Thread: P17 barrel

Can a P17 barrel with a coned breech be fitted to a P14? Initial google research sort of says yes but would be nice to hear some advice.
Same threads, looks like there are more on the photos I've seen of P17 barrels so it could be machined back a little to suit the bolt.
Thinking of possibilities for my project. Preloved but still good barrel for these actions are few on the ground and being 30 cal, one of these opens up a lot of different cartridge possibilities for my project further down the road.

@GDMP
the P14 doesn't have the coned breech, so yeah it doesn't need it which is why I'm asking if it has been or could be done.
Big thing with P14/P17 is the diameter of the receiver thread. they are about the biggest out there.
So if you are being a tight arse like me and looking at using a preloved barrel, it really has to be from the same rifle or at best a fat target barrel that has enough meat out past the knox to allow for machining the whole thread off.
With an P14 barrel I am more likely to get a 303 to replace what's on it, or be really lucky and get someone's other calibre barrel from an already sporterised P14. Some still around of the former and not many of the latter.
hence my question about the P17 barrel. .

A Coned breech is quite common on rebarrels. I have had two, both were rebarrels done by Din Collins. Dont know why it was done but they shot fine.

Originally Posted by GDMP

I am aware the P14 does not have a coned breech....I was referring to the 1917 not really needing it either ...many 03 Springfields and P17's have been re-barrelled without the cone.Yes you could do some machining on the breech end of a 1917 barrel and make it fit the P14.......likewise you could also recycle pretty much any other barrel out there to fit the P14 action by fitting a sleeve at the chamber end,with a very fine thread,to bring it up to the diameter required to thread it to fit the 1914 receiver.....with its coarse square thread.Which is what I would do if I was looking for a cheap used barrel to fit a P14......

@GDMP Ok fair enough. I get what you mean now.
Haven't heard so much about the sleeve method. I am a fitter turner and know exactly what you mean there just cant say I've heard it done that often on the centerfires.
If there is too much machining involved it isn't so cheap anymore, but if the barrel was really cheap then I imagine it would be still viable as long as their was enough meat around the chamber for the sleeve.
@Marty Henry not concerned about outright functionality per se, more the fit between barrel and bolt.

Yes and no. Machining the barrel itself, piece of piss.
I'm not the greatest machinist in the world (been on the tools for a bit but more fitting, maintenance etc.-not turning) but no reamers, headspace gauges etc. so that part makes it awkward.
I also don't want to do to much of that where I work. Lets just say my time there is limited and if I end up where I'd like to be or more so where I'm likely to be I wont have access to lathes etc. and I've never got into having some of that gear at home like some.

Hey guys, interested in the same deal myself...how much machine time would you think to turn up said sleeve?

Originally Posted by GDMP

This is a pretty simple job for a machinist....surely if you are a fitter/turner you could just do the machining yourself?

Only thing is while it is simple, depending on the barrel you may have to turn some off and rethread it to make the sleeve thick enough for both threads.
Then machine the threads on the outside and inside of sleeve,and it would have to be done so there is a big enough shoulder to screw the barrel up against the receiver. It all takes time and fine if you are doing it yourself as long as its a safe viable option otherwise im sure it would be cheaper to get a new barrel.
As an example there were some of the brand new criterion barrels down here a while ago for about $550 bucks. Still need fitting and finish reaming I believe.

The coned breech assists in chambering of the 30-06 cartridge, helps it into the chamber with fast cycling. The 303 didn't require it as its much more tapered and the mag lines the projectile straight into the chamber. I've cut the thread off buggered p14 barrels then tapped a thread through old chamber, don't need to make a sleeve.

Are that explains it mine were a 308 and 3006 built on the p14

As for my question I've just won what looks like to be a P17 barrel in a group of 5 on retardme.
I might have some cheap/free barrels for somebody on the forum and if anyone is coming down from wellington one day maybe could grab them for me?

Originally Posted by Walker

The coned breech assists in chambering of the 30-06 cartridge, helps it into the chamber with fast cycling. The 303 didn't require it as its much more tapered and the mag lines the projectile straight into the chamber. I've cut the thread off buggered p14 barrels then tapped a thread through old chamber, don't need to make a sleeve.

So basically like the barrel stubbing that is done here on there on the handi rifles?

Originally Posted by csmiffy

As for my question I've just won what looks like to be a P17 barrel in a group of 5 on retardme.
I might have some cheap/free barrels for somebody on the forum and if anyone is coming down from wellington one day maybe could grab them for me?

Are they 303 barrels?

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Originally Posted by Russian 22.

Are they 303 barrels?

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@Russian 22
No-if it is a original mainstream p17 barrel it would be 30-06. Just the ticket to be rechambered for a 30 cal magnum.