After the recent talk of big-bore Enfields, I bought one tagged as a P-17 intending to build a short .50 that would feed BMG bullets from the magazine. I took it to the range to see if it would shoot well enough to change my mind. I bought a supply of 30-06 with me. To my horror it would not chamber. I could not think what possibly could be wrong then it dawned on me that it was a P-14. I hadn't checked the barrel carefully, intending to use only the action.

The question becomes should I take it back and look for a nice P-17 or find a way to use what I have? If I decide to keep the P-14, is there a cartridge that will fill my goal and feed through the action? What would you do? I have a few days to think it over as the shop where I bought the gun is willing to take it back.

DOC

If you were looking for a 30-06 then take it back.
If you have a P-14 (I assume it is still in military dress)it will be .303 British.

That is unless you have a Remington Model 1934 which is in 7 MM Mauser. The 1934 is very rare, so this is not likely. It doesn't have the rear peep sight or the ears. If the receiver ring of the action is marked "Model of 1917" and won't chamber a 30-06 then its been sporterized and rebarreled a diffeerent caliber. You will need to cast the chamber to determine the caliber if the barrel doesn't tell you..

If the receiver is marked with ERA then it is a P-14 made by Eddystone, If the receiver is marked RE then it is a P-14 made by Remington (not Royal Enfield), and if the serial number has a "W" prefix it is a P-14 manufactured by Winchester.

If your plans are to convert the firearm to a big bore, no problems. I think the first .585 Nyatti was built on a P-14 action.

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"If you can keep your head about you when all others are loosing theirs and blaiming it on you..."

PD

I am fairly sure it is a P-14 it feeds .303 perfectly. Like I said, I bought the gun for the action. I don't know enough about British rifles, but the action is a Remington and appears to be well finished and in excellent condition. I don't see why a P-14 couldn't be made to feed almost any cartridge, but then again I don't really know. Are there any meaningful differences between the P-14 and P-17? I have always heard that the P-14 was adapted for rimmed cartridges. Exactly how is that?

I guess what I really want to know is will a P-14 cost more to convert to a short .50 on the 460 Wby case than a P-17. I don't see why, but I could be overlooking something in my ignorance.

DOC

The P-14 will be perfect for your project. The Remingtons are not as hard as Eddystone and will clean up nicely. Be careful not to damage the action when removing the barrel. We make a cut with a parting tool just ahead of the reciever and then have little trouble getting the barrels off.
Good luck,Mark

I have built many a rifle on both P-14's and P-17's. If a belted case fits in the bolt face, it is a P-14. And the rails on the P-14 are wider than the P-17 rails. Better yet, try a 303 cartridge, if it fits and feeds, then guess what. P-14 or P-17, you still have a lot of receiver and magazine work to make it work for a bigger case. For 50 cal bullets, good cartridge choices are 500 Jeffery, 500 A-Square, both use .510 bullets. An actually cheaper and easier way to build the rifle is to use a BRNO 602 or a Olympic Arms BBK action.

The Remington P-14 is a great action, You did well. For you purpose, the only difference is the hook on the extractors is different. There are some differences in the magazine box, and the follower and spring are different. As long as you have all the parts, and it sounds like you do,there shouldn't be any problem. Again good luck on your project.

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"If you can keep your head about you when all others are loosing theirs and blaiming it on you..."

Mr. Ricks,

I want a something like a shortened 495 A2 with a long throat.
I bought my P-14 for $250. A new CZ in .416 will cost me about $650 and should only a need a new barrel and some minor fitting. What is the cost for the Enfield action be reworked. All I want is a no frills plinker. Would it be more cost effective to buy a CZ to start with? What would you do?

DOC,
A lot of the A-Square rifles were made on the P-14 instead of the P-17, not that this is any recommendation.
It takes a lot of expensive gunsmith time to properly convert the Enfields. I have considered it before and instead found it easier to go with one of the following:

BRNO ZKK 602
CZ 550 Magnum
BBK 02

BTW, sounds like you are creating your own wildcat. What will you call it? Creating your own unique cartridge or a renamed variation of another is a lot of fun. Sounds like a good project. I have done the same with the .510 Wells/.500 A-Square/.50 Peacekeeper fraternal triplet cartridges.
I had the .510 JAB before the Peacekeeper was announced.

This is short for the .510/.460 Weatherby Improved Jenkins and Berry. "JAB" is also a pun to suggest the sensation at the shoulder when firing this pet, which I have in a BRNO ZKK 602 with 23" McGowen stainless 10 twist barrel with McMillan stock and Precision Metalsmithing 3-position safety. I also have a Ruger No.1 with a 27" McGowen stainless 10 twist barrel.

Kevin Jenkins (The Gun Tailor) did all the work except for contouring the barrels. The BRNO is 0.875" at the muzzle, and the Ruger is 1.000" at the muzzle. One might go a little lighter on the barrel than the BRNO, but not much, IMHO. O.775" would probably be the absolute minimum for a sporter, LOL.

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Good huntin' and shootin',
RAB

[This message has been edited by R. A. Berry (edited 05-29-2001).]

Take R.A. Berry's advice, buy a good new action or a good used 602, etc. Too much work and expense to convert the Enfields if it is done correctly. I have made some very nice looking Enfield rifles, but the amount of work involved gets real expensive. And to do it right, the rifle smith needs a TIG welder.