Heres the deal, somehow I came into a really clean rem 1917 action with alot of the work already done.

Anyways I want to build a decent hiking gun, but something my wife wont be afraid to shoot either.

She didnt mind my 458Lott I had. I already have a 416rem. Hows the 404jeff? I may go for a 458win or even another lott.

I know there are alot of variables when it come to recoil and this rifle will need to be somewhat light (respectively, given the action). and looking at something with a 20" bbl (devils club can be a b!tch, etc) for manuverabilty. Irons sights the whole way.

Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Joel/AK:
Heres the deal, somehow I came into a really clean rem 1917 action with alot of the work already done.

Anyways I want to build a decent hiking gun, but something my wife wont be afraid to shoot either.

She didnt mind my 458Lott I had. I already have a 416rem. Hows the 404jeff? I may go for a 458win or even another lott.

I know there are alot of variables when it come to recoil and this rifle will need to be somewhat light (respectively, given the action). and looking at something with a 20" bbl (devils club can be a b!tch, etc) for manuverabilty. Irons sights the whole way.

Thanks

The 17 is a heavy action. with 20" bbl, it might be a bit "flippy".

Joel,

If you're looking for a relatively light rifle, the enfield isn't the action to go with.

It's a great action for the big rounds, but I can't see using it for anything smaller than a 416 Rigby case.

If you haven't done a 50, you might consider the 500 A-square.

the action isn't really the weight, if trimmed down.. leaving the rear sight and stuff on makes it heavier..

the reason the 1917 makes a heavier action is that the shank is normally ALOT thicker and heavier than a mauser...

Now, a 458 win, lott, AR.. even better, a 500 AR, with as light a barrel as they will put on one, you can get it pretty light....

But using the military rear sight and making a front sight will make a rugged BEASTY
jeffe

I hear ya on the action but its what I got to work with. I may even try and trade it towards something else but right now I'm still trying to figure out what to do with this winter project.

As for the rear sight, I have a wildwestguns ghost sight that fit so thats what I'm planning on using.

I have the action and a stock, basically I need a bbl and some smithing since its still in standard boltface, etc.

Longest bbl I will consider is 22". I just hate long bbl's while walking through the woods.

Thanks

Build a 404 Jeff or a 458 Lott.

My .02.

Keith

You can do a nice short barreled rifle on an enfield action.

I have a 21 inch barreled 450 Watts built on an Eddystone action. It has a Williams Reciever sight.

I don't know the barrel contour, but the rifle weighs approx 9.5 pounds, balances on the front reciever ring and points like a fine english shotgun.

Factory Lott ammo chronographs right at 2240 fps.

ps Do you still have that scout scope for sale?

Sorry man, the scope is gone.

Thanks guys for the info. keep it coming.

Joel

I would build either a 458 Win Mag or a 458 Lott, with a 20" BARREL.

Since there are not too many elephants in Alaska, I would look for the 400gr bullet of my choice, loaded around 2200 to 2250fps

A short, very handy THUMPER.

N.E. this year, do to the huggers, we sent our last elephant down to Cali. so, no more running around up here

I'm thinking more in the 458 range but the 404jeff is interesting. Bullets would be a pain and I can get 458 bullets all day long.

Joel,
Here is a picture of my 1917 in 450 Ackley Magnum. Might be something else to interest you, I have a 1917 in 500 Jeffery as well.

David.

M17 450 Ackley

i've got 6 of them... 1st is an eddystone made into a .416 taylor, tip burns, www.burnsgunrepair.com ,did it... the next is a remington in .300 h&h, i picked up here on AR... the 3rd is a winchester in .505 gibbs, also picked up here on AR.. the remaining 3 are all eddystones, 1 is an unaltered action, the other 2 are butchered complete rifles, picked up at local gun shows...needless to say, i like them for custom guns... i'm leaving the military bottom metal alone, not changing the dog-leg style bolt, but am changing triggers and converting to cock-on-opening...

Give the 404 Jeffrey some more thought. It can be loaded down to 375 H&H levels and up near 416 Weatherby levels. My Enfield (in progress) will be a 500 Jeffrey to compliment my 404 Jeffrey.

I think you guys in the States are better serviced in regards to 0.475" projectiles, a 470Capstick shooting pistol through to hunting projectiles would be kind of fun.

A 550Express lumbering along with a big heavy cast projectile would be tame enough with the potential to load 'wild' as well ... big hole in the barrel would keep weight down too!

Its overkill action wise ... but the little 416Taylor would make a handy/portable piece, or a 425Express if you wanted something a little more exotic.
Cheers...
Con

slight hijack....

H&H_mad if you don't mind my asking did you have that right hand rifle built on a left hand stock? Not knocking your decision if you like the action but it sure made me curious.

To anyone wanting a big game rifle on the 1917 enfield I recommend two things
1. Know a damn good smith who can do the right thing with them

They make a fine .458 Lott, .470 Capstick, .416 Remington, .375 H&H or Weatherby, and even a .404 Jeffery.

2. Have lots of money.....I'd venture a grand minimum (after you own an action) for a complete and working action with altered bolt handle, magazine, feed rails, drilled and tapped, new trigger, cock on opening conversion......and if a smith that you know is capable of the job wants two grand just smile and ask when he wants it.

Starting with a Remington or Winchester action, you can have a swell DG rifle.....it'll be a bit hefty but you'll appreciate it in the recoil department.

If all you want is a 9.3 X 62 the cost can be dramatically reduced.....and it'll make a very fine 9.3 X 62!

It is criminal to waste that wonderful big action like your Enfield on the smaller 40 claibers. Save it for a real big bore like the 500 Jefferys or 505 Gibbs etc. otherwise trade it for a good Mauser 98 in like condition and make the 404, 416 or 458 Lott on the smaller, lighter 98 action..

quote:

Originally posted by whizzbang:
slight hijack....

H&H_mad if you don't mind my asking did you have that right hand rifle built on a left hand stock? Not knocking your decision if you like the action but it sure made me curious.

Whizzbang, Yes it is a left hand stock, I'm now that used to using a right hand action, that I simply can't get along with a left handed action, I've tried them, but always end up reaching for the bolt on the right side. Been shooting too long now with too many right handed rifles to try and change. Also, Left handed rifles are a bit scarce over here, and difficult to try and sell on the second hand market.

Regards,
David.