That is a real beaut of a rifle Joe, from the pictures I certainly wouldn't have recognised it as a P14 even with the ears cut off as the bolt doesn't seem to have the distinctive sweep back which I find quite attractive. Did you do make the stock yourself or did you buy it in? The only thing I don't like about that rifle is the muzzle brake but that's a personal thing. In .444 it must be a very pleasant rifle to shoot but where are the open sights - it deserves a decent set of open sights!
It must be a real pleasure owning something like that which is just a little bit out of the ordinary.
It is a quite seriously 'sporterised' Winchester p14 action and the bolt handle, shroud etc. have been changed.
I cannot claim any credit for the rifle, I only attempted a couple of subtle things.
It was 'sporterised' and built by
Norman Clark in Rugby and is a fine example of his work.
He made the stock, from scratch out of a bit of tree he had hanging around and he also engraved the rifle! (has a nice stag on the floor-plate) The blacking is soooooo....
Muzzle brake was made by me
in fact it has two, one black and the stainless one that you see (cannot remember where the hell I put the black one!).
Open sights, I do not use them, spoils the lines of a rifle for me. I do not subscribe to the 'backup' argument, I do not practice much with open sights, I do not hunt with open sights therefore do not have the need of open sights!
It usually wore a 6x42 Schmidt & Bender (but I have a 4x36 S&B available for it).
The original purpose was a woodland stalking rifle, ultralight and for close in shooting.
It lived up to expectation, but you know that you can get a little anal about protecting a rifle from the elements and abuse, well now is the time to use it properly!
I have, in the past, offered it for sale a few times even offered to trade it for a .17... no takers, so hell, keep it and use it!
I have designed a solution which involves a one off 'special' Picatinny rail which will mount on the Redfield bases, to take a 'scope or a red-dot sight that can be easily interchanged. Bit of a pig to machine (unusual dimensions) but try and find a steel Picatinny rail in the white without having your pants pulled down, as usual, have to resort to do it yourself!
The action does have a problem in that the spacing of the bases is unusually wide, it really needs extended rings to mount a 'scope comfortably, my new rail should sort the problem out for dual use, if not, The Worshipful Master (he who shall not be named) of the honourable drei-barrelrustynailuseasashovel fraternity AK Grand lodge
has kindly helped in acquiring and supplying the extended rings just in case!!!
I understand that you, 8x57, may not like the brake but beauty is in the eye etc.. as for me I really don't like many of the vintage 'agricultural' looking rifles either!
To be honest if it was an original bolt action p14, ears and dog leg bolt, I would not have looked looked at it twice...damn ugly beast if you ask me.
I am not a fan of the Mauser action in general, but at the time that we were discussing the woodland stalking rifle this particular action was available, it would feed the rimmed case had the right bolt face and most importantly did not ass-rape my wallet.
As to my ideal rifle, it would be a smooth, elegant (not fancy) lines, minimal sticky out bits... a la Mannlicher (modern, not old ones).
Hey, wouldn't this be a boring world if we all agreed on aesthetics, each to their own I say!
This rifle works for me, it is a complete hunting 'package' including the pointy bullet swaging, never been sullied with factory ammo!
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