P17 Enfield

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elkman06

New member
To all, I have the chance to pick up an Enfield at a fairly reasonable price. I do however already own 3, very nice 06's so don't really want another. Years ago my father had a P17 rechambered to 300win mag. Had an appropriate rate of twist for this. My question is, are there aftermarket barrels out there? If possible I would like to build this into a 25/06. I would be interested in barrels as well as suggestions as to rate of twist for this caliber.
elkman06
 
.25-'06

The standard is 1 in 10, but if you want to use long tapered non-lead bullets like Barnes triple shock or Lost Rivers, in 100+ grainers, or other bullets 120+, then you'll want to get a 1 in 9. No downside really, so I'd definitely get a 1 in 9. Is this new one *already* sporterized, or not?
 
If the rifle is still in military configuration, it will not be in your best interest to sporterize it. The original ones in good condition are headed for some serious money, while sporterized ones go for $200 or so.

AFAIK, there are now no prethreaded barrels for the M1917, and even barrels with that size shoulder and tang are available from only a few makers. Unless you have a well equipped shop and some experience, I recommend consulting a gunsmith on this one.

Jim
 
The Enfield 1917 is a very strong and heavy action, the 25-06 is in the low side to sporterize it, why you don't consider the 338-06 or 35 Whelen.

The 300 win mag is a good option, I rechambered one years ago, or you could also take a look at 338 win mag or a bigger cartrdge as the 416 taylor.

The 416 Taylor is the perfect match to sporterize this heavy and strong action.
 
Todays market

Is against sporterizing anything but Combloc imports, and those mostly with bolt on parts. 30 or 40 years ago you could still build a very nice sporter from a milsurp rifle, but today, you will spend more than a new factory sporter, sometimes a lot more.

Converting your Enfield would be taking a $400 rifle, spending $800, and ending up with a rifle worth $200. I have several custom rifles built on military actions, rifles that cost hundreds of dollars to build several decades ago (I know, I used to build them), but are only worth a pittance in today's market. mausers, Springfields, etc., with absolutely beautiful wood and metal work, and they go for $3-400 dollars at the gun shows, because today's buyers (mostly) want stainless steel and synthetic.

For your self, as a project, by all means, go ahead, build a fine rifle, just don't think your work will have any reasonable commercial value. Collectors want issue condition, hunters want all weather guns, and kids (of all ages) want "EBR"s. I buy old sporter conversions for cheap and enjoy myself tremendously!
 
Well, just for clarification sake, this rifle was already cut and hacked, I had hoped to pick it up cheaply and go from there. Upon closer inspection, the only real value there was the action. Barrel had been hacksawed and not crowned, stock was junk and he wanted the proverbial $200 and wouldn't budge on the price. I walked away.
Thanks for the replies, I am still looking for one.
elkman06
 
Probably and better choice for me would be to pick up a Turk Mauser to build off of for a c-note. Agree??
elkman06
 
If the action is sound

Go ahead and enjoy yourself. Nothing better that a rifle you build for yourself.

I have a friend that goes the other way (no, not like that!:D ), he gets "bubba'd" rifles and restores them to (as close to) issue condition. If the Enfield still has the "ears", I would suggest going that route.

By all means, if you have a previously sporterized rifle, go ahead. My intent was to keep you from running afoul of the dedicated milsurp people who think that doing anything to a milsurp to make it a better hunting rifle is some kind of blasphemy. I wonder where all these guys were 40 years ago?

Actually, I think I know.:D
 
44 AMP wrote: "I wonder where all these guys were 40 years ago?"

Well, some of us were hacksawing the ears off Model 1917's. The guns were cheap and that is what we got paid for doing. Do I regret it now? Sure, but if I had not done it someone else would have. No one can turn back the clock.

The bright side is that it makes unaltered rifles more valuable.

Jim
 
Jim,

I meant the guys who scream when they see a sporterized milsurp, even the fine ones.

While I never did an Enfield (those ears!) I did my share of Mauser 98s, and the odd Krag and Springfield. Didn't do it for a living, just for fun. Boy, do I wish I had kept at least some of those rifles!
 
I wish I had had the money to buy the goodies at that time (c. 1957). M1917's and M1903's for $29; M1's and Johnsons for $79; G41M's for $85 and G41W's for $80 (G.43's were cheap at $49). I did get some good ones, though, and I NEVER sporterized my own guns.

Those prices sound cheap today, but my regular job take-home was under $50 a week and my part-time gunsmithing job paid less. Even as a single guy, I wasn't going to buy a lot of guns.

Jim
 
And don't forget...

The $29.95 1911A1s, and the $19.95 Lugers! Or was it the other way around? Mail order!

We sure are better off now, aren't we.:(
 
I missed all the good stuff

Hot cars with 400 plus cubes, cheap guns, higher speed limits, free love from hippy chicks... man, i could go on and on
 
One thing...

Some of the "free love" was worth what you paid for it. And some of it was a lot more expensive!:D
 
The " Good Old Days " Had a diffrent set of.........

Problems. The value of a buck, for one. In 1964 I had a part time job as a salesman in a ritzy men's shop. I had to dress the part and recieved $1.45 an hour. I was a College student at the time. My first job out of school was an office manager for a good sized Radio Station. $ 145 a week. I felt rich until the Draft Board caught up with me. Zero disposable income. Now firearms prices no longer shock me.....Essex
 
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