I mentioned this in another thread, but heck, I just want to move things along to get us back on track about big bores. I've been devoid of a big bore rifle for over 2 years, but now that travesty has been rectified

It is a P-17 action with a douglas 1-15 twist tube that starts out 1.2" for the length of the chamber, then tapers to .825" at the muzzle some 25" away. The front sight base and sling swivel are barrel bands off of a Ruger #1 458 take off barrel.

I was able to adapt a Williams peep sight to the rear scope base holes, so am able to direct shots down range. I found the old beater stock, but the barrel is so large, there won't be much of a fore end left after I hog it out. Oh yes, and not to forget the all important secondary recoil lug on the barrel.

I have my work cut out for me to make the beast feed, but it should be a fun project.

Current load development is to try the Barnes 570 XLC over RL 15 and VV N 550. I also have lots of cast bullets to try, 470 gr, 535 gr, 600 gr and 700 gr. I think the 470 gr @ 1800 fps will be a fun one, and not to shabby as a hunting round in it's own right.

Almost forgot, I had John Ricks do the work, and at least on looks, it was worth the wait. A good portion of the time to completion was my waffling about whether to go with a 500 Jeffrey or not. At this point, I'm happy with the choice.

NEAT! We want Photos!!!

Congratulations,

JohnTheGreek

I want to see two photos. One of the gun before you fire it and one of you getting up off the ground after you fire it.

Make sure that when you post the photos, you write your name on the stock in red lipstick so the TurdE/Axel can't appopriate the photos as his own.

George

I try to start a thread to stay away from that other subject, and somebody has to drag it in here, why?

Anyhow, my daughter couldn't understand my excitement about recieving this gun in the mail. My wife tried to explain why Papa was so happy. I don't think she fully understood

Here's a picture of Paul's 500 Jeffery.



Now don't forget to send me the other picture!

Paul!!1
YEEEEhAAAA...
All i got to say is that it wont hurt as bad as you think it might.. but hold on!!!

best of luck
500 -jeffe-

I currently have the 535 and 500 gr cast bullets loaded over 100 gr of varget, just to get on paper

I plan on testing 100, 105 and 110 gr RL 15 and 105 and 110 gr VV N 550 under the 570 XLC. The big blue bullet looks just about right seated to the cannalure, and sure gobbles up case capacity.

John e-mailed me that when he test fired the 500, the recoil wasn't as bad as a 460 Weatherby, but, he didn't say what load he used, and just because something has less recoil then a 460, doesn't mean it has no recoil.

Congratulations, Paul. Very exciting, ain't it? A fine looking project. Haven't seen that contour in quite a while. Nice. What final weight are you looking for and will you scope it?

When and where are you going to test fire? Meatl work looks good!

Paul,
Welcome to the 500 Club! That is big enough.

Well, gee Longbob, where did you find the photo? In the archives perhaps? I took it a long time ago (my drafting table in the frame) before the receiver bridge was machined.

Barrel is a straight taper from in front of the chamber, started out as a cylindrical blank that I turned in one of the lathes.

The Ruger 458 Win No. 1 take off sight band and sling swivel band are not shown, but I had to machine both out on the vertical mill with a boring head so they would fit the larger barrel.

I left the fun things for Paul to accomplish: Magazine, feeding, new bolt handle, and cosmetics.

Recoil was not all that bad, I was shooting 535 grain Woodleighs at about 2300 ft/sec when I test fired the rifle. Had it in an old Enfield stock for a handle. That heavy barrel and muzzle weight sure makes a difference.

Congratulations Paul,

Pictures please - then we'll congratulate you once more!

Good shooting!

Congrats Paul

John Ricks,
Does the mag box work for 500jeffe or <whining like a whipped axhole> is it a sheetmetal 30-06 box? I ask because if you made it work for the 500, i want ONE!!!! please!!!

jeffe

Very nice Paul, I'm jealous. Some close ups, please. I'm anxiously awaiting my Enfield's return from the smith, to see how it looks with all the receiver modifications.

That looks like a P-14 box with the guide ridges? How many rounds does it hold?

Paul,

Why did you choose the P-17 action for your project?

Bob

Thanks for the compliments. I managed to whittle out the beater stock enough to call it good for a few rounds at lunch today, will fill you in on the results.

I decided to chicken out and load up some mild loads with 470 gr cast and unique to get on paper, but I do also have some 535 and 600 gr cast over 100 gr Varget, which should produce a wee bit of recoil.

It is now a single shot, and will need a fair bit of work to make it a repeater. I'll need to mill the action for ejecting loaded rounds, open up the rails, and make a new ejector to allow the magazene to be moved to the rear.

The existing magazine is useless, other then as a template.

The reason I chose the enfield was economics, it was a drill rifle action I got for $25. If I were to do it over again, and I just might just for the fun of it, I'd like to try it on a 98 action. With a Barnes 570 XLC loaded, the round is only 3.5" long.

Here are Paul's range photos. The Range is Rabbit Creek in Anchorage (where's the snow?). The back ground rifle is a 350 rigby mauser 98. Neat stuff!









The loaded rounds shown are 570 gr XLC, 535 gr cast, 600 gr cast.



The target shows the 470 gr cast loads @ 25 yds, going from low, middle and upper clusters, there were loaded over 14, 17.5 and 21 gr unique, and clocked 950, 1050 and 1150 fps.

Snow? The temps have been in the mid 40's all week! Most of our lawn at home is exposed, with green grass showing.

I can't believe that it is colder in Texas than it is in Anchorage. Where's the fairness????

Paul, are you sure your action is a M-17 and not a P-14? The magazine box with the ribs in it is from a .303 P-14, the 1917 .30/06 has the flat sided box. Maybe it is a 1917 with a P-14 magazine fitted?

I too have a converted drill rifle. Mine is a P-14 that has been barreled to .450 Marlin. A great fun gun.

I plead ignorance in regards to Enfields, I guess it is a P-14?

I just read the thread on posting pictures here and thought I would try posting pics of the 1917 Enfield and the P-14 actions, pointing out the differences in the two for anyone interested.



The action at the top is the 1917 and the lower one the P-14. Note the ribs in the P-14 magazine box. Also a white cotton cleaning patch has been placed behind the extractors of both actions to show the differences in their profiles.

Anyone know of any other identification features?

[ 02-11-2003, 05:12: Message edited by: x-at-10 ]

I believe the cocking piece, specifically the safety locking notch in it, is slightly different -- it appears so on your photo. I still don't have my enfields back yet, so I'm not sure.

My, those things look nice blued. I can't wait.

Todd

Suluuq,

If you ever see a Mammoth that survived the ice age, I think I have suitable gun for it

The barrel started out as a 1.3" dia blank, I asked John to taper it to work with the Ruger barrel band sight and sling swivel, and to make it heavy enough to be shootable.

He definately accomplished that, the ported 458 lott that had previously inhabitated that stock was more brutal to shoot of the bench then the 500 was. Then again, I was only shooting 600 gr bullets over 100 gr Varget for 2200 fps, I imagine heavier doses of powder and an extra 200 fps will make for an interesting experience