New 1903A3 owner

[GotRDid]

I don’t want to swerve too much from the topic, but I was astonished to actually get to handle the .22LR replica of the M1903A3 at the Atlanta NRA Exhibits, and loved it. Not only as an introductory rifle for young shooters, but I believe it would be a hoot to play with as I enter my “third childhood” phase.
Keystone Arms did an admirable job on this little rifle.

Mini 1903-A3 Springfield Replica .22LR – Keystone Sporting Arms

Manufactured in the USA for the beginner youth shooter for over 20 years. Mini 1903-A3 Springfield Replica Specifications: OAL: 30 3/8" Barrel: 16 1/2", Threaded 3/8 x 24 TP LOP: 11 5/8" Weight: 3 lbs. 6 oz. Swivel Size: 1" Sight Radius: 18" Trigger Pull: 4.5lbs

keystonesportingarmsllc.com

 

[Doom]

I don’t want to swerve too much from the topic, but I was astonished to actually get to handle the .22LR replica of the M1903A3 at the Atlanta NRA Exhibits, and loved it. Not only as an introductory rifle for young shooters, but I believe it would be a hoot to play with as I enter my “third childhood” phase.
Keystone Arms did an admirable job on this little rifle.

Mini 1903-A3 Springfield Replica .22LR – Keystone Sporting Arms

Manufactured in the USA for the beginner youth shooter for over 20 years. Mini 1903-A3 Springfield Replica Specifications: OAL: 30 3/8" Barrel: 16 1/2", Threaded 3/8 x 24 TP LOP: 11 5/8" Weight: 3 lbs. 6 oz. Swivel Size: 1" Sight Radius: 18" Trigger Pull: 4.5lbs

keystonesportingarmsllc.com

View attachment 1656704

What a find! Only problem is most kids today wouldn't bother to use a rifle with only iron sights. That rifle and a weekend with Appleseed and would be great!

 

[Wild Bill IV]

New owner to the 1903A3 and have a few questions. I started a account on the CMP forum but its having issues with posting and searching. So I came here to ask a few questions while waiting on email reply. Anyone who owns or knowledge on resizing brass for the 03A3. First I FL size brass and shot brass to chamber form. From there on do I neck size only or FL size every time. Looking at 3 piece doe set for this job. FL die, neck only die and seating die. Any info will is greatly appreciated.
Side note is there a must have book on the 03A3 in regards to this post and more.

Caution: Never convert M1903 rifles (serial numbers 800,000 - 1,275,767) to magnum calibers!!! The metal composition and harness can not take the pressures of magnum calibers!!! PO Ackley!!!

IMO of having Springfield M1903A3/A4 variants and M1922 (NRA GALLERY RIFLE, 22 Rimfire), the best publication is:
The Springfield 1903 Rifles, by Lt. Col. William S Brophy, USAR, RET.

MY 1st experience with the 1903 Springfields was with a M1903A3 service rifle with a star gauge (lazy turtle stamp at 6 o'clock on the muzzle) 4 rifle groove Springfield barrel!! Most M1903 are 2 groove!! That rifle shot great with LC Match Ammo (M72 bullet, 173 grain at 2640f/s)! Hitting the old empty 5 gallon steel AG chemical container at 600 was nothing with the standard military sights!! 55 gallon drums at over a half mile was fun, and tuned my shooting skills!!! I started shooting with my dad ( who picked up 3 tins of this ammo at PXs at various army bases) at 14!!! Loved the time having Dad fine tune my skills!!! Smith-Corona rifles were reserved rifles!! Hardly fired!!! Dad retired with the rank of Lt. Col. and spent his last military time teaching at Leavenworth Officers School (now called Leavenworth War College)!!!

If you have a star gauge, 4 groove rifle, load with 168 target bullets or 165 BT hunting bullets!!! Start around that 2640 velocity and work up!!! These loads will match your sight elevation to range POI in the standard M1903!!! You won't regret it!!

Spark78, you have one of the best 30-06 rifles ever made!!! You can't go wrong with a Springfield M1903A3 rifle!!! Good luck!!! And enjoy that old military rifle!!!

 

[Sparky78]

Caution: Never convert M1903 rifles (serial numbers 800,000 - 1,275,767) to magnum calibers!!! The metal composition and harness can not take the pressures of magnum calibers!!! PO Ackley!!!

IMO of having Springfield M1903A3/A4 variants and M1922 (22 Rimfire), the best publication is:
The Springfield 1903 Rifles, by Lt. Col. William S Brophy, USAR, RET.

MY 1st experience with the 1903 Springfields was with a M1903A3 service rifle with a star gauge (lazy turtle stamp at 6 o'clock on the muzzle) 4 rifle groove Springfield barrel!! Most M1903 are 2 groove!! That rifle shot great with LC Match Ammo (M72 bullet, 173 grain at 2640f/s)! Hitting empty 5 gallon steel container at 600 was nothing with the standard military sights!! 55 gallon drums at over a half mile was fun, and tuned my shooting skills!!! I started shooting with my dad ( who picked up 3 tins of this ammo at PXs at various army bases) at 14!!! Loved the time having Dad fine tune my skills!!! Smith-Corona rifles were reserved rifles!! Hardly fired!!! Dad retired with the rank of Lt. Col. and spent his last military time teaching at Leavenworth Officers School (now called Leavenworth War College)!!!

If you have a star gauge, 4 groove rifle, load with 168 target bullets or 165 BT hunting bullets!!! Start around that 2640 velocity and work up!!! These loads will match your sight elevation to range POI in the standard M1903!!! You won't regret it!!

Spark78, you have one of the best 30-06 rifles ever made!!! You can't go wrong with a Springfield M1903A3 rifle!!! Good luck!!! And enjoy that old military rifle!!!

Unfortunately I have a 2 grove. This rifle will stay unmolested and true. Pop took it out and shot it at the range. I loaded 168gr smk with 40grs imr4895 2.330 COAL 250 primers. He is 84 and cant take the spicy loads. He shot at 200 yd target pie plate group but his sight isnt great either lol. Goona try some 168s with varget 42 up 44 grs and have some 165gr flat base spitzers to give a whirl. One box of sierra 150gr fb spitzer to try soon. Wanna try some 175gr but local store was out of all 175ish grain bullets.

 

[Sparky78]

What a find! Only problem is most kids today wouldn't bother to use a rifle with only iron sights. That rifle and a weekend with Appleseed and would be great!

All I had was irons when I enlisted in 96 and when I ETA in 05 all the cool gagets came out down to the bdu

 

[Wild Bill IV]

Unfortunately I have a 2 grove. This rifle will stay unmolested and true. Pop took it out and shot it at the range. I loaded 168gr smk with 40grs imr4895 2.330 COAL 250 primers. He is 84 and cant take the spicy loads. He shot at 200 yd target pie plate group but his sight isnt great either lol. Goona try some 168s with varget 42 up 44 grs and have some 165gr flat base spitzers to give a whirl. One box of sierra 150gr fb spitzer to try soon. Wanna try some 175gr but local store was out of all 175ish grain bullets.

OMG Sparky78!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DON'T SHOOT THOSE DANGEROUS 30-06 RELOADS!!!!!!!

40 grains of IMR4895 is way to light, and DANGEROUS SQUIB LOAD according to Sierra 50 Anniversary Manual for 168SMK, IMR4895 (42.2-46.7grains: 2400-2700f/s) for 30-06 Springfield reloading!!! My old Lyman manual shows 43.0-48.5 grains IMR4895 for 168 jacketed bullets with 2444-2762f/s at 35.5k-47.6k CUP pressure!!! Your load is mid powder range for 308 Win, not even in 30-06 safe powder charge range!!! DO NOT USE IMR4895 IN PLACE OF H4895 or visa versa!! THE TWO POWDERS ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE!!!!

I use IMR4831 (range 50.6-60.0 for 2400-2800) for mid to heavy bullets/caliber reloading in the 03A3 (30-06) variants and in my custom 03A3 25 -06 with 117 SGK(~3100) with great success!! Another powder is IMR4064 (45-51 for 2480-2900) but watch the pressure spikes from temperature change or shooting a warmed cartridge from a hot chamber with this powder!! IMR4350 will work on light to mid weight bullet/caliber loads also!!!

Cartridge Overall Length (COAL) for 30-06 is 3.340 Max for feeding round out of a box magizines!!!

 

[Fire Dog]

Unfortunately I have a 2 grove. This rifle will stay unmolested and true. Pop took it out and shot it at the range. I loaded 168gr smk with 40grs imr4895 2.330 COAL 250 primers. He is 84 and cant take the spicy loads. He shot at 200 yd target pie plate group but his sight isnt great either lol. Goona try some 168s with varget 42 up 44 grs and have some 165gr flat base spitzers to give a whirl. One box of sierra 150gr fb spitzer to try soon. Wanna try some 175gr but local store was out of all 175ish grain bullets.

I have a Smith Corona 1903A3 that I shoot in “Military Match” {must be in original “as issued” condition} at my local club and have had good luck with the Sierra 165 Game Kings and 51.1gr of IMR4320 & some Rem primers which gave me better accuracy than my Varget loads with the same bullet. They are running about 2,750fps which is about what original ball was.
Full length resize @ time on old mixed military brass that has been cleaned and annealed.
Able to get them into the 8-10 ring at a 100 with these tired old eyes now and then..

 

[precision1]

I started out loading 47 gr imr 4064 for m1 garand and 03a3 with speer 150 gr spbt.
Shot so well in 2 garands and a 03a3 I never changed.lol
Ran Greek brass along time now to starline brass same load is money.shoots so tight in all rifles I can never change

My 03a3 is Elmer Keith marked stock cartouche!kinda cool

 

[Wild Bill IV]

I have a Smith Corona 1903A3 that I shoot in “Military Match” {must be in original “as issued” condition} at my local club and have had good luck with the Sierra 165 Game Kings and 51.1gr of IMR4320 & some Rem primers which gave me better accuracy than my Varget loads with the same bullet. They are running about 2,750fps which is about what original ball was.
Full length resize @ time on old mixed military brass that has been cleaned and annealed.
Able to get them into the 8-10 ring at a 100 with these tired old eyes now and then..

Like I said earlier, you can't beat a Smith-Corona because most of them never seen service and were reserve stock!!! That being said, how do you know your S-C 03A3 was issued out???????????

I would really like to find a S-C 03A4!!!!! And, would like to shoot one of the target 03A3 rifles shot at CREEDMORE!!!!!!!

 

[DGP4]

You may want to try low recoil loads with pistol powders and cast lead bullets. 16 grains of Alliant 2400 works very well for me in 30-06, 308, 303 British and 7.62x54R. Same for "The Load" 13 grains of Red Dot. About 1500 FPS with 150-180 grain cast bullets gives excellent accuracy out to 200 yards. If you do a search for the load, you'll find lots of information.

 

[joshb]

Like I said earlier, you can't beat a Smith-Corona because most of them never seen service and were reserve stock!!! That being said, how do you know your S-C 03A3 was issued out???????????

I would really like to find a S-C 03A4!!!!! And, would like to shoot one of the target 03A3 rifles shot at CREEDMORE!!!!!!!

I bought one off this forum’s Sale sight a few years ago. I had wanted one for a long time and grabbed it. It sat unfired in my safe. Earlier this year, I thought about selling guns I don’t shoot and considered the 03-A3. I like old guns with history so I figured I’d shoot it a little before I sold it. After handling and shooting it, I decided to keep it. It’s just too neat to sell.
My advice is to go get one. Stop letting excuses get in your way!
I just checked Gunbroker and there are a bunch of them for sale.
No more excuses! GO BUY ONE!

 

[joshb]

You may want to try low recoil loads with pistol powders and cast lead bullets. 16 grains of Alliant 2400 works very well for me in 30-06, 308, 303 British and 7.62x54R. Same for "The Load" 13 grains of Red Dot. About 1500 FPS with 150-180 grain cast bullets gives excellent accuracy out to 200 yards. If you do a search for the load, you'll find lots of information.

Do you think plated bullets would work?

 

[DGP4]

Yes, plated bullets work fine. I shoot Berry's 123 grain plated bullets made for the 7.62X39 cartridge out of my 303 Enfield with excellent results.

 

[Wild Bill IV]

I bought one off this forum’s Sale sight a few years ago. I had wanted one for a long time and grabbed it. It sat unfired in my safe. Earlier this year, I thought about selling guns I don’t shoot and considered the 03-A3. I like old guns with history so I figured I’d shoot it a little before I sold it. After handling and shooting it, I decided to keep it. It’s just too neat to sell.
My advice is to go get one. Stop letting excuses get in your way!
I just checked Gunbroker and there are a bunch of them for sale.
No more excuses! GO BUY ONE!

I have a Smith-Corona 03A3, a custom 25-06 03A3 (receiver/bolt), and a M1922 Springfield!! They are all very accurate!!! Also have all matching number Swedish Mauser M96B and factory converted CG-63 Target variant of the M96!!!! Those 2 rifles out shoot the Springfields!!!! Yeah, I'm like you, going to have to start deciding on selling part of my collection!!! I have been blessed in shooting that old 03A3 with the old Match LC Ball ammo!!! That ammo/rifle combination was extremely accurate!!

The one old military rifle I always wanted to get was the M14!!! But, the surplus M14s were destroyed by an EO signed by Obama!!! Yeah, I could buy a Springfield Armory M1A, but that is not an "as issued" relic!!!!

 

[joshb]

I have a Smith-Corona 03A3, a custom 25-06 03A3 (receiver/bolt), and a M1922 Springfield!! They are all very accurate!!! Also have all matching number Swedish Mauser M96B and factory converted CG-63 Target variant of the M96!!!! Those 2 rifles out shoot the Springfields!!!! Yeah, I'm like you, going to have to start deciding on selling part of my collection!!! I have been blessed in shooting that old 03A3 with the old Match LC Ball ammo!!! That ammo/rifle combination was extremely accurate!!

The one old military rifle I always wanted to get was the M14!!! But, the surplus M14s were destroyed by an EO signed by Obama!!! Yeah, I could buy a Springfield Armory M1A, but that is not an "as issued" relic!!!!

Like I said! Go get it! There are 4-5 on Gunbroker. This is one of them. Current bid is $3000

 

[Wild Bill IV]

Do you think plated bullets would work?

Some of the old time vets would reload 30-06 with gas checked cast lead bullets! Lead wheel weights were almost free!! You could reload those old 30-06 cases for around a nickel a shot using cast bullets in those days!!!! A lot cheaper than factory ammo!!! Purchasing tins of military surplus Ball ammo was the next cheapest choice!!!

 

[Wild Bill IV]

Like I said! Go get it! There are 4-5 on Gunbroker. This is one of them. Current bid is $3000
View attachment 1657743

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was at a 2000 table gun show in Tulsa about 25 years ago!!! There were 3 at one table!!! 2 of the rifles didn't look right!! CLONES!!!!! The 3rd rifles had the right markings for a true 03A4!!! The prices were $1000 to $1400!! I passed up that 1 rifle because of the 2 clones!!! I wasn't about to take a chance and possibly get burnt by that seller!!!

Thanks joshb!!! Like I said, the days of buying C&Rs is over for this old kid!!! It's time to sell, not buy in these later years of life!!!

 

[GotRDid]

I started out loading 47 gr imr 4064 for m1 garand and 03a3 with speer 150 gr spbt.
Shot so well in 2 garands and a 03a3 I never changed.lol
Ran Greek brass along time now to starline brass same load is money.shoots so tight in all rifles I can never change

My 03a3 is Elmer Keith marked stock cartouche!kinda cool

Which Ogden, UT, inspector mark does your Rifle have? There were two Inspectors in that time period with initials “EK”…

 

[GotRDid]

I have a Smith-Corona 03A3, a custom 25-06 03A3 (receiver/bolt), and a M1922 Springfield!! They are all very accurate!!! Also have all matching number Swedish Mauser M96B and factory converted CG-63 Target variant of the M96!!!! Those 2 rifles out shoot the Springfields!!!! Yeah, I'm like you, going to have to start deciding on selling part of my collection!!! I have been blessed in shooting that old 03A3 with the old Match LC Ball ammo!!! That ammo/rifle combination was extremely accurate!!

The one old military rifle I always wanted to get was the M14!!! But, the surplus M14s were destroyed by an EO signed by Obama!!! Yeah, I could buy a Springfield Armory M1A, but that is not an "as issued" relic!!!!

Obama merely blocked re-importations/sales of weapons such as M1 Garands/M1Carbines.
Concerning the element of who was responsible for destroying “obsolete” US Weapons, the following entry should help clear up a few common, but incorrect myths…

De-bunking the myth about Bill Clinton...

I heard that Bill Clinton, when President, scrapped and/or sold off most of the M14s the US had in its inventory sometime in the '90s. ....and here's a post implying a casual relationship: Bill Clinton's signature sent over 300,000 M14s through "Captain Crunch" in the '90s. Those two posts...

www.m14forum.com

 

[Wild Bill IV]

Which Ogden, UT, inspector mark does your Rifle have? There were two Inspectors in that time period with initials “EK”…

View attachment 1657772

Had to check it out!!! Page 566 and 567 of the book The Springfield 1903 Rifle!!! The 2 different stampings were the inspection of REBUILT ONLY of Springfield 1903 rifles at the Ogden Arsenal!!!

You have a rebuilt rifle with these markings!!!!

Generally speaking, if there are two inspection markings beside each other, that rifle has, most likely, been rebuilt and/or reconditioned at an Approved Arsenal!!!!