Is this bubba a restoration candidate?

P

pastway

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I recently acquired this for the scope mount to put onto my Parker Hale 303. My question for the experts here is; Is this a candidate for restoration when Marstars replacement wood comes in? It might be a project I would try, or would it just be cheaper and easier to sell this bubba and buy a full wood one. Actually I'd prefer a Longbranch, but this might be okay too. As you can probably tell, I'm a novice when it comes to milsurps. Thanks, pastway.


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You have enough there to start a restoration.

The old girl has been to India at some point in her career: the ISA-with-Broad-Arrow brand indicates an Ishapore butt. But she's a 1918 BSA and the barrel hasn't been cut, so you're away on that count.

Screw-holes from the mount can be plugged with plug-screws Loc-tited in place, faced off with a file and blued. OR you can restore her with the scope and have a sort-of-a-sniper for period matches. Given the rarity of original WWI scopes, I think a lot of ROs would allow an original in that state to shoot.

You HAVE all the essential iron parts.

Nice find.
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Restoration is always a great project. My no 3 shoot 2'' at 100yards, and it's a bubba I bought but transformed her into scout rifle. If you want to really restore it, it's a great project!!!
 
"...You HAVE all the essential iron parts..." Most importantly, bubba didn't shorten the barrel. How's the headspace? Have that checked before you spend any money.
 
My humble opinion: Looks like a really good, solid scope mount. I'd keep that one as a sporter, and I would be patient and find really nice set of forend / montecarlo wood stock; make it pretty. And find another $100 sporterized rifle that hasn't been drilled and tapped for a restoration candidate...

Lou
 
Restorations

I think that I will have to agree with LOUTHEPOU on this one, simply from a cost factor and practicability.

If the rifle were a scarce item, then I would say to restore it to original condition. However, since it is a fairly common rifle, then I think it would be much better to buy one that has moderate sporterizing and work with it if you would like one that is closer to being original.

Let's face it. For between $300 and $400, you can find original full stocked rifles on the EE if you spend some time waiting and looking. If you frequent Gun Shops and Gun Shows, even though some of these people want highly inflated prices for some of their stuff, you will find one at a reasonable price that would be a better candidate for restoration. If you live in an area where there is more population, put an advetisement in a local paper or some areas have an Internet classified website or swap-and-shop radio programs.

One thing, if you do put an advertisement in I would not advertise my name or home telephone number, but give my cell phone number. Then you can make arrangements with the other party to see the rifle.

With the amount of holes drilled into this rifle, the possible missing metal parts, and the cost of replacement wood and metal parts such as bands, springs, pressure piece, nosecap, etc., then it would be better to pick another candidate for restoration. Besides, you can never have enough guns, so buying another rifle, either original or for restoration, is completely justified.
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louthepou said:
My humble opinion: Looks like a really good, solid scope mount. Lou
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The old Parker Hale mount and rings really stand out, they are hard as hell to find today, and wayyyyyy better than the craptacular TO1.

Don't just give the old rings and bases away.
 
louthepou said:
My humble opinion: Looks like a really good, solid scope mount. I'd keep that one as a sporter, and I would be patient and find really nice set of forend / montecarlo wood stock; make it pretty. And find another $100 sporterized rifle that hasn't been drilled and tapped for a restoration candidate...

Lou
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I would have to aggree. Make a nice sporter out of it.
 
Leave it as is. It was honestly converted to civilan life. It would cost you as much to put it back to original or maybe even more than you can find a decent complete specimen for. If it shoots well, hunt with it. No shame at all in that.

If you want a complete milsurp NoI MkIII*, they are the most common of the type.

It will never be anything, other than an expensive, time consuming representative. That doesn't mean it wouldn't be fun. It wouldn't make a silk purse out of a sows ear either. As mentioned, the charger bridge looks to have been altered as well. Spare charger bridges don't grow on trees.
 
Well, springfield sporters did have charger bridges, but unless this is a "labour of love" it's not worth the aggro to restore it. Look for a complete rifle.
 
louthepou said:
My humble opinion: Looks like a really good, solid scope mount. I'd keep that one as a sporter, and I would be patient and find really nice set of forend / montecarlo wood stock; make it pretty. And find another $100 sporterized rifle that hasn't been drilled and tapped for a restoration candidate...

Lou
Click to expand...

I know you have restored some of these, and appreciate your opinion, as well as the advice all who have responded. I think I will leave this one as a sporter. As I said, I really bought this one for the PH scope mount and rings, intending to put them on my Parker Hale 303 sporter. So I already have one 303 (Lithgow) with a nice Monte Carlo stock. In some ways, I've been hesitating to take the scope mount off this BSA one though, as it is really accurate as is, using Remington 180 gr coreloks. I think on a good day I could keep them well under two inches at 100 yds.
I didn't have head space checked, as I don't know anyone who can do it. But the brass seems fine after firing.
 
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