I can't believe I don't even have dies for one. I looked everywhere. Twice.






6 o'clock hold at the 300. Wind was pretty bad.




Last five are in the top portion of the cardboard/plate. That's holding center mass.





Travis

Nice Travis!!!

You did not get a 30-06.

you got the 30-06...

Damn... I like that. I may have to use it.

After getting my dad a Garand I really got to thinking about a 1903. Shrap told me I'd get a lot more use out of the A3 version so that's the direction I went.

I really like this thing.



Travis

Nice 03, it will be fun shooting that one.. Congrats on a fine buy..

Laffin! Well how about that?

Travis I bet you could kill something with it,too!

I was thinking the same thing. Just hoping someone else would say it first... . Awesome rifle Travis!!! Those are so much fun, just like the original m1917's. My buddy has them and heats them up so bad, that the stocks start to boil out the stain and cosmoline... . When he's done shooting them, the whole side of his face and his hands are brown...

270 next?

Can you really have just one???

Shoots MOK

I had to load the first 50 with virgin brass and used the Competition seater from my .308's without the extended shellholder.

I can't wait to shoot some silhouettes with it now that I got some dope. The 200yd gong was in serious trouble in the offhand.

Just picking it up makes a guy want to kill a foreigner. I love it.



Travis

I don't do wildcats.



Travis

Nice 03A3! I can't imagine not owning a 30-06. I've owned one or another since 1977.

Nice grab, looks like a nice one.

Agreed. Your dad will be jealous.

Poke a coyote with one.

About the slickest action ever devised. Be sure to pick up an extra striker or two, I've had one go south. Rare but does happen.
http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/springfield.aspx?page=6

Thanks SBTCO. But I already told this one not to break.

I already ordered 20 stripper clips and the bitchin' canvas 100 round cartridge belt.

I can't wait to go play soldier on some wabbits. Although gopher season is rapidly approaching.



Travis

I cant believe this post went five replies without someone saying "drop it in an Edge and dont look back".

Then you better get yourself a Brodie helmet and channel Sgt. York before charging the briar patch.

Are you and Safariman gonna be Suerhero partners?

Nice rifle!

Needs a bayonet before charging the brier patch.

Nice!

If there was a left-hand variant with a Type C stock, I'd own one.

Just got back from some rock shootin'. This thing is straight UBER.

Does anybody know what load the sights are regulated for exactly? I'm using a moderate load of H4895 and the 155gr. Scenar.



Travis

Maybe try 150 and 3031?

I meant speed wise.

I think they shot 150's back then but I'm not 100% on that.



Travis

You picked up a good one there. mighty fine 03A3. They don't come any better. Hope it outlasts you in your house.

A load using a 175gr bullet at 2650-2700 hit close to POA in my 1903 using the older-style ladder sight. H4895 is the way I roll too.

I also like the Oregon Trail 190gr cast bullet over 5744, 25gr hits POA and is a nice soft shooting load.

150 at 2700 is pretty close to the original ammo. My 175gr load is intended to dupe the old match ammo that used 172gr bullets.

Try 53.0 of IMR4350 and Nosler 180 BT. My springfield eats em.
pretty pleasant load too.

Slacker,owned 6-.30-06's and still have 3 of them in the gunsafe.

Never would have seen that coming from a Tikka CTR 308 shooter with a can.

I always thought it was kind of cool shooting game with the same cartridge your granddad or great granddad was killing Nazis with. Some of the Nazis could have been gay(we will never know) but the 30-06 killed them too.

Nice rifle dude.

The 03-A3 was a WW2 version of the '03 Springfield rifle.

We used the M-2 load in WW2 which was 150/152-grain bullet at roughly 2,800 fps.

Cool rifle Flave but too bad it's in such a lame cartridge.


The 30-06....

Too big for rabbits and too small for elephants.

There were a few iterations of ammo for the 1903. I'm no expert by any means. There was a 220gr round nose at about 2300 fps, then a 150 gr at 2700-2800 fps, then there was a 172gr at about 2600 fps.

Then there were the different iterations of the 1903 itself. I don't have a clue what ammo the sights were calibrated for in any or all of the different variations.

But good enough for everything in between.

IIRC, from an old Jack O-Connor article, the original .30-03 load was with a 220-grain bullet at 2,200 fps.

Then in 1906 they developed the .30/06 load with a 150-grain bullet at 2,700 fps.

The M-1 load, not the rifle, was developed in the 1920s and it was a 172-grain bullet at 2,600 fps.

Then the M-2 load was developed in the 1930s, for the M-1 rifle, and it was a 150-152-grain bullet at 2,800 fps. That's the load that we used in WW2.

Thanks, that's good detail.

I would assume the Garand sights were calibrated for the M2 load. But the 1903A3, maybe the M2, maybe the M1 load?

Exactly.

That's a good question because the Springfield rifle was used by many competitors at the National Matches between WW1 and WW2.
I'd think that the 172-grain load would be better at long range due to the better ballistic coefficient.

That would look uber with a "hotrod" sportster and some surplus chit duct taped on...

Yup.

Somebody gave me an 03-A3 about 35 years ago. It had been partially "sporterized" by his father, with what appeared to be pocket-knife checkering.

I finished the job by adding a Fajen stock, having it drilled and tapped for a scope, added a low-swing safety, and bent the bolt handle.

It has an original 2-groove barrel with the "flaming bomb" ordnance mark and dated 9-43.

The barrel has a long throat but it shoots both the Sierra 165-grain HPBT and the Hornady 190-grain BTSP pretty well.

I agree.

I believe the M1 172gr had a BC of about .490. The M2 150gr was about .400 BC.

Also, I think it was O'Connor that wrote that the 172-grain load had to use a slower-burning powder which caused high port pressures and bent M-1 operating rods. So, the solution was to develop the M-2 load with DuPont 4895 powder, using about 49 to 51 grains, depending on lot number.

Another theory was that the 172-grain load had a maximum range of 5,500 yards which exceeded the safety zone of many target ranges. I think the 150-grain M2 load had a maximum range of 3,500 so was more easily contained within the safety zone.

Again, I'm posting from memory of what JOC wrote many decades ago.

To add to the numbers:

Hatcher's Notebook

1903 220 gr. rnd nose 2300 fps.
1906 150 gr. spitzer 2700 fps.
1926 150 gr. type E 9 deg. BT. 2700 fps

WWII
M1 174.5 gr. 2674 fps.
M2 152 gr. FB. 2805 fps.
M2 AP 168.5 grs. 2775 fps

Thank you Jocko. That's what I was looking for.

I hereby promote you.



Dave

I'm both honored and delighted.

Wrong and wrong.



Travis

Now you two are making my head hurt.

I'm going to run the 150ish grain stuff @ 2700 and see if they match the sights.



Travis

You should see my canteen. It's straight UBER.



Dave

Isn't Shrapnel friends with Mike Venturino? He'd know what to recommend.

Very cool rifle; looks like the Strother Martin model from The Wild Bunch!

Hey D where did you manage ta find one so clean and with the rear arpature sight...ScottyO.

Glad somebody asked cause I'm dying to know.

Nothing wrong with 03's or 03A3's either, have 4 myself not a one of them a dresser like yours. When they are minty looking like yours all original they bring damn good money. Mine had all been sporterized before I got them. Shooters every one of them, my Smith Corona 03A3 has 03 bottom metal,cleaned up trigger in a thumbhole stock with the original chamber run out to 308 Norma Mag. My Remington 03A3 was drilled and tapped for a Redfield Jr one piece mount with the little flip up peep on the back to work with the orig frt sight. (there are about 5 different GI blade heights for the frt)It's also d&T for a Redfield rec sight. Like a P64 M70 they are a solid rifle no pastic sheet anywhere. Keep your eye peeled at the next gunshows you do, seems like somebody is allways peddling some 60's LC Match ammo less than Wallyworld prices or just M2 ball. Then you have a reference load. Some 168 hp boatails and H4895 will make her talk hard. And snag any clean black tipped AP you find, never know when your gonna need to shoot thru an inch of steel to get the rabbit behind it. To bad you didn't get it earlier for elk season. Magnum Man

Have a "sporterized" Springfield 1903 and it's load is a 220 gr Hornady RN at about 2350+ fps.

Travis,
I can buy the dies here easily any time. They run about $35-37 plus 6% sales tax, $2 cheaper at the gun show last weekend.

Lee or Hornady are readily available. Give me a shout and let me know what you want. Be glad to ship you a set.

LD

WHERE'D YOU GET THAT OLD THING? DID YOU SAY 30yds OR 300? IT WOULD DEFINITELY KILL A DEER AT 300. JUST PUT THAT BABY ON THE CENTER OF THE SHOULDER AND SHOOT. powdr

Too cool all around. I shot my first deer with my Dad's Remington 03A3 (sporterized) at age 13 in 1974. I always hoped to inherit it someday but it's long gone. I've wanted a Springfield ever since but haven't found the right one. I'm envious - yours is exactly how I'd want one...

Edit to add: not sure if this helps with the ammo question, but we always practiced with milsurp ammo and hunted with Remington 150 factory rounds which shot to the same point.

I've never shot a rabbit or elephant, just going by what I read on the internet.

These days nobody but a dumbass would rework an original 03 or 03A3 into a sporterized configuration, they are just plain worth to much money as originals. I prefer an 03 but my eyes say the 03A3 is easier for them to focus with the rear bridge sight. The trick to get a nice sporterized Springfield these days is to keep hitting your gun shops and watching the used rack. As our greatest generation is dying off their heirs are reducing dad and uncles legacies of sporterized Springfields and Mausers from the post WW2 era into a few $ to buy rubber dog sh*t with . The guns just don't mean anything to them even if they could tell all the stories behind them. Lot of these guns have a Williams bolt handle, low swing safeties, d&t'ed for Weaver bases or a one pc Redfield jr., had their barrels whacked off behind the frt sight, after market triggers, changed out bottom metal(03 preferred), and a sporter blank from Herter's ,Bishop or Fajen. They only sell for $2-300 bucks. The ones that haven't had the barrels bobbed off bring more because more than a few guys will take and restore it back to a dresser. Still a lot of milsup parts floating around out there. 3 of mine I have less than $150 each in, you know they make the finest truck gun there is as they are dead reliable and chambered for a cartridge that is never wrong. Magnum man

Yeah. I just met him the other week but I didn't think to ask.



Travis

shrapnel finds all.



Travis

shrapnel has one that is even prettier looking and has Elmer Keith's inspection stamp on the stock.




Travis

Are you gonna put an Edge stock on it?

They don't inlet.

Already called.



Travis

Poor baby. Now you're going to be spoiled by a little bit of '06 reality.

Nice rifle. What manufacturer?

For my last '06, even though I had regular dies, all I used was a Lee Loader to size and the RCBS competition seater. 46 gr. H4895 and 150gr CT Partitions ($7.95 a box).


When you gonna AI it?

I was hitting stuff at 500yds with it yesterday.

I had no idea they could shoot that far.



Travis

Smith Corona.



Travis

Already got the reamer in the drill chuck.

Just waiting for the shakes to dissipate.



Travis

Here's a shot of the markings on the stock. I don't know what they mean but got the impression they are something buyers look for/at?

Mike Venturino did a great article on the O3A3 with loading data in the November 09 issue of Rifle magazine no. 247.

So, like never then?

They usually subside around noon.



Travis

That thing is UBER. I've always loved Springfields.... You'll have to bring it next time you out here.

Deflave, That is a great story about Shrapnel having a 03 that Keith inspected!!!! You are so right Shrapnel has it all!!

I have even heard that bullets from a .308 Winchester will make it to 1000! Never have done tried myself, of course....

Longest kill I've made on big game with a .30-06 was just about 500 yards. It seemed like there might be a little energy left in the bullet.

I shot a coyote at a little over 400 with a 30/06 but the bullet took one skip before it got there.

What was it necked down to?



Travis

Shrapnel is a great guy but he only listens if the story involves him. I have to tell him most everything twice.

For example, I was on a quest for a 29-2 or older with a 4" barrel. He calls me one morning explaining how much money he just made on a 29-2 with 4" barrel. I tell him again that I am looking for one so he explains he'll try to buy it back with my money. Which he did. That's how I got my 29-2.

The 03A3 was somewhat similar but he didn't buy the first one he found. I expressed frustration that he didn't call and this led to him figuring out what my "top dollar" would be if he found another. Once that information was acquired, he magically found this one.

I don't know how much money he makes off me in a year but I do know he always has a big smile when I drive to Bozeman to pick up my stuff.



Travis

It was the 7.62x63 wildcat, an oldie but a goodie, using an 11.7 gram bullet at 890 meters per second.

My experience is the Smith Caronas really shoot. I have had two, both full military, and both MOA shooters. My memory is both two-groove barrels, too.

Sounds like a vast improvement.

Good call.



Travis

Oh. She shoots.

AND, I just moved a few things on my bench and found a brand new, never opened box of small base, RCBS 30-06 dies.

WTF?



Travis

'flave, any plans for glass?

You must be very proud of the part you've played in financing his fine collection

I think the "I J A" markings are short for Iwo Jima. It may be someone carved that in there during the battle.

When i was a kid my dad gave me an O3 that I love, though i prefer the A303's aperture sights.

Sweet looking rifle!

Mike

http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/ammo-parts-accessories/

If there is a reason to get a rifle in the not really gay more just stupid 30-06 this is it. Wish there were more than a very few springfields around this side of the line.. instead of surplus Enfields which carry about 1/10 the cool and don't shoot worth a pinch of chit. Enjoy that rifle.

I won't answer for him, but I suspect "Refill it" is his plan.

Unless it's an IPA, then he'll just toss it and grab another.

He'll be back about noon...

I think it's a FJA stamp.

http://www.trfindley.com/pgsnstmps03.html

I actually am contemplating buying one of those re-barrel jobbers from Creedmoor.




Travis

168's @ 2700 sounds kinda cool.



Travis

Agreed and thank you.




Travis

So proud....




Travis

You are all wonderful resources of knowledge.



Travis

Nah.

Who the hell would spell Iwo Jima with an F? I never heard of Fiwo JIma.

Plus I would like to think they didn't saddle anyone with a Springfield when Garand's and BAR's where available!

Mike

When I was young 13-14 I used a 150 gr. seirras and 47.5-48 grs. of IMR3031 , it was accurate and the load was used by someone my family knew that used them to be onsights for a garand and 03. Velocity was probably around 2750ish.

Nice rifle 'flave. I like buying and shooting older rifles. have Krags,SMLE's,1917's from win,rem and eddystone along with a stable of various mausers. Need to add an '03.

Their use was limited for sure.



Travis

Neat find!

Out near the front sight will be a stamp that tells you the month and year of production. Also neat if you ever get a misfire, just reach up, yank the end of the striker to re-cock it, and it might just fire on the second try.

I have a O3A3 that was sporterized some years before I bought it. When my eyes were younger I shot some groups around an inch at 100 yards, despite the two groove wartime barrel. Eventually a few years later I realized the dark spot in the barrel was actually a slight bulge. I haven't shot it since, but I might again some day.

Something in the 2700 fps range (150 grain) perhaps.

Available is the key word I think. Marines were not issued M1 rifles in the Pacific until after most of the fighting on Guadalcanal was over. They used 03 Springfield's there and during the banana wars prior to WWII to pretty good effect.

I actually did that yesterday. The striker rubbed against my gloved hand when I was shooting rocks and it didn't go bang. Ripped it back and tried again. Sure enough, BANG!



Travis

If you had been there you'd know it was actually called F'n Iwo Jima.

Just sayin'...

I added more powder to my latest batch.



Travis

Most versatile cartridge/rifle ever...

Stunt shooter.

The 30-06 is on of my favorites. i have more of them than any other cartridge. I have two garands, one with a heavy krieger on it that shoots .3" . Neither of them had any notches in the stock.

shrap,


Is that a horse in the bottom pic? I'd love to shoot a horse if you know of any more.



Travis

All I see is the backside of a handsome man.

What am I missing?




Travis

Elk.






And horses.

Wish I'd seen one of those horses. I hate those things.




Dave

For Sale:

Swivel shooting bench, $350.00

Seems reasonable.




Dave

Your going to need a original long 1903 bayonet with that rifle.

And not a SMLE bayonet, 'cuz they won't fit...

They seem pricey.




Travis

Mine loved 150 sst with 4320 @ 2700,worked with the sights.
Is that a smith corona,with a Remington bolt?

11.7 gram @ 890m/s, that's about 180 grains @ 2920 fps, pretty warm for a 30-06.

That works out to 5,351,457 furlongs per fortnight. That's smokin. No way I would want to run a 30-06 over 5,125,000 furlongs per fortnight with a 20.57 gerah bullet.

I'd like to politely remind you guys this thread is about me.




Travis

Travis who?

All shrapnel does is try and peddle his schit and show off on my threads!




Travis

hey trav,is that a smith corona?
I said it slow this time.

I LMAO every time I see that picture.......

fluffy,

This question has been addressed!

As far as the Remington bolt, I do not know how to tell if it is or isn't?

But I can take a pic of it.



Travis

I see now.

IIRC,remington bolts have an "R" on them and are blued.
smith corona bolts are parkerized,in fact all smith corona metal is parkerized.
look to see if you have a 2,4 or 6 groove barrel.

Also,IIRC,smith stocks did not have the "FJA" stamp,they were unmarked as are most smith parts,unmarked.

I used to shoot a s-c in the cmp matches at my old gun club,look identical to yours.

There is an R on the bolt.

Not sure about the FAJ. That link posted previously says all Smith Coronas were marked FAJ.

Unless I read it wrong...



Travis

Yes. Use an American Bayonet. Do not try to use a German, English, or Japanese bayonet.








(not that you'll ever be close enough to elk to employ the bayonet...)

http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2010/3/12/the-smith-corona-03a3s/

http://m1903.com/isstamps.htm

" FJA" stamp

Somethin' don't jive in this mofo!

http://www.trfindley.com/pgsnstmps03.html

But of course, I only care about shooting it. Manufacturing details are for Mauser [bleep] and guys that like those rifles with the lever thingies on the bottom.



Travis

there is conflicting info everywhere you look.
the one I had ,had a six groove barrel, rather unusual.
there are font sight hoods available,but they are easily damaged and lost.

Yeah. I tried figuring out where a Mauser came from one time.

I'll file 03's in the same category... grin.




Travis

So, if you have a rifle stock stamped "O.G.E.K." how do you know if it's Ed Klouser or Elmer Keith?

You pay the appraiser.



Travis

who would be able to argue,either way?

Elmer Keith's car-touche looks like this and makes your 03-A3 much more desirable. Elmer's has a box around his initials...

Are those about 200 elk to your left about 100 yds out? Why didn't you shoot one of those? An 03A3 would work.

Even a typewriter rifle would work...

Went back and re-read that article, very informative.

Mike

I need to look for mine.




Travis

I sense envy...




Dave

1903 ??? Anyone. I have a 1903 Springfield ser#499277, bolt marked 277, barrel marked SHIVELL, over 30-06 No other markings on metal or stock,has a waffle steel butt plate with cleaning rod pull down tab, no other markings, Ghost ring peep site with windage and elevation markings looks like a circle with a deer or elk marking on elevation side at the top.Shoots 150 gr. core locks 1 1/2" at 100 yrds off of table with bags, I traded d a Taruas Judge pistol for the rifle so you can't hurt my feelings . rio7

It's a POS.

But I'll buy it off you.



Travis

Blue, the lower serial numbered 03's (under 800,000) were a concern for many years, as a few dozen of them blew up due to brittle actions. At this point I suspect it's probably not a concern, but I would not push the loads very hard:

http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/rifle_sales/m1903-m1903a3/

not an 03 expert but sounds like yours was rebarreled

Pat, I have heard that some where, but i figured the Rem. Corelocks couldn't be to hot for this rifle, so I got a box from one of my ranch hands and fired about 10 rds. through the rifle, it was about a foot low and a foot to the left, got it zeroed at 100 yrds and put it away, was wanting to know who Shivell is ??? guy i traded for the rifle said it was his grandfathers,and he thought it was to old to shoot. rifle runs great and very clean. rio7

deflave, I don't need another crappy pistol.rio7

I've said in the past I'm not terribly shy about stuffing powder in cases. But that's one where I would be...

Low-numbered Springfields are wall hangers.

With a face like mine, you can't be too careful.