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Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 65
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 65 |
Gentlemen,
I have a question that I think this is the perfect group to answer. I have more sporterized 1903A3s than one man needs, so one of them is going to get rebarreled. If you were in the same predicament, what cartridge would you select? I've got four in mind, two bigger, two smaller. I don't want to name them so I can get truly unbiased answers, and also so nobody calls me names like "blasphemous", "sacrilegious", or "moron". Bear in mind, I've got enough rifles that no game in North America is safe (from me shooting in their general direction and typically scaring them) so the intended use of the rifle is irrelevant. What are your thoughts?
Speed is fine, accuracy is final.
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,489
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,489 |
I'd stick with something based on the 30-06 case. Likely 25-06 or 35 Whelen.
Regards, Guy
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,842
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2003
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,801
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,801 |
280 (std or AI) Remington.
Old Corps
Semper Fi
FJB
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,455 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,455 Likes: 2 |
I have only a couple 03A3’s left alas. If I were to rebarrel one it would be 35 Whelen, but more likely I’d send it one to have it rebored to 35 Whelen.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,326 Likes: 4
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,326 Likes: 4 |
I'd stick with something based on the 30-06 case. Likely 25-06 or 35 Whelen.
Regards, Guy Same here, anything Ackley Improved might be cool as well. But man, they're stout actions and since that was what made the original 35 Whelen, I'd have to have a go at one.
Semper Fi
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Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 65
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 65 |
Well, that's a quick three votes for the #1 cartridge that I had in mind. No votes for the others, yet...
Speed is fine, accuracy is final.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 23,121 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 23,121 Likes: 2 |
The sky's the limit, close your eyes and pick one. Example: one of my (several) R2 Lovells was done on a M1903 action (well before my time) - bull barrel, custom trigger, Unertl scope blocks, etc. Extractor hook built up to grasp the small case, and a little ring of steel affixed to the bolt face to encompass the small rim. Single shot, of course. All that is just to say that there are fewer limitations for a Springfield action than you might think.
Always thought I'd like a .400 Whelen on a Springfield. Then I would slap myself for thinking that, as I have absolutely no use for one and detest getting pounded by each shot. But still....
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,606 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,606 Likes: 1 |
Didn't Sedgley make mag-fed 22 Hornets on the 1903?
For a simple one, a fast twist 256 Newton.
Bruce
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,814 |
.25-06; 6.5-06; .280; .35 Whalen would be my preferences in that order.
Mathew 22: 37-39
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 227
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 227 |
The correct answer, 270 WCF. (hint)
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Joined: May 2003
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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+Professional member American Custom Gunmakers Guild
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2017
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If you are blessed with the ownership of a 03 or 03A3 that is no longer in collector condition the only intelligent thing to do is wear the existing barrel out by shooting it. When it is tired then debate the rebarrel or rebore options. You can't handle shooting 30-06 full power, use reduced loads. Rebarreling only when the service life of the original is gone or too defective to perform at a reasonable standard. You asked...mb
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 942
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 942 |
There are, to me, certain classic cartridge rifle combinations. The 03 Springfield in 06 and the pre 64 model 70 in 270 are the definition of classics. For the 03, I look to the old guys, and the aspirations of the Greatest Generation were when they built their ultimate rifle on their sacred Springfields. The 35 Whelen was the power house to fuel their dreams of big game in Alaska or the Yukon. The 25 06 was their dream for screaming bullet speeds and far reach. For classics, they would be my picks. What a great project to dream about and put together. Imagine a perfectly matched set of the 3, maybe with one of those 22 LR Springfield trainers sitting beside them. Have fun. Bfly
Be nice and work hard, you never have enough time or friends.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,833 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,833 Likes: 1 |
There are 6-7 Springfields in my family chambered to 30-338. Covers a lot of bases.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,040
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,040 |
The bigger would be a 9.3x62, the smaller a 6.5mm-06.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 306
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 306 |
Another vote for the 35 Whelen. Although the 9.3x62 adds some cool factor to the equation. You could also get crazy with the new 338 Weatherby RPM and have a unique hammer that even Paul Pelosi wouldn’t vote against.
History repeats itself because it worked. If it didn’t work in the first place, it wouldn’t be history but another lost story of insignificance.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,171 Likes: 6 |
I went 257 Robert’s. 24 inch barrel.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,479 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,479 Likes: 3 |
I always wanted a Springfield in 7x57 or 257. I have two presently one in 30-06 and the other in 280AI both great shooters.
Dog I rescued in January
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