P-17 Accuracy

andygumpers

andygumpers

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So I want to get into doing some mil-surplus shooting. I know this is not the mil-surplus forum but I would like to know about some details on Accuracy and rifles. What is the accuracy I could exspect from this rifle ? What would be the best load for it be? Also would you know what the rate of twist on the barrel? Cheers
 
At our Milshoots, we have found that the P17 (actually the "United States Rifle, cal .30, Model of 1917" before hell-fire is rained on me :p) can shoot very well. With a good shooter and careful handloads it can be a top 20% shooter, up there with the P14, Garand and Lee Enfield No4 MkI. The main thing that separates it (and those other guns) from the mausers, etc. IMO are the good sights. The most consistently excellent milsurp shooter IMO? - the K31.

My P17 has a very long throat and shoots the 180's with H4350 best. The cheap Hornady 150gr FMJ is a great and inexpensive bullet, but in my gun has such a long jump to the rifling that it is completely out of the neck before it hits the lands and is thus susceptible to hang-fires. That might not be the case with your gun.
 
I had a P17 sporterised by BSA as my hunting rifle for several years. Had the orig 19something barrel too. Rough as a sidewalk and fouled till the barrel was green. Pretty sure it was a 10 twist but it will not matter as any desired bullet will work.

SHOT SUPERBLY.

Was an honest 1/2 min rifle (3rds) and I really enjoyed plinking with it out to 1000m. Groups would grow if the barrel got hot but I am pretty sure, that will be the norm. If you can rebarrel, it will be a great shooter.

I used molied 165gr SST's over H4350, CCI BR2 primers in LC69 brass (took a bit more prep but worked really well). Would use Win brass these days.

I tuned the trigger to be a single stage with a crisp let off (not sure you can do that for service rifle). Bedded the action. Really needed that. Put in pillars. Swapped in a #### on opening kit (positive that will not fly in service rifle).

I have a really warm spot for the Lee Enfield No4's but I think the P's offer much more for the match shooter.
Jerry
 
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