I've been thinking a good bit about the .303 British caliber and about the various Lee Enfields. And I have come to the conclusion that I really really like the .303 as a hunting and shooting caliber. Without wildcatting it the .303 can, will and has killed every small to large animal in the U.S. (not to mention that I suspect that it has killed a few Polar Bear further north also).

It is just a matter of the right bullet/powder for the right critter and as always shot placement. So even the wrong bullet in the right place (or two or three) will work.

Am I saying that the .303 is perfect? Well perfect enough for me. But I won't be getting rid of the .45-70, .30-06, .30-06AI .308 Winchester, 7.62x39, 7.62x54r, or the .25-06 and up and coming .257 Weatherby Magnum. Which are perfect enough for me too.

 

Now here is why I posted this thread in this section.

With the exception of the .308 Winchester (Savage Model 10FP w/24" barrel) all of the rest are either after market, sporterized or some form of bubba'd military surplus rifle. Again with the exception of the .308 Winchester and one of the 7.62x39's the rest are cock on closing which I thought was interesting.

The .45-70 is on a No1 MkIII action, and without getting up and going to look/count I would have to say I have at least 4 sporterized (one really bubba'd) No4 Mk1's.

The rest are a mix of U.S. M1917's and Mosin Nagant's.

Now not all are finished. But they all will be by this time next year.

 

I do like the the looks and feel of an original military surplus rifle, which I have in a few Lee Enfields and a couple of Mosin Nagants, but there is just something special, at least to me about an after market, bubba'd and or sporterized military surplus rifle. 

And not to hurt anyones feelings or to stir up anything I believe that just because those rifles are no longer "as manufactured" does not end their history-it only adds to it/them.

Now I have never altered an original military surplus rifle (other than cleaning up the crown a little) and chances are I never will.

And actually I am bidding on a 1942 Lithgow at gun broker that has been ummm sporterized and if I win it I might try to put back to as close to original as possible. 

I am the same way with motorcycles too.

Nothing like getting an old Honda, Kawasaki, Triumph, BSA, Harley etc... that doesn't run and someone tried to chop/cafe etc... and doing it right or restoring it if it is close enough. Well except for maybe a big bore kit and cams and ignition upgrades. Possibly a carb.

I was given a 1975 Honda CB750. Yep, the guy that own it parked it a while back. Told me I could have it if I cut the tree down that had grown threw/around the rear wheel and swingarm. It was only a few feet in the air. And yes I got that bike. Should be starting on it this winter.

Hmmm, after rereading this post maybe I should have posted it in a different section.