Enfield No4 grouping issue

[The_Dogge]

Hi,

I have been doing a bit of load development for my Enfield No4, but I'm getting vertical flyers particularly at the accuracy load. I want to know what is the cause?

 

The linked targets here https://goo.gl/photos/C8u9V6NjzhwTSwc7A were shot at 50yd with a Simmons 1.5-5X20 scope, Sierra matchking bullets, H4895, CCI primers, in PPU cases probably on their third firing, neck sized, not been annealed.

 

Without the flyers I'm thinking this is very accurate for a No4, so if I can just get rid of them....

 

I'm hoping annealing the brass might help, I'd rather not work on the bedding myself as it basically shoots great.

 

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

 

[Grum87]

Are you chopping and changing the positioning of any front support during your groups? By the nature of the No4's wood work they are sensitive to how they are rested(my own results confirm this).

 

37.5gr of H4895 under a 174SMK is money in my No4.

 

If you're a tinkerer you may find freefloating the muzzle end of the woodwork and building up a pressure point at the mid band aids accuracy. Mine will hold an inch or so at 100 yards, using a No32 Mk2 optic. Not bad for being 70....

 

Ive found annealing brass to make little odds to how it shoots/scores in competitions.

[The_Dogge]

I was trying to be consistent with the rest as I thought it could be an issue, but it's a lot more recoil than I am used to, or comfortable with really, so I'm not totally sure it isn't just me.

 

The rifle has clearly had work done in the past, it has a Fultons stamp on the receiver, and the muzzle is free floating, I have never dared take it apart to see what the bedding is like anywhere else.

 

I'd rather tinker with the ammo and try again than start tinkering with the gun, try the easy stuff first and all that.

 

At least it sounds like I'm using the right powder! Thanks.

[Chris-NZ]

I wouldn't bother playing with the load much. Sounds like a classic .303 bedding issue to me.

 

In the old days here, it was always the guys with the top gunsmiths that won as they knew the secrets of the finicky no.4 bedding. Apparently, they can suddenly go off the boil too so nothing like modern bedding systems.

[terryh]

Classic 'bedding' at the end of the barrel was about 7-9 pounds pressure, I cheated on my last no.4 by neutrally bedding using Marintex then added of veneer to achieve this, worked OK.

 

41.5g N140 under 175 SMK's was my sweet spot.

 

T

[Andrew]

Crimp your loads if you aren't now. Lee Factory Crimp Die. ~Andrew

[Bushdog]

As Terry says, some pressure under the muzzle might help - I was told to apply 4lbs plus pressure on mine. I bought it from someone with the muzzle unsupported and it was very mediochre accuracy-wise. I stripped it out of the woodwork and tidied it up and replaced it with some pressure underneath the muzzle and it shoots very well now.

 

By all means try fiddling with the loads - I found that loads and components make quite a difference in the .303 (we did a fairly in depth set of testing to try and replicate Mk vii ball). We found different cases could move poi by nearly 6" with an otherwise identical load, although group size itself was virtually identical, just in a different place. We were basically trying to get the load to shoot to the markings on iron sights and as a start we were trying to get the load to print in the same place on the target as mk vii using my rifle with a scope mounted.

 

I reckon the answer lies in some pressure under the muzzle, personally.

[ted105]

41 to 42 N140 Is a good load