Building on P14 action

[gitrdun]

Good day folks. I have a donor rifle with P14 action chambered in .303 Brit. I'd like to build a precision long range target rifle on this action. Have you any suggestions on calibers that may suit the purpose? I appreciate all comments, good, bad or indifferent.

 

[nowarningshot]

P14/17 are excellent large magnum candidates. Would imagine a M1917 would be simpler if you were using 06 family calibers.

Currently have M1917 in 264wm, 338wm, and 416 rigby.

 

[Snider shooter]

Excellent candidate for a build. I currently have one in 308 Norma magnum. I don't know who made it but they did a beautiful job. The fellow I bought it off of said the old fellow had it made for an elk gun. Came out of Saskatchewan. I assume it was made in the sixties when the round first came out due to the scope a non adjustable with a adjustable mount.

 

[maynard]

Turning a P14 action into a precision rig would be like putting lipstick on a pig. A common thing to do back in the 60's-70's was to make these actions into target rifles. Today you won't find one on the range shooting in a competition. Even if you can do all the work yourself it really isn't worth the effort.

 

[oops]

I love pigs with lipstick.....as long as you are willing to follow through to the end of the build regardless of negative comments..you may be plesently surprised with a bit of old school equipment can do..

 

[Leeper]

Quite a few years back, I managed to fire 200's, with a decent x-count, on the 300m ISSF target, with a 303 British I built on a P14 action. I also shot three consecutive 5 shot groups, all under 5/16" at 100m. A few weeks ago, with the same rifle but now with a 30 caliber barrel, I shot a ten shot group at 300 m which measured just under an inch. So the P14 can work. This action is modified somewhat. A welded in solid bottom, 5/16 striker travel, and a three lever trigger, are some of the changes. The barreled action sits in a laminated stock.
Using anything other than a commercial precision action is a bit of an uphill battle and there is little reason to do it unless, like me, one enjoys the building as much as the shooting.

 

[oneadam12]

+1 for 300WM at least. No sense being shy with a short case barrel burner on that action. Can do way bigger, but what's your intended application?

 

[guntech]

Turning a P14 action into a precision rig would be like putting lipstick on a pig. A common thing to do back in the 60's-70's was to make these actions into target rifles. Today you won't find one on the range shooting in a competition. Even if you can do all the work yourself it really isn't worth the effort.

Very true...

I will add there were three manufacturers, Winchester, Remington and Eddystone. The actions made by Eddystone were extremely hard, almost brittle... and the worst of the three for re working.