1917 Enfield Sporter

[Joe Boleo]

I picked up a very nice U.S. 1917 Enfield sporter in .30-06 that was made by Winchester. The bore is rough and it wears a Redfield aperture sight and a Williams ramp front sight. This rifle should be used and I am pondering what caliber to go to with when rebarreling. My preferences are either a .338-06 or a .280 Remington. The Enfield has a long action and can handle .30-06 length cartridges with ease. I will decide this week when I go to see the local gunsmith. Take care...
Joe

[jplonghunter]

Joe
Although I'm not a fan of the Enfield it will make a nice conversion.
Something to think about is if you do you own loads,the .338-06 will have less expensive brass more redily available than .280 Remington. Let us know how the project turns out.
jplonghunter

[Adam Helmer]

Joe,

I have always preferred the P-17 action over the M1903 Springfield. I have many examples of both on establishment and will take the P-17 anyday.

As for your P-17 Winchester, why not go the simple route and make it the best gun for this hemisphere? Forget the .338-06 and go for the best: The .35 Whelen! I have several .35 Whelen rifles. You just run .30-06 brass through the .35 Whelen die and load and shoot.

If it has a heartbeat, the Whelen will settle its hash!

Adam

[Gil Martin]

You cannot go wrong with either the .280 Remington or the .338-06 caliber. I can understand your preference for the .338-06. The bullets have a slightly higher ballistic coefficient than .35 caliber bullets and the case has a better shoulder which allows for higher velocities than the Whelen. The .338-06 is on slightly behind the .338 Winchester Magnum velocities for the same bullet weights and uses significantly less powder. The same holds true for the .280 Remington compared to the 7mm Remington Magnum. Good luck on your venture. All the best...
Gil