Eddystone P17 barrel

[Hutch]

I had this in the Rifle forum, but thought it might get more response here.

I picked up a P17 Eddystone that looks pretty good externally, but the bore is pitted. I knew that when I bought it, but I hoped it might shoot acceptably well. Wrong-o. I've tried USGI M2 ball, and several handloads, all this after giving the barrel a complete scrubbing w/ several different products, including JB bore paste and Sweet's 7.62. No joy. Won't hold any better'n about 4-5 inches at 25 (!) yards. I've got no leads on repl barrels for it. I'm at a loss, and I'm not willing to double my "investment" in the gun to get a decent (~2-3 MOA) shooter. The only thing that occurs to me to do is to sell it to someone I don't like. Any other suggestions?

Note added here. I understand this rifle is all original as issued, but is missing some sling swivels, easily replaced. Would it be more intrinsically valuable as-is, or with a replacement barrel that one could actually hit a bard with, at reasonable ranges?

 

[critter]

A 'looking good' M17 is quite sale-able even if it won't shoot if it is origianal or can be made 'origian' by putting back a few parts.

Just a thought. Have you tried really heavy (therefore long) bullets? Some old and worn and even pitted barrels respond to long bullets with long bearing surfaces.

 

[Hutch]

I'll try the long bullets. I have some factory 180gr round-nose, and they'll have about as long bearing surface as I'm likely to find. Thanks for the tip.

 

[ken grant]

All 1917's had oversized barrels for 30/06 as did the Remington sporters made from the same actions and barrels.
They ran from .311 to as much as .314-----{SLUG YOUR BORE}!!!!!!

When they changed from .303 P14's to 30/06 P17's, they used the same barrels.