Military Rifle Question

[Chuckhunter]

My brother in law has acquired an old Springfield 03-A3, WWll surplus rifle in very nice condition. He wants to load some 155Gr. SMK palma bullets for it. The question is, at what pressures should loads for this rifle run? I'm guessing they should be reduced from what you would run in a modern bolt action rifle. Just wondering if anyone knows what the pressures are that he should stay below? He will be loading IMR-4895.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

That rifle is as capable as a modern rifle. The very early 1903 had a heat treat issue. Your 1093a3 is fine. I find them to be very accurate around 1500-1600 fps with a lead bullet. Sorry don't have much info on jacketed bullets for those.

 

[wapiti25]

I agree that the 03-A3 is considered a strong action. Check the head space. I would use IMR 4064 to duplicate the military loads, it can be more accurate. The canister IMR 4895 is faster than the military IMR 4895 used in 06 ammo.

 

[jonbearman]

I have 4 o3a3's and use modern loads with no problems whatsoever.I would get a smith to check the headspace as it is crucial.The headspace runs alittle loose and if a go gage just fits it is still safe to fire it and reload that brass to match the headspace.There is an nra manual that discusses what I have just mentioned about the headspace issue.It should shoot under an 1 1/4 easily and have shot under an inch many times with good reloads. Never run loads that are listed as magnum loadings to be safe.

 

[truman]

duplicate the hornady 168 amax load for the m1. shoots!

 

[bigedp51]

The biggest problem you may have is shooting commercial brass in the larger military chamber meaning diameter. American brass runs on the small side and your cases can stretch, warp and become banana shaped.

In my 03-A3 I had to keep the pressures lower to keep the cases from warping the base of the cartridge. See number three below, once this happens your group size will increase and you will wonder what you are doing wrong during reloading. If your rifle shoots new brass accurately and your groups go down hill after reloading chances you have bad runout and case head out of square or not 90 degrees to the bore.

 

[Lapua40X]

When I started working up a load for my '03, I used a box of commercial Remington Core-Lokt 180gr. ammo and used the recorded MV as a standard for starting my load build. At the present time. I started with 180 grain Bergers over 42 grains H4895 and worked up from there. I have to admit that I didn't like the performance of the H4895 and am now using IMR4350 with better results. I'd suggest using the Hodgdon web site to review powder/bullet data to start your load build. No two rifles will shoot identically. Bullet, powder, neck tension, bullet seating, etc. will all affect your results.

 

[Chuckhunter]

Thanks guys, appreciate the info.

 

[2506]

I have three 03A3s one Remington 2 groove and two Smith Corona. I have never had any unusual case stretching or warping in any of my rifles. A very accurate load that I use is with Remington cases, CCI BR2 primers, 48 grs IMR 4895, 155 Nosler custom competition HPBT O.A.L. 3.334 and I use a Lee Factory Crimp Die on it because it makes it more accurate. I use this same load in my M1 Garand but I use LC Match cases in it. Both loads have been match winners for me.

 

[Bulseyetom]

I was always amazed at the accuracy of the A3's with a 2 grove barrel. Mine would shoot less than moa with 190 grain Hornady bullets. When I was a kid my father would buy 4895 bulk so we shot that powder with 150 grain bullets for hunting deer. We loaded with a Lyman 310 and I still have a full lenght sizing die that you used in a vise. How times have changed with the current reloading tools available. Tom

 

[amlevin]

I was always amazed at the accuracy of the A3's with a 2 grove barrel. Mine would shoot less than moa with 190 grain Hornady bullets.

I'm loading for my 1943 Remington built '03-A3 using H4350 and 168 gr A-Max bullets.

2" groups at 300 yards aren't bad in my mind considering the barrel has been around two months longer than me (10-42). A four groove that I finally lapped just to take the "bead blast like" texture out of the bore.

 

[boltman13]

I use Sierra 150 gr Matchkings adjusted to go 2,700 fps or so on my cronagraph to duplicate the load the very coarse rear sight was calibrated to. Some time I may get a load of 168 gr Matchkings togather and try them at 600 yds for S &G's. My 1943 Rem barrel shoots my load very accurately for reduced course High Power at 200 yds.

 

[coford]

I have several 03a3's and three Garands. We have been shooting military matches with these rifles for years. The two loads that show up the most at our matches are 48 grains of H4895, 150 flat base bullets, CCI or Winchester primers in military brass or 50 grains of IMR 4064 with the same bullet, primer, and brass. These two loads closely duplicate the military rounds used in WW2 and they function well in the Garand without bending the operating rod. I have shot 155's and they do fine at longer distances in the 1903a3's but seem to not shoot too good in my Garands. My two cents worth.