View source for No.8 rifle

{{Infobox weapon
|name= Rifle .22" No.8 Mk.1
|image=
|caption=
|origin=United Kingdom
|type=[[Cadet rifle]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
|is_UK=yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service=late 1940s – 2018
|used_by=United Kingdom British Army as well as [[cadet]]s  [[Army Cadet Force|ACF]] [[Combined Cadet Force|CCF]] [[Sea Cadet Corps|SCC]] [[Air Training Corps|ATC]]
|wars=
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer=[[Royal Ordnance Factory]] [[Fazakerley]] & [[Birmingham Small Arms|BSA Ltd]], Shirley
|production_date=1947–1953
|number=
|variants=Match (prototypes only), Infantry
<!-- General specifications -->
|weight=
|length={{convert| 41|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|part_length= {{convert|23.2|in|m|abbr=on}}
|crew=
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=[[.22 Long Rifle]]
|caliber={{cvt|.22|in}}
|action=Re-designed Lee bolt, hand fed, single shot
|rate=
|velocity= {{convert|330|m/s|abbr=on}}
|range= {{convert|100|yd|abbr=on}}
|max_range=
|feed= Single shot – bolt action
|sights= Blade foresight, aperture rearsight, adjustable for elevation between {{cvt|25|and|100|yd|m}}
}}
The '''Rifle, Number 8''' (commonly referred to as the "Number 8 Rifle" or the "Number 8 Cadet Rifle") is a [[bolt-action]] [[.22 calibre]] version of the [[Lee–Enfield]] rifle designed for British Army target [[shooting]]. They are simple single-shot, hand-fed [[cadet rifle]]s and were originally designed to be used by military marksmen firing in civilian competitions. The Number 8 is no longer used by the British cadet services as a basic target rifle, replaced by the L144 and [[air rifle]]s. Some examples are in civilian ownership worldwide, especially following the disposal by the [[New Zealand]] cadet forces of their Number 8 and Number 9 rifles at auction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rifleman.org.uk/Enfield_Rifle_No.8.html|title=Historic small-bore Enfield rifles, training rifles and BSA rifles; plus league competitions|publisher=National Rifle Association Historic Arms Resource Centre – Miniature-calibre Rifles|last=Leagues|website=rifleman.org.uk|accessdate=22 May 2017}}</ref>
== Sight types ==
Typically fired at a range of {{convert|25|yd|abbr=on}}, the rearsight can be adjusted to allow fire at {{convert|50| and| 100 |yd|abbr=on}}. A harmonisation setting is also provided for firing at specially designed targets. The No 8 can also be fitted with two types of [[Sight (device)|sight]]. The more common leaf sight, allowing adjustment for elevation only, is simpler to use and more robust, but the standard of accuracy that can be achieved with this sight is lower than can be achieved with the [[Parker Hale]] PH5D sight, which allows for windage adjustment as well as elevation, in 1/4 [[minute of angle]] clicks. It is also more delicate than the leaf-sight and not generally found in cadet service. The [[Parker-Hale]] 8/53 sight adaptor unit can also be fitted to the leaf rearsight, providing windage adjustment without the removal of the issued sighting system. It screws on through the sight aperture and therefore introduces a large elevation difference, rendering the range markings on the sight useless.
==Replacement==
In 2014 the replacement contract for the rifle was put out to tender.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.government-online.net/supply-number-8-replacement-rifle/|title=Supply of Number 8 Replacement Rifle|date=6 October 2014|publisher=|accessdate=22 May 2017}}</ref> In 2016 it was announced that a modified version of the [[Savage Arms]] FVT had been chosen for this role,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukshootingnews.wordpress.com/2016/03/23/savage-arms-fvt-will-replace-22-no-8-cadet-rifle/|title=Savage Arms FVT will replace .22" No.8 cadet rifle|first=Gaz|last=Corfield|date=23 March 2016|publisher=|accessdate=22 May 2017}}</ref> entering service as the "L144 A1 Cadet Small Bore Target Rifle (CSBTR)".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soldiersystems.net/2016/05/23/edgar-brothers-awarded-landmark-mod-contract-to-provide-l144-a1-cadet-small-bore-target-rifles/|title=Edgar Brothers Awarded Landmark MOD Contract to Provide L144 A1 – Cadet Small Bore Target Rifles  |date= 23 May 2016|publisher=|accessdate= 4 June 2017}}</ref>
==Users==
;{{UK}}
* [[Army Cadet Force]]
* [[Sea Cadet Corps]]
* [[Combined Cadet Force]]
* [[Air Training Corps]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
*[https://www.rifleman.org.uk/Enfield_Rifle_No.8.html Lee-Enfield Rifle No.8]
[[Category:Single-shot bolt-action rifles]]
[[Category:Bolt-action rifles of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:.22 LR rifles]]