A P14 Rebarreling And Cartridge change Project

[Dthunter]

Hello guys! I have a P14 rifle that I want to put a custom flair to.


I am planning/hoping to put a match quality barrel, medium taper, about 24" long. This barrel will be in .308, and 1:12" Twist rate.


The cartridge I want to chamber it for is 30-30 winchester.


Why? Because .312 diameter bullets are harder to find lately, and I have minimal brass available for the 303 British (3-400 cases).


The .308 diameter has a huge variety of bullets available, and I have well over 1500 cases available for the 30-30 winchester.




Here are my comparisons/thoughts:




A) The magazine for the 303 is a very close match for the taper of the 30-30 Winchester. The shoulder diameters of both the 30-30 Winchester, and the 303 British are both .401". The cases are obviously shorter with the 30-30 winchester, but fit the P14's floor plate taper perfectly. No modifications required there. And no feeding issues should arrise.


B) Rim thickness is "SUPPOSED" to be 0.084" for the 303 British, and 0.063" for the 30-30 Winchester. Upon ACTUAL measuring of about 20 cases of each caliber (303British & 30-30 Winchester) There was only 0.002" difference or less.


C) Both are rimmed cases, with the 30-30 Winchester rim being 0.034" narrower (30-30 Win. were 0.500" in diameter), and the 303 British rims were at 0.530" diameter.


I function tested 10, cases from the 30-30 winchester (With only a 165grain sierra btsp seated in an unprimed case, and seated to the bottom of the neck). They fed and ejected without a hitch when cycled at a steady firm rate.


The only failures that occurred were when the bolt was pulled back gently/slowly. The case would just come 1/2 way out of the chamber and sit there. I am thinking this is due to the chamber being much larger in the P14 than a 30-30 winchester case, and the case just sits down at the bottom of the 303 british chamber, and slides off the extractor rail when pulled slowly rearward.


Also, if I do chamber this new barrel to 30-30 Winchester, What reamer dimensions should I go with to best suit shooting a 170 grain cast boolet like the Lyman 311041?



So this is my project idea. Am I missing anything obvious that will make this project more difficult than I anticipate? Thanks for your time!

[JeffinNZ]

Do yourself a favour and chamber it to .30/40 Krag. No changes needed.

[Dthunter]

I don't have a single 30-40 Krag cartridge case. I haven't even seen one in 20 years around here. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[LAGS]

The Hot Ticket for the P-14 action is to rebarrel it in 7.62x54R.
It was first done in Pakistan in the mid '80's by Col.Jawad Umar of the Pakistani Army using a chrome lined Russian Machine gun barrel.
You can get a .310 .311 or .312 barrel blank from McGowen Barrels and have it threaded for the P-14.
The Bolt does not need to be changed, and the rifle is as accurate as can be out to 800 yards or more.
The Rifle Col.Umar devoleped is called a " Dangar "rifle, which means Amimalistic.
I have spoken to Col. Umar several years ago, and last I heard he was designing a new .308 Nato load for POF in Pakistan.
The stronger action of the P-14 and a heavier Barrel allows you to get the most out of the 7.62x54R round .
I want to build one of these rifles myself, but havent been able to find a good action to use.
Most actions in good condition , I wouldnt want to butcher up.
And a lot of the others came off Drill Rifles that were sometimes Welded at the action to the barrel or the bolt ground when they cut off the firing pin.
The P-14 also makes a good 300 Win Mag with little bolt modification.

If you bore is good on the barrel you have, I bet it could be set back and rechambered ti the 7.62x54R with no problem.
I say setting back only because the .303 uses a longer case.

[bruce drake]

Interesting thought regarding the 7.62x54R as the rim for the Russian case is .567" while the original 303 Brit case has a .540 rim diameter.

Myself, I'd look for a new 303 Brit barrel myself but if you already have a .308 barrel waiting to be threaded and chambered, I'd consider the 30-40Krag as my preferred cartridge despite the action being strong enough to shoot the Russian cartridge.

Nothing says you can't chamber the new barrel with a 30-40Krag Improved which would put you right into 308 Winchester power levels with jacketed bullets while also giving you a chambering with a minimal body tapered cartridge.

Bruce

[onceabull]

If I had that many 30/30 cases and NO 30/40 Krags. I might go for a 30/30 Ackley Imp. rebarrel,or cutoff amd rechamber.. I doubt if many 303 Br.originals are so large in boresize that a 0.312 boolit wouldn't do the job, and a rechamber job with the barrel off a rifle shouldn't cost much,if any,more than the standard 30/30.. Use the standard 30/30 cases until you have enough fireformed to load up to 30/30 AI potential.... Onceabull

[bruce drake]

you can convert 303 Brit to 30-40Krag brass.

[Char-Gar]

I think your idea of barreling a P14 to 30-30 with a 1-12 twist is a good notion. The 30-30 round is a cast bullet dream. It has about ideal powder capacity and the long neck is good for grabbing cast bullets.

I would not use an AI form of 30-30 for that shortens the necks and if it is velocity with jacketed bullet you are after, there are larger cases available.

The Krag round (30-40) would also be a very good idea.

[John Allen]

If the barrel is decent. I can use one. let me know.

[MaLar]

You could fit any of the short magnums to your P14.
I think the 30-30 would not fit your bolt face well enough to have 100 percent extraction.
You could try and locate a Model 1917 bolt and open it to fit the 30 WCF.
You could even swap the extractor between the two.

[kiwi]

A dude I use to shoot with years ago did what you want to do his P14 barrel was toast he obtained a secondhand .308 1 in 13" match barrel had it set back and chambered in 30/30 for range use he loaded military FMJ's and hunting 170 RN 30/30 projectiles he killed a pile of deer and pigs with it,
I have 2 .308 13" twist barrels they shoot cast bullets real well from sub sonic to 2100fps a 30/30 should be great for boolits they can get factory velocities with cast
the new barrel will last forever with cast boolits,
Cheers
Robert.

[rockrat]

I picked up a rifle years ago that was a P14 converted to 38-55 and single shot. Almost a full bull barrel and a thumbhole stock.
Stock trigger, and a cheap scope, but man, will that thing shoot. I think it has a Shilen barrel on it.

I can shoot a 7" gong @500 yds all day, as long as the wind isn't blowing, with a 310gr BRP boolit. Our 500 yd targets are back in a kind of a draw and with the hills, the wind turbulence can be brutal

[Dthunter]

I went to my gunsmith friends place yesterday, and we went through the project in detail.

he has all sorts of parts for p14-P17's. We took the extractor and bolt collar from a P17 and fitted it onto the bolt. The extractor fit much better than the original.

all we have to do is grind the extractor to the proper dimensions for the barrel groove and to facilitate smooth feeding.

I will also switch the bolt to cock on opening.

The rifles my friend has modified look real nice and stream lined!

For the time bieng, the rifle will stay as a 303 British.

When my barrel arrives, then the fun starts! Lol!


My project isnt about needing/wanting more power. I have other rifles for that. Its about making a rifle that is on a magazine fed platform, that will feed and shoot both Cast and jacketed well.


the 30-30 is a well balanced cartridge design for cast boolet shooting. As stated in an above post, the long neck lends itsself to support and hold a cast boolet very well. The powder capacity is near ideal as well. This will be a fun, and economical rifle to shoot!

[Ben]

Let the cartridge head space on the datum line of the cartridge case ( NOT THE RIM ). Then, you'll have zero problems.

Ben

[Dthunter]

Let the cartridge head space on the datum line of the cartridge case ( NOT THE RIM ). Then, you'll have zero problems.

Ben

absolutely Ben! Thats very important to maintain god case life and accuracy!

[Larry Gibson]

I say go for it. If it doesn't work out in 30-30 it can easily be rechambered to 30-40, .303 or 7.62x54R (for use with .308 bullets).

Only real suggestion I have is if you intend to use it with cast bullets you might consider a 13 or, better yet, a 14" twist. The 14" twist will stabilize cast bullets up through the length of the RCBS 30-80-FN and you can push velocities upwards of 2500 - 2600 fps with excellent accuracy. If you want to use a heavier or longer bullet the 13" twist will stabilize the 311299 at 1300+ fps an you should be able to push velocities upwards of 2400+ fps.

Also since your paying the same price for such a quality barrel I'd suggest opting for a 26" length. You can always shorten it if it proves too long.

Larry Gibson

[LAGS]

The nice thing about a Rimmed Cartridge is,
If you set up the rifle to headspace on the case head, and no matter what the shoulder dimension is, if you neck size the cases only after they are fired in that chamber, then you will be guaranteed TWO datum points to support th cartridge in the chamber.
You can't ask for more when it comes to accuracy.

[leebuilder]

Nice project. P14 actions are a dime a dozen here at times. I would go with the 30-30 loading like you wanted, good for cast and easier to get cases and being a bolt action you can use all types of 308 boolits. The only problems i have encountered modifying P14s was the hardness of the breech. I rebarreled one with a new 303 barrel, turned out real nice and very accurate. Boyds makes fine stocks for them too.
Any questions please ask
be well

[Dthunter]

I went to my gunsmith friends place yesterday, and we went through the project in detail.

he has all sorts of parts for p14-P17's. We took the extractor and bolt collar from a P17 and fitted it onto the bolt. The extractor fit much better than the original.

all we have to do is grind the extractor to the proper dimensions for the barrel groove and to facilitate smooth feeding.

I will also switch the bolt to cock on opening.

The rifles my friend has modified look real nice and stream lined!

For the time bieng, the rifle will stay as a 303 British.

When my barrel arrives, then the fun starts! Lol!


My project isnt about needing/wanting more power. I have other rifles for that. Its about making a rifle that is on a magazine fed platform, that will feed and shoot both Cast and jacketed well.


the 30-30 is a well balanced cartridge design for cast boolet shooting. As stated in an above post, the long neck lends itsself to support and hold a cast boolet very well. The powder capacity is near ideal as well. This will be a fun, and economical rifle to shoot!

[Dthunter]

The nice thing about a Rimmed Cartridge is,
If you set up the rifle to headspace on the case head, and no matter what the shoulder dimension is, if you neck size the cases only after they are fired in that chamber, then you will be guaranteed TWO datum points to support th cartridge in the chamber.
You can't ask for more when it comes to accuracy.

I couldn't agree more! This is exactly my intention.

[Dthunter]

Nice project. P14 actions are a dime a dozen here at times. I would go with the 30-30 loading like you wanted, good for cast and easier to get cases and being a bolt action you can use all types of 308 boolits. The only problems i have encountered modifying P14s was the hardness of the breech. I rebarreled one with a new 303 barrel, turned out real nice and very accurate. Boyds makes fine stocks for them too.
Any questions please ask
be well

Thankyou! Boyds do make a wonderful stock for these rifles! I replaced the original stock with a Boyds last year. The newly modified action will wear the same stock.

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpstxemndgd.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpstxemndgd.jpg.html)

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps8c0c0d67.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps8c0c0d67.jpg.html)

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[Larry Gibson]

Sweet!

Larry Gibson

[Dthunter]

thank you Larry! I am excited to get this project moving!

[rosst]

look forward to seeing how this project goes . .. R

[Frank46]

There was a article many years ago by Norman Johnson regarding using either a P13 or P14 action (don't remember which in either rifle or handloader magazine. He used a short 30 or 32 caliber rimmed cartridge for cast bullets. He did use it as a single shot rather than a repeater. Frank

[swheeler]

There was a article many years ago by Norman Johnson regarding using either a P13 or P14 action (don't remember which in either rifle or handloader magazine. He used a short 30 or 32 caliber rimmed cartridge for cast bullets. He did use it as a single shot rather than a repeater. Frank

Almost sounds like the 30 Johnson Special done by Carl Johnson on a 1917 with 1-15 twist Hobaugh barrel, cast bullet gun. He shortened up the 30-30 to about 1.6" and turned the rims to .470 for the 1917 bolt face.

[firefly1957]

If you plan on using the gun for cast bullets you can not go wrong with the 30-30 enjoy your project!

[swheeler]

I'd say go for it, you got to use all that brass up, eh? :-)

[Idaho Mule]

I agree with Larry, That stock is SWEET!! JW

[Dthunter]

thankyou JW! Boyds did a great job on that one!

Just a note, I did hand rub some boiled linseed oil into the stock. Got my hands hot with friction and the oil absorbed well causing the colors sort of pop. I did 4-5 coats hand rubbed.

[map55b]

I recently rebarreled a Remington 30 (P17) and a P14 to 375 H&H. An old timer smith and mentor said that those big old action should have a big old cartridge in them.

[hubel458]

They should also have a big new cartridge in some

of them, the 585HE.. Ed

[Dthunter]

Wohooo, Stage one is finished! I am very pleased with the results Thus far!

I managed to get my rifle today, and I installed the scope an hour ago! But I will not get a chance to shoot it for two more weeks!
I will posts a bunch of pictures in chronological order to emphasise the changes from before to after the initial modifications. The one item that I am still waiting for is the "cock-on-opening" assembly.
Hope you like the pictures!
A few original pictures: http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/image_P141_zpsffuvtp70.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/image_P141_zpsffuvtp70.jpg.html)
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/image_P143_zpsbxr99hbx.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/image_P143_zpsbxr99hbx.jpg.html)
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[Dthunter]

A few Detailed pictures of the modified action before the scope was mounted:

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_3783_zpsyjdrt3ab.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_3783_zpsyjdrt3ab.jpg.html)
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_3785_zpsmohfejjd.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_3785_zpsmohfejjd.jpg.html)
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_3786_zpstotkyt96.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_3786_zpstotkyt96.jpg.html)
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_3794_zpsffr0ul3q.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_3794_zpsffr0ul3q.jpg.html)
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http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_3802_zps2h0x7xey.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_3802_zps2h0x7xey.jpg.html)

[Dthunter]

And Now With The Scope Installed
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_3827_zps8opmy6ta.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_3827_zps8opmy6ta.jpg.html)http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_3821_zpsop1waouw.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_3821_zpsop1waouw.jpg.html)
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_3818_zpsjhrdysmf.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_3818_zpsjhrdysmf.jpg.html)
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_3819_zpsqhsfahqy.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_3819_zpsqhsfahqy.jpg.html)
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_3815_zps1yxnzzfx.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_3815_zps1yxnzzfx.jpg.html)
All that's left in this project, is to install a match quality barrel in 30-30 Winchester!

[Frank46]

Swheeler, exact same cartridge. I've a huge stack of both magazines and someday I'll find the article. I've a winchester 54 action that is setup from the factory as a 30-30. Barrel looked like a sewer pipe so took it off. Magazine has two slanted plates in it and you have to keep the rim of the cartridge ahead of the last one or you get rim jam. I had the bolt done by Griffen & Howe many years ago and it's already D&T for scope. Frank

[Ballistics in Scotland]

The nice thing about a Rimmed Cartridge is,
If you set up the rifle to headspace on the case head, and no matter what the shoulder dimension is, if you neck size the cases only after they are fired in that chamber, then you will be guaranteed TWO datum points to support the cartridge in the chamber.
You can't ask for more when it comes to accuracy.

Was there ever a benchrester who didn't ask for less? Metal expands when heated, and cases vary in their degree of springiness when sized. If you size your cases to have contact on both rim and shoulder, it is sometimes going to be on only one of these, and sometimes on the other. I'd make it rim, and have a little space to prevent dirt in the chamber from making closure difficult. It may only happen once in a while, but it is going to be the shot of a lifetime when it does.

There is a lot to be said for the Krag or the 7.62x54R rather than the heaviest and clumsiest .30-30 you will ever see. It may be that reducing the expander button with fine abrasive will make the 7.62x54R case grip a .308 bullet, or even that some of the diemakers may offer them for that purpose. If you did, you would need a reamer with the right size of pilot, or an interchangeable pilot. A general principle is that the cost of a reamer will pay for a lot of cases.

The P14 bolt face and extractor don't need any alteration for the magnum head, and they don't necessarily have to be short magnums. I made mine into a .300H&H, and achieved good feeding with my own silver soldered bronze magazine box and rearward extension to the follower, and some work on the feed ramp and rails. I don't know that the .300 Winchester would be any easier, with its shorter length but wider and more sharply angled shoulder.

You may or may not find a big hole under the rear sight sight, which you will probably want to fill if you remove the rear sight ears and attach a scope base. The best way to do this is to cut and file a piece of steel which is a close fit, and weld it at the top only. If you try to fill the hole with weld, you may make the bottom of the hole, which is very thin, sag into the bolt way. I have heard it said that the magnum conversion is unsafe with the original barrel, because although it is otherwise of a very usable contour, the chamber comes close to a screwhole.

If you want to fit an aftermarket trigger, there is no need for one with a trigger safety, as the cocking-piece safety on these rifles is an extremely good one. I used the Dayton-Traister steel trigger and cock-on-opening kit, not so much for the cock on opening as for the lock time. The action of the safety then gave a slight click, but I was able to eliminate all noise by working on the slot in the new Dayton-Traister cocking-piece with a Dremel tool and diamond burr, removing about a pinhead's-worth of steel, and got total silence without losing the very slight lift of the cocking-piece off the sear which is essential for safety. If you have the opposite, a pull of the trigger dumping the cocking-piece onto the safety, there isn't room for the sear to get back into place, and you have an accident waiting to happen when the safety is taken off.

153071

[Dthunter]

Update to the project!

My First Day Out With The Updated P14.

I mounted my 6.5x20X40mm VXIII To Start load development.
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_4601_zpsazfb9pny.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_4601_zpsazfb9pny.jpg.html)


http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_4596_zpspzly5mlb.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_4596_zpspzly5mlb.jpg.html)


http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_4618_zpspdncsnpi.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_4618_zpspdncsnpi.jpg.html)


Here is a few targets I Fired today. Its -15 to 20, and frigidly humid feeling today?! But That didn’t stop me from Flinging a few bullets down range!




This target is with a 46.0 grain charge of a bulk powder W760 ( a very slow lot of W760) and a Hornady 174 grain Interlock bullet. I never Chronyed the loads today, as I had forgot my Chronograph at home!


http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/image1_zpsyrxe8vug.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/image1_zpsyrxe8vug.jpg.html)


This is another charge of the bulk W760. The rifle seems to like this charge weight so far. I need to shoot a few more 5 shot groups to confirm this loads potential.


http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/image2_zpshwexeito.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/image2_zpshwexeito.jpg.html)


The rifle is showing some promise. Lots more shooting to do for load consistency confirmation!

[Dthunter]

I know this isnt about cast boolets today but, I Had a great day out shooting the P14! The P14 Shot one group that was much better than average! I pulled one round to the left on my second group, but all indications point to that I may have found my hunting load. This load is a little slow in velocity, but I don't think there will be any issues with that.


The first target has all the load information on it, and the second target I never took the time to write the information before I took the picture. I apologise for that.


http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/image1%202_zpshf3dznmp.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/image1%202_zpshf3dznmp.jpg.html)


This target is a load that has all the same components as the one above, just 1 grain higher in charge weight.
This load didn't cluster as tight as the one above (still 5 shots), but still did better than I expected this old rifle to do.
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/image4_zpsmd5cn8i1.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/image4_zpsmd5cn8i1.jpg.html)


Overall, I look forward to retry these loads to confirm their performance at longer distances (200-300 yards) to see if they stay tight on target.


I tried two other groups with Imr4451 and they both showed a tendancy to group 4 shots together and one just outside the group. Sorry, no pictures available at this time. They were in the 1.2" to 1.35" range for the 5 shots. They have potential, as long as I can concentrate on 5 consecutive well squeezed shots!


I having fun with this old girl!

[earthquake]

I bought 2 Remington P14 actions from Springfield Sporters years ago for $40 each, They are Drill purpose actions [marked "DP"] but they were not welded on. I built a .458 Win Mag out of one of them, its not a pretty rifle but it is very functional, the barrel is 26" long with a muzzle brake, it feel like shooting a 270 win with 500gn factory ammo. I straightened the bottom metal but left the magazine box full length, it will hold 5 round in the mag, this makes the stock belly look kind of odd but not bad. shooting it off the bench it will put 3 rounds on target you can cover with a quarter, one of these days I am going to rechamber it to 458 Lott and make a real barn stormer out of it. one thing I recommend if you use a P14/M17 action for a hard kicking round is to straighten the bolt handle or it may bust you in the knuckle when you shoot it. I think I am going to make the other action into a .300 RUM. I cant find a picture right now but will post one when I find it.

Casey

[lar45]

Looks like a great project and you definatly can't argue with the results.

[Parson]

If I remember correctly I bought seven of them for less then $200, don't remember what I did with all but my favorite was 416 Rigby, those were the days, knew it would one day end but came never to be seen again, same with 98's, last I bought was 5 for less then $150 shipped, wish I had bought a truck load

[Brithunter]

I know this isnt about cast boolets today but, I Had a great day out shooting the P14! The P14 Shot one group that was much better than average! I pulled one round to the left on my second group, but all indications point to that I may have found my hunting load. This load is a little slow in velocity, but I don't think there will be any issues with that.


The first target has all the load information on it, and the second target I never took the time to write the information before I took the picture. I apologise for that.


http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/image1%202_zpshf3dznmp.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/image1%202_zpshf3dznmp.jpg.html)


This target is a load that has all the same components as the one above, just 1 grain higher in charge weight.
This load didn't cluster as tight as the one above (still 5 shots), but still did better than I expected this old rifle to do.
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/image4_zpsmd5cn8i1.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/image4_zpsmd5cn8i1.jpg.html)


Overall, I look forward to retry these loads to confirm their performance at longer distances (200-300 yards) to see if they stay tight on target.


I tried two other groups with Imr4451 and they both showed a tendancy to group 4 shots together and one just outside the group. Sorry, no pictures available at this time. They were in the 1.2" to 1.35" range for the 5 shots. They have potential, as long as I can concentrate on 5 consecutive well squeezed shots!


I having fun with this old girl!

Of course due to using a much stronger action you are not limited by the low pressure to which the 30-30 is normally loaded. Some years back Petersens Rifle Shooter did an article on Souping up the Ole 30-30 and that was really interesting. A few years later I acquired a custom built bolt rifle in 30-30 so dug the article out and using some of the data loaded the 130 Grn Honady Spire Points to around 2800 fps and they shoot really well. Unlike you P-14 I cannot load anything over 150 grn in spitzer type bullets due to the magazine length as it was made to factory 30-30 length. Powder that the is used for this is Hodgdons H335.

Now I am suposing that your stock is the Boyds Classic rather than the Prarie Hunter?

reason for asking is that I need a new stock still for my own P-14 project:-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Brithunter/Project%20P-14/P6110140.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brithunter/media/Project%20P-14/P6110140.jpg.html)

This is a rebuild of a BSA commercially sporterised P-14 in 303 from the late 1940's or early 50's.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Brithunter/Project%20P-14/P4300102.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brithunter/media/Project%20P-14/P4300102.jpg.html)

The bore was a sewar pipe and had also been chopped back and the foresight resoldered on squewed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Brithunter/Project%20P-14/P5280135.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brithunter/media/Project%20P-14/P5280135.jpg.html)

The new barrel is BSA one that was then bull burnished by AG. Parker of Birmingham England:-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Brithunter/Project%20P-14/P5280136.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brithunter/media/Project%20P-14/P5280136.jpg.html)

The proof marks on it are from 1954 or 1955.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Brithunter/Project%20P-14/P5280134.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brithunter/media/Project%20P-14/P5280134.jpg.html)

The headspace is minimum. Apart from test firing it has not been shot due to other problems not related to the rifle. Now this is my 30-30 Bolt actioned rifle:-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Brithunter/HQRoeDoeMedwell.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brithunter/media/HQRoeDoeMedwell.jpg.html)

A handsome rifle even if I do say so myself. Will be interesting to follow how yours does at the longer ranges and if you try other bullets.

[Mike H]

Dthunter,
The load with 47 grains of H4350 is about the level of cordite service loads,I would stick with it,if a few more groups hold around that accuracy.
Mike.

[Russ303]

This sounds like something I would do but if your goal is to use 30-30 brass and cast bullets why not turn the barrel back and braze in an adaptor then run a finishing reamer in it. You could run 314 cast in it you just need to do some work on you dies. It's not hard I did this to use 223 brass in a 32wsl. You could have a 7.7x51R

[Frank46]

Brithunter, I've got that same exact stock sitting around here. Bubba got his hands on a P14 and let's say the drilling and tapping left much to be desired. Frank

[Dthunter]

Brit hunter:

You are correct, the stock is a "classic" Boyds design.

After shooting about 15 more groups of various powders and bullets, and boolets, I am going to stay with the 303 British caliber for now. It just shoots too good to change it!

I am really getting attached to this rifle! It looks and feels like it will be a hunting companion for some time to come! I will be carrying it this spring for Black Bear season.

[accessaryman]

hi guys although this is five years after this thread , i was wondering the out come of the build,
i have acquired 2 p14 actions which i am planning to build 2 rifles from, one as a bush rifle and the other as a target rifle, the bush gun im planning leaving as a 303, the other im thinking of 7mmrem mag, any thoughts ?
regards owen