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jaksny Offline OP
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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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I'd stick with something based on the 30-06 case. Likely 25-06 or 35 Whelen.

Regards, Guy

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25/06

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280 (std or AI) Remington.


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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.
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Originally Posted by Cascade
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.


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jaksny Offline OP
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Well, that's a quick three votes for the #1 cartridge that I had in mind. No votes for the others, yet...


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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....


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Didn't Sedgley make mag-fed 22 Hornets on the 1903?

For a simple one, a fast twist 256 Newton.

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338-06

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.25-06; 6.5-06; .280; .35 Whalen would be my preferences in that order.


Mathew 22: 37-39



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The correct answer, 270 WCF. (hint)

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What about the 9.3 x 62?


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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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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


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There are 6-7 Springfields in my family chambered to 30-338. Covers a lot of bases.

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The bigger would be a 9.3x62, the smaller a 6.5mm-06.

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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.


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I went 257 Robert’s. 24 inch barrel.

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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.


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