Of you course you can reload it to get well above 2450 fps. And you can do the same with the 6.5x54 Mannlicher. But our Firearms Enquiry Officers have a standard list of calibres that are and are not deer legal. This is based on the standard factory ammunition. They do not understand intricacies of home loading, nor for that matter the Home Guidance on Firearms Licencing. To own such a rifle I need to show good reason. I cannot demonstrate good need for deer stalking as it is not a deer legal calibre in Scotland. Besides I already have a 243, 7x65R and a 7x57 all for deer stalking and all of which do what a 303 can do and would struggle to show need for an additional stalking rifle. I could use it for target shooting, but I don't see a lot of point paper punching and am not a member of a target shooting club.

So whilst I would love to have a Lee Speed, and a Mannlicher Schouener and ................. the reality is I pretty much have what I need and in Scotland we really are pretty unable to have lots of nice rifles just because we like them.

I know the person selling this rifle well and he is very happy to send it overseas if required hence the reason for putting info of its availability on here where there are others who are able to both appreciate and own such beautiful pieces of workmanship.