Older precision barrel needing sights

[Potashminer]

So, probably an older version of "precision" - perhaps truly "old-school". I have a Schultz and Larsen barrel - brand new, never fired - never previously fitted, I don't think. It was threaded with the square threads for P14 / M1917 Enfield rifle. It is .30 caliber bore and 1-14" twist. 27 1/2" from breech to muzzle and a fairly healthy profile - it weighs 4 pounds 2.4 ounces.

I am presuming this was for a version of longer range or precision shooting. The slow twist suggests perhaps like a PALMA competition - lighter, hence shorter, bullets needed. It took a bit of lapping, but it does now spin on hand tight to the M1917 receiver that I selected for it. The shoulders match up with a satisfying "smack". The bolt just so closes on 308 Win GO gauge by Forster, and no where near closing with the NOGO gauge by them.

The very front of the barrel, at the muzzle end, has a straight section - using just cheap NAPA callipers, I get the diameter of the short straight section at .750" / 19 mm. That short straight section is slightly smaller diameter than is the barrel, there, and is about 1.125" long. For a front sight, I presume.

I do have an AJP 3/53 rear aperture sight on the way, with a Parker Hale PH60 eye piece. I would appreciate any comments about what is it that I am looking for, for a front sight? An aperture, I presume - but no clue what brand or model I would look for.

 

[iron cat]

You got mail
Cat

 

[mikWS]

Most Fullbore / Palma sights are available to fit 0.750 tenon. If you intend to shoot irons, I would suggest one that is height adjustable. Riles, RPA, Cooper and Centra are a few of the popular makes.

 

[Potashminer]

Thank you CGN - just awesome - several PM responses with ideas, suggestions and knowledge, beside the posts made here. All good - I really appreciate the information and leads!!! Shooting targets or gongs is going to be a new thing to me - apparently tracking, field dressing and recovery adventures are not really a part of this "new game"!!!

 

[iron cat]

Thank you CGN - just awesome - several PM responses with ideas, suggestions and knowledge, beside the posts made here. All good - I really appreciate the information and leads!!! Shooting targets or gongs is going to be a new thing to me - apparently tracking, field dressing and recovery adventures are not really a part of this "new game"!!!

For simply ringing steel at 500 meters the cheap Campro 147- 150 grain FMJ's work great with whatever powder you have on hand for a 308.
I don't get picky with my ammo
until I stretch it out from 500 to 1K or Match shooting then everything changes!
Cat

 

[keegs]

The joy of the ladder style front site is it helps maintain cheek position on the stock. I use a riles on my main gun, i have a portek high boy(tube gun style). Sitting waiting for a 22LR trainer I’m building.

One question, Do you wear glasses? Normal streetwear glasses will greatly affect how you shoot prone. There are some tricks to make them work in a pinch.

I wear contacts when I shoot, guys like Maynard use a monocle.

 

[Ganderite]

That is most probably a 1:14 twist. It will shoot ordinary (non-VLD) bullets up to about 180 gr.

We often bought the M17 barrels because the shank was very big and the barrel could be threaded to any other action, because they had smaller shanks.

 

[Potashminer]

You are exactly correct - the only marking on it say 1-14", so that must be the twist. I was amazed that an M1917 receiver that I selected needed just a small amount of "lapping" on the threads and the thing spun on with just hand tight and solid "thunk" on the barrel shoulder, then nearly perfect minimum headspace with my 308 Win Forster headspace gauges - might or might not actually "touch" just as the bolt closes. Will become a very "old school" double aperture thing - I have fitted an AJP 3/53 rear sight to the receiver, and am awaiting a PH tunnel fore sight from Numrich. A very helpful CGN'r has provided a "clamp-on" front sight base that appears to be made for this application. No clue yet what I will do for a stock for this, but it will come in time, I think... 1950's or so, at it's best....