L42A1 New Build

[wooferocau]

I have a Genuine L42A1 in absolute pristine condition. It was unfired when i acquired it ...complete with full CES.
I very much enjoy shooting it but decided to keep the round count very low.

As i enjoyed shooting it so much a "Replica" was in order that could be a day to day shooter. Based on a Savage action with all original componets other than the repro scope mount. A genuine Mk3 No32 is fitted.
The barrel is a special order original profiled ( L42A1) from Lothar Walther ....match grade.

Doing some load development using the Sierra Palma 155 ...so far i am over the moon with the results.... below ... some 3 shot groups at 100yds. Awsome results !!!

Its a challenge using the 3x optics...but all part of the enjoyment..

 

[longebow]

Beautiful classic sniper!
Who built it for you?

 

[Frank Green]

Nice! Always wanted an original or build one.

 

[Winchester M70 Van Orden]

What a looking.. ! A well-done reproduction. Two original L 42 A1-Enfields with different conservation-status would have been less effort. But, of course, they are becoming increasingly rare, practically everywhere.

So a No. 32 Scope is in use. In place of the L1 A1 - the older scope was easier to get, just supposing.. . One wouldn't have expected that.

5 shot-groups say more. Even if it's once not necessarily what we want to hear..

Which muzzle-velocity, please ?

 

[Ledzep]

That's awesome! L42A1's and No.5 mk1's just have the 'right' look.

What's different between the .303 and 7.62? Bigger claw, longer ejector screw?

 

[wooferocau]

What a looking.. ! A well-done reproduction. Two original L 42 A1-Enfields with different conservation-status would have been less effort. But, of course, they are becoming increasingly rare, practically everywhere.

So a No. 32 Scope is in use. In place of the L1 A1 - the older scope was easier to get, just supposing.. . One wouldn't have expected that.

5 shot-groups say more. Even if it's once not necessarily what we want to hear..

Which muzzle-velocity, please ?

This is my original MINT Genuine L42A1...

The No32 MK3 used on the "Replica" are very very rare nowadays.. No32 L1A1 spec are nigh on impossible to find..

i have attached a pic of the 3 targets overlaid...same point of aim on each target...so 9 shots in the vicinity of 1/2 moa...

I will shoot a genuine 10 shot string when i next go out....its bloody hard with 3x magnification !!! I have 100% faith the rifle will do its job, just my eyesight nowadays is used to high magnification ...

 

[wooferocau]

Beautiful classic sniper!
Who built it for you?

It was built by "T-Bone Shipwritng" here in Aus........ Thomas specialises in classic military ( particularly Enfields ) restorations .

 

[wooferocau]

Which muzzle-velocity, please ?

Load is..
42.4 gr AR2208 ( Varget) CCI match primer. ADI Brass , Sierra 155 Palma .... Velocity circa 2850fps

 

[Rich04]

Beautiful, just beautiful

 

[wooferocau]

Replaced the repro mount with a Genuine...
And those that ask..
10 shot group at 110yds...
Bloody hard !!!!

 

[longebow]

Hard shooting for a "hunting" gun! Was never designed for that, but the last version of the Lee Enfield was legendary. Well done!
longebow

 

[ZG47A]

Replaced the repro mount with a Genuine...
And those that ask..
10 shot group at 110yds...
Bloody hard !!!!

Have you tried prone-supported, including getting behind the rifle-with the bolt removed— for five to ten (5-10) minutes at a time, before going to the mound? It worked for me when I competed in indoor smallbore competitions and it always helps when I do it at an outdoor range. Settling your body into the correct position and identifying any stiff/sore muscles/tendons before you shoot AND before you drive to the range … is more critical, in my experience, than exactly weighing every charge to less than a tenth
grain variation—which I still do. Nice rifle. Have fun. Cheers from NZ.

 

[wooferocau]

Righto... some more results ...

Had a good friend out with me to assist in spotting .. Trying some different targets to assist in making it a little easier to maintain a constant aiming point with the original 3x optics.. part of the challenge...

Plan was to shoot a 6 shot group on the first target...... i mulled over using a 6 oclock hold on the bottom of the square ( trust me its tiny in the scope !!) or using a centre of square hold.
Decided to go for 6 oclock hold.
Fired first 3 shots and my mate grabbed my attention and gave me a big thumbs up,,,,,,,, great i thought .... momentarily loosing my train of thought and excited that the first 3 shots were good...i fired the next 3 shots....then i thought "Crap" !!! instead of a 6 oclock hold i had switched to a centre hold.
So the 6 shot group turned into 2 ,,,3 shots strings ...... The good though was both groups were very similar and consistent at around 10mm ...so less than 1/2 moa.

The next was going to be a 5 shot group.... I had a very good hodl and was confident of a consistent aiming point on the second target ... concentration is very tiring.
I proceded to shoot not looking at my mate for any indication....then after the 4th shot he grabbed my attention and said "I would quit if i were you" ....i looked at him semi annoyed and he gestured to look through the spotting scope. I got up and had a peek...i looked and thought holy shit, looked at my mate and knew why he was grinning.

Walked down to the target to see the 4 shots in basically one small ragged hole !!!

Yes i know these are not big round count groups...BUT i am more than happy in deeming the results bloody awesome...

Brings up a point ....Accuracy... Time and time again a hell of a lot of hype is placed toward the "Action" ...well as much as i truly LOVE the old Enfield actions...they are certainly not regarded as anything special......actually most regard them as a very weak , flimsy action.
From my results with the L42 Replica...it shows the paramount importance in the pursuit of accuracy is the BARREL!!

Anyway.......hope its of interest to some...

 

[ZG47A]

Nice result. It is the earlier rifles that have the more flexible receivers OR bodies in traditional British parlance. The No. 4 rifles use a much stiffer action, combined with a Long Tom barrel profile shortened to SMLE length, as per Australian post-WW1 NRA practice. The only real difference between the two barrels is the indexing. The L42 went a bit further in barrel technology.