Historically, U.S. Ball ammo of all types turned in accuracy well above the official minimum requirements, as did typically the rifles of the period. M1903 Springfield service rifles had a minimum standard of accuracy to achieve when the rifles were targeted before leaving the Armory- something on the order of 2-3MOA. Typical accuracy achieved was around 1/2 to 2/3 of that. Note: that was with full-stocked rifles with the factory machined inletting (no hand fitting/bedding for the best fit), and iron sights. The Armory builta helluva rifle, but then came the War and standards and manufacturing tolerances were loosened in the interest of increased production, which is why Remington and Smith-Corona 1903A3's don't often measure up as well to the beloved pre-war '03's.
There's a photograph floating around that shows the targeting house operated by the Armory. Long line of shooting benches in the open air room facing the target butts. Guys at each bench with a rifle, and racks of rifles waiting their turn behind them. Piles of empty '06 brass piled ankle deep around them. What a helluva job that must have been. Note also that those guys who worked that job were a tight-knit group and hung out together outside of work. Weekends, after firing ungodly amounts of .30-06 ammo during the week, they had a recreational organization- a shooting club at which they continued shooting....
Last edited by gnoahhh; 06/12/20.
