Well its not a 30-06 but I have a BSA No 8 target rifle in 22lr made somewhere around 1920. Has a Martini action and some really decent peeps with the oddest flip over front sight I have seen. Puts CCI Minimags almost into the same hole at 25m and my eyes are 60yrs old. Cycles flawlessly and is well balanced. I would not hesitate to own another BSA product.
Calling all BSA experts...
- Thread starter techedtyler
- Start date
Hello, I am a bit new here and would like to ask a couple questions regarding the p14 and p17. I hope I am not offending anyone or hi-jacking a thread as my questions are somewhat related... Feel free to direct me elsewhere if I am intruding.
Anyways, I have 2 old P14's, both sporterized, one is chambered in 300 weatherby with some custom engraving in the stock and forearm (work done on the stock in mexico from what ive been told). Im curious what these rifles would sell for, as I am looking to get rid of a couple rifles. Any ideas on rough value? Or is there a more appropriate place to ask this question?
The other was rechambered to .310 norma mag, by a relative before it was given away, I would like to throw on a 300 win mag barrel I have from a browning A-bolt. I would like to keep it and possibly upgrade the stock. Any thoughts on this modification, is it a waste of my time?
Also, my father has a P17 that he has used for hunting for about 20 years, he has harvested more deer moose and bear with this than you would believe, its almost magic what a good shot this rifle is despite his lack of thorough maintenance/cleaning. It kicks pretty good and isnt pretty with an old beater bushnell, but I still find his accuracy with the thing bewildering.
I like the older rifles, and enjoy the idea of spending some time and money on theses older beat up hand me down rifles, like mausers or enfields, to somewhat modernize them and take them out hunting, instead of leaving them in the safe and taking out a brand new browning or savage.
Cody.
Anyways, I have 2 old P14's, both sporterized, one is chambered in 300 weatherby with some custom engraving in the stock and forearm (work done on the stock in mexico from what ive been told). Im curious what these rifles would sell for, as I am looking to get rid of a couple rifles. Any ideas on rough value? Or is there a more appropriate place to ask this question?
The other was rechambered to .310 norma mag, by a relative before it was given away, I would like to throw on a 300 win mag barrel I have from a browning A-bolt. I would like to keep it and possibly upgrade the stock. Any thoughts on this modification, is it a waste of my time?
Also, my father has a P17 that he has used for hunting for about 20 years, he has harvested more deer moose and bear with this than you would believe, its almost magic what a good shot this rifle is despite his lack of thorough maintenance/cleaning. It kicks pretty good and isnt pretty with an old beater bushnell, but I still find his accuracy with the thing bewildering.
I like the older rifles, and enjoy the idea of spending some time and money on theses older beat up hand me down rifles, like mausers or enfields, to somewhat modernize them and take them out hunting, instead of leaving them in the safe and taking out a brand new browning or savage.
Cody.
sir_springer
Regular
- Location
- East Kootenays
RRCo...
This thread just popped up again, and just saw your question re: my BSA.
Had this work done about 20 years back, was about $900 at the time. Probably would cost at least twice that now.
Most would have had the bolt modified to eliminate the dog-leg, as well as modified the bottom metal and magazine to get rid of the hump. I kept it to maintain the original characteristics of the P17 action.
And I specified the European styling to the stock, something like a Sauer.
The problem was that the rifle was sooooo nice that I got to feeling guilty about every little mark inflicted.
When a 25.06 came along that made for a terrific prairie deer rifle, the BSA got parked in the back of my safe. And then I moved back to BC, here in the E. Kootenays, just enough stories/reports of griz problems/attacks circulate to keep one thinking about such things. When a bud offered me a screaming deal on a Vanguard 300 WM, it became my go-to rifle...and the BSA remains in the back of the safe.
No more fancy stocks for me. Synthetics rule!
This thread just popped up again, and just saw your question re: my BSA.
Had this work done about 20 years back, was about $900 at the time. Probably would cost at least twice that now.
Most would have had the bolt modified to eliminate the dog-leg, as well as modified the bottom metal and magazine to get rid of the hump. I kept it to maintain the original characteristics of the P17 action.
And I specified the European styling to the stock, something like a Sauer.
The problem was that the rifle was sooooo nice that I got to feeling guilty about every little mark inflicted.
When a 25.06 came along that made for a terrific prairie deer rifle, the BSA got parked in the back of my safe. And then I moved back to BC, here in the E. Kootenays, just enough stories/reports of griz problems/attacks circulate to keep one thinking about such things. When a bud offered me a screaming deal on a Vanguard 300 WM, it became my go-to rifle...and the BSA remains in the back of the safe.
No more fancy stocks for me. Synthetics rule!
sir_springer
Regular
- Location
- East Kootenays
Cody...
I'm thinking by the time the Browning barrel is modified to fit the Enfield, might be just as good to either start with a fresh barrel...or, and someone can check me on this, see if the existing barrel can be re-chambered for the 300 WM.
Or, if you're only going to burn up a few rounds at the range each year, and a couple more on critters, keep it as it is. Nothing wrong with the .308 Norma Mag, save for ammo is a tad pricey and limited on choices.
Indeed, I know a few here will be horrified that you would want to change it over to 300 WM.
As for restocking it...
Shouldn't be a big challenge to find a good synthetic for that action. However, I'd let a gunsmith advise from his experience on these, and then fit the replacement you buy to make sure everything comes together properly so that you get best performance.
Very good actions, well worth it.
EDIT: Bell & Carlson make a replacement stock for these...
http://www.bellandcarlson.com/
Look under "Carbelite". Note that it specifies "Bent floorplate only", which is the standard bottom metal. Some gunsmiths modify these when customizing, make sure yours hasn't been altered. Again, a gunsmith will know what to look for.
Also, there's some good aftermarket triggers for these that are a HUGE improvement over the original two stage. Well worth it to make this change, too, if it hasn't been done already. Good gunsmith will know what to do in this regard.
I'm thinking by the time the Browning barrel is modified to fit the Enfield, might be just as good to either start with a fresh barrel...or, and someone can check me on this, see if the existing barrel can be re-chambered for the 300 WM.
Or, if you're only going to burn up a few rounds at the range each year, and a couple more on critters, keep it as it is. Nothing wrong with the .308 Norma Mag, save for ammo is a tad pricey and limited on choices.
Indeed, I know a few here will be horrified that you would want to change it over to 300 WM.
As for restocking it...
Shouldn't be a big challenge to find a good synthetic for that action. However, I'd let a gunsmith advise from his experience on these, and then fit the replacement you buy to make sure everything comes together properly so that you get best performance.
Very good actions, well worth it.
EDIT: Bell & Carlson make a replacement stock for these...
http://www.bellandcarlson.com/
Look under "Carbelite". Note that it specifies "Bent floorplate only", which is the standard bottom metal. Some gunsmiths modify these when customizing, make sure yours hasn't been altered. Again, a gunsmith will know what to look for.
Also, there's some good aftermarket triggers for these that are a HUGE improvement over the original two stage. Well worth it to make this change, too, if it hasn't been done already. Good gunsmith will know what to do in this regard.
RRCo...
This thread just popped up again, and just saw your question re: my BSA.
....
No more fancy stocks for me. Synthetics rule!
Thanks, I see your point. Can't live with synthetics myself, but I'd compromise on a laminate!
Thanks for the response guys!
I should have mentioned the browning barrel is brand new, pulled off my A-bolt stainless stalker before a round was ever fired through it.
Also the 308 norma mag, was re-drilled for a .310 or .311? diameter projectile, basically it is a .308 norma mag with the bore drilled out a hair and the neck on the shells taken out to .310 form what ive been told. A custom or one off bullet, but not anything I would want to deal with, I'd rather go to another caliber, and as I have this barrel in the closet...
I will also look into aftermarket triggers, any brand reccomendations or experience? I think that is a great idea!
I understand the desire to keep these rifles in the safe or only to the range to prevent any further wear and tear, but as mine have seen better days/sporterized and there a million others out there, I would like to take them out and hunt/fire them, even if they see more wear and tear, I feel they are worth more as family heirlooms if they have some good stories to them.
Is there an appropriate place on the site to post pics to get a ballpark on price on a rifle?
Thanks again for the helpful feedback!
Cody.
I should have mentioned the browning barrel is brand new, pulled off my A-bolt stainless stalker before a round was ever fired through it.
Also the 308 norma mag, was re-drilled for a .310 or .311? diameter projectile, basically it is a .308 norma mag with the bore drilled out a hair and the neck on the shells taken out to .310 form what ive been told. A custom or one off bullet, but not anything I would want to deal with, I'd rather go to another caliber, and as I have this barrel in the closet...
I will also look into aftermarket triggers, any brand reccomendations or experience? I think that is a great idea!
I understand the desire to keep these rifles in the safe or only to the range to prevent any further wear and tear, but as mine have seen better days/sporterized and there a million others out there, I would like to take them out and hunt/fire them, even if they see more wear and tear, I feel they are worth more as family heirlooms if they have some good stories to them.
Is there an appropriate place on the site to post pics to get a ballpark on price on a rifle?
Thanks again for the helpful feedback!
Cody.
I am guessing that .310 NM is just the rechambered original P-14 .303 Brit barrel.
Very easy to reload, use a standard .308 NM die set in wich you change the expander ball for a .311 one and you're done. The seater die should take the bigger bullet, If you don't crimp (but it may work, too). Personlally I would not bother rebarreling it.
Very easy to reload, use a standard .308 NM die set in wich you change the expander ball for a .311 one and you're done. The seater die should take the bigger bullet, If you don't crimp (but it may work, too). Personlally I would not bother rebarreling it.
sir_springer
Regular
- Location
- East Kootenays
Cody...
I think Baribal is dead on regarding the rechambering of the .303 Brit, which takes as .311 bullet instead of .308. If you're into reloading, you might reconsider keeping it as is.
Timney is a reliable maker of good triggers, and list one for the Enfield...
http://timneytriggers.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_list&c=2
Believe me, money well spent!!! Again, have it installed and tuned by a good smith. Won't take him long at all.
I think Baribal is dead on regarding the rechambering of the .303 Brit, which takes as .311 bullet instead of .308. If you're into reloading, you might reconsider keeping it as is.
Timney is a reliable maker of good triggers, and list one for the Enfield...
http://timneytriggers.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_list&c=2
Believe me, money well spent!!! Again, have it installed and tuned by a good smith. Won't take him long at all.
Big_red_truck
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Labrador , the big land
i've got the exact same rifle
