"American" Enfield sporter
Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: After Market Enfields
Forum Description: What have you done to that Enfield??
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1123
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 8:52pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: "American" Enfield sporter
Posted By: Teach
Subject: "American" Enfield sporter
Date Posted: June 28 2007 at 12:39am
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Got another project in the works! I just bought a demilled P-14 Enfield barreled receiver from AuctionArms. It's got a big hole drilled through the chamber area of the barrel, but the receiver is undamaged. I'm planning to rebarrel it in 7MM anyway, so the damaged barrel doesn't concern me. I've also acquired a stripped P-14 bolt from an ebay auction, along with some other necessary bits & pieces to complete the working parts of the action.
Now, here's the plan- - - - -Since the .303 boltface diameter is almost identical to a belted magnum, I'm planning to assemble this one as a 7MM Remington Magnum. I'll use a Richards Microfit thumbhole stock, a Timney trigger, a cock-on-opening speedlock conversion, and a few other custom bits & pieces. I have two P-17's, which I bought already sporterized, both in the original .30-06 caliber.
The P-series Enfield action is a clone of the Mauser, with a little extra bolt stroke. It was once a popular basic action for some really nice custom sporters. I wouldn't advocate butchering up a good-condition original rifle now, but there are still lots of orphaned bits & pieces out there to tinker with. It's fun, ressurecting parts from the junk bin and making a shooter from them!
Jerry
------------- Ignorance can be fixed: Stupid is forever! |
Replies:
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: June 28 2007 at 10:18pm
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Don't forget to check that the temperiing on the reciever is good before getting deeply into the project.
I heard that some of the DP'd rifles from the UK were de-tempered when being re-assigned as Drill Purposes rifles.
Apart from that it sounds like an interesting project.
You're right about the old p14's being used for some great sporter conversions, they were also "THE" rifle to get & accurize when I ewas shooting fullbore & "getting by" with a #4 Mk1 (T)*. A lot of longrange shooters were rebarreling them with Schultz & Larsen match barrels & getting some nice match rifles.
------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: Teach
Date Posted: June 30 2007 at 4:24am
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Anybody have any experience getting the demilled barrel out of the receiver? I've heard they're in there TIGHT!!!!! One suggestion I've heard involves making a plunge cut into the barrel with a lathe cutoff tool just ahead of the receiver, to relieve the torque on the thread. Can anybody confirm or debunk this suggestion? It sounds good, as long as the cut doesn't damage the front of the receiver. I've got a barrel vise and an action wrench available, but my lathe isn't in working condition yet. Gotta drive 80 miles to my school shop to use the lathe there!
Jerry
------------- Ignorance can be fixed: Stupid is forever! |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: August 04 2007 at 6:02pm
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Two Points of concern . The First is it a Eddystone ? If it is .........Lose it real fast their recivers were notorious for cracking . Second of course is the chamber being drilled like that! Is it a DP? If so get it checked out by a Gunsmith ! Removing the Barrel? Yeah I've done a few in my time ! Take one 36 inch Stilson or Pipe Spanner ! trust me although it buggers the Old Barrel it moves them to a point where the barrel wrench can be used Dave |
Posted By: Cookie Monster
Date Posted: August 05 2007 at 12:00am
| Dave I think Eddystone's had a simular problem the early M1903 Springfields were having with heat treating the recievers. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: August 14 2007 at 9:54am
Yeah I've heard of that myself ,but have never been able to put it to the test as Sprinfields are as rare as Hens Teeth,over here . I'm sure soebody will know or have proof round here though . Dave |
Cookie Monster wrote:Posted By: Cookie Monster
Date Posted: August 14 2007 at 2:09pm
Well dave come over for the Meet, I have two I will let you shoot!!!!
CM |
Posted By: No4MK2
Date Posted: December 11 2009 at 2:35am
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Actually, the cracking problems with Eddystone recivers occured during WW2 when rifles were overhauled and barrelshanks that were a bit oversized were forced into the recievers and overtorqued. Rarely, if ever will you find a cracked Eddystone with a pre WW2 barrel.BTW Winchesters and Remingtons also cracked on occasion, but as Eddystone produced the bulk of the Model 1917's , it logical that they would be the most frequent offenders. Got this info from a fellow that worked in the Ordnance corp during the war.Still, these recievers are rapidly approaching the century mark so for that reason alone proceed with caution! ------------- The LORD bless and keep you |
Posted By: LE Owner
Date Posted: December 11 2009 at 3:39pm
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The 7mm Magnum should feed okay and its a great cartridge. The .280 Remington/7mm Express is another fine cartridge especially if handloaded to suit the individual rifle.
I've wondered if rechambering a .30/06 M1917 actioned sporter who's throat is eroded to a slightly longer magnum would be worth the effort. Usually barrels set back and rechambered to cut away the eroded throat shoot more accurately than a new barrel since gradual wear of the bore tends to give a tapered bore effect insuring a tight gas seal all the way up.
Haven't checked cartridge dimensions yet to see which .30 magnum would be suited to both mag well and bolt travel.
The M1917 had a rep for long bore life due to combination of Enfield pattern rifling with cooler propellants, so a bore only slightly worn should last quite awhile.
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