Lee Speed "Type" 303 BR.

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02 January 2015, 06:59

JohnWKiely

Lee Speed "Type" 303 BR.

For many years now I have had this dream about having a "Lee Speed type" custom rifle made. Don't know why, I just wanted one.

Anyway I managed to get hold of an action and sent it off to have the works done. 26" Lothar barrel, good wood in the stock, tang safety built, express sights, 5 shot magazine, trigger worked, buffalo horn forend tip and grip cap, Silvers recoil pad etc. A Lee Speed look alike if you will.

I have worked up a load using 215 gn Woodleigh projectiles and have chronographed them at 2200 fps with good accuracy. Target at 50 metres

A few photos.

02 January 2015, 07:31

gzig5

That is a VERY nice looking rifle. So what is the history behind it? As an amateur I see a SMLE with some sort of action cover?

02 January 2015, 08:31

JohnWKiely

quote:
Originally posted by gzig5:
That is a VERY nice looking rifle. So what is the history behind it? As an amateur I see a SMLE with some sort of action cover?

The action is a 1902 MLE or Long Tom action, the predecessor to the SMLE. Original Lee Speeds were a commercial rifle built on this action. In some circles there is a big following of Lee Speed rifles.

02 January 2015, 09:19

lee440

Ihave never seen a Lee Speed that was anywhere near as gorgeous as this. truly a work of art. Tell us who did the work! I have a nicely engraved Army&Navy LeeSpeed, that is as nice as I have seen, but yours is outstanding. thanks for showing us!

02 January 2015, 19:07

bwanamrm

Ultra cool rifle!

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Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
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02 January 2015, 23:48

724wd

Wow! that has to be one of the nicest Enfield rifles in the world! what a beautiful rifle!

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03 January 2015, 23:04

theback40

I had a hankering to see how accurate a SMLE could be. I had a new take-off P14 barrel, and had a min spec .303 reamer made. Not only is it accurate, but brass fits like a glove and lasts and lasts!

04 January 2015, 04:30

fla3006

Very very nice !

05 January 2015, 00:36

Jerry Liles

A fine rifle for the Empire.

I have the same feeling about the Krag and have a rifle being done for exactly the same reason. What does Need have to do with it?

Jerry Liles

05 January 2015, 04:23

butchlambert

I love it, didn't know that you could make one look that nice.

05 January 2015, 07:17

Doug W

Very cool!!

09 January 2015, 02:35

Vol717

Now a mystery is solved for me! In the early 90s I saw an original British made rifle very much like yours. It was in a high end shop in Albuquerque and they wanted $500 for it. I couldn't understand why someone had put so much effort into a SMLE. Now I'll bet it was a Lee Speed!