Could it be that.........?
Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 3:26 am
the confusion has arisen from the Brit experience with the Long Lee Enfield during the Boer War? (the dates are wrong, I know, but it seems too much of a coincidence.)
When I got my BSA Commercial Long Lee I was disappointed that it shot way to the right and with no windage adjustment front or rear shooting it is a pain. (Now you understand my reluctance to pick up the Strangely-Brown challenge gauntlet):oops:
Apparently, the first troops to go to South Africa found that their rifles shot 6" to the right at 200 yards whereas the Boer Mauser Model 95/97s were spot on at all ranges.
Investigations later revealed that the British rifles had been accepted by the War Department based on their ability to group and not on their point of impact.
The rifles were returned, rezeroed and reissued. (I can't remember whether it was the fore or rear sights that were altered but suspect the latter).
My suspicion is that my rifle was built to the exact same early military specification but, being commercial, was never put right. That could explain why it has had so little use. The bore is superb.
The accuracy of the Boer rifles when compared with that of the Lee Enfields led to criticism of British marksmanship in general and was a significant factor in the rise in popularity of the small bore rifle clubs prior to WWI.
It's a possible explanation for the Coriolis effect excuse.
When I got my BSA Commercial Long Lee I was disappointed that it shot way to the right and with no windage adjustment front or rear shooting it is a pain. (Now you understand my reluctance to pick up the Strangely-Brown challenge gauntlet):oops:
Apparently, the first troops to go to South Africa found that their rifles shot 6" to the right at 200 yards whereas the Boer Mauser Model 95/97s were spot on at all ranges.
Investigations later revealed that the British rifles had been accepted by the War Department based on their ability to group and not on their point of impact.
The rifles were returned, rezeroed and reissued. (I can't remember whether it was the fore or rear sights that were altered but suspect the latter).
My suspicion is that my rifle was built to the exact same early military specification but, being commercial, was never put right. That could explain why it has had so little use. The bore is superb.
The accuracy of the Boer rifles when compared with that of the Lee Enfields led to criticism of British marksmanship in general and was a significant factor in the rise in popularity of the small bore rifle clubs prior to WWI.
It's a possible explanation for the Coriolis effect excuse.