New stock for a BSA P-14 sporter

[Brithunter]

The history:-

Some years back I acquired this BSA sporterised P-13 in 303. BSA did these between 1949=1953 and did Five grades. It looks like this one was a Model C but it was in quite poor shape with severe rust pitting in placeas and the badly pitted bore which surprisingly shot respectable groups. Now a few years later I stumbled upon a quite nice Model E the top grade they did:-

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/4011864/51041129.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/4011864/50085554.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/4011864/50085530.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/4011864/50085497.jpg

Note poor cheek piece shape!

So the plan was to restore the model C:-

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/4011864/49620395.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/4011864/49620269.jpg
That was painted over the rust

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/4011864/49620047.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/4011864/49619915.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/4011864/49619797.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/4011864/49619384.jpg

As you can see the stock is scrap. Cannot even tell if it was the correct stock or not.

So the stage is set. Due to the picture post count this will have to follow in several posts.

[Brithunter]

Well in 2009 I happened to find that a certain dealer here in the UK had some brand new BSA made barrels for these rifles so one was obtained and fitted and we lucked out because it was not only already blacked but proofed too and had been "Ball Burnished" by A.G. Parker of Birmingham.:-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Brithunter/Project%20P-14/P5280136.jpg
This saved us loads of hassle. Acquiring a new barrel is a bit of a logistical nightmare here in the UK.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Brithunter/Project%20P-14/P5280135.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Brithunter/Project%20P-14/P5280134.jpg
Proof marks.

For now I retrieved this old Parker-Hale sporterised/targetised stock and used it:-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Brithunter/Project%20P-14/P6110140.jpg
But it really needs a new one.

Now due to some rust spots and the fact that the rest of the rifle needed a re-finish the barrelled action was re-blacked. Sadly the trigger guard went a funny colour so it looks like I will need to make a steam box and do some rust bluing/blacking. So that is how it stands now.

The time has come to select a stock to replace the one that is on it now, one of the proper style/shape to compliment the re-build/restoration. I have both the straightened guard from the BSA and of course the std Military with the drop belly that I had to source to fit the P-H stock and so far have come up with these options and the intent is to modify or change the P-14's dog leg bolt handle for something more in keeping with that on the Model E posted earlier or this BSA commercial rifle from 1923:-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Brithunter/Model1923BSAHigh-powerCaliber33BSARHS.jpg
BSA Model 1923 Hi Velocity rifle.

Now Boyds do this :-

RIA ENFIELD P17 MILITARY BARREL CHANNEL WALNUT (SEMI INLET PART) stock which I believe could be slightly modified to suit butt hat has the drop belly and would look more like the model 1923 rifle. Meanwhile Richards Mirco fit do their Old Classic #102 which could also be used and offer it in semi inletted or with no inletting cut so the stocker can do it all.

I have never done any of this so am wondering which would be the best way to go?

Your thoughts, suggestions, advice would be appreciated.

[Mk42gunner]

I have one of the Botd's RIA stocks on a M1917. IT is cut for the standard dogleg bolt, you may be able to order it without a bolt handle cut.

It could be fairly easily modified to fit a straightend triggerguard. The cheekpiece is better shaped than your pictures show, although I did reshape the curve between the comb and heel of the stock.

Robert

[Brithunter]

Thanks for that. I had not considered the bolt handle cut with the Boyds stock :oops:

The cheek piece in the photo is the original BSA stock. I had briefly considered re-shaping it but re-considered that as after all it's original even if not the best design.

I posted the photo to give an idea of the overall design that it's hoped to get close to after all this is a restoration/re-build and not a custom build.

[Mk42gunner]

I must say that I like the looks of the right side of your Model E.

Robert

[Brithunter]

I must say that I like the looks of the right side of your Model E.

Robert

Thank you,

However if we are critical then the line of the top of the comb is wrong. It needs to run down a bit towards the breech. Somehow I get the feeling tht BSA were learning about Monte Carlo stocks still when they built these.

Of course if I wa snot to worry about spoiling it's originality then it could be modified easily.

[Mk42gunner]

I wondered if the comb was high enough to comfortably use the scope. But from the pistol grip forward, I like it.

Robert

[Brithunter]

I wondered if the comb was high enough to comfortably use the scope. But from the pistol grip forward, I like it.

Robert

It is but the front should slope down towards the breech really as a result I had to change the foresight to a higher one when i fitted the redfield 70 sporting aperture sight as with the std blade/bead it was painful to shoot where the recoil drove the front of the comb into my cheek.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/4011864/376662540.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/4011864/376549980.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/4011864/376549985.jpg

It now has this Watson fore sight fitted

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/1217121/377033927.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL14/134492/1217121/377033926.jpg
This one was a bit higher than I really wanted but one does not fall over these everyday.

The Redfield was found new in a box so I brought it after all BSA kindly drilled and tapped the receiver to accept it so one might as well use the holes as they were intended .

[Shooter6br]

Cal 30-06 22 in barrel