quicksylver
Well-Known Member
Been following the "Throat Fit" Post. There were some comments on the bore size of Enfields., There seemed to be some issue with trying to get them to shoot with cast bullets.I'm going to keep my comments focused on the P14 and us 1917 Enfields, especially, the US 1917 because they are my life long favorites, I went through about five before I could get them to shoot, It wasn't until an old man at my club who was watching me struggle loaned me a book ,on the us 1917. I imediately went home and read it from cover to cover. The section that held most of my attention,descrided the rifling.VOLA! I had made many bad assumptions. Yes it is a us military firearm with a .30 cal bore and is chambered in .30 Gov't there the similarities between it and the 1903 and 03a3 end. the 1903 1903a3 have barrels with 2,4 or 6 grouves their barrels are cut leaiving a .308 normal bore, there fore , cast bullets sized . 311+shoot very well in them. The. P14 and 17,on the other hand because, of the corrosive effects of cordite got a new rifling, that the Brits hoped would eleaviate the effects of the cordite and result in longer barrel life, 5 grouves right hand, cut at .0055leaving them with a .311 bore,2x.0055+ .30= .311, needing at least a .312 +sized cast bullets to perform well and they do. Since Remington was under contract for the P14,they saw no need to change the rifling of the 1917 barrels. the deeper rifling,along with the 5Rand 26" barrel in my opinion really helps with cast bullets.Dan P.S. it also let the 1917 out shoot the 03, 03A3 At every turn , it's downfall was the lack of windage adjustment.