Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Clasic Enfield 375 H&H

About 30 years ago one could buy DP P14 Enfields for $40 a pop, so I bought several. These were complete rifles with holes drilled through the chamber end of the barrels and a steel pin welded in so they couldn't be made to fire, and DP (Drill Purposes) stamped all over them. I removed the old barrels and ground the receiver bridges to Mauser couture, polished off the DP stamps, mounted Timney triggers, Model 70 type safeties, hinged the floor plates, converted to cock on opening, narrowed trigger guards, welded new bolt handles on 1917 bolts, and polished and sweated over them until they became rather nice sporters, if I do say so myself. Yeah, I know it would be a lot easier just to buy a modern action and go from there, but that wouldn't result in a classic Enfield. One became a 270 Win another a 25/06, and on one I even shortened the bolt and receiver to make a short action 22/250. I carved and checkered my own stocks, and threaded, contoured, and chambered barrels on an old Logan metal lathe. I learned a lot form all this, and each one came out a little better than the one before it.
Enough background, now I'll get to the point. I've got it in my head to build one into a classic 375 H&H Magnum. I visualize it with folding leaf rear sight, ramp front, barrel band sling swivel, and cross bolt stock. In other words a classic African monster stopper in every way. I'd use the original bolt with a new handle, and even stick with the original safety this time for a more classic look. My question for you fellows is: What sort of barrel couture would give it enough weight that it won't beat me to death, and still be light enough to actually carry? I'm think 26 inches, but classic 1930ish. What diameter should the muzzle be? Thanks.

2, My .375 was made on a Douglas # 5 barrel cut to 25".. It is fine to carry, and to me it is not punishing... I had it cut to 25" because I was told that was the length of the first model 70's in that caliber.. ??

Yotehunter, Douglas calls their #5 a Magnum Sporter. It's .700 at the muzzle for a 26 inch. They say it weights 4lbs. Thanks, this is the sort of info I was looking for. Any idea what the total weight of your rifle is?

I would like to see pictures of the P-17's you sporterized.

Doc

P-17?

Actually the last one I did was a Winchester 1917 American Enfield. I bought it as a rusty receiver years ago. The first P-14 I worked over I did with files,(a god awful lot of work) but I have now figured a way to grind off the sight ears on my old Logan lathe. I also ground off the reinforcing lump on the right side of the receiver ring, since I found out Remington made a rifle on 1917 receivers, post model 30, without the lump. I think it was called the 720. On this last one I also welded up the cocking cam on the bolt and reshaped it, to make it disassemble like an M70 Winchester when the safety is in the middle position. That's with an M70 type safety installed of course. I hand carved and inleted the stock of California Black Walnut. Checkered it Fleur De Lis with ribbons, and slow rust blued all the metal, except the bolt body and extractor. I cut the tree down myself, but that's another story. With a new bolt handle, reinforcing lump removed, trigger guard straightened, and M70 safety installed, there's not much about it that says it's an Enfield. I gave this last one (270 Win ) to my brother. He lives in MA and I live in MO but I'll see if I can get him to send some pictures. As you can probably tell I'm pretty proud of it.

This is my Remington Mod 17. It is in 416 Rigby.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm talking about. Love the cheek piece, and the long tang. What's that trigger guard, Mauser? Nicely done.

The hinged floor plate is made by Duane Wiebe, as is the follower.

Have you shot it much

Not yet Kevin. Maybe when the weather turns.