Repeat after me......"there is no such thing as a Pattern 17"........It is a "US Enfield of 1917".........................If and when you pull the scope and mount off, you will see that.....Just shoot the rifle as is......chris3
What Should I Do With This Enfield?
- Thread starter coop923
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coop923
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I'm going to have to take it out now. It's been so long since I shot it I don't remember how accurate it is. I looked for targets, but it must have been before I was better at keeping records. If it was really bad or really good I would have remembered though. The scope has really fine crosshairs and a small dot in the middle. I'm not sure if that was the only recticle Lyman offered or not, but it should be better at removing my shooting error than if I were shooting groups With open sights. Your responses have really perked my interest and have got me ready to explore my options. What do you think, 180gr first?
Smokey Joe
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Bullet weight...
Coop 923--You asked, "What do you think, 180gr first?"
IMHO, the 165 grain weight is the ideal for a .30 cal. rifle. 180 grain bullets just use up more powder and cause more recoil, to obtain the same results. So unless you have a special reason for a heavy bullet, I'd stick with 165's.
Coop 923--You asked, "What do you think, 180gr first?"
IMHO, the 165 grain weight is the ideal for a .30 cal. rifle. 180 grain bullets just use up more powder and cause more recoil, to obtain the same results. So unless you have a special reason for a heavy bullet, I'd stick with 165's.
velocette
Member
Bullet weight
Sierra 168 gr HPBT match kings shoot very well in my sporterized Enfield, right on 1" groups using the GI barrel & 47 ~ 48 gr of RE 15.
Roger
Sierra 168 gr HPBT match kings shoot very well in my sporterized Enfield, right on 1" groups using the GI barrel & 47 ~ 48 gr of RE 15.
Roger
BrocLuno
Member
This rifle is a bit on the "robust side" so the heavier rounds should be OK? I'd like to know how well it stabilizes heavy bullets so I'd get a box of these: http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/9480 Then move down to 180's, down to 165, and finally 150's. Keep notes and buy good ammo for the test. Then you'll know how she runs 
If the rifle will stabilize 200 grainers, that's a big plus. Means you already have a bear/elk/caribou rifle. Maybe that's it's role
And, yes it's true there are no official P17's - but if you don't use that designation on eBay you will go right past a lot of listings. Pattern 17 and P17 Enfield have been in common use for ages. It's just the way it is :banghead:
If the rifle will stabilize 200 grainers, that's a big plus. Means you already have a bear/elk/caribou rifle. Maybe that's it's role
And, yes it's true there are no official P17's - but if you don't use that designation on eBay you will go right past a lot of listings. Pattern 17 and P17 Enfield have been in common use for ages. It's just the way it is :banghead:
DougW
Member
coop923, look for tell tale proofs/inspection stamps on the barrel, reciever, and inder the barrel. The British Pattern 14 (#3mk1) was made at all 3 factories, Winchester, Remington-Eddystone, and Remington. I have a Remington, all matching, that was Weiden converted after WWI.
Thousands of the M1917 were given to the Phillipino Army and Scouts, and were very effective against the Japanease. 6 rounds could be crammed in the M1917 in 30.06 since the round is a little smaller in diameter especially at the base than the .303. The Pattern 14 would hold 5 rounds in the mag. Nice rifles!
Pattern 14 with my M1D (less scope) and K98
Thousands of the M1917 were given to the Phillipino Army and Scouts, and were very effective against the Japanease. 6 rounds could be crammed in the M1917 in 30.06 since the round is a little smaller in diameter especially at the base than the .303. The Pattern 14 would hold 5 rounds in the mag. Nice rifles!
Pattern 14 with my M1D (less scope) and K98
I want a P14...
Gordon
Member
I have a Cherry Remington 1917 with Elmer Keith cartouche , I have shot it and it is very good. I still have my Remington 30 express 30-06 Carbine and shoot it, my go to heavy duty rifle for practical courses. These 1917s deserve something between 338-375 like this .358 Norma Mag which was my hill top across valley elk gun. The 27" heavy barrel throws 250 custom spitzers at almost 2900 fps .
Freedom_fighter_in_IL
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Hey Gordon, Does your shoulder make it to your house before the bullet reaches the target with that Norma??
Gordon
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It weighs a lot and has a huge A Square stock on it,it recoils less than my Brown Precision 700 remington .375 H&H for sure. The .358 is extremely accurate and could use a higher power scope to place those 250s in the exact spot at say 600 yards!
dprice3844444
member
enjoy the nostalgia of the old gal,leave her as is and shoot the hell outa her
R.Ph. 380
Member
Take off the old leather sling, put on a fancy patterned sling for color and send it to me.......................................
Unfortunately, my gov internet access filters out most pictures.
I have two sporterized P14s, and two sporterized 1917s. It sounds like a beautiful and functional piece. I would keep it as-is, or follow Jim's advice to make it even more to your liking.
A few folks have suggested changing the caliber. While a P14 or 1917 (not mint! PLEASE!) does make a pretty good candidate for these conversions (both my P14s are in common magnum calibers), you're best picking up one that's had most or all of the work done for you, unless you have plenty of time and/or money, and just want an interesting project. In any case, please don't use one that hasn't already been modified.
John
I have two sporterized P14s, and two sporterized 1917s. It sounds like a beautiful and functional piece. I would keep it as-is, or follow Jim's advice to make it even more to your liking.
A few folks have suggested changing the caliber. While a P14 or 1917 (not mint! PLEASE!) does make a pretty good candidate for these conversions (both my P14s are in common magnum calibers), you're best picking up one that's had most or all of the work done for you, unless you have plenty of time and/or money, and just want an interesting project. In any case, please don't use one that hasn't already been modified.
John
roninrlm
Member
clean it up and leve it just like it is.
ronin
ronin
boltgunner93
Member
That's a classic piece of machinery. If it were mine I'd refinish the wood and replace the leather if it was rotten. If everything is in working order leave it be. If the glass works keep it, if it's not functional find a scope that would match it aesthetically but is more functional. I personally don't own any older firearms but I've got my eye out for a 1903 or an M1 Garand (or both) after shooting those with a friend of mine. They're heavy but that's OK with me.
That one actually looks pretty nice you could just leave it be. Buy a few boxes of ammo and just take it out and shoot it and have fun. Don't put it back in the cabinet, that rifle was built to be shot.
That one actually looks pretty nice you could just leave it be. Buy a few boxes of ammo and just take it out and shoot it and have fun. Don't put it back in the cabinet, that rifle was built to be shot.
This ^
coop923
Member
Yeah, hopefully I'll get out with it over the next few days and see what It'll do. Seems I remember maybe hunting with it one morning or shooting it in the evening and the scope didn't let in much light. It was fine in bright daylight, clear, just low magnification. I'll keep you all posted.
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