Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only 1917 to 9.3x62 ?

I've got this old sporterized 30-06 1917 that sometimes gets used for black bear or deer. The barrel is bobbed to 21", it's got a 6x Leupold in Weaver rings, and sits in a Bell & Carlson stock. Good old rifle that's been in our family more than 60 years.

Danged thing holds 7 cartridges. Six in the magazine, one in the chamber.

What do you think of sending this to JES and getting it re-bored, re-chambered to 9.3x62 for a rough & tumble medium bore?

I can't really see any drawbacks. Might top it with a fixed 2.5x, 3x, or 4x Leupold. Seems like a pretty good idea to me. Not that there's anything wrong with leaving it as a 30-06 either. It's certainly been one for a very long time now, over 100 years.

Thanks, Guy

Sounds like a good idea to me. You may already have the perfect scope for it.

I did that years ago and it makes a fantastic rifle

Pictures man. Have you considered trimming it down a bit as well? Straighten the bottom metal, put it in a lighter stock, straighten the bolt handle, cock on open, timney trigger? What has been done to it? Back in the 50's, BSA would sporterize these things in their factory in England and you'd end up with rifles looking pretty good. More or less resembling a pre 64 model 70. Do you have any pics of the rifle as it sits now? I like your idea about sending it to JES for something new. I actually had one of mine turned into a 308 Norma and it is a rock solid rifle. I was cleaning a couple of mine earlier today and running the bolts and my sporter m1917 was actually smoother than my pre 64 model 70's, but that one has had some work done to it....Good luck with your project..

I'll bet you trust your life on that rifle. Just like you do your old faithful... Its hard to beat an old m1917 that has been done right... Like I said in the last post, mine are smoother than my pre 64's and use timney triggers. Some have been converted to cock on open, some have not. Bolt handles have been straightened, coil spring ejectors, pre 64 extractors, etc. etc... They always work...

I had one done by Dan at Classic barrel works several years ago, It shoots great and like the OP says it holds 7 rounds. I did have to open the feed rails a bit. But it feeds smooth now. --- Mel

Hi! Don’t know exactly where you’re going or what your intentions, your budget or projected costs to ‘put it right’ in the new chambering proposed. In other words, I’m largely in the dark. And so! To speak in generalities. First, my prejudices. I do like the 9.3x62 and have a quite nice Husqvarna Model 640, FN actiona based rifle in that chambering. So, you’re talking my sort of thing! But, that said…

My more than several Enfield conversions from another era. One where labor was cheap, such conversions common and with market. Nowadays a whole other ball game. Don’t know whether your speaking about reboring and leaving matter at that. Or any further ‘civilizing’.

My first inclinatin to say that a 20” barrel very questionable in terms of the 9.3 potential. I’d not do it unless something exotic such as Mannlicher carbine. Just not to get full ‘money’s worth’ potential from such barrel. So what about rebarreling? Again, costs???

The bottom line, whatever conversion, sounds like you have an, excuse me, plastic stocked utility rifle. Rechambering – whatever necessary – you’ll still have such rifle. If you’re good with that, fine. Concerning ‘value added’, likely not to extent of investment. My bottom line, economic… No. Ringing your chimes… Only you to decide! A small buying streak in the eighties where I picked up most of my P17 Enfied sporters. All, on the cheap. Large, heavy and not modern. I could appreciate them, but that at average of $150-$200 a pop. I like the cock on closing just fine, I’d not convert. I also like the ‘one-extra’ mag capacity, but it makes for a deep mag and most “sporter’ definitions required the bottom metal be straightened and mag box cut. Don’t know how your B&C worked out with “as issued”.

My one 9.3x62 rifle, Husqvarna Model 640/FN mauser action. A sweet rifle, pix below. I gave $300 for it about 2005 or so. Not D&T for scope as I prefer this model! More are D&T and no extra value=added. I believe perhaps $400-$500 such Husky in our desired 9.3x62 could yet be had. These Huskys sleepers for some years and yet bit of such still. Were I to build from an action, I’d certainly use a pre 64 Win 70 to springboard from there.

Just my take!

Best & Stay Safe!
John

First off, there's no such thing as a "P17". You must be thinking of the Pattern 14 or "P14". Secondly, the OP is wanting to send his rifle to JES here in Oregon for a simple rebore. They do excellent work and are very inexpensive. Last I saw, they charge around $250.00 for a simple rebore such as this. Also, if the op wants a 21" barreled 9.3x62mm, there's no problem with that. Again, I'd like to see pics of the rifle. Good threads have good pics. My suggestions earlier are not necessary, but help to modernize this old war horse. The m1917 may not have the sex appeal of the pre 64 model 70, but can be made to be a damn good sporter when some changes are made to them. I would never suggest to the op to look for a pre 64 model 70 to convert. I'd much rather leave those all original, than devalue them with a re-bore such as this. Iskra, those pics are small. I didn't even notice them. Here are a few good pics of some sporter m1917 enfields and factory sporterized BSA's:




The OP has a good platform to have re-bored. I think its a great idea, if he wants a good medium bore rifle. I played around with the 9.3x62mm for a while, shot elk with it and it worked as intended, but so does a good 30-06 with the right bullets.

My own m1917 eddystone in 30-06 still wears the original barrel full length at 26", In an original but "sporterized stock". It shoots with great accuracy. My own idea of converting it to 9.3x62 is even simpler than yours, I'd work up loads using the 220 gr roundnose to 2500-2600 fps and kill everything I shot it at. Go past go save the $250 and save myself the anxiety of pissing away a good barrel. You asked for wisdom of the fire and I have freely given advice that is yours to use or lose. Maybe try the 220 route first? Nothing ventured nothing gained at a savings at that. Magnum Bob. PS right now SPS has 220 gr NPT's CHEAP you be get 'nr .

Although I own a 9.3, I'm with Magnum Bob on this, the 9.3 was not a huge step up from what the '06 does with heavy bullets. I did have one of my Alaska friends say he was glad I brought a 9.3....because he just hated it when a shot moose ran (usually into the swamp or a willow thicket) because it didn't know it was dead. He kinda thought that when a moose was hit with a 286 gr, they just just stood on the spot, mulling over the death question...and then just fell over. But he was not a pro guide, just a subsistence hunter, and not a real gun guy, they were just tools to him.

I've got some 220 gr Nosler Partitions on hand. The rifle shoots them well at about 2400 fps from the 21" barrel.

The sensible approach it to leave it a 30-06 and just use the big heavy Noslers.

I got a good size grizzly three years ago, using 200 gr Nosler Partitions and the 30-06 rifle. They worked well.

Guy

Taking from the top... Pardon my P17 slang. Common misnomer as quick reference . / $250 for "simple rebore... Fine! What about barrel removal, chambering, reinstallation & headspacing? No inference I noted of owner-project or such capabilities. Seemed to me something of minimally $500-$600 project OTD for commercial gunsmithing/reboring services. / Seems to me gains made by 9.3 rechambering being compromised by shorter barrel. My impression and as noted above, minimal positive trade off from 30-06 to begin. / As noted, no pix and as my intro comment, working from "generalities". Vision may be different with good illustrations! Mine here: old Enfield sporter in 'plastic' stock... Pure utility rifle. My "generalizations" based on such concept. Re owner-personal view/preferences, firm ""go for it! / Objectively, my opinion that connoisseurs favoring the 9.3x62, unlikely to be impressed as packaged in the Enfield as described. Net negative investment. / The "pre '64 Model 70 Winchester with over half million production in its years! Plain vanilla Standard Rifle in such as 30-06, not just the most common sub-model; more than a half century later, more "non-original" specimens than original! Simple post-factory alterations such as recoil pad installation or D&T scope holes added to earlier vintage... Instant, "Non original". Many such specimens far more common than "original & correct. Perhaps $600-$800 for such non-original pre '64 rifle. Yet, as strict original standards often a "N/A", in true "Rifleman's Rifle" context. / Prior photo size... conjured as quick illustration, not to dominate.

Very interesting Thread & if appropriate... Pardon "calling ;em I see ;em."!
Best & Stay Safe
John

Sorry I didn't take the time to stage the photo someplace with good light, or a better background.

Yes it's a very utilitarian rifle. B&C fiberglass stock, bobbed barrel, Weaver mounts, 6x Leupold (had a 2.5x Leupold on it for a while, years ago). It was converted to cock on opening long ago. Has a Timney trigger.

Dad had it in a decent walnut stock - but that stock never fit me worth a hoot. It's been in the B&C stock for at least 12 years.



My son used it to take two good bears on spot & stalk hunts here in Washington. He also shot a few whitetail bucks with it here too. We like it as the 30-06, but I got curious about bumping it up a bit with a re-bore from JES to 9.3 and seeing how that would work for bear, elk, and possibly moose. Not that a 30-06 can't do those things too. I mean heck, I shot a grizzly with my other 30-06 just a few years ago.







Probably no real reason to convert it to a 9.3 or a 35 Whelen, but I wanted to get some input. Figured such a rifle might be real useful for some things.

John/ISKRA - thanks for the input - JES has no need to even remove the barrel, keeping it a real cost-effective way of going to a larger bore.

Regards, Guy

Thanks. I was thinking that roughly 375 H&H power and 7 rounds in the rifle might be pretty useful.

Guy

Guy whether you leave it an 06 or rebore to 9.3 it is still a 1st class family heirloom for sure good luck with whatever you decide. MB

Thanks. Funny how just about the time I got it all set up the way I wanted it... A youngster decided he liked that rifle an awful lot.

Whenever we hunt together and he chooses that rifle, I smile. It's set up pretty much perfectly for me, but in reality, it's not mine anymore. It's found a younger hunter.

Guy

Saving it be and using heavies if they are called for is the only sensible thing
to do.

To reboreing costs, add in buying dies, brass, and any tools(ie trimmer pilots...).
If you are like me, you build a little stash of components, so bullets bought just
for that gun and stashed are another expense.

Those items aren't huge, but thery add up at today's prices.

Having said all that,
It's great to be an Ameican living today.
We are blessed with the resources to do silly things just because we want to.

The hardest question sometimes is,
"Is this what I really want,
is it a passing fancy,
or just a bad idea?"


That's on you.

If it just recently popped in your head,
put it on hold for a few months.
If it still sounds good in the spring, maybe do it.

Besides cost, there is the whole sides of "screwing up" this gun.
It's not a gun you can replace. It's value is in the story, the people
that used it, the mods they performed. Not saying don't do it, just be careful.

Guy you have had good luck with 700's maybe the smart thing would be to find a used 700 30-06 and send it to JES for the rebore to 9.3? Then a dupe stock giving you total familiarity of it? MB

Cascade,why don't you look for a CZ 550 in a 9.3x62?

A little off topic but a word to the wise.

The 9.3X62mm ammunition Winchester is making for Browning is based on the .30-06 cartridge case and not to the CIP standard.

Michael

Cascade, with the family history, if it were mine, I would level this heirloom as is and continue enjoying it. All of that said, upgrading to a big bore could start a new era and add another heirloom rifle to the collection. The 9.2 x 62 is never a mistake and has a proven history, but so do the the 375's which offer a much wider variety of bullets and loadings.

Well Cascade... Have to give you... More than steel & plastic. It's not just a functional rifle - never challenged. But also, I do like the aesthetics. Maybe "modern functional-handsome". "Clean lines." You've made a nice job of converting. Also, as others, truly seeing a family-connect heirloom. The objective positive aesthetics and the subjective dad-son history... A rifle of special meaning. I still don't know what your costs to be and doubt it could compete well in the marketplace, but you have a powerful combo argument for the "warm & fuzzy" side of ownership picture. I'm also with some 'warm fuzzy' connects of my own; very special rifles. Central a pure collector given to me by my dad as I was fourteen. Of course it's an Austrian Wänzl 14x33mm Rimfire. Don't bother trying Walmart for ammo! Quarter century since my dad's death, but still a 'connect' with the Wänzl!
Thanks for the photos, family ones especially! Go for the conversion in terms of attachment/memories dollars substitute or replace.
Best & Keep Safe!
John

I suspect it will remain a 30-06.

I've been shooting it since I was 14, which was 50 years ago. Dad shot it before me. My youngest son started hunting with it ten or eleven years ago.

I've only entertained thoughts of converting it to something larger for about 40 years. Ha! Those thoughts have never become action. It's a dandy 30-06, and will probably remain one.

I still have the walnut stock Dad had on it back in the 1950's. Just doesn't fit me well.

Regards, Guy

It is a cool old rifle either way you go.

Having had and hunted both, i'd take the m1917 hands down... Especially when it is sporterized right. No comparison... It also sounds like the OP has a sentimental attachment to his 1917...

Just a big thanks to all who've made this interesting Thread possible, beginning with Cascade! Interesting guns, 'family side', human interest story! The "P17" - ok know slang nomenclature! But indulge an old man ! Below has been one of my favorite rifles. I have more than a few of them in 'civvies' as marketed under the Remington Model 30; here adding "Express" label and those are quite nicely done too.
Ironically, very, very rare to hear much about the Model 30 line. Quite fine rifles, yet 'bones' of their military origin. If you can find a nice late used 30, about all the "sporterization work you could wish as factory accomplished. Maybe only scope mounting detail!
Below a thirties era Rem 30, pretty much in original factory-upscale dress, excepting rear sight base. '06 chambering and that's just fine, if bit heavy, rifle! This one, not a candidate for any alteration!
Best & Stay Safe!
John

Thats a beautiful rifle John. Thanks for sharing. The same can be said for my favorite factory sporterized m1917's, the BSA model D's and E's from 1949-1951....:

My model D^^^^^ closely resembles my other favorite hunting rifle, the pre 64 model 70. BSA (Birmingham small arms) bested Remington IMHO when it came to sporterizing these old military rifles. The bolt handle was changed to a more aesthetically pleasing shape and the barrel was top notch quality. The stocks are also a little slimmer and better looking. I shot my best offhand group with the model D shown above. It measured 1.057" for 5 shots. After I walked down to the target stand, I pulled the target, went home and put the rifle away.

My model E:

Started life as a 30-06, but now is a 308 Norma:



I still need to get out and develop a good load for it..

As you can see, my m1917's have left handed stocks. The original BSA model E stock was put on a rifle and I gave it to my friend, after I refinished it:

Thats actually a P14 303

This is a good thread, I love the old m1917... Great old rifles with a lot of history

I would rebore it. The cocking conversion is done, the stock, and other stuff, Why not just rebore it if you wish? I can't see the 220 gr 30-06 being equivalent to a 286 gr RN in the 9.3X62. I think it kills all out of proportion to it's appearance. It is used in Africa as a near 375. You also have that built in larger round capacity. I would like to have one not fooled with in the stock. I would like to have one like that and wouldn't care if the cocking conversion is done. I have been watching for a long time for one. I will find one some day and it WILL go to JES. Be Well Cascade, RZ.