Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Low # '03 Springfield

Have a low number '03 Springfield that my father has hunted with for as long as I can remember (and my grandpa before that). I decided for its 100th birthday I will dust it off and use it this fall for deer season. The question is I've never hand loaded for a low number '03 and don't know how much a guy should push loads towards max. Anyone have any experience with this? Suggestions would be appreciated.
Also I was hoping to work up a load with what I have on the bench already as availability still sucks around here. I have 165 grain NP, very little IMR 4350 (probably not enough to work up a load and hunt with), lots of IMR 4895, and plenty of R-19 to work with. Any combo that works best for you guys?

1. Be careful, it could be alright, or it could blow up in your face. Low #'s are iffy.
2. Take it to a good gunsmith and have it checked.
3. If it was me, and I had to shoot it, it would be with reduced loads only.

Ya, been told that before. I guess my thoughts have always been that I've seen factory ammo shot through the gun for the last 30+ years and my dad has talked about how he used to buy hand loads from the guy who ran the local sport shop. Kind of figured if something was going to happen it should of by now. Also in the 80's my dad had it in to a gun smith to have the bolt handle modified and get it drilled and tapped for scope mounts and he said the smith never said anything about being careful with it
Just was thinking if my hand loads were close to a factory loads I'd be ok. Also my father in law used the rifle two deer seasons ago. Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated.

Low serial number Springfields that have potentially weak receivers due to unsatisfactory heat treatments:
Springfield Arsenal SN below 800,000
Rock Island Arsenal SN below 285,507

My father used a low number '03 from Springfield Arsenal for years as his primary deer rifle and his father used that same rifle for years before him. My brother used that rifle to take his first deer. All of them were blissfully unaware that there was any potential issue with the receiver. The gun has been in my family for over 70 years and probably hunted for 50+ years (but has mainly sat in the safe for the last 20).

I feel the same way you do, that if it was going to have an issue it probably already would have. That being said, I still have some uneasiness about shooting it now that I know about potential problems...

If it were me, I'd stick with the original government loading for the '06: a 150 grain bullet at 2,700 fps. I'd use that over the more modern 180 grain bullet at 2,700 fps.

My $0.02.

IIRC the damage was done when the recievers were forged. The steel was overheated causing the carbon to be "burned" out of the steel. Thus causing the reciever to be brittle. Believe they went to a double heat treat after it was discovered. Again IIRC as it's been awhile since I read Hatchers Notebook .

Azar,

I agree with what you say about 150's @ 2700 ish, sounds like a nice light load that would get work done. But if I like you said used a more modern 180 bullet @ 2700 ish wouldn't that be pushing towards a max load? Guess I hopeing I could shoot a 165 @ about 2700 but when I look at nosler load data it shows most powders hitting 2700 at or near max charge. Maybe I'll have to back that down around 2500-2600.

Like your Springfield this gun will spend most of its days in the safe after this season. I only reason I'm useing it is cause I've been telling my dad for years that when that gun turns 100 I would use it and retire it the right way. He likes that idea so I'm going to hold up my end of the deal.

Loaded to 30/30 or 300 Savage status, and you'll be fine.. or even 30/40 Krag status..

As said above low numbers are iffy. That being said I wouldn't fire anything but factory ammo that is limited to 49000 CUP.
During WWII low numbers were rebuilt and issued and there is no record of any blow ups. New barrels were installed and M2 AP was fired as a proof load. From my readings a lot of Marines on Guadalcanal were carrying low number rebuilt 03's.

Here is an article you may find interesting.

http://m1903.com/03rcvrfail/