'03 sporterize

[Awf Hand]

Hey all.

I received a phone call from an uncle who wants to sporterize a Remington '03 Springfield.  I've not seen the rifle before.

He wants to put a walnut sporter stock on it, as well as "a few other things", and is looking for a source of parts.


I know what I'm prepared to give him for an answer.

What does everybody here suggest??

Thanks,

[jh45gun]

I am normally of the type with the cheap milsurps out there like the Mosins and the Turks and even the K31's that will say  its your gun do what you want attitude. (though I would not cut down my K31 or restock it though it does have a non gunsmith scout mount on it it can be put back to origional. MY Swede scout rifle is one of my favorite guns though a purist would not be inpressed since it has been cut down and now I suppose I would now have left it origional considering the price they now bring. At the time they were just an other milsurp. Just like at the time between the wars the O3 was our gunsmith project of the day when you could buy them cheap. Since the gun grabbers have destroyed so many of them and  with the 03 since they are so hard to come by now and most leave them as is I would tell him sell it to some one who really wants one and take the money and buy a new sporter. Tben TWO people will be happy. 

[EVOC ONE]

Original condition Springfields have become harder to locate.  I would not recommend sporterizing one.  There have been so many sporterized over the years that he should be able to locate one at a gun shop and more so at a gun show.  He may even locate a very nice sporterized Mauser, which were very popular to sporterize.  Back in the day when it was popular to sporterize military rifles, there were some very nice examples completed by gunsmiths who knew what they were doing.

Good luck on whatever decision is made.

EVOC ONE

[Mikey]

On my last trip to Montana I visited a pawn shop that had 3 sporterized 03s in the rack.  All were customizations of the day - probably after WWII.  They all carried cut-down military stocks and shortened barrels.  All were drilled and tapped and wearing old scopes.  I was tempted, but not very.  The 03 is a good enough rifle but I liked the M17 better - it is a stronger action.  If I really want one to have and to hold I can find one but I'm not out lookin'...  Mikey.

[dave375hh]

The money it takes to do a proper job sporterizing his '03. Will pay for a new Savage or other imported rifle. If he's going to just half@$$ the job all he'll be doing is ruining what is becoming a collector gun of sorts. Keep the '03 as is and buy a new rifle, it's cheaper in the longrun

[Awf Hand]

These were exactly the answers that I gave him when I spoke to him last night.

I included a value listing of 03 original condition rifles, as well as a few suppliers of original parts.  I'd hate to see him "bubba" this thing at all, but it is his money and his time.

I'm not even ready to sporterize an M39 Mosin-Nagant...

[S.B.]

author=Mikey link=topic=105228.msg1098296057#msg1098296057 date=1165492606]
On my last trip to Montana I visited a pawn shop that had 3 sporterized 03s in the rack.  All were customizations of the day - probably after WWII.  They all carried cut-down military stocks and shortened barrels.  All were drilled and tapped and wearing old scopes.  I was tempted, but not very.  The 03 is a good enough rifle but I liked the M17 better - it is a stronger action.  If I really want one to have and to hold I can find one but I'm not out lookin'...  Mikey.
[/quote]

I bought a blue receiver only for $135 and added a A4 bolt for $35 then had it barreled in .35 Whelen and put it in a Ramline stock for another $100. Not one bit sorry, rifle shoots very good. And I feel like I gave new life to something that was in a junk basket

[Mikey]

I understand there are some concerns about low serial numbered 03s, or possibly the M17s with low numbers, as some might not be heat treated properly, which would make the action weak.  I once saw the bolt handle on an 03 break off as it was being, or tried to be cocked. 

Yes, they are nice rifles but unless I was starting from the action up I would find something else to sporterize.  The 03s and 03A3s have both historical and collector value and as such might be best left in original mil-spec shape.  In addition, there ain't nothing lightweight about those rifles or their actions, they were built for use.

Methinks that were I to do it again I would go for another M17 and shorten the barrel to just behind the front sight (still gives you about 26" I believe), take the ears off for drilling and tapping, add in a Bold or Timney Trigger and flatten the floorplate for an additional round.  Even then it will weigh in at about 10lbs, which doesn't make it the lightest weight chunk of steel to go luggin' around the woods.  As an alternative I would purchase a newer, lighter weight action, have it barrelled with a 24" medium weight sporter tube and be able to cart something around that is just a bit lighter.  Just a thought.  Mikey.

[S.B.]

Mikey, have you seen the price on Remington actions lately? I'll have to weigh my '03 sporter but, it seems no heaver than other bolt guns in my safe? And,  by the way, I know of no other source for the .35 Whelen caliber(than to build a custom), does some else here? I don't think Remington chambers for this round, any more?

[Mikey]

S.B.:  You're probably right.  I have hefted some of the newer Rem actions and they feel a bunch lighter than my old mil-surp stuff, but maybe it is just the attraction of something 'new'.  Ya know, you have convinced me to begin work on a project just so I can make a positive comparison.  Dang, now I gotta find a place to start...............................  Mikey.

[prairiedog555]

You can buy '03 actions from Sarco for I think $175, as well as some '98 actions for $35-100. 
I have a beautiful '03, but don't shoot it because of the sights.  And all of the bolt on scope mounts are way high.  I would not consider butchering it.  I also have a custom '03 that my grandfather had done.  It is my go to gun.  still shoots 3/4 groups.  original barrell '43. 
I believe that I will just look for a already customized '03.  I see them regularilly for $300-500 on gunsamerica.

[S.B.]

Rprairiedog555, Redfield mounts are around $15-$20.  The same price as any other mount. I also, have a 03 and a 03A3 and a M-1 that I shoot in service rifle compition matches.