I was planning to build a .416 Rigby on a P14 action. Then I had someone tell me that this was dangerous. What's the scoop? How big a caliber can be safely chambered using the P14 action?

Thanks, folks.

A-Sq uses them exclusively for their rifles which include the .577 T-Rex which has a base of 0.688". They also use them for the .505 Gibbs which is 3.85" OA if I remember correctly.

McGowen Rifle Barrels out of St. Anne Illinois will do you up with a barreled action ready to go. Give them a call.

If you can try to get an action that was made by Remington or Winchester. The ERA enfields are not as desireable.

There is a guy here called robgunbuilder. I think he built a P14 into a 416 or something based on the 416. I would send him an email for pointers.

Thanks, folks!

Eddystone actions are known to be brittle. It doesn't mean you couldn't use one, but you would have to have it tested for hardness and reheattreated as required. The P14/17 Enfields are big enough to accomadate pretty much any big bore round you can fit in a bolt action. The P14 bolt face is larger (it was designed for the rimmed 303 British round) and that's one less step to worry about. The barrels are VERY tight, the easiest way to get them off is to relief cut the barrell at the shoulder. They also use an oddball square thread, so the threads will have to be cut on the new barrel by someone who knows how to do it. Winchester and Eddystone actions have a large cavity under the rear sight that has to be filled, the Remington does not. The rear sight "ears" have to be ground off. The rear and front bridge of the should be ground and drilled and tapped for scope mounts or receiver sights, whichever you prefer. The magazine box and bottom metal have a step in them that needs to be modified/removed. If you straighten the bottom metal, you will have to shorten the magazine box and get a differant trigger. Replacement bottom metal is available, but not cheap. The only synthetic stocks I'm aware of are MPI and Butler Creek. Wood stocks are available from various sources. The safety is great the way it is, the bolt handle needs to be straightened or replace, both for esthetics and scope clearance (although it will clear a scope if you use high mounts, but it's SO ugly). Let's see, the magazine follower will have to be changed/modified depending on what cartridge you want to use. I like them, and have used them for quite a few projects, but it's a lot of work. As previously mentioned, Robgunbuilder has a lot of experience with these. He's in Africa right now I believe, so you'll have to wait until he comes back to quetion him.

Don't forget opening the rails, lengthening the magazine cut in the receiver, changing the feed ramp, and building a new magazine box, plus getting it to feed.

The safety can be removed and the slot welded in and you can change over to a Model 70 style safety.

Ryan Breeding builds some guns on the Enfield and they come out beautiful.