P14 Accuracy

Gidday

I've got one of the new Criterion barrels for the P14. I was going to fit this to a BSA Model E action that I have . . . . but am now having second thoughts. The barrels are pretty nice quality, button rifled, and short chambered so it should be able to be fitted with perfect headspace and a short throat.

If I had it fitted to an original P14 in full military dress (there must be quite a few out there with poor barrels) what sort of accuracy should "the result" be capable of with proper tuning??

Thanks

I had a P14 as my first deer rifle, sporter. 150gn handloads best I could get was 2.25"-2.5". Sold it and used student loan to buy a Browning A-Bolt 25-06 (first version with straight fluting on the bolt).

Probably too many variables to say what you could achieve, but only one way to find out...

With proper tuning and a good quality barrel like the Criterion, you'll be able to get exceptional accuracy.

It’s not a P14, but my fully wooded Springfield 1903 will put handloads into an inch at 100 yards. The barrel is a mint original and I’ve scoped it with a 10x Unertl. It has no special bedding or relief to the stock. The P14 is well known as an overbuilt strong action and probably more rigid than a 1903. So I’d expect you can achieve similar or better accuracy. The main drawback will be your sights and your eyesight potentially.