Parke Hale 1200 help/advice.

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Gorgon

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Hello everyone!

I recently got given a Parker Hale 1200 Deluxe (apparently) in .243 which will be my first stalking rifle. For an extra £60 (and a bottle of single malt) I got a scope, rings and 30 rounds so I think I'm good to go. However, there are a few things to figure out.

Firstly, the barrel is not screw cut. The fellow who gave it to me said it was a bit pointless having a moderator since you fire one shot then have another job to attend to which seems like sound logic to me. I have a slot for a moderator though so I think it's probably something I'm going to want. If I were to get it screw cut is there a "one size fits all" thread because that's sensible or do moderator manufacturers use different threads? My other two rifles are bot CZ and the same thread, whatever that is, but also rimfires so those moderators are of no use in this application!

Secondly, from what I can gather the rifle uses a Mauser 98 action but a floor plate magazine. Can I swap this for a detachable box mag? I know with enough time and money anything can be done but I'm more thinking or an off the shelf kit. Someone on here appears to have used a Remington 700 kit that works but I imagine needs a bit of fettling?

Thirdly, I'm not sure if this is a genuine Parker Hale item as the barrel has a stamp on top saying "Gibbs Rifle Co. Martinsburg, WV. I can only see what appears to be London proof marks and the letter LP with 93 directly beneath them. To confuse matters it also says Parker Hale on the side of the barrel.

Fourthly, there are probably going to be more questions I'm yet to think of!

The scope is a Docter zf 6x42 m which I think is quite old but still clear. I base this off the fact that one of the boxes of rounds had a price sticker on it saying £17! I can't seem to attach images but I'll continue trying to figure this out!
 
Your rifle is likely a Mauser 98 ex war action, excellent action and great barrels, fitted by Parker hale. Get it threaded 1/2” unf. Should cost £50 and no, doesn’t need re-proof. The scope is good, no need to change it.

Forget all about a detachable magazine immediately. Floor plate is absolutely fine, cycle the rounds out when you’re finished, the benefit is also that you will never accidentally leave a round in the chamber.
 
Nice choice of rifle.
Both of my Parker-Hales have floor plate magazines. Initially, inexperienced like you, I thought it would be better to swap them out for detachable mags, but never did. Very glad I didn't. The floorplate system is superior, in my (now somewhat more experienced) opinion.
Stick with it, and when you've got used to it you'll understand.

Also, I wouldn't be too bothered about the screwcutting. One of my Parker-Hales (243) was already cut when I bought it, so I use a mod with that. The other (270) wasn't cut and I've kept it that way. It's much nicer to carry and handle without the weight of a mod up front (photo of it at post #35 in this thread: Classic/traditional sporting rifle recommendations )
 
Before spending too much on detachable box magazines I would see how it shoots. They can be quite variable but hopefully you will be lucky.
There were PH rifles with detachable box magazines called the 1200C so yes it is possible. If you want to convert it have a talk to Norman Clark in Rugby as he bought the remaining stock from PH when it closed so if anyone has parts it will probably be him. Common threads for moderators on sporter weight barrels would be 14x1 or 1/2UNF. I had a Doctor 6x42 scope years back and it was very good for short range stalking. Let us know how it shoots 👍
 
Well said Tim. One thing, a .243 can be cut to 20” for a mod just fine, but if done, get an over barrel mod, not a muzzle can. The over barrel will help with balance. I suggest DPT or Barton Gunworks.
 
The Gibbs Rifle company bought the Parker Hale rifle brand when the company went out of business and marketed Parker Hale rifles under their own name. The intention was that they would move all production to the U.S. but the venture was not a success. So your rifle is genuine but very late production so more likely to be based on a Santa Barbara commercial action rather than an ex military K98. (The ex-military K98 rifles have the stripper clip thumb charger cut out on the left receiver wall. Ex-military K98 rifles would not have been allowed to be imported into the U.S.)

Don't bother trying to convert to detachable magazine it's not worth the cost or effort, a hinged floorplate magazine works just fine in a stalking rifle.

Try posting some photographs of your rifle as there's a chance that it may not be a 1200 but another model.
 
Have owned a parker hale, does the business, just crack on and use it as it was designed, it will do a great job 👍
 
Yes it looks like a late model 1200, just use it as it is. Docter scopes were quite serviceable.
Just a personal thing but if it were mine I would seriously consider replacing the blocks and rings with a decent set of steel mounts and rings. This is purely a personal preference based on past experience with Parker Hale mounts and rings.
 
8x57 said:
Yes it looks like a late model 1200, just use it as it is. Docter scopes were quite serviceable.
Just a personal thing but if it were mine I would seriously consider replacing the blocks and rings with a decent set of steel mounts and rings. This is purely a personal preference based on past experience with Parker Hale mounts and rings.
Click to expand...
The bases may be steel. Some of the bases on P-H rifles were (although admittedly most were alloy).
I have alloy bases on one of mine, and steel on the other, despite the fact they're both the same model rifle. The steel bases are the original ones that that particular rifle was fitted with.

(Either way, they both work fine).
 
It's a good rifle if it shoots straight, and it probably will. I have one in .270. I had it threaded and a T8 moderator. It shoots absolutely lovely. For me the T8 is fine if heavy but retain the sight picture after firing.
No mag never been an issue as it will hold 5 rounds I usually load with 4 and never used then all, infact only used 2.
I have been advised the wood under the varnish is beautiful and stripping and oiling would transform it but that's not getting done in near future.
 
Don’t do anything to that rifle except shoot the thing.
They are pretty damn good rifles and a very original one is getting hard to find.
I wouldn’t bother with a moderator on it really and I absolutely would not convert to a detachable magazine.

Enjoy, I had great service from mine and now VSS is still using it and getting great service from it.
 
Agree with above.

A. You start the snowball effect of alterations and you throw a lot of money at something you will want to replace in a year or two likely (if you’re desiring detach mags and mods).
B. Your rifle will have zero resale or trade in value.
C. You’ve single-handedly mutilated a rifle, one of which very few left that are still in completely original condition .

Shoot it as is, when you want a mod and detachable mag, sell it and out the £250 or so towards a new or used Mauser M18
 
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