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I bought a cool 03-A3 sporter off gunbroker, advertised as 30-06. I got around to shooting it, bolt closed on a factory round just like it should. Pulled the trigger, felt a little funny. Not much kick. This is what the case looks like. What do you think it is chambered for? 300 Win mag wouldn't close.

I saw a 308 Norma on gunbroker that looked exactly like that rifle... That was a few weeks ago. However, it WAS advertised as a 308 Norma magnum.....

That was my guess too

Cerrosafe is your friend!

You are lucky that you didn't damage yourself or the rifle. Almost everyone would assume that a 1903 Springfield would be chambered in 30-06, but there are rifles out there that have been rechambered without the 'smith having the courtesy to stamp the barrel with the new chamber.

Bearrr264 had a case separation in a Savage 99 that had been rechambered from 300 Sav to 308. When he fired the rifle with a 300 Sav cartridge, the case separated and the escaping gas blew the "cheeks" of the stock out, causing high velocity wood fragments to spray the right side of his face and neck.

Dang, never had anything like this happen before. I'd say an old 03-A3 action is still pretty strong.

NO question about it.. Get that chamber cast asap before you even attempt anything else..

Dang - you were one lucky dude on that shot.. I'd make sure I leave some 'proper' feedback on the seller.. He's lucky he's not sued over that one..

The first custom rifle I ever bought, about 30 years ago, was a .270 Win built on a Mauser action. It was a beautiful rifle by a well regarded custom gunsmith and a very fine stock maker. The rifle looked to be unfired. I bought it at a gun show because I knew the stock maker and was aware of the gunsmith's reputation.

The first round I fired blew a primer. I was using a mild hand load made with new W-W brass. I had been hand loading for about 30 years at that point and had never had a blown primer. I packed up and did what I should have done first: I went straight to my gunsmith and had him check the chamber.

As you might now expect, the headspace proved to be excessive. He was able to remedy the problem and the rifle became one of my favorites over the years, taking many critters throughout the western U.S. However, I learned my lesson. I never take any rifle that is not factory new to the range without having the chamber checked by a gunsmith.

Redneck's chamberd cast.
Pam spray
silly putty
3 pipe cleaners
wooden dowel

Interesting problem here. EDIT - wow, after seeing your latest picture it definitely blew the shoulder out! But the case bulged in the weak area immediately ahead of the case head, leading one to believe there is no support for the case walls. I.E. the chamber diameter is MUCH larger than 0.473. The -03 is a CRF action, correct? Has the bolt face been opened up for a larger diameter?

9.3X64 is about .025" larger diameter than .30-06 but close to the same length.

The bolt face has been opened up. I'm thinking its a 308 Norma. Anyone got a case to donate to me to experiment? I like the rifle so I decided to keep it. ($100 refund for my troubles). Ringworm, got any directions for the redneck chamber cast? With the refund I got $280 in it.

here it is next to 30-06 fired in a 30-06

Holy cow. You are lucky, that thing didn't split and cause all kinds of havoc. Count your blessings!!

Looks a lot like a 30-338, 308 norma magnum or even a 338 win mag next to that 30-06 case..

tag. really interested in what this will turn out to be.

My thought is .30-338 or .308norma.

Jack

I tried a 300 Win Mag and the bolt wouldn't close on it.

It's definitely not a 300 win mag. I can tell that just by looking at the picture of the blown out case. Looks more like 308 Norma. The 308 Norma magnum case is 2.559" long. You could almost measure the distance to the shoulder on the blown out case and see if it matches anything in the books. Keep in mind, many 1903's were re-chambered to 30-338 and 308 Norma magnum back in the day. Have you measured your bore diameter? It could even possibly be a 338 win mag.

That's some good brass!

That's what I was thinking. Probably good ol R-P or Norma...