Up until the 90's you could get Army/Police surplus Number 4's in South Africa on the cheap. Many were "Sporterised" by having the full stock cut back and scopes fitted. There were also many Enfield 22.lr training rifles around, very accurate Bull barrel single shot items. My shooting friends loved them.
There were also many imported here in the US post war, sporterized, and became hunting rifles. It's a classic design and well liked, though a bit on the heavy side. My dad had a sporterized #4 he used for hunting white tail deer and it was his favorite deer rifle. I have a couple SMLEs in my collection in original military hardware.
Ah wow Owl. Thought you guys were anti hardware from over the pond, that dad would be a US built gun guy. Also 303 is harder to get on the cheap than 308/7,62. I remember cordite sticks in 303 ammo...how old school is that.
No, after WWII many 303's, among numerous others such as Mausers, were imported and sold for a pittance. 303 was and still is readily available and a good big game (for us) hunting caliber. So they're more common than you'd think.
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