P14.....308 Norma Mag...brain picker!

D

Dantforth

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I have a custom rifle made from a P14. It was rechambered to .308 N.M. but the barrel was left as issued...a .311 diameter. The barrel has been stamped "311 N.M.A.S.GS." and "2.22.67" which I believe is the date the work was done. It came with a custom die marked "Eagle" with a flying eagle emblem and "308 Norma Mag Sizer". It has a bullet seater screwed into the top with locking ring, the top of which is marked "467S". I tried to FL size a case today and the case would only go in about 3/4's of the way which gets me thinking it is a neck size die...but, it sizes the neck to .308, not the expected .311 I had desired. Possibly it is only a bullet seat die! I have no history on the rifle except that it has been well done, polished and blued and drilled for scope mounts. The stock is definitely an aftermarket job which has not been touched....still needs final sanding and finish. Work was done in Ontario, I think. Possibly by EPPS.
Question - Has anyone come across one of these and can they give me any info about the rifle or the die?
 
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The necks sized to 308 should not be a problem. Just flare the case necks a little to get your .311 bullets started, you would need to do that whatever.


PS I can't help but wonder why they did not just leave it as a .303 ?
 
Why not leave it in 303?????

Performance....plain and simple. They couldn't sell these in original configuration so they changed a bunch. Now, this was in the sixties and the thinking was different then. Soooooooooo, if we have a bunch and can't sell them lets change them to something stronger which will sell. Epps was an experimentor, inovator and wildcatter. He rechambered and rebarrelled thousands of rifles from No.1 Mk3...No.4's...Martini Henrys...and P14's. Some of his calibers are still being used to rechamber rifles today!
I am somewhat disappointed that I did not get more replies to my query about the rifle...caliber...and the die. I have someone interested in it ...but.... may keep it myself if all does not go well.
 
Not suprisingly, no-one has heard of the die, nor has info on it. I can't say why the round will only go 3/4 of the way into the die, unless perhaps it is 300 Win Mag and not 308 Norma brass you are trying?

I'd just get a new or used 308 Norma die set and load her up. Use .311 bullets in the 308 neck - with a gentle chamfer they will go in. Your concern should be the loaded outside neck diameter. You don't want the extra 0.003" causing binding - even if it will chamber, it might be too tight. I'd recommend that you outside neck turn the 0.003" off.

I bought a M1917 (0.308" bore) in 308 Norma and paid $100 to have it rechambered to 300 Win Mag - that's an option for you too. 300 Win Mag brass and dies are inexpensive and easy to find. You can use 300 Win Mag brass to make 308 Norma, but it adds steps and gets tiring.
 
Thanks....I know why the casing will only go part way in as that is the length of the die and when it hits bottom the neck and shoulder are ready...with still fully half of the case still outside the die. Anyway...thanks as I will load the .311'as as suggested until I find a better way. Probably won't shoot as well that way but.....I'll do the trial and error thing.
 
Try loading .308 bullets. I am almost sure you wont ever notice the difference and you'll be able to feed it good bullets much cheaper. Give it a try with heavy 200 or 220 grain .308 bullets. If that does'nt get it hunting start with another rifle
 
Dantforth said:
Thanks....I know why the casing will only go part way in as that is the length of the die and when it hits bottom the neck and shoulder are ready...with still fully half of the case still outside the die. Anyway...thanks as I will load the .311'as as suggested until I find a better way. Probably won't shoot as well that way but.....I'll do the trial and error thing.
Click to expand...
Try replacing your .308" expander ball with one in .311"!
 
Hey Dantforth...

I've got one of these as well..

not sure if it is Exactly the same,, but it is a custom job in .308NM on a P14 frame..

I got this from my aunt many years after my uncle died...

The stock has white diamond shapes in the stock..
I'll have to dig it out and take some pictures for you...

Drop me a note when you get a chance...

ericn@mnsi.net

ttyle

Eric....
 
I have a silly question...what would happen if someone accidentally tried to fire a .303 cartridge out of these .308 mods?
 
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