Holy smokes, I'm getting just what I needed, food for thought. You know, the more I think about it, the more I sleep on it, talk to you guys, and discussing it with my friends, the more a large caliber intrigues me. I know I originally said nothing above 30 cal., but now something like akbound is talking about really sparks my interest.

As far as the cost goes for sporterizing this '17 enfield. The only cost is going to be the barrel. My 300 mag is a sporterized Enfield, so I am very familiar with the weight and "carry-ability" of this type of rifle. Also, I have two stocks for the 300. One is a synthetic that came with the rifle, the other is a beatiful wood stock of curly maple with mahogany forend tip and grip cap. I am in the process of finishing the maple, it's coming out great. So, I'll use the wood for this project, my gunsmith friend has told me that he'll assist me with the milling on the action. He's going to teach me how to run the mill and lathe. (not on the action) I have my summers off, so there's plenty of time.

This is going to be my first rifle that I'm having built especially for me. All I have ever done in the past is refinish stocks, so this is very exciting.

Hmmmm....akbound,....you may have ceated a monster.
Kevin