1st Generation Target Rifle ???

[Laurie]

Returning to the .308 Win Schmidt 1911 TR rifle ...... VERY unusual. K31 action versions not common but there are a good few around. I'd be very wary of my pressures in a 1911 which is a very long rear-locking action, flexible and designed for a cartridge with a 45,500 Max psi pressure, the 174gn GP11 - that's why there aren't many other .308 W versions about. Most gunsmiths won't rebarrel a 1911 to 7.62 / .308W while they'll happily do the much stiffer and stronger K31. This is recognised as a VERY bad rifle action in which to suffer a case-head failure as the bolt offers little or no support to the rear of the case. I'm not saying the rifle is dangerous - after all it has passed proof - but if I were shooting one I'd keep a very close eye on brass condition, being even more wary than with .308 Enfield action rifles, and would cook up handloads on the distinctly mild side.

Incidentally I saw a very nice Schmidt 1911 9.5X53mm (?) 9.5X58mm (?) sporter at Diggle today, the conversion dating from just before WW2. Long barrel, nice wood, skinny European forend and Schnabel forend tip, the cartridge based on the 9.3X53mm Swiss target round.

[targetman]

Hello Laurie............I take all you say about the 1911 Schmidt Rubin action, rear locking and all.

In the form that I bought it it was a Match Rifle and as such was used with 190-200 grain high pressure ammunition. All I have done is to set the barrel back a bit and re-cut the chamber to accomodate standard 7.62X51 Nato. I have used a variety of ammunition in it, from standard RG, HPS Target Master, Raufoss 185 grain Match, Lapua, and my own handloads that I developed for my Musgrave. I would admit that my handloads were rather "hot" and resulted in a slightly greater effort on opening the bolt after firing. By reducing the load just a fraction, extraction was fine. I always check my cases, either handloads or factory as I shoot them and I can say hand on heart that I have never had any case seperation, popped primers, flattened primers or really any sign of undue pressure.

Having said all that, I do appreciate that it is a 100 year old action and it would be unwise to submit it to any really high pressure ammunition, after all the first time it does let go would be last time I shot it !!!!!!!!!

[ovenpaa]

Do you do your own machining Targetman?

[targetman]

Sadly...no

I had the very good services of George Arnold, (Queeens Prize winner 1970), and excellent riflesmith. I had asked him for advise regarding the work on this rifle and he said if I wanted the work done then I could do it myself (he was like that) but then offered to show me how and to use his workshop equipment. The last time I had used a lathe was at school in the 1950s, but with George's encouragment and lots of help I managed to remove the barrel, cut it down, re-crown, cut back the shoulder, re-chamber, re-cut the extractor slot in the barrel face and reassemble. It took all day and many cups of tea and sandwiches supplied by George's wife Jan but I did it.....and I suppose that is why I hang on to it, despite it being "antideluvian" as George called it.......

George was good bloke, he put up with all my daft ideas and requests for help.....then a few months before he died he gave me his 1971 No4 "Palma Match" Envoy, he had been a member of the England team in the 1971 match....I am very proud to own and shoot that rifle.