Advanced Marksmanship Parker Hale sight for my M1917?

[Walstr]

Greetings; I'm trying to develop a 2021 hunting load for my son in Idaho. [...gave his .270 to his son for awesome HS grades, then on to college in MT.] We're settled on 180gr Hornady SST and IMR 4451, 54gr-56.5gr, based upon others' Elk & Moose experience with .30-06, etc. [I also have IMR4198 & BL-C(2) if called for.]

That said, I cannot shoot accurately enough to discern which #4451 loading is best for a 100yd zero, much less for use @ 200yd. Using the ladder's peep, slid down, yields such a large sight picture that, well, I can't trust my results @ 50yds. The projectiles are $45ea, so I must make some improvement before proceeding.

I came across a SMLE rifle "precision" rear light called "Parker Hale". Typical rutting 'round Google didn't help me resolve if #1-does it exist? and #2-was it ever used on an M1917? May I tap into your knowledge base? Thanks in advance for any time you give my quandary.

Wally

 

[BigKev72]

Parker hale made a series of micrometer adjustable rear sights as well as globe type foresight’s, which would be ran with inserts. They are very good quality but I would not suggest using them on a hunting rifle. They are not terrible fragile but they are also not what I would deem “hunting robust “. If you are planning on using it for fullbore matches then they make a great sight though.

 

[Walstr]

Thanks for quick reply. Well, I don't want to put glass on it & mature eyes cannot hold those iron sights on target accurately enough for load development, so IF I can obtain something like this PH5B sight, which seems "era" compatible, I'm sure he'll not be banging it around in the Idaho woods; he's always been disrespectful about clothes & housekeeping, but he respects "tools", especially those of his trade & hunting!

Now, how & where can I be successful in acquiring it? Any other suggestions? Thanks again, Wally

 

[BigKev72]

I would think hopping on gunboards forums would probably be productive for you. I’m no expert on the P17’s, I owned a P14 a long time ago but it’s been a minute.
Gunboards has some guys on there that could steer you in the right direction though. Just browse around until you find the M1917/P17 or P14 discussions and see what you can find out. I personally don’t think a sight designed for either a SMLE or the No 4 Mk I would fit the P17.

the Parker hale sight will be an aperture sight just FYI

I found an old Parker hale catalog online and was reading over it. They did make a sight specifically for the P14 which will be the same as the M1917. I will update again if I can figure out which model you should be looking for.

 

[BigKev72]

You may want to check out the UK NRA historic arms resource center. I would suggest just emailing them directly unless you want to go through a thousand historic pamphlets and booklets on Parker hale and bsa sights. While dropping into that particular Internet rabbit hole may be fun, it’s not something that I have time for at the moment haha.