-17 action strenght

[sdh1911]

I picked up a P 17 Enfield/Eddystone action last month for the next build. I've been told by some fellow smiths of the incredible strength of these actions, hum.
I'm considering building a fat barrel rig in 6.5. X 55, but, if these things are as strong as they say, I'm wondering if I can kick up to something with a little more horse power. My personal favorite round is the 6.5 X 55 and would put a nice tube on it, but, I haven't built a power rig in almost three years and wonder how much of a beating these actions can take. I've magna fluxed it and ran the indicator on it, its in fine shape, so, whats the biggest P17 you folks have seen? Many thanks-SDH

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[Ken T]

Using DP P14 actions I have done:6.5x68,8x68S,7x66 Vom Hof,7x68 Askins,.375 H&H,.416 Rem.Mag.,and .416 Rigby.Strength of action is OK.They are not incredibly strong but strong enough.Main advantage is the large size of the action.Because of that I would not use one for the 6.5x55.

[sdh1911]

Thanks Ken T, would you consider the 6.5X.284? I'm thinking F-Class, fat barrel, maybe even 6.5 X .300 WM if it would hold up. any thoughts-SDH

[tiriaq]

Given the magazine length, 6.5-06 might be better than 6.5-.284. Over at CGN, "Mysticplayer" has made up long range rifles on Enfield actions.

[riceone]

Didn't Weatherby use those action to get in the big gun business? riceone

[Ken T]

Longer is better in the M17.I agree with tiriaq on the 6.5-06.Weatherby used M17's and M98 Mausers on early guns.Some of them failed in use.

[10x]

Longer is better in the M17.I agree with tiriaq on the 6.5-06.Weatherby used M17's and M98 Mausers on early guns.Some of them failed in use.

Mr. Weatherby's ammunition was pushing the upper limits of pressure. Any action that had a flaw or weak spot would eventually fail under that kind of stress.

[dvcrsn]

I have seen 300 magnums as well as .416 Rigby, but if you are looking for a rifle approximating a 6.5 Swede, why not go for a Swedish Mauser and use the m1917 as the 3006 or 35 whelen?

[oozlefinch]

use the m1917 as the .30-'06 or 35 Whelen?

I agree. I had a M1917 with the original barrel bored out to .358 for the 35 Whelen. The work had been done during the depression. I would guess that was a fairly common way to save a bad bore in this model rifle.

[bearhunter]

I had a 6.5-06 that was built on a 1917 action. It was excellent, I wish I still had it. I replaced it with a Remington, then a M70 Win, both in 6.5-06 as well. The major problem with the replacement rifles, was the twist rate, to slow.
The great advantage of the 6.5-06 over the 6.5x55 is the extra powder capacity, which comes in very handy for the long heavy bullets that are available. The extra velocity advantage is only realised with the long heavy VLD and 140grn or heavier bullets.

As for the strength of the action, Eddystone, I loaded hot loads only. The reason for the hot loads, was that is what shot best. I built up the loads until I could actually get an expansion measurement on the base of the cartridge case. If you keep you chamber tolerances tight, that should also keep some of the pressure worries down.
With all of the above in mind, I don't believe the 1917 actions are really any stronger than any of its competitors, and neither did PO Ackley, who did a series of blow up tests on several different milsurp actions that were built dureing the same period. He found the Arisaka to be the strongest. As you know, there is a lot of milling and polishing to be done to convert the 1917 to a sporter version. It may be easier and cheaper to pick up a Remington or previously modified receiver. If you're just looking for a fun project and are doing the work yourself, go for it.
Take some iron fileings and a horshoe magnet and check the action for cracks, I've seen them around the edge of the receiver where the shoulder of the barrel crushes up. They sometimes appear only after the barrel is unscrewed. The iron fileings will gather around the crack when the magnet is applied. A really good source of fileings is the dust from 000 steel wool, It's very fine and shows up well. bearhunter