Building MODEL 1917s into a rifle

[Bubba]

Greetings, Y`all,
New member and first post here. Ive recently come upon four M1917 sporters that have been shaved of sights, so no collecter value, but are complete rifles. The calibers are .270, 30/06 with original barrel, a 7mm Rem Mag, and an unknown 6mm caliber. 2 are winchesters, 2 are Eddystones. I'm sure this thread has been asked but can't find all the answers. I am looking to make one into 300 H&H, one into 9.3x62, and possibly a .375 H&H. So i have several questions: can i rebore govt 30\06 barrel on one rifle to 300 H&H or will i need a new barrel, even though it is a 1:10" twist on it? I realize boltface and rails will need opening up. My second question is a recommendation for a good smith to do the work. I live in southeast ohio area, near WV and Ky. Thanks to all in advance. Bubba

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Welcome to AH Bubba!

 

[Bubba]

Thank you

 

[Spooksar]

Depending of the condition of the bore you may be able to just redo the chamber, in the 1960’s a lot of people rechambered these rifles to 300 Win Mag
Welcome aboard

 

[BRICKBURN]

Welcome to AH.
Someone will have a suggestion.

 

[mdwest]

If youre willing to go back to .30-06, you can get that done cheap through the CMP program.

They have new 1917 barrels for $199...

https://estore.thecmp.org/Catalog/Item/065CRI/1917

and they will mount and headspace them for you for $100 if you dont want to rent the reamers and do it yourself..

http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/custom-gunsmithing/services-for-the-1917-enfield-30-06-only/

 

[saed]

Welcome Bubba. This forum has a wealth of information from some extremely knowledgeable folks, enjoy!

 

[CAustin]

Welcome to AH sir.

 

[Nyati]

Welcome to AH !

 

[TRAVEL EXPRESS]

Welcome to this great forum Bubba! Enjoy the site!

 

[Cousin Bongo]

Greetings, Y`all,
New member and first post here. Ive recently come upon four M1917 sporters that have been shaved of sights, so no collecter value, but are complete rifles. The calibers are .270, 30/06 with original barrel, a 7mm Rem Mag, and an unknown 6mm caliber. 2 are winchesters, 2 are Eddystones. I'm sure this thread has been asked but can't find all the answers. I am looking to make one into 300 H&H, one into 9.3x62, and possibly a .375 H&H. So i have several questions: can i rebore govt 30\06 barrel on one rifle to 300 H&H or will i need a new barrel, even though it is a 1:10" twist on it? I realize boltface and rails will need opening up. My second question is a recommendation for a good smith to do the work. I live in southeast ohio area, near WV and Ky. Thanks to all in advance. Bubba

I have sporterized a few 1917s. The one you have chambered for 7mm Rem Mag would, to me, be the most likely candidate for conversion to 375 H&H Magnum. To answer your first question: The one chambered for .30-06 could just be rechambered to 300 H&H (and the bolt face opened up, the magazine box lengthened, and the feed rails reworked, etc.), but I would just leave it in .30-06 because no rework is required, ammo is lots easier to obtain and less costly, especially in Africa, and the H&H doesn’t hold much, if any, of an edge over today’s .30-06 loadings. Plus, the money slated to convert to 300 H&H could be redirected into a high grade stock. The 9.3x62 would just require a barrel change and perhaps some minor rework to the feed rails and magazine.

For a gunsmith, well, there just aren’t a whole lot around nowadays who really know the 1917 Enfield well. However, Ed Lapour does and I can recommend him. See one of his rifles here: http://edlapourgunsmithing.com/custom-rifles/1917-enfield-375-hh-magnum/

CB

 

[fin003]

Welcome to the best forum Bubba! Enjoy!

 

[USAN]

Welcome Bubba! Enjoy the site!

 

[Global Rescue]

Welcome to AH Bubba! Glad to have you on board.

 

[enysse]

Welcome to AH!

 

[Bubba]

Thanks to all

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Welcome on aboard.
Good luck.
Witold

 

[cagkt3]

Welcome aboard, and good luck on the rifles

 

[Trakehner]

My grandfather had a 416 Rigby made for me when I was born...1917 Enfield action, rebarreled of course...great long cartridge action.

Have fun with it.