1943 ROF (F) No 4 Mk I - accurizing

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   I picked up this No 4 quite a few years ago and couldn't get it to shoot.  Initially off target and then high and left once I cleaned up the crown with a round head brass wood screw and some valve grinding paste. Due to a combination of things, it got put in the safe and forgotten until recently, when I found a second-hand barrel and had it fitted.  Was on target at 100 yards on its first outing with a score of 45.2 / 50.  At 300 yards I was eating sand and advised to bed the action.
A dusting with WD-40 and talc revealed the following impressions:

So it looks like I have some work to do...

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Mayhem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 06 2016 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 335	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mayhem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 1943 ROF (F) No 4 Mk I - accurizing Posted: January 13 2024 at 5:01am
	I picked up this No 4 quite a few years ago and couldn't get it to shoot. Initially off target and then high and left once I cleaned up the crown with a round head brass wood screw and some valve grinding paste. Due to a combination of things, it got put in the safe and forgotten until recently, when I found a second-hand barrel and had it fitted. Was on target at 100 yards on its first outing with a score of 45.2 / 50. At 300 yards I was eating sand and advised to bed the action. A dusting with WD-40 and talc revealed the following impressions: So it looks like I have some work to do...
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britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 13 2024 at 5:52am
	Restoring the forend bearings is a time consuming woodworking art. The armorers that did this are all but gone, they were very skilled at this. Not a very profitable business for them. Epoxy bedding is the easy alternative, although not match legal in most countries vintage service rifle matches. But, if you don’t shoot in matches, this is of no consequence. How I wish I could find NOS barrels and forends. I have one NOS No. 4 Mk 2 beech set, should have bought two when I had the chance. At least Criterion will be releasing a new production run of No. 4 barrels soon.

martini1215 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: December 11 2023 Location: Cleethorpes Status: Offline Points: 90	Post Options Post Reply Quote martini1215 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 13 2024 at 6:23am
	You do have that sense of satisfaction at the end when it all comes together , you will have a great looking gun which shoots well. Due to legalities and time consuming rules to overcome in the UK. I am afraid I direct my skills toward air rifles, so far there are Webley Mk3, BSA Model D, BSA Breakdown pattern and a BSA Ladies Pattern. 3 wouldnt fire and required new springs snd washers. Its a lovely feeling when something not quite as it should be gets a new lease of life.

Mayhem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 06 2016 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 335	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mayhem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 13 2024 at 4:25pm
	Fortunately, the club I am in segregates between rifles with scope and those without, so epoxy bedding and other accurizing is acceptable. I only intend to shoot in the competitions within our club. Although, I did shoot in an interclub comp and the only condition was non-scoped rifles for that event. I wish it had been a NOS barrel. A used SH was all I could find without going a new barrel option. Honestly, at this stage I am not sure I want to go that path until I have the data to make an informed decision.
	.303 - Helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889