Title_II wrote:If you carry a fun in Australia you will go to jail.
Heckler303 wrote:Now before I finish this post, some of you might be thinking "What the hell is a 303 Epps?"
COLLECTOR 1 wrote:I couldn't help myself and showed my father, who is in his very late 80's and failing health a picture of this rifle via my IPad,,,,, he took one look at it and said its one of Jack's rifles....he reckons Jack loved the P14/M17's because they were so much stronger and easy to get for the conversations.
For what its worth both Timmney and Drayton Triaster make drop in sporting triggers for these old work horses. I've got a M17 in 308 with the Drayton set up, it drops straight in, and works a treat.
COLLECTOR 1
Title_II wrote:If you carry a fun in Australia you will go to jail.
bentaz wrote:You're getting a nice collection of these aussie ol' girls.
Would be nice to see em all together.
Title_II wrote:If you carry a fun in Australia you will go to jail.
COLLECTOR 1 wrote:Now that's brought back some memories......
I can tell you that this rifle was built by a gunsmith in the 50"s and 60's here in Australia by the name of Jack Hodgstach, ( I think that's how he spelt his surname). He operated in a workshop at the rear of his residence in Leichardt here in Sydney. I remember as a kid going down there with my old man and picking up rifles that Jack had worked on for him (my dad was a firearms dealer in his day)
The giveaway is the mounts, and how they are held on, along with the stock and the inletting, Jack was the only smithy around at the time who did work like that, the man was a legend in his time, and built all sorts of rifles. I still have a 96 Mauser in 303/25 that was one of his creations, and sure enough the mounts and stock work are the same. I can also tell you that he did work for Mick Smiths building rifles after the war as there was nothing around in sporting guns.
He converted just about anything P14's, M17's, 96 and 98 Mausers, and Lee Enfield's, from military calibres ( as the ordinary folk weren't allowed them) to sporting calibres, including the 303 Epps. See its not a 303 British dear Mr police officer its a 303 Epps.
I think from memory he passed away in the late 70's and was an old man by then................
That rifle is a keeper just for the Australian history attached to it, trust me....
Hope al that helps, try Google if you want but as I said im not 100% sure of the surname spelling.
Title_II wrote:If you carry a fun in Australia you will go to jail.
GLS_1956 wrote:Nice rifle, it's so nice to see the work of a true gunsmith/riflesmith. The "ear" removal and fitting of the scope mounts show an attention to detail that is not always seen today. This is shown most clearly in the skillful stock work. I can see, by the change in color and grain where the man added the cheek piece but the addition of wood for the pistol grip is to my eyes indistinguishable. Truly the work of a smith that knows his job. For those reasons alone I thank you for sharing.
I found the information you shared on the 303 Epps cartridge to be interesting. Here in the USA we've never had any problem with having guns chambered in military cartridges, heck if the US military adopts it you can be sure it'll find it's way onto the civilian market in less time than a new cartridge developed by a gun or ammo maker.
In closing I have but one question. Is the P-14 action British or American made?
bentaz wrote:You're getting a nice collection of these aussie ol' girls.
Would be nice to see em all together.
COLLECTOR 1 wrote:True about the Aussie Wild Cat cartridges, way way before their time.........with the advent of more modern propellants and projectiles they really can come into a class of their own...
For example, take 303.25, go and build one today on a strong P14/M17 action with good projectiles, and powder...and use decent brass to form the cases... bet your flat out telling the difference between it and a 25 06.............
The Epps is a classic example, when loaded correctly with todays modern components it will give a 308 win a run for its money any day of the week.
And to think the Aussie Gunsmiths were building this stuff in the 50's and 60's.....amazing..
Collector 1
COLLECTOR 1 wrote:Oh look the Epps concept was way way before its time. The biggest thing all these wildcats had going against them was that people were trying real hard to make the old No 1 Mk 111 Lee Enfield's handle all these weird and wonderful inventions, and striking all sorts of dangerous problems.
If the masses had stuck with the P14/M17 actions who knows what would be around today. I remember as a kid a guy who built a 303/375, on a No 1 Mk 111 action, and stoked it pretty hard, it and he eventually gave up after shot number 10.........but what a cannon. and it was downright dangerous........
A .25 Epps would be interesting, love the quarter bore....how do you find the 6.5 Epps ..?????....what bullet weight do you run in it ?????
Collector 1
Varmtr wrote:Why 6.5 well just because I suppose.
COLLECTOR 1 wrote:Id be very interested in seeing the finished product of the 6.5 Epps.............by all accounts it should be a versatile calibre for Aussie conditions and game........
There is just something about the odd ball cartridges and calibres that intrigues me...lol ,,,,the You build it, load it, shoot it thing is always good for the soul
COLLECTOR 1
Bark wrote:Best reason for lots of stuff