Need Advice on a .303 Rifle Project

K98ACTION

K98ACTION

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ALL

I have this nice almost complete P14 Sporter which I picked up from a fellow Gun Nutz that I am pondering with. The bore is in V-good shape, so it will make a nice shooter.

I would like to keep it with open sights along the lines of a classic BSA African or something like that, it has no rear sight as the hump is milled off so I have a nice clean receiver and barrel to work with. I would like to get those fold down type sights that they put on those classic rifles any ideas on that..

The other big question is should I get it rechambered from .303 Brit to say a .303 Epps or something like that to increase it's power? Are there any other re-chamberings I could do that would be more power?

Thanks.

I'll post pics
 
Re chamber?

If it were mine I would not even think of rechambering to get a larger case.
Far too much is made of a little exta potential speed for rifle bullets.
 
I think one can get the performance he wants from the standard 303 in a P14 if he loads to the levels possible in that rifle. I get well over 2700 fps from a 303 with 174 grain bullets. I have achieved over 2650 with 180's and I think 2700 is achievable. With the Epps version, 2800 is possible.
Of course, the other real advantage to the Epps is; it's kinda neat!
The P14 is a very strong action, of course, and also gives the gunsmith ample opportunity for expression (another way of saying they can use some work!).
I think a serious 303 hunting rifle is a pretty good use for a P14. Regards, Bill.
 
K98,

I, too have a nicely sporterized P-14, done up by BSA:
P-14.JPG


I've had it rechambered to .303 Epps but have yet to do any load development. (Steve at .303 British.com is your man for info on that.) The hope is to take it on an African plains game safari some day, maybe even with Steve's 200 gr. bullets. But the plain old .303 is still pretty deadly even without being "Epped", esp. in the strong P-14 action.

I'm tring to decide about open sights, too. Ideally a removable aperture sight for the rear scope base would be nice, such as the one from XS Sights or NEGC (New England Custom Gun). The latter also have the fold-down sights you mentioned, but they are not cheap! You'll have to cutstom file them to adjust the POI although NEGC also have an interesting front sight that allows some elevation adjustment. Fits their sight blades only, so the complete front sight would set you back around $65.00 IIRC.

:) Stuart
 
I think the BSA sporters arent really classed as sportered. Using surplus actions to produce a fine sporting rifle is not sprterising, pedantic yes but they were sold as new sporting rifles not converted. I have one that was and it almost looks as good as one built from new but it is sporterised and can be told by the markings on the wrist and knox.
If that was a converted rifle then it would show with markings, most were scrubbed at the factory in Brum before use!
 
TimC said:
I think the BSA sporters arent really classed as sportered. Using surplus actions to produce a fine sporting rifle is not sprterising,…
Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification, Tim. I ought to have said, "A nice BSA on a P-14 action" or summat like that. In any case, those Brummies did a nice job.

:) Stuart
 
K98ACTION said:
ALL

I have this nice almost complete P14 Sporter which I picked up from a fellow Gun Nutz that I am pondering with. The bore is in V-good shape, so it will make a nice shooter.

I would like to keep it with open sights along the lines of a classic BSA African or something like that, it has no rear sight as the hump is milled off so I have a nice clean receiver and barrel to work with. I would like to get those fold down type sights that they put on those classic rifles any ideas on that..

The other big question is should I get it rechambered from .303 Brit to say a .303 Epps or something like that to increase it's power? Are there any other re-chamberings I could do that would be more power?

Thanks.

I'll post pics
Click to expand...

I would either get a rear sight, like a lyman sight, installed; or have a scope mount installed.

Regarding the chambering, I would either leave it alone, 303 ammo is everywhere after all, or, if the barrel is worn, have a new barrel installed in the chambering of your choice.

The action is strong enough that you can have any chambering you want!
 
K98ACTION said:
I would like to keep it with open sights along the lines of a classic BSA African or something like that, it has no rear sight as the hump is milled off so I have a nice clean receiver and barrel to work with. I would like to get those fold down type sights that they put on those classic rifles any ideas on that..
Click to expand...
A "CLASSIC" rifle deserves a "CLASSIC" cartridge.

The 303 British is about as "CLASSIC" as it comes.
 
josquin said:
K98,

I, too have a nicely sporterized P-14, done up by BSA:
P-14.JPG


I've had it rechambered to .303 Epps but have yet to do any load development. (Steve at .303 British.com is your man for info on that.) The hope is to take it on an African plains game safari some day, maybe even with Steve's 200 gr. bullets. But the plain old .303 is still pretty deadly even without being "Epped", esp. in the strong P-14 action.

I'm tring to decide about open sights, too. Ideally a removable aperture sight for the rear scope base would be nice, such as the one from XS Sights or NEGC (New England Custom Gun). The latter also have the fold-down sights you mentioned, but they are not cheap! You'll have to cutstom file them to adjust the POI although NEGC also have an interesting front sight that allows some elevation adjustment. Fits their sight blades only, so the complete front sight would set you back around $65.00 IIRC.

:) Stuart
Click to expand...


Nice Rifle there josquin. The barrelled action on my project is also a BSA on a P14 action. The metal is baby assed smooth with just the proof marks and BSA logo. The stock is a nice chunk of walnut all inletted and just needs some finish sanding and a finish.

Of course there is the sight question still? Anyhow regarding the chambering, I think I will leave it in the original .303 as most of you have put forward a pretty good argument for the odd 3. Beside the bore is pretty much mint.

The only thing to ponder now are the sights.....
 
I had my P14 rechambered to 303 Epps at Epps Sporting Goods three years ago and it was $125 or so... a cheap way to get into the wildcat cartridge league. There is another advantage besides better case life (which is at least double), you can still fire the parent round (303 Br) from a 303 Epps. The 303 Epps is a great round, and I have taken several deer with my Epps, one at 350 yds. They all dropped where they were shot, no arguments!
 
I have a Winchester built P-14 with a Timney trigger and a Boyd's Laminate stock. It has the original barrel and it is shiny and sharp inside. Some loads will shoot around or slightly under 1" at 100 meters, so it is just a great rifle, albeit a bit on the heavy side. I use 308 Winchester data for loading it and get superb performance out of the old warrior. 2850+ with the 150 and 2650 with the 174/180 grainers. 2350+ with the Mk 9 Bullet from Steve (200 grains) I have shot several head of game with this rifle, and all were basically bang-flops. Leave the chambering as is, you will do fine with it. Regards, Eagleye.
 
Why not? said:
I have a rear sight that will fit your barrel. It is not the three-leaf Express version, but is in good condition and adjustable for windage and elevation.

If you want it, PM me your address for a late Christmas present. :D

Ted
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Go for it, K98!

Ted, what kind of sight is this? It's rare to find an adjustable rear sight that fits a dovetail.

I've also just picked up a Husky 146 in 9,3x57 and would love to find one of those "Jaktdiopter" sights that used to be fitted to them.

:) Stuart
 
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