.425 Express?

[Grumpy gumpy]

I am interested in making the bastardized P14 Enfield my late wife inherited into something more glamorous. I'm curious about just how much metal I'll have to remove from the rear sight ears/receiver bridge. There is an oval pocket recessed into the bridge between the ears. Is the bridge machined down to the bottom of the pocket or is the pocket filled? The bolt face on this 303 would only require very slight modification to accept 404J rim. I'm thinking it will easily accept as is any of the Winchester Short Magnum rims. During my second safari I took a couple of animals with my PH's 270 WSM. Very impressive. Both critters were in the stratosphere way beyond the reach of my 30-06. I have sourced flat bellied bottom metal and a stock to fit it. And a Timney trigger (I HATE 2-stage triggers!). Apparently it's not hard to find kits to change P14/1917 Enfields to cock on opening. Cleaning off the ears is the big concern at this point.

Open to suggestions.

The 425 is the same head size as a H&H (parent case) so the same as a303 . The "pond" is filled with a metal plug and blended in when the ears are milled off with a carbide cutter
Gumpy

 

[USN]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen
The 270 Winchester (or 25-06) is just a kitten's kiss.
The .35 Whelen is just a maiden's kiss.
The .425 Express (or .404 Jeffery, .416 Taylor, et.al) is a woman's kiss.

All are nice.
And good rifles.

Well said Sir!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

The 425 is the same head size as a H&H (parent case) so the same as a303 . The "pond" is filled with a metal plug and blended in when the ears are milled off with a carbide cutter
Gumpy

I already have a 404 so making this gun into a 425 would almost be redundant. 270 WSM might even work without modifying the P14 mag box, although I'm certain 1917 box would work with no modification. Presumably 1917 box is straight drop?

So I would have to make a plug, have someone weld it in place (without warping the receiver!), and then machine off the ears? What a hassle. Definitely more challenging than the 98 Mauser project.

Aren't these supposed to be three position safeties? I cannot get the bolt open in position two straight up.

 

[MooseHunter]

I am trying to reply to Roch Sent him a PM

Let me get this Enfield out and give you detailed pictures or ears removed.
Not familar with cannnon used in Africa but the barrel looks like what I know as heavy varmint. Dont have my calipers handy but will guestimate with tape measure

 

[MooseHunter]

I am trying to reply to Roch Sent him a PM

Let me get this Enfield out and give you detailed pictures or ears removed.
Not familar with cannnon used in Africa but the barrel looks like what I know as heavy varmint. Dont have my calipers handy but will guestimate with tape measure

 

[MooseHunter]

Muzzel measures 3/4 inch at 26 inches. Action appears to cock on open

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Muzzel measures 3/4 inch at 26 inches. Action appears to cock on open

My #5 profile 404 barrel by Lija is 0.78 at 23.5". I would guess yours is also #5 profile. Should be a good weight with the extra length and larger magazine. Thanks for the photos. Gives some idea what I would be up against modifying the receiver. Filling the cavity would be the only problem for me. I can build a sliding jig to grind down the ears but I don't have the machining tools or welding skill to fill that pocket. Hmmm. Since it's not a structural issue as it is, I guess it doesn't matter what I use to fill the hole. Exotic wood? Semiprecious stone? Petrified wood? Antler ivory? Schwarosky crystal? This problem could actually be fun to resolve.

 

[Rosch]

Hi @MooseHunter, warm wellcome to You!
If its a real A-Square, You might be the one who found one of the half finished guns which were sold after the insolvency and shut down of A-Square! Can we see some pics?

 

[MooseHunter]

Hi @MooseHunter, warm wellcome to You!
If its a real A-Square, You might be the one who found one of the half finished guns which were sold after the insolvency and shut down of A-Square! Can we see some pics?

 

[Velo Dog]

As I saw just now, You are in business, dealing every day with the results of features of the equipment, Your hunter clients carry with them when out hunting.
Why don't You share with us Your experience, what a good big game rifle in Your opinion really needs and what's just cosmetics. I think, that lots of readers wanna learn something substancial in here and not just listening to special taste and personal habits and preferences!
I'm really tense what's Your thoughts.

Hello Rosch,

I apologize for not responding sooner.
Somehow I missed the last few posts in this thread, including yours here.

Also, I apologize if I have ever given you or anyone else the impression that I am dealing with hunt related equipment every day.
That is not accurate.
I only advertise for and book hunts for Khomas Safaris.
Most of my days are unfortunately spent with non-hunting activities.
Also, the only dangerous game I have hunted (besides violent criminals), is one African Buffalo.

That said, I have tracked a grizzly bear on Kodiak Island, Alaska, during a fishing and deer hunting trip, that one of my friends had wounded with a .30-06 rifle.
I was carrying a Browning copy of the Winchester Model 1886 in caliber .45-70, with .405 grain flat nose bullets at about 1,300 feet per second.
That would not be my first choice today while walking about where these huge bears are common.

As it turned out, I did not have to shoot that bear.
Anyway, I have worked as a Bear Guard, both on the main oil field of Alaska (Prudhoe Bay), plus as a ***crew member on ships, doing research and photography, to Siberia and the Canadian Arctic, ***(also as a Bear Guard).

For the Bear Guard contracts, I preferred my Whitworth Mauser, .375 H&H caliber, with express sights, including an over-sized white front bead and 300 grain A-Frame ammunition.
However, some contracts required that I only carry that company’s equipment.
Fortunately, it was always the Remington Model 870, 12 bore shotgun, 3 inch magnum, loaded with Brenneke 3 inch magnum slugs.

I encountered many grizzly and the occasional polar bear.
But, I did not have to shoot any bear during those years.
Many times however, I did have to compel them to leave drill sites on the oil field, until all workers were safe inside their respective buildings.

And so, I am not an expert at hunting dangerous game.
That said, I have learned what types of firearms I prefer while hunting the numerous other species that I have been fortunate enough to have bagged.
And with that, I have certain similar preferences for handling characteristics of the dangerous game caliber rifles that I own now or have owned in the past.
Speaking of preferences, ammunition availability is very important for my hunting related activities.
I do not see the point of owning a firearm to hunt with, for which ammunition is not commonly available.
That is too frustrating for me.
Here in Alaska where I live, even gas stations far from Anchorage sometimes will have for sale ammunition to fit common calibers.

Anyway, the first 4 pictures attached below are of my Brno .375 (I have sold the Whitworth).
The next 2 are of my CZ .500 Jeffery.
The last 2 are of my CZ .416 Rigby.
The Brno has a 25 inch barrel and needs to be trimmed an inch or two.
Plus, someday I will have a “Model 70” style safety mechanism installed, as I have had done with the other rifles shown.

I’m not one to insist that people do what I do.
There are many here, likely yourself included that, have much more experience with African Dangerous Game Hunting than I ever will.
Anyone starting to become interested in hunting heavy, dangerous game should consult the many experts here.
They can, if they choose to, then read my suggestions, somewhere down near the bottom of the list.
Nonetheless, when anyone asks my opinion, as you have, I am always happy to share my suggestions.

Best Regards,
Velo Dog.