1917 action mods for magnum cartridge

[Texas by God]

I’m currently working on a 1917 Remington that was rechambered to .300 Winchester magnum.
I’ve got the bolt face and extractor work finished and the headspace is correct.
What I’m seeking is tips for modifying the follower, action rails, or inner web beneath the rails.
What has worked for others?
I’ve fitted a Mauser to .358 Norma, and a P14 to .450 Marlin, but that was decades and some head bumps ago…..
Thanks!


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[LAGS]

I wanted to build a P14 with a Russian 7.62x54R chrome lined machine gun barrel.

[405grain]

Texas & LAGS: I may have some information that might help. PM me with your email address and I'll send you a pdf about altering the feed rails on P14's. One of the projects that I've been waiting for a while to get started on is a P1914, with a M1917 bolt and magazine, in 9.5x57 Mannlicher-Schoenaur. (Just need to finish two other rifles first)

[Texas by God]

Thank you 405 gr!
The info you sent was what I needed.
I didn’t have to go as far as they did for the 416 or 505, of course.
I had to move the shoulder ramps forward on the underside of the rails and open the rails just a bit for the magnum belt.
It holds 3 in the magazine and the 3 dummy rounds go in and out by bolt action just like they should.
The rear action ring is unevenly ground so I’ll need to do some shim work.
I’ll take some pics when it’s done.


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[Mk42gunner]

Hmm, I would have thought a M1917 would hold at least four belted magnums in the magazine. Unless the floorplate has been straightened.

Robert

[Texas by God]

Hmm, I would have thought a M1917 would hold at least four belted magnums in the magazine. Unless the floorplate has been straightened.

Robert

It has been straightened. By the previous owner I guess, but they did a good job.
My P14/.450 Marlin did hold four rounds in its unaltered set up.


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[Texas by God]

Well, it does hold four in the magazine and feeds them all.
I put a couple of coats of high temp black paint on the steel parts to make the half bare reciever look better and protect from rust.
I’m using an older proven 3x9x32 Bushnell Sportview to range test it. Along with 50 year old Norma MRP and Remington 9-1/2M primers.
It seems fitting.


My new 105 year old hunting rifle……


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[curdog]

Cuz, that is a very cool old rifle. I have a Remington 30 express in 30 06 and all those old rifles are bull strong. Good job...................Curdog

[Texas by God]

Cuz, that is a very cool old rifle. I have a Remington 30 express in 30 06 and all those old rifles are bull strong. Good job...................Curdog

Thanks Cuz.
Those Express rifles are top of the 1917 stack.
At ten pounds, it’ll not be a stalking rifle but it’ll probably reach across the field from the porch!


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[Mk42gunner]

Nice thing about the P14/M1917 is that they already have a safety useable with a scope, and the bolt handle also usually works fine.

But there is a lot of work getting the scope mounted on top.

While I would not pick one to make a featherweight rifle out of, they can turn into decent (if a bit on the heavy side) sporters. And some times that is a very good thing.

Robert

[405grain]

Texas: An excellent and very classic looking rifle. Everything about it looks great. A heavy rifle in a hard hitting magnum isn't always a bad thing. I remember long ago I got to help a buddy sight in his M1917 in 358 Norma magnum - what a beast! At first I was thinking, man this rigs heavy. But, after I lit it off I was glad that it was! Where did you find the Allen head 1/4-30 action screws on your rifle? Those add a nice touch.

[Texas by God]

Thanks, 405 grain.
The trigger guard inletting was cut too deep and with no guard screw supports ala Mauser- a bind was eminent. So I bedded washers in the stock and needed a longer front screw; luckily that Allen head screw was in my miscellaneous drawer. The rear guard screw is original.
I had a Mauser 98 in .358 Norma- it is a hoss!
I shimmed the rear base today to bring it up square.
If it proves out ok with full tilt loads- then out comes the 4198 to ease it down to .308 level or so……


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[Texas by God]

I was happy to discover that it feeds the 200 gr Lee just as well as it does the 150 gr Corelokt.
I’ve also determined that it doesn’t like boattail bullets at full velocity.
The cast loads did ok at 40 yards-5 shots in 2” and the 150gr CL load had 5 shots in 3/4”.


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[Jeremy McLean]

I must say very nice work. It wasn't until recently that I have seen some of your work and it is very impressive.I really like what you have done with Small Ring Mauser's. I am glad you brought the old war horse back to life. I have an M17 Sporter chambered in 30-06 made at the Eddystone Arsenal that still goes bang and prints 1 inch at 100 yards if I do my part.

[Texas by God]

Thanks for the kind words.
We have nothing to hunt here that warrants a .300 magnum, but it’s fun to mess with regardless.
My 6.5lb Tikka 30-06 kicks more than the 1917….


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[ipopum]

I have had 1917`s in both 308 Norma & 300 Win. Both were grand old rifles.