1917 Enfield Ideas

Trigerpulr · May 30, 2004, 08:17 PM

My father recently received a barreled 1917 action after cutting some trees down for one of his neighbors. My dad is left handed so he really has no interest in the thing, but he’s a bit of a gunsmith so he’s willing to build anything I’d like out of it and its mine.

I’ve heard that these are supposed to be amazingly strong actions and make a good base for some large bore rifles. I don’t have any interest in a dangerous game type rifle, but I’ve always thought it would be interesting to have a bolt action in 45-70.

Anyone ever heard of doing this or have any ideas on the subject? I’m very much in the brain storming stage so the floor is open.

Harley Nolden · May 31, 2004, 03:48 AM

As you mentioned, the 1917 is a very strong action. For what it is worth, a friend of mine had one built in 458 and it works very well.

HJN

Gewehr98 · May 31, 2004, 12:25 PM

Here's my .236 Super (6mm-.270) built on the same action:

Cris · June 1, 2004, 08:41 PM

300 H&H
375 H&H
375 H&H Ackley Improved

You pick!

DnPRK · June 2, 2004, 09:03 AM

Some 1917s are good and some not-so-good. Many Eddystones had barrels torqued so tight that the receiver ring cracked. This makes the receiver unusable.

What condition is the receiver? If it is unaltered (still has it's sight ears and is not drilled for scope mounts), then you can restore it to military condition with parts from eBay, Numrich or other parts houses. 1917s are not being made any more, so the price of un-bubba'd rifles will continue to increase.

Trying to turn a military receiver into a decent hunting rifle is not cheap. It will likely cost more than buying a new or used commercial hunting rifle in the caliber you want.

Doc RD · September 13, 2004, 08:02 PM

I have one done in 7 STW and she shoots great. It will do a <1" group (5 rnd) at 100 yds. with Barnes X 140's.

If it is a Eddystone then the barrel should be relieved on a lath before it is removed to avoid any cracks in the reciever ring.

They can be made into very good guns. Whatever you do with it, shoot it and enjoy it.

Later, Doc RD

May 30, 2004, 08:17 PM	#1
Trigerpulr Member Join Date: March 10, 2000 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 35	1917 Enfield Ideas My father recently received a barreled 1917 action after cutting some trees down for one of his neighbors. My dad is left handed so he really has no interest in the thing, but he’s a bit of a gunsmith so he’s willing to build anything I’d like out of it and its mine. I’ve heard that these are supposed to be amazingly strong actions and make a good base for some large bore rifles. I don’t have any interest in a dangerous game type rifle, but I’ve always thought it would be interesting to have a bolt action in 45-70. Anyone ever heard of doing this or have any ideas on the subject? I’m very much in the brain storming stage so the floor is open.

May 31, 2004, 12:25 PM	#3
Gewehr98 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2000 Location: Token Creek, WI Posts: 4,067	It's a good strong action to build basically anything with. Here's my .236 Super (6mm-.270) built on the same action: __________________ "Bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round... Neural Misfires

May 31, 2004, 03:48 AM	#2
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	As you mentioned, the 1917 is a very strong action. For what it is worth, a friend of mine had one built in 458 and it works very well. HJN

June 1, 2004, 08:41 PM	#4
Cris Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2000 Location: Red River Valley Posts: 127	300 H&H 375 H&H 375 H&H Ackley Improved You pick!

June 2, 2004, 09:03 AM	#5
DnPRK Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2001 Location: LC, Ca Posts: 1,917	Some 1917s are good and some not-so-good. Many Eddystones had barrels torqued so tight that the receiver ring cracked. This makes the receiver unusable. What condition is the receiver? If it is unaltered (still has it's sight ears and is not drilled for scope mounts), then you can restore it to military condition with parts from eBay, Numrich or other parts houses. 1917s are not being made any more, so the price of un-bubba'd rifles will continue to increase. Trying to turn a military receiver into a decent hunting rifle is not cheap. It will likely cost more than buying a new or used commercial hunting rifle in the caliber you want.

September 13, 2004, 08:02 PM	#6
Doc RD Junior Member Join Date: September 13, 2004 Location: Ak. Terr. Posts: 2	I have one done in 7 STW and she shoots great. It will do a <1" group (5 rnd) at 100 yds. with Barnes X 140's. If it is a Eddystone then the barrel should be relieved on a lath before it is removed to avoid any cracks in the reciever ring. They can be made into very good guns. Whatever you do with it, shoot it and enjoy it. Later, Doc RD