From my father I got the Lee Enfield rifle number 5 with iron sight only. I have fired it occasionally
and a .38 Enfield no 2 revolver which is a joy to fire. both are vintage original British army weapons bought and cared for by the family.
These are wonderful weapons. Am intrigued about the Enfield No. 2 though. That's a rare piece. The Royal Indian Army, used both Enfields and Webley MK IV revolvers.
Much before my time, both the SMLE Mk V and Webley Mk IV 0.38/200 were in use in the NCC in Pakistan up to the 1960s.
I have however used both the SMLE MK V and 0.38/200 Webley MK IV on the range at a gun club. The "peep " sights on the SMLE MK V are dead accurate.
Question: Are 0.303 rounds still available?
On the 0.22 LR rifle you wish to acquire:
It depends on what you want it for.
In the old days for hunting, a bolt action Bruno or BSA was preferred due to fit, finish, and finely calibrated iron sights . The stock had to be fitted properly and made of genuine seasoned walnut to prevent warping and interfering with the action and sights.
The top of the line Mauser and Winchester models were horribly expensive.
But times have changed:
Mass production and new materials have drastically reduced costs while maintaining all the quality offered by the Mauser and Winchester Models.
Polymer stocks, chrome lined barrels, teflon coated actions, have produced extremely low priced semi-automatic 0.22 LR rifles that are very rugged and reliable. These rifles don't even have sights because it is assumed you will use scopes. The result is low priced rifles that will match or exceed the accuracy and reliability of the expensive Mauser, Brunos, BSAs .
The Remington 66 was the first of these rifles, though its 14 round tubular magazine is pain to load.
Also it didn't have scope mounts but had to be fitted.
The Ruger 10/22 with a 10 round rotary magazine is my favorite. Even when fitted with a low priced Simmons or Barska scope it gives a great performance. My friend has one,and it is a breeze to shoot.
American 0.22 LRs such as Savage, Marlins, Henrys are low priced reliable, all in the range from $200-$450. There are survival 0.22 LRs , bare bones break open types that are $150.
These rifles are for small game hunting and recreational shooting.
Their extreme long range accuracy is dependent on scopes.
They do not have the accuracy for open sights competition shooting.
Those rifles can cost thousands of dollars.
So it depends on what you want.
A survival rifle, hunting and recreational shooting rifle, a high quality bolt action "collectors rifle ", or an ultra modern competition shooting target rifle.
I personally am satisfied with the Remington Nylon 66 though I wish it had a box magazine.