1903 spring field

[model 12 toby]

Looking for peoples info on using this as a hunting rifle. Loads. Experiences. Etc.

 

[2506]

Is it a stock military 1903A1 or an 1903A3 or sniper model 03A4?

Has it been hacked up into a sporter with a scope with original barrel or new barrel and what caliber?

If it is an 03A3 or 4 who made the rifle Remington of Smith Corona? If it is a Remington does it have a 2 groove barrel?

If it is an original military rifle DO NOT HACK IT UP INTO A SPORTER. It is worth the price of a TWO new Rem. 700s to collectors.

If you want to hunt with any of the above that is still in 30-06 caliber most any load that will push a 150 gr SP bullet 2800 fps will be accurate and will take any deer that ever left a hoof print in the mud. Or start a good 180 gr bullet at around 2700 fps is usually very accurate and it will handle most any elk size critter.

 

[jonbearman]

I have run the hornady 165 spire points with great accuracy out of the remington 2 groove barrel using ball powder(748 I believe) and shot a 10 shot group just a hair over an inch at 125 yds with the military sights.I second the motion of not hacking the gun up if it is in original condition.

 

[Bulseyetom]

I'm down to 2 1903's now, both have been sporterized. I almost cry when I see what as issued rifles are worth! I hunted with an as issued 1903A3 in my youth with the only modification being a Beuhler mount and a 2.5x Weaver scope with a Lee dot. That rifle leaked cosmoline for 2 years on our hunts here in the California summers! I can't imagine how many millions of deer have been killed with the 1903's and 150 grain bullets as these rifles were cheap and plentiful after WW2. My dad bought mine through the DCM in 1960 for $12.50. Those 2 groove barrels must have been made with a great tooling as I have never seen one that wouldn't shoot less than moa. Load some shells and go to shooting, it will certainly work for any game in north america. Tom

 

[jonbearman]

What are 03"s going for nowadays?

 

[2506]

The average price on the average 1903A3 runs between $800 and $1000 in my neck of the woods. The Remington on the low end and the Smith Corona on the high end. The above average rifle starts at $1000 and ends at just how bad somebody wants one. The 1903A1 depends on the serial number. The low numbers are the cheapest because in most peoples opinion they should not be shot do to the chance of coming apart from the too hard action. Lately the 03A1s start at $1000 and go up to what someone is willing to pay. I worked all summer in 1970 mowing yards to make $40 to purchase an unissued Remington 1903A3 as my first high power rifle. Back then stores had shopping carts full of Springfields and assorted Mausers. Most were Mausers but could be gotten for less than $25.

 

[jonbearman]

I have 4 03's left,2 are smith coronas and one is a remington and one is a springfield with a star gage barrel on it.The best shooting one is a 2 groove remington with a couple pits in the barrel but it shoots unbelievable groups.My cousin has about 6 of them including a 1903-a4 he got from the DCM. He also has a mark1 as well.They are all mint.

 

[5spd]

The sporterized 03a3 my brother did in the early 70s with the 2 groove bbl shot into 5/8" using a 165 spitzer in front of H414. Im sorry I ever sold it also.

 

[jonbearman]

Guess what? The shooting world is playing with 2 groove barrels again like they discovered something new!LOL