Another 1903 serial No question but at the other end of the range

[inthebeech]

I've read up on the cautionary note concerning low numbered models but how about a three million numberd model?  Strength-wise I am assuming this is a fine choice for a rifle but for those 03 fans and gunsmiths with experience here, what should I know before laying down my cash for this Springfield Mass. built, high numbered model? 

Details; It is a sporterized (new stock and barrel - same trigger, guard, safety, boltface...) gun - certainly isn't an Al Bissen built gun guys, but a very fair job in my opinion.  My question is more centered around any uniqueness, design changes, concerns and advantages, of a Springfield of this manufacture date.  The barrel and bolt face are clean with no pitting.  I already put her through its paces to make sure everything worked that was supposed to and held tight if it is supposed to.

I didn't mention price because it is worth it to me, but only as far as I know this action which isn't much.  This is why I am asking for input.  Is it a worthwhile investments from two perspectives; first by itself (assuming it groups fairly well) if I do nothing more than scope it and shoot it.  Second as a potential custom gun with a new finish, barrel (current 06 is not my preference), stock. 

Thanks,
Ed

[parkergunshop]

Three Million Range should be Remington, World War II production but might be Smith Corona.   Could be an 03, 03A3 or 03A4

Springfield Armory did not make actions in the 3 million serial number range.  .


•REMINGTON ARMS PRODUCTION OF M1903, 1903A3, 1903A4

1942 3000001 3348085 (M1903)

1942 3348086 3607999 (M1903A3)
1942 3708000 4707999 (M1903A3)
1942 4992001 5784000 (M1903A3)
1943 3407088 3427087 (M1903A4)
1943 4992001 4997045 (M1903A4)
1943 Z4000000 Z4002920 (M1903A4)
TOTAL: 1084079

•SMITH CORONA PRODUCTION OF M1903A3

1943 3608000 3707999
1944 4708000 4992000
TOTAL: 234000



The 03 actions are better finished than the 03A3's, the 03A4's had a bent bolt for scope use.
The heat treatment on the 03A3 & 03A4 actions was different than for the early  03's.   They are most often harder.

In any case these are as strong or stronger than the double heat treat actions and are made of a better grade of steel.   Both Rock Island and Springfield switched to 2340 Nickel Steel the same alloy as the 1917/P14 Enfields at the end of World War I.

The Remingtons and Smith Coronas  actions may be made of 2340 Nickel Steel, 4045 Molybdenum/Manganese Steel or  8620 Steel,  the 8620 steel actions are much harder on the Rockwell D scale and are harder to drill and tap  the other actions are 42-47 on the Rockwell C scale, same hardness as most of the Enfields.

I have never worked on a sporterized Springfield with the military barrel that would not group into less than 1 inch for 3 shots at 100 yds.

[inthebeech]

My Mistake.  It is a remington.
Regardless, this is terrific feedback.
Thanks again,
Ed

[gunnut69]

I researched a very early 3m range 03 for the local pawn shop. It was built before remington convinced the the gov. to accept the changes that became the '02A3'. Those changes once accepted were phased in as parts (milled) were exhausted.. I seem to remember the serial number around 3,000,100-200. It contained all milled parts and used the '03 barrel mounted sight. The A3 versions were made of better material than the '03s but were not as finely finished. All will make good rifles for the hunter.

[gcrank1]

FWIW, Ive had two, way earlier than this one in question, a '23 and a '27 or '28. Both were shooters with my cast bullet loads and the '03s  and 03A3s always are in the equipment lists for competition in the Cast Bullet Assoc. matches. See if that stock has been glass bedded or has the recoil lug reenforced. Much shooting of full power loads can cause looseness as will stock shrinkage over time (and thus erratic groups).
You can put a ton of work and some good money in one, and maybe buy a Savage c/w AccuTrigger for less and have an accurate, and competetive rifle right off, but if its resurrecting a classic you could do much worse.

[gunnut69]

The '03A3's usd a receiver mounted rear sight that required a pecially shaped rear receiver ring. These require a bit more work to sporterize but are certainly stronger actions than any of the previous guns. The '03A4's Parkergunshop refered to were built as dedicated sniper weapons. The bent bolt usually has to be re-done to clear a modern low mounted scope. All the '03A3's and A4's are great shooting rifles and if there is already much work done you have an action reay for your custom parts. Accessories are readily available and they are fairly safe actions though they don't handle excaping gas especially well but things can be done to assist..

[parkergunshop]

The 03A4 bolt I just put in a 924XXX range 1918 High Number double heat treat Springfield with a Redfield Mount clears the 24 power Leupold Scope I installed for accuracy testing ok.  The scope is in high rings, the barreled action in a the Bell & Carson Stock.  The high rings work better for me with the Bell and Carson Stock, though the bolt handle will clear  medium high rings with no problem.

The barrel is a new January 1944 two groove  barrel that I installed.    The first group with 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips came in at .751 inch for 3 shots at 100 yards, then I shot a five shot group that came in at  1.032 inch.   This rifle will do better after the barrel is broken in less than 15 rounds through the barrel at this point.   

I have a 1932 made Nickel  Steel action in the 1,404,xxx range that shots .5 to .6 inch groups with both the 120 and 150 grain Speer bullets and this one is in a Mannlicher stock, but it is full length glas bedded, both action and barrel.

You are correct about the cost of converting these old shooters, I have right at $500 dollars in the 924XXX Springfield at this point.  I purchased the the stripped receiver at a gunshow close to 20 years ago and just got around to working on it in March of 2011.   The trigger guard, bolt, barrel and other parts are new surplus parts from my 03 parts collection.

This rifle is sold the new owner is going to pick it up for accuracy testing this week, after that the barrel action will be parkerized, this is a rough weather rifle.

 

[mauser98us]

The 03A4 bolt I just put in a 924XXX range 1918 High Number double heat treat Springfield with a Redfield Mount clears the 24 power Leupold Scope I installed for accuracy testing ok.  The scope is in high rings, the barreled action in a the Bell & Carson Stock.  The high rings work better for me with the Bell and Carson Stock, though the bolt handle will clear  medium high rings with no problem.

The barrel is a new January 1944 two groove  barrel that I installed.    The first group with 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips came in at .751 inch for 3 shots at 100 yards, then I shot a five shot group that came in at  1.032 inch.   This rifle will do better after the barrel is broken in less than 15 rounds through the barrel at this point.   

I have a 1934 made Nickel  Steel action in the 1,400,xxx range that shots .5 to .6 inch groups with both the 120 and 150 grain Speer bullets and this one is in a Mannlicher stock, but it is full length glas bedded, both action and barrel.

You are correct about the cost of converting these old shooters, I have right at $500 dollars in the 924XXX Springfield at this point.  I purchased the the stripped receiver at a gunshow close to 20 years ago and just got around to working on it in March of 2011.   The trigger guard, bolt, barrel and other parts are new surplus parts from my 03 parts collection.

This rifle is sold the new owner is going to pick it up for accuracy testing this week, after that the barrel action will be parkerized, this is a rough weather rifle.

    It's only money. I've got over $600.00 in my Krag,but I have it exactly the way I want it. Have tons of cash in my Mausers but the same goes for them . Factory rifles and calibers leave me kinda cold. For some strange reason factory Handis excite me. Go figure!

[gunnut69]

I would still bet that a low or even medium scope mount would require a bit of clearancing for the bolt handle. Any bent bolt can clear if the mounts are hiult high enough..

[gcrank1]

There are several good books available on the SF '03, but of what I have seen and read the old Brophy book is still the one that I like. It's a big, expensive book; maybe you can find one to borrow or in a library.
The 'lessor' texts will be informative, to an extent, for an overview but not give as complete a picture as Brophy.

[parkergunshop]

Posted by: gunnut69
« on: Today at 12:36:03 PM » Insert Quote

I would still bet that a low or even medium scope mount would require a bit of clearancing for the bolt handle. Any bent bolt can clear if the mounts are hiult high enough..


Gunnut69,  Just tried the 03A4 bolt in my 1903 Springfield serial no.   1404xxx with a Redfield base with medium rings and it justs clears the Leupold 2x7 scope, the bolt definately would not clear on this combination with low rings which I never use anyway.    I perfer medium or high rings with my face profile and the stocks on my rifles.

It would not clear some of the oversized eye pieces on some scopes like the Zeiss's in particular with medium rings and maybe even high rings.

In any case I bought the stripped 03A4 bolt years ago for $25.00,  much cheaper than a bolt alteration job.