How useful would a Remington model 1917 bolt and receiver in 30-06 be for a potential new build. I'm sure that my barrel has lost it's capacity as I've tried using a few boxes of different ammo and it won't show a half decent grouping. I've haven't completely decided yet, but I'm leaning towards a 280. And I am still considering all calibers that are an easy fit to the bolt face. ie 25-06, 270, 280, or again a 30-06. Or, can this bolt assembly be used for and AI.
Remington Model 1917 build
- Thread starter Highwind
- Start date
I've done several of them. A .280 would be excellent, as would a 7mm Remington Magnum. Even a 7x57 would work.
If you know someone who can legally export a barrel from the US to Canada, your cheapest option would be to buy a pre-threaded, contoured and short-chambered barrel from E.R. Shaw for about $160 US. I got a few of these back in the days when there was no border issue, and they all worked well. In fact, I'm using my .300 Winchester Magnum to this day (and it's responsible for my nickname on this site). It still shoots well under one minute of angle, and I've heard the newer Shaw barrels are even better.
You can buy a world-class barrel from one of our Canadian barrel-makers, but it will run you upwards of $350 for the blank, plus at least $150 to get it threaded, chambered and headspaced. So it is a much more expensive option than E.R. Shaw. The upside is that the Canadian barrel will be a true match-grade barrel, and there is no importation issue, and you'll be supporting our local guys.
Boyd's makes drop in stocks for the 17, and they will ship to Canada as long as the order is less than $100 (which it would be).
You're also potentially looking at some gunsmithing to have the "ears" on the receiver ground flat, so it can be drilled and tapped for scope mounting (your post did not indicate if your action already had this work done or not).
If you know someone who can legally export a barrel from the US to Canada, your cheapest option would be to buy a pre-threaded, contoured and short-chambered barrel from E.R. Shaw for about $160 US. I got a few of these back in the days when there was no border issue, and they all worked well. In fact, I'm using my .300 Winchester Magnum to this day (and it's responsible for my nickname on this site). It still shoots well under one minute of angle, and I've heard the newer Shaw barrels are even better.
You can buy a world-class barrel from one of our Canadian barrel-makers, but it will run you upwards of $350 for the blank, plus at least $150 to get it threaded, chambered and headspaced. So it is a much more expensive option than E.R. Shaw. The upside is that the Canadian barrel will be a true match-grade barrel, and there is no importation issue, and you'll be supporting our local guys.
Boyd's makes drop in stocks for the 17, and they will ship to Canada as long as the order is less than $100 (which it would be).
You're also potentially looking at some gunsmithing to have the "ears" on the receiver ground flat, so it can be drilled and tapped for scope mounting (your post did not indicate if your action already had this work done or not).
Remington Modle 1917 build
P-17 Good information, and a 280 (or AI) would probably be my first choice. I'd likely use 160 grain noslers, sgkbt. It would be primarily a hunting rig, and will be handed down to my son in a couple of years. I guess you are suggesting that it will be at least $500 and possibly more to have it set-up.
And, no it hasn't been tapped previously for a scope but I would like to have one on it. A nice laminate stock would be good. Presently it's like a Sporter / Hunter set-up with open sites. I wouldn't have open sites on the new build.
In a mag version, well that's interesting, if the barrel was a heavier contour.
I'll have to shop around for the stock and see what that is gonna run me.
And, as I have never had a custom or semi custom ever built, this will be a new adventure for me...!
P-17 Good information, and a 280 (or AI) would probably be my first choice. I'd likely use 160 grain noslers, sgkbt. It would be primarily a hunting rig, and will be handed down to my son in a couple of years. I guess you are suggesting that it will be at least $500 and possibly more to have it set-up.
And, no it hasn't been tapped previously for a scope but I would like to have one on it. A nice laminate stock would be good. Presently it's like a Sporter / Hunter set-up with open sites. I wouldn't have open sites on the new build.
In a mag version, well that's interesting, if the barrel was a heavier contour.
I'll have to shop around for the stock and see what that is gonna run me.
And, as I have never had a custom or semi custom ever built, this will be a new adventure for me...!
Remington model 1917 rebuild
It CAN make a fine lookiing rifle. Years ago I was given an action with the ears gone and a straight bolt handle fitted. Also the bottom metal had been straightened. I had it barrelled and chambered to 7mmSTW, and had a Timney trigger, #### on open mod, and a model 70 type 3 position safety.
It CAN make a fine lookiing rifle. Years ago I was given an action with the ears gone and a straight bolt handle fitted. Also the bottom metal had been straightened. I had it barrelled and chambered to 7mmSTW, and had a Timney trigger, #### on open mod, and a model 70 type 3 position safety.
You are getting good advice. I have done P14 (303Br) and P17 (30/06) sporters. If yours has been sportierized (Remington did make sporters on P17's), you are mostly there. If however, your rifle has unaltered metal (full ears) it may be worth more if it can be returned to full military. Sometimes accuracy will return with a REALLY GOOD cleaning on these older rifles. Perhaps try an electric bore cleaner- amazing what crud comes out. The P17 (1917) has the correct follower for a short mag- 264 Winchester, 300 Winchester, 338 Winchester etc. Of course all the 30/06 variants will work also. E.R. Shaw has many chamberings.
If money practicality is an issue for you, then something like the Stevens Model 200 is really your first choice -- even if you have to buy a new rifle and rebarrel it to your favourite cartridge (though, you could just buy one in 7mm Remington Magnum for under $350 brand new, ready to go, and be done).
Therefore, doing this would be a labour of love, something to be unique -- and that's totally legitimate, believe me. But it is not the economy option.
If you're interested, here is one of my stories from a few years ago about a very special custom P17 in my possession:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218941
If anything, that rifle is shooting even better these days!
The 17 action is a GREAT action. The one benefit this action has, above all other military bolt actions of that era, is the ability to be chambered for real thumper magnums, like the Weatherby cartridges. You just can't do that with Mausers, Springfield, Lee Enfields, etc. This is why most guys who go the customizing route with these actions elect to put some kind of magnum on there -- even if it is just a plain old .300 Winchester Magnum (like I did in one of my projects).
As an aside, you can't put a full Weatherby long magnum cartridge in the Stevens Model 200 discussed above, so that is one advantage that the 17 has over this new cheap (and excellent) commercial action.
Since you're not hung up on the super magnums, there's no NEED to use your 17 for this hunting rifle, other than sentiment. Before you embark on this project, I'd recommend that you talk to the gunsmith first and get an idea of exactly how much this whole project is going to cost. And unless you are hung up on getting a full match grade barrel, you should definitely look into finding someone who has a permit to import the threaded & chambered E.R. Shaw barrels I mentioned in my first post. That alone will save you several hundred dollars on the project and may not force you to pay a really noticeable penalty in accuracy for a hunting rifle.
Therefore, doing this would be a labour of love, something to be unique -- and that's totally legitimate, believe me. But it is not the economy option.
If you're interested, here is one of my stories from a few years ago about a very special custom P17 in my possession:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218941
If anything, that rifle is shooting even better these days!
The 17 action is a GREAT action. The one benefit this action has, above all other military bolt actions of that era, is the ability to be chambered for real thumper magnums, like the Weatherby cartridges. You just can't do that with Mausers, Springfield, Lee Enfields, etc. This is why most guys who go the customizing route with these actions elect to put some kind of magnum on there -- even if it is just a plain old .300 Winchester Magnum (like I did in one of my projects).
As an aside, you can't put a full Weatherby long magnum cartridge in the Stevens Model 200 discussed above, so that is one advantage that the 17 has over this new cheap (and excellent) commercial action.
Since you're not hung up on the super magnums, there's no NEED to use your 17 for this hunting rifle, other than sentiment. Before you embark on this project, I'd recommend that you talk to the gunsmith first and get an idea of exactly how much this whole project is going to cost. And unless you are hung up on getting a full match grade barrel, you should definitely look into finding someone who has a permit to import the threaded & chambered E.R. Shaw barrels I mentioned in my first post. That alone will save you several hundred dollars on the project and may not force you to pay a really noticeable penalty in accuracy for a hunting rifle.
I lost track of this thread for quite a while. I finally used the search thread and found it again. I appreciate all the suggestions that have been provided and with the time that has passed since the thread was started, I think that a re-barrel is probably in order. And having had some time to think about a different caliber I might lean towards a 9.3 x 62. I'll look at some of the suggestions that have been posted in this thread and do some follow-up at my end. I like the rifle and want to keep it for my son, but want to make it something interesting too.
A friend of mine has a P17 30-06 that was not shooting well at all, it took about half a can of Wipeout to get the copper out of that barrel but the accuracy is as good as most any 06 now, you could give that route a try if you are inclined to stay original.
A BSA 17 will have had all the expensive receiver work done first (grinding the ears, drilling and tapping for scope mounting, etc.). With that rifle, any decent gunsmith can install a new barrel for you in the .30-06 class of cartridges. With a bit of extra gunsmithing (and some more expense), it can be opened up to any of the Magnums. If you don't like the B.S.A. stock (depending on the grade you have), Boyds remains an excellent option.
Again, if you know an importer who can bring barrels from the U.S., E.R. Shaw remains the most cost-effective option for a new barrel. Here is another U.S. outfit that sells pre-threaded, chambered (in .30-06) Criterion barrels (an offshoot of Krieger). I've never contemplated one of these because I don't know anyone who can legally import, but it looks like an incredible barrel:
http://dgrguns.com/0-main-page-barrels.htm
There are numerous barrel sources in Canada, and some of the options are excellent. Whenever you buy a barrel, you should remember that the 17 has a very large shank diameter. I've used barrels with shanks of 1.25 inches (including E.R. Shaw) without problem, but 1.35 (a real oddball size) is probably ideal. Just remember that you can't go less than 1.25.
Again, if you know an importer who can bring barrels from the U.S., E.R. Shaw remains the most cost-effective option for a new barrel. Here is another U.S. outfit that sells pre-threaded, chambered (in .30-06) Criterion barrels (an offshoot of Krieger). I've never contemplated one of these because I don't know anyone who can legally import, but it looks like an incredible barrel:
http://dgrguns.com/0-main-page-barrels.htm
There are numerous barrel sources in Canada, and some of the options are excellent. Whenever you buy a barrel, you should remember that the 17 has a very large shank diameter. I've used barrels with shanks of 1.25 inches (including E.R. Shaw) without problem, but 1.35 (a real oddball size) is probably ideal. Just remember that you can't go less than 1.25.
Once again I had to do a search to find this thread. lol But I did do some 50 yard shooting with it and the results were very poor. So I took the P17 to an older gunsmith who has done a lot of work for the military. He said he would clean it up as best he could and see what happens... So he vigorously cleaned the bore with his specialized solvents and pastes and took it too the range to test fire it. He is also a very experienced shooter and said he was got about a "coffee-cup lid" sized groups with open sites at 100 yards. He said the barrel and is fine and a lot of crud came out.
The front site was difficult to use and he shot his group with that old site on the front and a williams on the rear. The metal on the front site never looked good to my eye when I shot it. A buddy of mine didn't think the site was easy to see and he does a lot of shooting and suggested it get changed out.
The gunsmith tested it with the older metal front site on it but he thought that would be a good thing to change the front so after his test shots we added the Williams firesite. It's now easier to see through the rear V notch. I will go and test fire it today or tomorrow and report back.
So I had the barrel cleaned by a professional who test fired it; And now have had a new front site added. So now I have to go and shoot it and see how the changes have worked out.
The front site was difficult to use and he shot his group with that old site on the front and a williams on the rear. The metal on the front site never looked good to my eye when I shot it. A buddy of mine didn't think the site was easy to see and he does a lot of shooting and suggested it get changed out.
The gunsmith tested it with the older metal front site on it but he thought that would be a good thing to change the front so after his test shots we added the Williams firesite. It's now easier to see through the rear V notch. I will go and test fire it today or tomorrow and report back.
So I had the barrel cleaned by a professional who test fired it; And now have had a new front site added. So now I have to go and shoot it and see how the changes have worked out.
