P14 Sporter For Hunting?
- Thread starter Zner
- Start date
- Location
- British Canuckistan
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True, but if you load them right in thefirst place there should be no problems.
Very accurate rifle, very strong action, very solid.
You likely can buy a better rifle today if you have 2500 spare bucks lying around, but you won't get one much under that.
Scoping is easy with a no-gunsmith mount: too many have been worked on already by Bubba and his friends. If you get an uncut rifle, keep it restorabl; they aren't making any more of those.
Mine shoots half an inch; that's good enough for me.
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Very accurate rifle, very strong action, very solid.
You likely can buy a better rifle today if you have 2500 spare bucks lying around, but you won't get one much under that.
Scoping is easy with a no-gunsmith mount: too many have been worked on already by Bubba and his friends. If you get an uncut rifle, keep it restorabl; they aren't making any more of those.
Mine shoots half an inch; that's good enough for me.
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Bolivar
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If you get a sporter with the original sights, think about getting a taller front post. The 300 yard battle sight places rounds a bit high. Even the 200 yard "fine" sight setting is a bit much. I think I got mine from Numrich or maybe Epps? or a local gun show?
Try yours out first of course, might hit just fine the way it is.
Try yours out first of course, might hit just fine the way it is.
I use a heavily modified P14 in 303 Brit for hunting, because it fits me and I have confidence in it.
If I was out looking for a hunting rifle and I found a P14 already nicely set up for hunting, and the price was a steal (like it was for mine), I'd do it again. To say that the P14 "is accurate" needs to be qualified. They can be accurate, but that depends on barrel condition, how it's stocked, and how it's loaded.
I'd go for a new or used purpose-built hunting rifle like a Savage for example. With new guns so cheap relative to income, it's economic insanity to do all of the gunsmithing work required to adapt (sporterize) an old military gun.
If I was out looking for a hunting rifle and I found a P14 already nicely set up for hunting, and the price was a steal (like it was for mine), I'd do it again. To say that the P14 "is accurate" needs to be qualified. They can be accurate, but that depends on barrel condition, how it's stocked, and how it's loaded.
I'd go for a new or used purpose-built hunting rifle like a Savage for example. With new guns so cheap relative to income, it's economic insanity to do all of the gunsmithing work required to adapt (sporterize) an old military gun.
FWIW - I hunt with sported LE's, P-14's and Rosses. Shot my first deer with a BSA sported P-14. Andy's point warrants consideration. A lot of these sported milsurps have issues, as a minimum they are poorly bedded and dont shoot well. I tinker with them to get them up to snuff, and that usually includes glass bedding. My P14's require reloads with specific bullets to feed reliably.
If you're hung up on an Enfield, I suggest you pick up one of the commercial LE sporters such as a Parker Hale, Churchill, etc. They are usually set up with scope mounts, and a five round mag. Expect to pay a premium for these rifles - they come up on the EE quite often.
If you're hung up on an Enfield, I suggest you pick up one of the commercial LE sporters such as a Parker Hale, Churchill, etc. They are usually set up with scope mounts, and a five round mag. Expect to pay a premium for these rifles - they come up on the EE quite often.
My P-14 sporter saw very little care by its last owner; shortened barrel, ground of sight for easy sporter sights and drilled for a scope, cut stock, dark bore. Some cleaning and the thing was sprouting 8 inch groupings with PriviPartizan munitions. I am sure I can get better with practice, 10 rounds isn't enough. The action is smooth on the pull back and tough on the push forward. I've had a few rounds jam going in, fixed with a second more vigorous push in. Not as overall stiff as my Mosin Nagant 91/30 but not as nice as my Mauser M48 or LeeEnfield No1mk3.
I've used a sporterized P14 with open sights in the original 303 brit before on hunts. It handles a bit longer than an SMLE, but I've found accuracy is quite good. While I prefer the smoothness of my K98 for hunting, the P14 has never failed me. I take it out into the bush with confidence.
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
Not really true, unless of course you are 5'3", then I can see it being a problem.
26" barrel against 25 1/4" barrel, I really don't consider it much different...
Bolivar
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Feeding issues are not totally related to the P14 action per say. My bolt on one P14 cycles like butter. I have a P17 that has been sporterized in 35 Whelen AI that does not. Vigorous bolt manipulation is all that is needed to make it work acceptably. Don't baby them, they are meant to be worked in haste and you won't hurt them by doing so.
If you are looking for a budget sporter or just like the idea of hunting with a milsurp, enjoy the P14.
If you are looking for a budget sporter or just like the idea of hunting with a milsurp, enjoy the P14.
carl gustav
CGN Regular
- Location
- Thunder Bay
Good quality new Stevens/Savage rifles are priced so low that's it's not worth paying for gunsmithing work on an old P-14. You might find one ready to hunt as is but then there's the weight. It just depends on what kind of hunting you are doing. If it's just sitting without a long hike then OK. But if you hike much carrying you'll feel like your hands are going to fall off at the wrist. If it's the romance of the 303 British that has got you looking at P-14s then I say get an LE # 5 jungle carbine. Best carry as is bar none.
Well Zner, there you have some positive feedback.
Those Enfield actions can pretty well handle all cals. if a future rebuild is in your sights. A friend who is a famous Army Captain has won many Canadian High Power Championships with his custom 300 Win Mag built on an Enfield action. I shot it too.
Even in .303 you can glass bed, lap lugs, recrown etc. or get a new barrel and hunt with an accurate ex- service rifle.
Those Enfield actions can pretty well handle all cals. if a future rebuild is in your sights. A friend who is a famous Army Captain has won many Canadian High Power Championships with his custom 300 Win Mag built on an Enfield action. I shot it too.
Even in .303 you can glass bed, lap lugs, recrown etc. or get a new barrel and hunt with an accurate ex- service rifle.
