Thread: BSA model E 303

Originally Posted by csmiffy

good to hear from you all.
@mucko- there were more basic models from BSA. Just looked them up-the model C had a different stock but the belly plate was still original as is the dogleg bolt-the photo showed the side mount sight though. Both the C and D photos I found showed a recess cut in the wood. Maybe only done if its ever fitted? there are a couple of posts on other forums that show a catalogue but cant refind them to check if you know what I mean
Model D had a better stock and the bolt was straightened.
As for the top disc, my belief is that maybe a misaligned scope mount screw may have jacked out the disc. There was no sign of solder/braze under there So just friction holding it in and its only 4mmish at the thickest.
There was the original rear hole still in the receiver. I welded that up just in case it went in the same spot and could do something. Knowing what I know know after my second go, I'd have left it. More dicking round than what I gained from it.
The 264mag would be a cracking calibre for it-read up on it a while back, one of the better 6.5's as far as outright performance goes. @Sideshow-Thank you. Yeah I was confident I could do a good job but knowing what I know now (and considering the tooling I had) I'd have just machined the bottom and left the OD of the recess alone. I probably made it worse and made that little chamfer at the back. The sides were more parallel before I started and probably even less oval. lol.
@Cordite-Gold coin a nice touch, but that only worth the effort if I was using open sights only. Once the scope bases fitted you'd never see it. Also used a lower grade high tensile to give the thread some substance-don't reckon gold would have enough. Oh and yeah cant afford the gold lol. Ohh and ive seen a heap of those videos on youtube. The quirky dora the explorer music on them is far more hideous
@Walker-yes, If I wanted to do a 30-06 class of cartridge, the p17 is better, bolt head is already right as is the mag box. the 303 isn't long enough apparently

like you say p14 mag box is to short I modified mine to get the length for the 264, in saying that you could almost just use a p17 mag box. as the bolt face is the same on p14 as belted H&H case its a easy convert, I have a couple of p17 as well 6.5/06 and 30/06 AI the 6.5/06 is only a couple of hundred ft/sc slower then the 264. I love them all. as well as bolt face the difference the firing pins are different from the p14 to the p17. either rifle is a great base to build from and I am always on the look out for parts had a couple of leads that lead no where. enjoy your rifle there quite under rated.