Enfield No.4 MkI T (British WW2 Sniper) to 1,000yds: Practical Accuracy (Feat. Jonathan Ferguson)

Published on June 5, 2025
Duration: 67:10

This video provides an in-depth review and practical accuracy test of the British Lee-Enfield No.4 MkI T sniper rifle, featuring Jonathan Ferguson from the Royal Armouries. The discussion covers the rifle's development, historical context, performance at various ranges up to 1000 yards, and its place among World War II sniper systems. The expert analysis highlights the rifle's strengths, such as its comfortable shooting position and 10-round magazine capacity, while also touching on its historical challenges and comparisons to other contemporary sniper rifles.

Quick Summary

The Lee-Enfield No.4 MkI T sniper rifle was effective out to 400 yards for torso hits, with headshots possible at 200 yards. Its design prioritized shooter comfort with a low-mounted scope and cheek piece, and its 10-round magazine offered a significant advantage over 5-round systems of the era.

Chapters

  1. 00:00:00Introduction & Sponsor
  2. 00:01:36Lee-Enfield No.4 MkI T Unveiled
  3. 00:02:04Shooting at 150 Yards
  4. 00:02:33Shooting at 250 Yards
  5. 00:03:01Shooting at 300 Yards
  6. 00:03:15Shooting at 350 Yards
  7. 00:03:46Shooting at 400 Yards
  8. 00:04:10Dialing Elevation for 400 Yards
  9. 00:04:26Shooting at 450 Yards
  10. 00:04:54Adjusting for 450 Yards
  11. 00:05:15Shooting at 500 Yards
  12. 00:06:05Comparison: M41B vs. No.4 MkI T
  13. 00:06:32Attempting 650 Yards (Visibility Issues)
  14. 00:06:51Shooting at 700 Yards (Turkey Target)
  15. 00:07:13Adjusting for 700 Yards
  16. 00:08:46Taking the No.4 MkI T to 1000 Yards
  17. 00:09:09Shooting at 1000 Yards (Windy Conditions)
  18. 00:09:371000 Yard Impact Analysis
  19. 00:10:06Final 1000 Yard Adjustments
  20. 00:11:01No.4 MkI T: True Sniper vs. Faux Sniper
  21. 00:11:43True T-Marked No.4 MkI T Details
  22. 00:12:11Holland & Holland Refurbishment
  23. 00:12:25WW2 Sniper Rifle Debate
  24. 00:13:12Comparison: British vs. German vs. Russian Snipers
  25. 00:13:34Evolution to L42A1
  26. 00:14:32Debrief: Sniper Warfare Ethics
  27. 00:15:47Debrief: Jonathan Ferguson Interview
  28. 00:17:15Faux T vs. Real MkI T
  29. 00:18:26Development History of the MkI T
  30. 00:19:23Early WW2 Sniper Rifles (P14, Ross)
  31. 00:20:24Physical Features of the MkI T
  32. 00:20:48Conversion Process of MkI T
  33. 00:21:24Mounting System: Over the Bore
  34. 00:21:35Charger Loading vs. Clip Loading
  35. 00:21:50Cheek Piece and Stock
  36. 00:22:01Magazine Cut-off Explained
  37. 00:23:29Pointlessness of Cut-off on Sniper Rifles
  38. 00:24:04Legacy Design Considerations
  39. 00:24:47Optic Mounting: Over Bore vs. Low Mount
  40. 00:25:06Comparison: MkI T vs. Swedish M41B, 98K, PU
  41. 00:25:30Shooter Comfort: Neck Strain vs. Cheek Weld
  42. 00:26:13Holland & Holland's Role
  43. 00:27:33No.32 Scope Origin (Bren LMG)
  44. 00:28:11Scope Graduation: 100 to 1000 Yards
  45. 00:29:05Manual Effective Range Discussion
  46. 00:30:20Battlefield Use of the No.4 MkI T
  47. 00:30:41Early Issues in North Africa
  48. 00:31:25Clifford Shaw's Account: Jams & Feed Stoppages
  49. 00:32:00Advantage of 10-Round Magazine
  50. 00:33:02Magazine Spring Issues & Operator Touch
  51. 00:34:17Bolt Action Cycling Speed Comparison
  52. 00:35:32Desert Environment & Lubrication
  53. 00:36:02Common Issues with No.4 Rifles
  54. 00:36:29Rogue Rifles & Accuracy Variability
  55. 00:37:10Lack of Training & Manuals
  56. 00:38:12Later War Successes (Italy Campaign)
  57. 00:39:17Love It Scouts: Elite Sniper Unit
  58. 00:40:04New Book: The Solitary War of a Sniper
  59. 00:40:49Post-War Reputation of Snipers
  60. 00:41:28Psychology of Snipers vs. Infantry
  61. 00:42:20WW1 vs. WW2 Mentality Shift
  62. 00:43:09Steve H. Book: British Sniper Overview
  63. 00:43:53Video Games & British Sniper Legend
  64. 00:44:14Iconic Gear Development Over Time
  65. 00:44:44Importance of Primary Sources
  66. 00:45:36Harry Furniss: Prolific British Sniper
  67. 00:47:16WW2 Ammunition Types (Ball, Tracer, AP)
  68. 00:48:15Sniper Rifle Accuracy Standards
  69. 00:49:23Harry Furnace's 700 Yard Shot
  70. 00:50:26German Decoy Target Test
  71. 00:51:00Windage & Elevation Challenges at Distance
  72. 00:51:51Importance of a Spotter
  73. 00:52:39Spotting Scopes: Old Hat but Effective
  74. 00:52:55Transition Phase in Sniping Development
  75. 00:54:30Podcast Continuation Announcement
  76. 00:55:30Question: Best WW2 Sniper Rifle?
  77. 00:55:53Jonathan Ferguson's Nuanced Answer
  78. 00:57:00No.4 MkI T: Top Sniper Rifle Contender
  79. 00:58:02Shooter Comfort & Magazine Capacity Advantages
  80. 00:58:21No.32 Scope Quality
  81. 00:59:01Logistics Argument Rebuttal
  82. 00:59:36Comparison: 98K Standardization Issues
  83. 01:00:01Interchangeability of Components
  84. 01:00:40UK Logistics in WW2
  85. 01:01:04No.4 MkI T as a Top Rifle
  86. 01:02:00Canadian No.4 MkI T Improvements
  87. 01:02:24Canadian No.32 Scope Mount
  88. 01:03:04Canadian Pistol Grip Stock Experiment
  89. 01:03:33Rare MkI T Variant
  90. 01:04:10Final Thoughts: Best WW2 Sniper Rifle?
  91. 01:04:17Jonathan Ferguson's Closing Remarks
  92. 01:05:15Outro & Subscribe
  93. 01:06:46Radio Communication Snippet

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the effective range of the Lee-Enfield No.4 MkI T sniper rifle?

The Lee-Enfield No.4 MkI T is generally considered effective for torso hits out to 400 yards, with consistent headshots possible at 200 yards. While stories exist of hits at 700 yards, these are exceptional and depend heavily on shooter skill and conditions.

What made the Lee-Enfield No.4 MkI T a good sniper rifle for its time?

Key advantages included its comfortable shooting position due to a low-mounted scope and cheek piece, a 10-round magazine capacity offering more sustained fire, and a robust 3x No. 32 scope. It was also a conversion of a proven infantry rifle, refined by skilled gunsmiths.

How did the Lee-Enfield No.4 MkI T compare to other WW2 sniper rifles like the M41B or 98K?

The No.4 MkI T is often debated as the best WW2 sniper rifle, with advantages in shooter comfort and magazine capacity over rifles like the 98K. It offered a more integrated system than some early conversions, though comparisons with the M41B are close, with preferences often depending on specific criteria.

What were some of the challenges or issues with the Lee-Enfield No.4 MkI T sniper rifle?

Early issues included potential teething problems with new configurations, feed stoppages due to magazine spring weaknesses, and the need for skilled operators to master the bolt action. Accuracy could also vary between individual rifles ('rogue rifles'), and early training was sometimes insufficient.

Who was responsible for refurbishing the Lee-Enfield No.4 MkI T sniper rifles?

The prestigious firm Holland & Holland was largely responsible for the refurbishment and setup of the Lee-Enfield No.4 MkI T sniper rifles, starting in late 1942. They applied their expertise to enhance the accuracy and precision of selected rifles.

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