I frequently see people remark that the 1914/1917 Enfield action is capable of handling really big rounds "like the .505 Gibbs", but just how long a round can the Enfield handle and still feed from a magazine? Is the .505 the limit?

(According to Cartridges of the World, the .505 can extend to an OAL of 3.85", so I assume this would be well into custom-magazine territory.)

Also, how wide a round can the Enfield be made to feed? I know A-Square used it for the .577 T-Rex, but is there anything wider which will fit?

Springfield 1903’s are the same length (3.40 inches) and a slightly wider front (.560â€) and rear(.530â€)than are Enfields.

I opened my P-17 to .375 H&H with only minor surgery and the shells I have are 3.55 long and another .06 will not fit the magazine. My 1999 action is actually a few thou shorter.

I believe there's several guys that post here that can get the longer .505 in there but it's going to be a little more than minor surgery.

I changed the sear on one to a different
design and different sear spring behind
pivot and trigger.To see how long a case can be put through the bottom of action.In single
stack, 4.1 inches oal.Here's picture..Ed

quote:

Originally posted by Rick 0311:
Springfield 1903’s are the same length (3.40 inches) and a slightly wider front (.560â€) and rear(.530â€)than are Enfields.

The Enfield action was sized for the longer experimental British .280 round for the 1913, hence it has always been my understanding that with a replacement magazine it could handle rounds longer than could be handled by a Springfield. I am happy to be corrected however if my information is erroneous.

quote:

Originally posted by hubel458:
I changed the sear on one to a different
design and different sear spring behind
pivot and trigger.To see how long a case can be put through the bottom of action.In single
stack, 4.1 inches oal.Here's picture..Ed

Ed, Wow. Thanks!

I used to make a 4 shot drop box for the 505 Gibbs for the Enfields. It had and ID of 3.90"
with a rear inside width of 1.080"

This required the filling of the old sear spring hole and recuting the bolt stop back .050".

Not all Enfields can go that wide though. If you have enough of them you will find they vary as much as .030" in width.

Notes regarding the mill work and installation of the guards I used to make is in two of the older ACGG Gunmakers.

Jim Wisner
Custom Metalsmith

Enfields though being old have a lot of room to work with.And they make great big bore
rifles like Jim has built. And A-Sq.
And getting four Gibbs in a mag is a
real neat piece craftmanship.
I have four actions to use for my crazy wildcatting ideas.Ed.

the Enfield is the only simi practical way to build a 505 Gibbs from any milsurp action, no other action will fit that big case with modification other than a mauser mod 20 or one of its knockoffs now on the market, and they not a milsurps but custom actions.