1941 Lithgow & 1944 Long Branch

[oldironsights]

Another fine, yet warm morning in southern Mississippi.
I went again to my range in these low coastal hills of Pearl River county with one rifle that I had not shot & the other had not been fired in years.
I used some 1952 Kynoch Mk7 ball that was all surefire, but rounds were scattered all over.
I then switched to some 1967 POF that was much better. I have found if I face the primers to the sun before firing, I do not have any problems with delayed ignition or hang-fires.
It was a sunny 75 degrees F, so the trick worked.

[oldironsights]

This is a 1941/42 Loithgow SMLE that I picked up from a pawn shop near here a few years back.
It appears to be just as it was when it was issued in 1942. This one appears to have been used very little.
The rifling & crown are still like new, & it groups tightly even if I can't seem to figure out how far to drift the front sight. I am either too far left, or too far right.
I will have to remember to bring a sissy pad for these bolt guns, as they are not as forgiving to my right shoulder(which suffers from pinched nerves anyway) as autoloading gas guns.
I had to stop shooting as any more would be just too painful.
From a cold barrel, this Lithgow will plant rounds in nearly the same hole at 100yds.
I can see why these rifles are cherished by thier owners.

[oldironsights]

Here is my 1944 Long Branch that went through India.
I replaced the short buttstock with a birch long Savage, & the forestock is a beech replacement for this one that left India with that damned Ishy screw.
I tried to match all of the wood using Chesnut Ridge gunstock stain, which has an alcohol base that penetrates right through the linseed oil finish.
It turned out a bit red, but at least the tone is more consistant with all the mismatched wood.
I wasted a few rounds figuring out the Mk2 rear sight.
I don't like this rear sight as fine adjustments are not possible.
At least I can hit the paper plate from 100 yds away.

[DuncaninFrance]

Maybe this would help And don't forget to follow through

[bradtx]

Duncan, A clever teaching aid! Do you mind if I copy it and print it for a couple of newbies?

Brad

[DuncaninFrance]

Duncan, A clever teaching aid! Do you mind if I copy it and print it for a couple of newbies?

Brad

Feel free Brad, no probelms I suggest you plastifie it (encapsulate) fo it will not smudge out on the range in the winter

[bradtx]

Thanks, Duncan!

Brad