.375 H&H on p14 action

[Rusty_Old_F250]

Hello gents, as a continuation of my earlier thread, I’ve decided to go a different direction with my p14, Instead of .300 win mag, I’m going to setup the old girl for .375 h&h, using a barrel blank from Green Mountain. I’ll cut the contour and rough in the threads myself, then take it to a local smith to finish the barrel and install it. Then I’ll fit the new magazine and build a follower. My question is, I’ve heard the p14 needs material removed from the receiver to feed properly, but nobody talks about what exactly needs to happen. Does anyone have a picture of a modified 14 receiver they could post pictures of? I’d appreciate it!

Sam

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[RCS]

I do have a photo of a Maynard Buehler conversion to fire the 505 Gibbs, he used this conversion to test the zero of his scope mounts, he wanted to manufacture the best mount possible.

Many large caliber wildcats were used on the Enfield actions during the 1930-1960's time period. There are old articles on the Enfield conversions around.Attachment 91608

[Woodsy]

I have built a few .375 H&H rifles on the P14 action, although I always used Winchester actions and shied away from the Eddystones as they are very hard. You will need to make a new magazine box long enough to handle a selection of different loads and extend the action mortise to accommodate it (about 3mm). I always took a bit from the rear as well as the front of the mortise to avoid taking too much at the front (the bolt stop may also need to be adjusted). A Dremel is good for getting the feed ramp done. The P14 .375 H&H conversion will give you a first-class rifle if done correctly. I have also done them in .458 Win Mag and .45/70 (quite a bit of extra work with .45/70) as well as the usual .264 Mag, 7mm Mag, etc which also suit the bolt face.

[M94/14]

For the larger magnum chamberings, many seasoned smiths will go with the M1917 action, with the P14 bolt. The main reason is that the receiver opening is a bit larger on the '17 action, and the ejector is a bit further back as we'll. The '17 action works better for the longer magnum ctgs.

[Rusty_Old_F250]

Sorry for the late reply, I had a post all typed up but I lost it and I’m just now getting a chance to retype it. Anyhow, I’ve ordered a barrel blank, but not in .375 H&H, after some comparison and research, I’ve decided.338 win mag is the round I’m going with. The length is (conveniently!) the same as 30-06, and it should make the conversion a bit easier. After comparing the magnum magazine to the p14 receiver, it would require quite a bit of metal to be removed on the front and the back of the receiver, more than I’m comfortable doing myself. With .338 I can use an m17 magazine, not 100% sold on that though, the m17 box is significantly narrower than the p14 one. Most likely what will happen is I’ll modify my p14 mag box by flattening out the feed rails a bit, and welding new ends in to replace the milled pieces.

Sam

[browningautorifle]

Keep us up on this as you progress...

[Rusty_Old_F250]

Finally had time to work on the old girl the other day, I fitted the m17 mag box to the p14 receiver. The 17 box is quite a bit narrower, but I decided to fit it on anyway. Got it fitted, re assembled and discovered it can only hold 4 rounds in the mag (+1in the chamber, but I hate carrying one in the chamber) I thought about it quite a bit and decided to widen the m17 mag. It turned out VERY nice! Unfortunately, I can’t post pictures at the moment (posting from my phone) so you’ll have to take my word for it. I’ll post them once I get home and back on a real computer. Anyhow, the mag now comfortably holds 6 rounds!

Sam

[browningautorifle]

You could email me the pics and I'll post them...check your PM.

[Rusty_Old_F250]

Attachment 93028
First I made a cut on the front end of the mag box, and fitted it into the receiver with my "precision magazine widening tool" in place to spread the sides into place

Attachment 93029
Then VERY carefully tacked the pieces in place

(not pictured) I did the same on the other end, then brazed up both sides, and dressed it with a flat file.

And he who has a messier workbench, step forward now to claim your title, or forever hold your peace!

Attachment 93030
And the finished product

Attachment 93031

Sam

[browningautorifle]

Nice looking braze...