New member saying hello, and some questions...

[Rusty_Old_F250]

Just to update y'all on the feeding issues, it's still got issues, my feed rail extensions haven't made much of a difference after all. Something that did make a big difference was seating the mag box in place. The trigger guard wasn't holding it in place perfectly, so it would shift down slightly. Fixed that and it fed beautifully for 20 rounds (all dummy rounds) but then gradually went back to its old ways. I've worked on it more and it's better, but still not perfect. It feels like the top of the receiver is digging into the rim as the round is fed forward.

Sam

[fjruple]

Here's the mag as original,
Attachment 89615

After some material was added on each side
Attachment 89616
Attachment 89617

Used a couple files to form it
Attachment 89618

The finished feed rails
Attachment 89619

Some further experimenting yielded this, to help seat the mag flush into the receiver.
Attachment 89620

Seems to work pretty well

Sam

Sam--

One of the problems with the Pattern 1914 is the lack of compatible of parts especially the magazine case as the Brits called it or magazine well as the US called it. Check to make sure their is an "R" stamped on the back or front of the magazine case. That identifies one of Remington manufacture, next to see if a "2" is stamped on the top of the magazine case, if no number its and early one. The Eddystone magazine case will fit as well. Make sure it has the "2" on top. That should take care of your problem. Do not use a Winchester as they are totally different and will not fit at all.

--fjruple

[Rusty_Old_F250]

Thanks, unfortunately, the unmodified mag box is marked E 2, but it doesn't solve my troubles.

Sam

[Rusty_Old_F250]

Hello all, so I just got back from a quick day trip up to the woods and while I was there I setup a target and put 60+ rounds through the old girl, the feeding wasn't 100%, but it was pretty darn good, only rimlocked twice, and the first time was my fault. Unfortunately, the accuracy is pretty dismal. Shooting 150 grain PPU from a makeshift bench I got 5" groups at 30 yards. I had some vintage Winchester Super Speed 215 grain rounds, and they did even worse, falling anywhere from 2-5" from point of aim.

But I still had a ton of fun, I forgot how fun this thing is to shoot! The action is wonderful, smooth and crisp.

Sam

[browningautorifle]

5" groups at 30 yards.

Still, we don't know if you were sandbagged or balancing on your elbows...light condition... But sounds like the bore is a bit open...

[oldfoneguy]

I'm going to raise a silly issue that hasn't been asked yet.
Are you sure that you have a P14 magazine in there and not one for a M1917?
One way to check is look for an eagle head stamp on the magazine and/or the trigger guard.
Also the followers are different and can cause feeding issues as well. Just a thought. - Bill

[Rusty_Old_F250]

I setup a makeshift bench on the hood of my truck, something I forgot to mention, it keyholed every shot. I've got some pictures I'll post when I get home

It's definitely a p14 mag box, m17 didn't have feed rails

Sam

[Rusty_Old_F250]

150 grain PPU



215 Grain vintage Winchester Super Speed



Sam

[fjruple]

Rusty-- They group nicely!!! LOL. I think you barrel is toast at this point. The only other suggestion would be to slug the barrel and see what the bullet diameter is the slug. .311 diameter bullets probably do not work in a barrel that may be has a .314 diameter bore. The other observation I have noted on the Pattern 1914 rifles is a lot of the UK and Commonwealth soldiers used the pull through string thongs (not girl's panties) to clean out the bores and they seem to favor one side or the other of the barrel when holding the barrel to pull through the string thong and wear one spot on the muzzle of the barrel. I have had to slightly counterbore the muzzle to take out these wear spots.

Cheers

--fjruple

[Rusty_Old_F250]

Yeah I suspect so! It really didn't like those 215 grain rounds.

I've been looking for a barrel to bend and convert to a shift lever (think old granny 4 speed shifter that's about 2ft long) Looks like I have my barrel!

Now for the several hundred $$$ question, do I get a criterion barrel and keep it .303, or do I go whole hog and convert it to .300 Winchester Magnum?

Decisions, decisions

Just for curiosity sake, I took a bullet and tried to push it down the bore with a cleaning rod. The chamber end was very tight, but once it got about 8" from the muzzle there was zero resistance, then it tightened up for the last 2" of muzzle.

Sam