Last year was an odd year, and I found myself heading down nostalgia lane, picking up several rifles I really didnt want or need, but thought it would be fun to check out after 30 years later.
My first 300WM was a Century Centurion, done on a P17, with Century just reaming the 30-06 chamber up to 300WM. It was the olden days of course, when you could call a company like Century, and ask for a Winchester P17 to be converted. Since Winchesters drew a premium in the market Century usually just did the Centurions on Eddystones or Remingtons. Anyway a month or so later a rifle that I recalled as a behemoth showed up, with flaming bombs still on the barrel, chambered in 300WM. That rifle functioned flawlessly, smoothly and with ultimate reliability, and like an idiot years later I sold it.
Last year one came up for sale that was one of Century's rebarrel jobs, usually easily identified by the American address marked barrel. Otherwise it was the same old style rifle, a Bell and Carlson synthetic stock, one piece 3 screw weaver rail they all came with, and a matte finish.
The trigger is the same old P14/17 trigger, and they are easy to work on and adjust, but I left it as is, with what now seems a very long first stage, and reasonable second.
The receiver has been squared off, and tapped, and otherwise the ejector, safety, bolt, trigger etc are pretty original.
Back in the 90s these were 300$, which was enough. You could walk into most gun stores and buy an old Lee Enfield or the like for a little over 100$, so the only perk was getting a magnum at a reasonable price.
30 years plus after buying my first the second seemed a lot different. The heft and bulk of the old rifle seems a thing of memory, as now it seems middle of the road, and honestly a little small to me. The barrel they put on is much thinner than I would have on any 300WM now, and the shooting showed it to be a little whippy, with clusters more than groups (admittedly chucking a vintage scope on it didnt likely help, since I spent a lot of time chasing a good zero, and after 15 rounds the heat haze of the barrel was really noticeable).
I hate to use the term, but this rifle feels analog now, more deliberate movements and actions needed than I remember my old one needing, and far more than most modern rifles. The 'sharp' bolt to the rear for positive ejection for example, and the old c*ck on close, which I still like, but which really stands out compared to newer rifles.
Of course these are basic rifles, not A-squares or custom finely fettled guns, so there is room for improvement. A little time polishing, bedding and likely it would be quite a bit better.
Today these seem to sell for 5-600$, so double what they were 30-35 years ago, and more than say, oh a Remington 710 (ya, ya I bought one of those too).
couple groups with Hornady 150gr loads
Attempt at a 10 shot group
My first 300WM was a Century Centurion, done on a P17, with Century just reaming the 30-06 chamber up to 300WM. It was the olden days of course, when you could call a company like Century, and ask for a Winchester P17 to be converted. Since Winchesters drew a premium in the market Century usually just did the Centurions on Eddystones or Remingtons. Anyway a month or so later a rifle that I recalled as a behemoth showed up, with flaming bombs still on the barrel, chambered in 300WM. That rifle functioned flawlessly, smoothly and with ultimate reliability, and like an idiot years later I sold it.
Last year one came up for sale that was one of Century's rebarrel jobs, usually easily identified by the American address marked barrel. Otherwise it was the same old style rifle, a Bell and Carlson synthetic stock, one piece 3 screw weaver rail they all came with, and a matte finish.
The trigger is the same old P14/17 trigger, and they are easy to work on and adjust, but I left it as is, with what now seems a very long first stage, and reasonable second.
The receiver has been squared off, and tapped, and otherwise the ejector, safety, bolt, trigger etc are pretty original.
Back in the 90s these were 300$, which was enough. You could walk into most gun stores and buy an old Lee Enfield or the like for a little over 100$, so the only perk was getting a magnum at a reasonable price.
30 years plus after buying my first the second seemed a lot different. The heft and bulk of the old rifle seems a thing of memory, as now it seems middle of the road, and honestly a little small to me. The barrel they put on is much thinner than I would have on any 300WM now, and the shooting showed it to be a little whippy, with clusters more than groups (admittedly chucking a vintage scope on it didnt likely help, since I spent a lot of time chasing a good zero, and after 15 rounds the heat haze of the barrel was really noticeable).
I hate to use the term, but this rifle feels analog now, more deliberate movements and actions needed than I remember my old one needing, and far more than most modern rifles. The 'sharp' bolt to the rear for positive ejection for example, and the old c*ck on close, which I still like, but which really stands out compared to newer rifles.
Of course these are basic rifles, not A-squares or custom finely fettled guns, so there is room for improvement. A little time polishing, bedding and likely it would be quite a bit better.
Today these seem to sell for 5-600$, so double what they were 30-35 years ago, and more than say, oh a Remington 710 (ya, ya I bought one of those too).
couple groups with Hornady 150gr loads
Attempt at a 10 shot group
