P14/17 Big Cartridge Conversions

[Bigslug]

Anybody done one or had one done? I've got a chopped 1917 that I want to turn into a .375 H&H, and am seeking photographic examples of the process.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Sorry--no photos. I converted several 1917s to .300 Win. Mag. Not that much to it. You have to open up the bolt's face for the larger cartridge base. This can be done with a mill or a lathe (I used a mill) but has been done by some using a hand held grinder and appropriate sized grinding wheels. If you don't have a lathe you can do a very good chambering job by hand, for which you need a finishing reamer and a T-handle to turn it, and a very solid bench vise with non-marring jaws, and need to frequently clean the chips out of the reamer's cutters to avoid scoring the chamber. You'll need a "go" and "no-go" gauge to get the headspace right. After the chambering job is done you may/may not have to do a little work on the extractor to get it to feed and extract properly; and again, depending on what cartridge you are converting to, you may/may not have to modify the length of the magazine box.

[Hardcast416taylor]

Quite common for the 1917/1914 Enfields to be re-built for using the belted magnums. The action is a beastly strong candidate for this type of conversion.Robert

[Bigslug]

Yep. That's part of why I'm doing it. I like the firing pin grabbing safety, the "screw thread" bolt lugs, and cock-on-close feature. Mainly curious about magazine and feed lip modifications needed for the longer H&H rounds.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I've seen a P14 converted to .510 Wells (460WM necked up). Used a M17 magazine box to get the cartridge length

[elk hunter]

Anybody done one or had one done? I've got a chopped 1917 that I want to turn into a .375 H&H, and am seeking photographic examples of the process.

No pictures but, I've built several 375's on the M-1917 and the P-14 actions. The P-14 is somewhat easier in that the magazine well is wider and the bolt face is already about the right diameter. I've also built three 416 Rigbys and one 45-70 on the P-14 action. On the 375's and 416's I used an after market magazine box from "Numrich" and a longer follower. Don't remember where I got the followers, possibly "Numrich". Getting the conversion to feed is the most difficult part. It's a cut and try thing. I have a fixture that I can put an Enfield action in and then turn it upside-down in the mill so I can machine the rails. You might find pictures in some of the older, meaning pre-1970, gunsmithing books. Or better yet try talking with an older local gunsmith. Many of the younger smith's have never done this type of work.

[salpal48]

I have 2 Rifles built By Phil Sharpe. Both Pictured were Out of His Collection . These I purchase with many Others From his estate Years ago . Both are On military Barrels and M17 action and Both are in 30 Newton. . Both of these came with His personal loaded ammo and with His notes on the boxes. . After shooting with His ammo. , I found Them loaded to absolute Max. all were loaded with IMR4350. The second Photo has His label on the side Of the side of the stock" Philip B. Sharpe Research Labs"
The action very strong . stronger than most people are willing to load
Enclosed Photo,s
Sal
.

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

I have a wildcat 550 Gibbs, based on the original 505 on a P-14. I owned an original stamped Gibbs in 505. Any cartridge based on the 375 H&H is pretty simple, especially if you can find a P-14 bolt.

SalPal,

you need to find one of the early post-WWII Bausch & Lomb Balvar scopes for that 30 Newton.

[salpal48]

The M 1917 was always a strong action. Not very stylish. with those Big Ears. . and The Bolt Cocking On close. . But the length and The massiveness. make It a wothwhile project. Now That Originals Bring a High $ . The price does Not. At One time while springfields were selling For $19.00 . M1917 were $12.00. Those times have changed. Then everyone was Buillbing There own. Today Is a different story.

[Bigslug]

These mystical Numrich magazine boxes seem to have not existed for a few years. GRRRRRR!

[M-Tecs]

Just picked up a bubba M 1917 for very little. I will become a 375 H&H soon.

[muskeg13]

I have an already sporterized P14 still in .303, but I'm thinking of rebarreling to either .35 Winchester or .405 Winchester.

[skeettx]

I have and shoot a P-14 in 45-70
a fun gun
Mike

[Dirkdiggler01]

I have one built to 308 norma magnum.....

[Japlmg]

40 years ago, while in gunsmithing school, I built a 458 Winchester Mag on a Model of 1917 action.
Milled off the rear sight ears, and put a medium contour Douglas barrel on it.
It has been a real good on the hunt loaner gun and back up to my Winchester Model 70 in 458 WM for the last 40 years.
Took an Asian Water Buffalo and a really big Moose with it about 35 years ago.