both still perform like champs. Neither have ever given me any grief in the many years I've owned them. I see a lot of these rifles for sale again these days going for around $300 to $500 here in Canada. Of course original full wood stock is much more. I guess with 303 Brit ammo getting harder to find and everyone wanting the newest and shiniest this was bound to happen. Oh well take care and thanks.
That's one beautiful rifle Tom congrats on finally getting it.
I got a beat up # 1 looks much like your firsts rifle & 100+ yrs old, got for nothin & l won't part with it. They are great rifles.
Cheers 🇨🇦
In the 60s Sears sold SMLE's for $40.00. I was once at a local sports shop and saw a barrel stuffed full of 8mm Mausers - $25.00 each. There was a huge amount of military bolt actions from WW2. The Minlicher/Caracano that Oswald used (allegedly) to kill JFK, was a mail order for $25.00. They were all inspected for safety and approved for retail sales. My first hunting rifle was my dad's 8mm Mauser that had been sporterized. It's story was that it was a battlefield capture. I got it when he bought a Winchester 284.
I've inherited a PH 1200TX target rifle, and it's wonderful
I have 2 k98s one in .280 and one in 6.5x55. Mine were sporterized by a good friend and personal gun Smith of Elmer kieth in salmon idaho.
I had to pass on a Parker Hale M1200 (.308) at a gunshow when I was newly married and poor and for YEARS tried to find another (LONG before internet auctions). Have never seen another in person.
I learned to shoot on a Lee Enfield in the cadets back in early 90s. Deactivated no4 drill purpose rifles and no8 .22 fir target shooting. I’m waiting for a variation ( entry on firearm certificate ) that will allow me to buy one. Will just have to cope with 30-06 fir the time being.
"Bubbafied"🤣 People can really show their ignorance sometimes.
Couple of beautiful rifles. My first hunt is pretty far back on the trail now but your story brings me back to treasured memories long tucked away. Thanks for sharing yours.
Are you using the no tap no drill scope rail? If so, hiw do you stabilize it Mr Tom?
Just picked up a no4 mk1 parker hale deluxe myself. Have a bunch enfields in full military dress still, but need a good hunting rifle. I reload a ton of 303 so it makes sense. Its a good looking rifle.
Pretty rifle there: I had a sporterized No. 4 Mk. 1 done up by Churchill with a commercial barrel on which I put a Simmons fixed 4x scope. It was about a 2 1\2" to 3' rifle and it was one of the many rifles I sold when things got lean. In Canada I thought I could easily find another when things picked up and make do with an iron sighter in the meantime. I didn't know about Griffin and Howe accurizing our Long Branch rifles. I thought Holland & Holland did them too. Thanks for the information.
I had been keeping an eye for a Churchill as well and probably would have gotten it if I had found one in really good shape first. I had almost given up on finding a Parker Hale but then this one showed up.
I can't even remember where I read that about Griffin and Howe accurizing your rifles but it surprised me. I've been doing research since on that and there is almost no information out there about it. The only thing I've been able to find that makes me believe it's true is I saw a Canadian Lee Enfield sniper with Griffin and Howe scope mounts so based on that it seems to be so. But I would like to find a little more info on that.
I had one of those Parker Hales years ago. I regret selling it. 🥺
That was about 30 years and many rifles ago. It was my first Magnum rifle. I bought it brand new. A .300WM. Gorgeous stock!
I live in B.C., Canada and they were easy to find and inexpensive. I wanted a controlled round feed type action and that rifle was perfect. Especially since I was a young fella without alot of extra income to spend.
But now I have a bone to pick with you Mr. River. After watching your fine video and seeing that beautiful PH, I'm now thinking of finding another one.
I blame you.😄
Lord Thunderin'.
Good luck fellow Canuck 👍🏻
I enjoyed your video. What type of scope mount is on your original rifle?
Rings are not hard to find for parker hale mounts if you know where to look sportsmatch make the rings to fit parker hale and they are a very good strong steady ring made from aircraft steel
Hey Tom beautiful rifle I have my dad's 303 British which I treasure Good luck in the woods take care
Thanks Dan. So far I've just been getting a really good work out but it sure has been nice to get back out in the woods.
Check out the Riflechair channel on TH-cam. They operate out of Canada. The guy goes into the Lee Enfield quite a bit.
Thanks for the info Scotty. I'll check it out.
is that the only model parker hale/ enfield they made with the floor plate?
My dad gave me that exact rifle for my 18th birthday, I'm 40 years old now and its still my favorite .
Loved your honest video mate.
I can add to you Xmas gift . It is the P-H supreme. Mine was the De Luxe.I have just checked in the P-H catalogue no.62A. In the '60's yours cost £14 16s 3d . Mine cost £9 10s 9d
I think that PH would replace a bad barrel with a good from the stock of surplus ex army one. The best lock with a good barrel
It may interest that in some States of Australia the use of military rounds for hunting was ,band. So some crafty Ausy. gunsmiths took the barrel off the 303 turn one turn off the barrel thread and then put the two together. The rifle then was firing round that was a military round
p.s I now live in Australia but I am still English
Ray, life member of the N.R.A. and of the N.R.A. of America
I enjoy listening to this gentleman talk
Looks just like my.270 Parker Hale!👍🏽😀❤️🇺🇸
Jeffery, I'm pretty sure yours is going to have a different action than this one. The Parker Hales in the modern cartridges like 270 and 30-06 all have a really nice Mauser action. The old Lee Enfield actions that this one is built on is a great action also but not nearly as strong as that Mauser action so yours can handle a lot higher pressures. But both are great rifles and I do hope to get one of the Mauser based Parker Hales one day! But there are just so many rifles and so little time. LOL
I also like the 10 round mag!
Hey pal I swear you have some really good taste in guns, I've got a P17 BSA sporter under the name Whitworth in 270 and it reminds me a lotto these. Hoping to get one soon, there's one made by Cogswell and Harrison that is a No. 1 they used to make, such high quality guns. I also anted to mention I was able to pick up a very interesting Remington a while back, it was made in the late eighties/early nineties and has a very interesting synthetic stock , I found it or tracked it down or simply manifested some how after I watched another of your vids about the Ruger M77 Mk II all weather, of which I've had several of and really like. I even took one apart once and put it in the dishwasher because I was confined it wouldn't hurt it. I was right, aid turned out amazing and I even put the stock in at high temp to see if it could take it, it was the bait paddle stock you did a video on. Anyway, I got into researching synthetic stocks and I was able to find some really good info, especially after you mentioned Dupont having had something to do with it. I collected enough info for a video, hopefully I can redo it as it didn't go so well. Either way you'll like it as I think I've got some something you've never seen before and will be very interred in knowing about. Great vids, gotta love your enthusiasm. Especially about how we get when we find a gun we've been looking for, or simply find something new that we think needs taking another look at. Well said!! By the way the Parker Hale's you're talking about, be it Enfield or Mauser they re-barelled them. those are not the original barrels, their are models that have the original barrels mind you. But when they went to the effort of putting all the proof marks on it, specifically the one that says 18-19 pounds per square inch. Then you've got yourself a genuine rebelled sporter by BSA/Parker Hale/Alpine/Whitworth/Etc. The BSA catalogue you've got is amazing!!
BSA did a similar job with the P4, and both BSA and PH put that nasty little rear sight on rifles that had really nice aperture sights.
I recently came across a P14 action from BSA with a rusted out barrel. I have rebuilt it in .308 as I happened to have a 308 barrel from a different rifle hanging around...
I did build a Lee Enfield sporter starting with just the action, had to make the stock and sights from scratch, Turned out quite nice.
That PH will serve you well....
Don in Utah I bought my Parker Hale 52 years ago in 270 Win carried it every year since. It has been used and slightly abused for Deer and Elk these many years . I paid 145.00 for it new and have never had any problems with it. my brother has 5 PH in many calibers ,all are good rifles
Great man with simple and forthright comments. An experienced man who know hunting and the simplicity of hunting. I live in Australia and live a similiar simple hunting life.
Picked up my first rifle a few weeks ago, Parker hale Lee Enfield no4mk1. Sighted it in this weekend and was a joy to shoot. Excited to get out next weekend and hopefully get my first deer
I just picked up one in 243. I have been looking for 20 years at least. My dad had one when I was a kid and I have been trying to get what I dreamed of.
Hi Tom I have a Parker hale in 308 Santa Barbara action it’s built with a medium action I can seat the bullets out too 2.900 plus and still fit in the mag it’s so accurate
Elmer Keith and Jack O'conner mentioned in the same video wow i hope they don't fight lol.
That catalog is a treasure in itself.
Very good stories and history sir.
Elmer Keith and Jack O'conner mentioned in the same video wow i hope they don't fight lol.
That catalog is a treasure in itself.
2023
I have a Parker Hale /Lee Enfield /Supreme just like yours.
Robert, I don't know about you but I have really enjoyed mine and if I ever get the No1 in 303 dialed in that I recently got I want to compare it to the PH at the range just to see which one shoots best. Last time I checked my scope on the PH it was really shooting great with the blue box Federal 150gr.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving
Mine has been a safe queen unfortunately, that and I haven’t found a scope mount. The side receiver has been tapped for one. Mine is a No. 4 Mk 1* made in Canada.
Good video! Enjoyed your enthusiasm and I learned a great deal about Parker-Hale. I worked in a gun shop in the 70's and we sold the Parker-Hales with the Mark X action.
Love your channel. You are a down to earth guy . God bless Tom River.
A beautiful sporterisation! I love the 60/70s look.
If I, need to relax your the man
Beautiful! I have a the Custom No.1 - does 3" groups at 100m on factory (PPU) 180gr ammo. Not bad for a +100 year old rifle!
To be honest, there's nothing that points better (to me) than old English sporters. They are just 'nice'. Cheers from Australia.
That's not bad at all! And when I bought this one I couldn't tell from the pictures if it was a No1 or a No4, and I didn't care. Both are great rifles.
It will be interesting to see what sort of groups I get from this one and if I'll be able to increase the accuracy any from where it's currently at? I started with 3 inch groups from my old No4 using 180gr Remington Core-Locs and after a really good cleaning with JB Bore Cleaner my groups went to 1.5 inches using the same ammo. I can't wait to see what this one does.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I've just recently bought a packet of 180 Remington corelocks, would you believe! 1.5 inches is beaut - locally the shots on deer here are within 100m (more typically 20-60m).
I also have a packet of Hornady Custom 150gr which I thought might do less damage but have yet to sight in properly.
Thanks for replying! (For what it's worth, it's hard to ID your action without looking at the internals but it kinda looks like you have the original Parker Hale side mount scope - Part BA27 - that goes on the No1MkIII).
@@IngenieurAerospatia It's funny you said that because my very first thought when I picked it up was that it was a No1 because of the weight. But I compared it to the No4 action and I couldn't spot a single difference between them. Plus the No1 barrel looked to have a different profile where it screwed into the action than the No4. But I'll go back and double check that.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving You should be able to tell by the bolt heads - SMLE (No1MkIII) hooks over the guide rail whilst the No4 Mk1 has a groove where it cups the rail instead. That said, I don't have any literature to confirm if Parker Hale would have re-done any of the actions/retrofitted boltheads (too big of a job for a conversion job maybe).
I have the exact same rifle in my safe! Great rifles.
Well Floyd given how long it took me to find this one I would say you have a pretty rare rifle there.
Thank you very much. Just picked up my Dads Parker Hale No4MK1* :sporterized by Parker Hale. Very nice knowing the probable history of it.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, and obviously I'm biased but I have to say that is one fine rifle you have there.
I rarely go to shows anymore, but you still see some really nice conversions from the 50's and 60's. Jeweled bolts, inlaid stocks, many with peep sights. Scopes were not to be trusted when I was a kid. I get really irritated when some "Butthead" starts talking about "Bubba" when standing at a table with sporters on it. I have a couple '99 Savage rifles I still use to hunt, but even they were mostly modified in some way. My main hunting rifles are all sporters and I sold a lot of sporters I used on deer.
It is funny how gun shows and attitudes have changed over the years. It's getting tough to find a good hunting rifle at a gun show now, and the prices have certainly changed on what few are left. But it makes since that the prices would go up. They haven't made a model 99 in a lot of years now and they're never going to make lever action with that level of quality again. So the ones that are left are going to get more and more expensive as time goes by.
Awesome..
I'm so wanting a Parker hale 303 I feel like you being confident with my sporter #1mk3 from anything to moose, deer and bear. our Canadian inuit rangers even used it for hunting caraboo,seals and polar bears ....thanks for the great video hello from Canada...btw my winchester model 54 project rifle is almost done stay tuned 😉
I used 303 for a year and want to find one again. They are the perfect rifle. Drop moose easy. Im now using sks again. Or else 270 , or 30.06.
The Enfield, a wonderful action. Nothing wrong with sporting them. There are heaps here in Australia but I'll admit they are expensive now tho.
They're becoming more and more expensive here, at least for one still in good shape.
Well done sir. Best of luck hunting.
Tom I hope you can help me with a few questions. What are the pros and cons of nitriding stainless steel? Will nitriding a shotgun barrel help with the adverse effects of steel shot and to what degree? Will a chrome lined barrel benefit from nitriding? Hope you know a good metallurgist. I enjoy your talks. Keep up the good work. Any information about other coatings will also be appreciated.
Robert, I actually do know a metallurgist, but I have a friend that is a mechanical engineer who will know a little more about nitriding. He's a gun guy. I'll pick his brain about this the next I see him but it might be a while, he's been having some serious back problems and has been out of work for a few weeks.
Nice. I have a 1947 K31 that has not been modified and I really enjoy the history and look. Going to use it for hunting in the future
That's another great old war horse of a rifle and it will certainly get the job done hunting as well.
I'm not much of a hunting or gun buff, but my great uncle used to have one of these and - of course - I always wanted one. What a pleasure to watch your presentation. Bravo!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it Matt
We are natural born hunters and therefore we are at the top of the food chain! What? Blasphemy! It's The Walking Dead in real life happening right now
LOL
Hi Tom,
I thoroughly enjoyed this video! I would love to see both these rifles at your range when deer season is over.
I own a SMLE which belonged to my grandfather and before that his best friend who won the Silver Medal at the King's and Queen's prize at Bisley, U.K. in 1935.
Look forward to hearing about your deer season and the Parker Hale👍
I'm glad you enjoyed Sean, and I can't wait to get this one to the range and I'll be sure to show the results.
I found a deluxe no.4 and snagged it
Great find!
Great video made with true passion and enthusiasm. I totally agree with you on the historical value of sporterised military rifles. Here in Australia we had a number of gunsmiths that turned them out in various grades and mostly in wildcats of the 303. The 303-25 and 303-270 being the most popular.
Great old rifles.
Thanks Mal, and I always did want to try a 303-270. I've never seen one here in the U.S. but I always thought that would be a potent cartridge?
Cutting the stripper clip guild off is a mistake
I'm not sure why they did that? I guess to make it look sportier?
Most likely. Doing so makes it lose some strength@@TomRiverSimpleLiving
Great video, Tom.
Many thanks!
Hi Tom. Sorry I have been away.
I have the deluxe. I believe yours is the top-of-line safari.!!!
Tom, mine is a No.4, circa 1942 and went through the FTR program. It must have been purchased by Parker Hale and has the Parker Hale front sight and magazine. I’ll have to check to see if the rifle can still be fed by stripper-clip. On the rear it has the British “Singer” sight system. By my reckoning it’s the “deluxe”.
Nice blueing too.
And the catalog is a rare find. Love to see photos of the various L.E. models. When I noticed the wood on your rifle I thought it might be a “Safari” from the 50’s?
PH rifles are being restored too. Cheers
I had hoped you would see this video. And I was just about to email you and let you know I finally found my PH. I have to go through the catalog and do some more digging on this one, but the research is going to have to wait for a few weeks. Hunting season is in and the deer just aren't going to wait. I'll let you know what I find out on this one.
Hi Tom. Really great to connect.
My PH is a favourite rifle. I have owned it for years and using and carrying it is intuitive for me. I’ll take it out and photograph it for you.
it took me 10 years to find one in good shape werth bying and finaly i bought one off my uncle .sadly he sold it because he has cancer and wont be going hunting anymore but he told me at least it stays in the family😶
I do hate that for uncle, but he's right at least it stays in the family.
I had 2 of them. Great rifles.
❤
I love your approach and perspectives on rifle and calibre history. So nostalgic and informative (for example your video on why wood is better than synthetics for stocks. (And I agree that wood just is !!)). To me the proliferation, especially these days, of so many rifle variations and calibres, and associated videos thereof, somewhat overlook the historic significance of the earlier tried and true ways of our forefathers in the industry. For two other examples: 1) How many calibres do we really need ? 2) The lack of models without iron sights or at least the allowance for their fitting. However, I suppose that is what makes this whole subject so interesting to us.
Christopher I was just thinking the other day about what cartridges where available in the 1930's and hit me that the names have changed but that's about it. They had the 243, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 and so on back then it's just they were called 257 Roberts, 6.5x55, 7mm Mauser, and so on. They are all so ballistically similar that nothing has really changed but the names. You reminded me of that when you mentioned the proliferation of so many rifle variations and calibers. There's a lot out there but how many are actually new or do anything a 1/2 dozen other cartridges can't do?
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving Very true! Your question will require some research ...
Lovely rifle Parker hale rifle , like 303 25 sniper rifle sporter rifle , I used the old jungle carbine short barrell rifle with a cone flash hider 303 rifle great rifles
I've heard a lot of people say they love those jungle carbines. Those became pretty popular with collectors here and as a result it's rare to run across one these days.
Omg Mr. Tom!!! Your eyes are all lit up holding her!!!! I’m over the moon for you she is so dang pretty 😍 I would be afraid to take her out for a date in the woods!!!
30 year wait and you got her!!
Wow just wow!!!
Good luck in the stand tomorrow!!!
Can’t wait to tell ya about the #1 H&H I shot the other day…. Weeeeee!!!
Good luck Tom so happy for you!! -Star
Thanks Star and I can't wait to hear the No1 shot, seriously. I'm sure it had a thump to it but how did it group?
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving hey Mr.Tom!! Omgosh!!! This 300 is so so sweet!!! Shot me up some 180 Nosler Accubonds and dang ain’t no kick!! Not even a joke!! Didn’t even move my ponytail lol… I ain’t big at all and I thought maybe these bullets were defective or something? The stick seems to fit me real fine so maybe that helps? I haven’t shot iron sights in a good while so it’s taking some time to get used to it but $80 dollars later lol I am able to have all the holes touching at 50 yards off sticks. I have to practice more for sure but I feel this rifle is gonna to be my go to. I did get a book on making bullets and what you said is true tho never doubted you for sure that the 3006 can almost equal the 300 Holland. So this winter when things settle I’m gonna get some training how to make my own.
Look Mr Tom imma bring all girly talking about myself lol sorry 😞
Let’s here what you been doing? Did you get a deer 🦌? Did you fire that beautiful 303? How did she work out for you? Can’t wait to see and hear all about her!!! I took some pics of my rifles at the range the other day of the 300 and 405 I’m over on the IG my name is iskeet125 if you wanna peekaboo me lol. I don’t have too much posted yet tho
Dang Mr Tom can’t wait to hear what’s been going on!!! Hope your weekend will be a great one!!
Thanks for saying hey!!
-Star 💫
Congratulations Tom on the new rifle. Super build quality that you'll enjoy for years to come
Thanks John
She sure is pretty!
Thanks Paul
Tom,
I'd be really curious to see what your opinion is of the 10 round satterlee load development method for determining load charge and Jack Neary's method for finding seating depth. I've been able to take my '66 and '88 marlin 336's to sub moa and sub .75" with these 2 methods combined. Neary shoots 2 round groups changing the seating depth. 003" at a time. Usually 10 lengths (20 shots). Satterlee shoots 10 rounds increasing the charge weight .2-.3gna and measuring velocity for a flat spot where the velocity doesn't change much. With these 2 methods combined i think it makes for a great load development but I'd like to see your take on combining the two
I actually experimented with both when I was doing load development with the Winchester model 70 Westerner that I ended up figuring out has a barrel issue. I started with the traditional incremental load testing, or ladder test, and then I tried the Satterlee test and seating depth test and I reached the same results. My best powder charge was within .2 grains with both tests and the best seating depth turned out to be where I started at .023" off the lands. And now I'm going to do a lot of speculating, but I think .023"off the lands is about the sweet spot most of the older bullet designs? But I also think the newer high B.C. bullets like to be further back in general but vary a lot from manufacture to manufacture. That's something I want to do some experimenting with this spring if I can get the components by then? And with that said I think the Satterlee test and separate length testing is the best approach with the new bullet designs. But I think in most cases the old standard incremental testing works just as well if not better? You can fine tune a load better with the Satterlee test and length testing but I think the old incremental testing forces you to find a load that is going to be more stable. You might not have the exact perfect powder charge and depth with incidental testing and your groups could be big because you are off by just a hair. The Satterlee test and length testing would more precisely find that sweet spot and get a smaller group, but if that little bit of difference between the 2 methods makes that big of a difference in your group size then that isn't a very stable load to start with. On the other hand if you get a good group and low standard deviations in velocity with the old method even if it isn't the perfect sweet spot then you know it's an extremely stable load. I hope that made sense?
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving that made perfect sense to me. I will have to grab my recipe book tomorrow and see how far off the lands I have both of these rifles. In one of them I am running the old original 170gn winchester silvertips and in the other I am running the 160gn hornady FTX. So I did get to play with an old bullet and a new so based on that I should be able to give you an idea of old bullet vs new as far as seating goes to test your theory
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving just checked my books. One of them is .035" off the lands and the other is .052" off.
Beautiful rifle Tom. Coñgrats on a long time search.
Thanks Robert
Parker Hale also made rifles on the Mauser action. I remember reading one of the gun rags back in the early 70s about factory made varmint rifle . The Parker Hale was considered very accurate and a best buy.
That was the Super that I mentioned in the video, and those were really popular in the U.S. and can still be found easily for good prices online. But the Lee Enfields aren't nearly as easy to find.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving Tom , thanks for the reply. I not very familiar with the Lee Enfield. Shot and handled a few but that is about it. I was blessed to grow up a upper middle class family that had a dad that is a gun collector but would not spend money on more expensive firearms like Weatherbys , Sakos and pre 64 Winchester 70. He was more of a Remington , Marlin , and Savage 99 collector. That tradition has carried on with my two younger brothers and I . One brother is a hand gun and shotgun collector , another brother is a military firearms and western cowboy type firearms and I lean to hunting and target/varmint firearms. Too many firearms to list between the four of us. That does not include other relatives that are firearms collectors and hunters. I've hand loaded ammo , sighted in , and gun smithed on many of them.
What optic mount have you got on yours?
They both look great
The Parker Hale has the Parker Hale base and rings that attach to the side of the reciever. I might be able to find a parts number for you if that would be helpful? For my standard No4 Lee Enfield I have the S&K base that mounts were the rear peep sight goes and that is a really sold base and would be your best option for a standard No4.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I have a No4 MKI. Would that SK work for mine too then?
@@giovannigobbi4832 It should work just fine.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving That's great to hear, I really hope it does, thank you
Muzzleloader? We just opened up for bow.
Our bow season opened Sept.15 but it's still a little to warm for me in Sept. so i just wait for Oct.1. In the lower part of our state (S.C.) near the cost season opens in August, including rifle. Way to hot then!
Oh how I used to love Shotgun News! Lots of memories, I miss those days.
I used to love looking at my uncle's copies while we just talked all things guns. Those were good times.
Yep up here in 🇨🇦 they grew like trees, just everywhere... Now they seem to be costing more than a tree these days and not as abundant 😄
The price wasn't bad on this one. It just took me 30 years to find it.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I have a mark 4 that was sporterised in Australia , taking 7 Northern BC Moose with it, keeps on delivering.
Nice one Tom 👍 Looking forward to seeing the Parker Hale again soon.
Thanks Drew, and hopefully I'll have it out again real soon.
Tom, how many rifles do you own? Each week you have something new to share haha.
Honestly, I can't decide if I have to many or not enough? LOL But I can say I have gotten very selective on what I get these days.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving can't have too many. But you might make some of us a little jealous ☺️
very nice beautiful rifle ty for sharing !
And thank you for that moondog.
i like your videos because you take the time to say wise and usefull advice and i like to listen to people with experience.it is a treat to me to lern from people with life experience 😊
Thank you very much for that Laurent. And yes I do have some experience, and a large part of my experiences are in how to do things wrong. But thankfully for me there are more lessons to be learned from mistakes than success.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving 😉
That's a beauty! Hope you'll take us along to see how it shoots.
Thanks Roger and I'll be sure to show how this one shoots, and hopefully real soon!
Thanks for sharing 👍
And thank you for watching Timothy.
Very nice rifle.
Thanks Tom
It is good to find thing we have wanted for years
I have to say that it feels like closure with this rifle.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving the first high powered rifle I ever shot was a 303 in the Torres Straits
It was a woodie
most collectors don't realize that if parker hale and other similar company's didn't sporterise these rifles they were mostly heading for scrap , the numbers of decommissioned rifles were in the hundreds of thousands . they may have reemerged today and be collectable today but it will be as an early Toyota Landcruiser .