Commercial Ammo for 1917 Eddystone

Motown · August 17, 2008, 12:52 PM

I have a U.S. model of 1917 "Eddystone" rifle chambered in .30 cal. The rifle is in very good shape and can shoot mil surp ammo all day with no problems. I'm interested in using this rifle for hunting and am wondering if it would be safe to shoot commercial hunting ammo through it, as I'm not sure if the pressures are greater than the mil surp ammo I currently shoot.
Thanks in advance,

Motown

taylorce1 · August 17, 2008, 04:51 PM

You have one of the strongest actions ever made. They have been used to make several other calibers of rifles many of which run at higher pressures than the standard .30-06. I wouldn't be afraid to run any modern ammuntion for the 06 through it including the new High Energy or Light Magnum rounds being offered.

Scorch · August 17, 2008, 08:34 PM

You're fine with whatever ammo you run through that action, believe me.

jrothWA · August 20, 2008, 11:47 PM

any comercial SAMMI ammo is good.
Question, What markings are located on the barrel surface, right behind the front sight? If the characters "JA" with "4x" underneath it, suggest that you
find a crankshaft shop that does "Magnaflux" inspection and have the junction ti the barrel and reciever checked for cracks. A limited number of Eddystones that were rebarreled with JA barrels during WWII developed cracks. Just play safe, that's all.

moose fat · August 21, 2008, 12:35 AM

Try 220gr Federals. My M17 shoots them well.

I was reading somewhere that the rifling was used for the 30-40 then morphed into the 30-03 and continued with the lower bullet wt. 30-06. I can't remember where, maybe;

http://www.surplusrifle.com/m1917/index.asp

Art Eatman · August 21, 2008, 08:41 AM

Same answer as at the other forum...

August 17, 2008, 12:52 PM	#1
Motown Member Join Date: February 1, 2008 Location: Detroit,Mi Posts: 15	Commercial Ammo for 1917 Eddystone I have a U.S. model of 1917 "Eddystone" rifle chambered in .30 cal. The rifle is in very good shape and can shoot mil surp ammo all day with no problems. I'm interested in using this rifle for hunting and am wondering if it would be safe to shoot commercial hunting ammo through it, as I'm not sure if the pressures are greater than the mil surp ammo I currently shoot. Thanks in advance, Motown

August 17, 2008, 08:34 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	You're fine with whatever ammo you run through that action, believe me. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

August 20, 2008, 11:47 PM	#4
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	As long as the headspace is checked ok... any comercial SAMMI ammo is good. Question, What markings are located on the barrel surface, right behind the front sight? If the characters "JA" with "4x" underneath it, suggest that you find a crankshaft shop that does "Magnaflux" inspection and have the junction ti the barrel and reciever checked for cracks. A limited number of Eddystones that were rebarreled with JA barrels during WWII developed cracks. Just play safe, that's all.

August 17, 2008, 04:51 PM	#2
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,249	You have one of the strongest actions ever made. They have been used to make several other calibers of rifles many of which run at higher pressures than the standard .30-06. I wouldn't be afraid to run any modern ammuntion for the 06 through it including the new High Energy or Light Magnum rounds being offered.

August 21, 2008, 12:35 AM	#5
moose fat Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2006 Location: Alaska, Yukon R. delta Posts: 421	Try 220gr Federals. My M17 shoots them well. I was reading somewhere that the rifling was used for the 30-40 then morphed into the 30-03 and continued with the lower bullet wt. 30-06. I can't remember where, maybe; http://www.surplusrifle.com/m1917/index.asp

August 21, 2008, 08:41 AM	#6
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Same answer as at the other forum...