O3A3 springfield actions??

[ardeekay]

  How does one know if they have a "bad" springfield action??  I just bought a used one in 25-06, (with no history of ownership) and would like to know if its safe to work up loads near or at max for it...  Its no. 15550XX.  Any info would be apreciated... Bob

[AtlLaw]

I won't take the time to look up the date of manufacture, but as I remember a 1 miilion five action was made well into the 03A1 range and used the new, chrome moly?, steel.  The best of the 03 actions.

[ardeekay]

Thank you for the info... I dug some, and came up with a approx. date of 1933..   The places I looked said be wary of pre-WW I productions, those under 240,xxx.  Another source said look out for under 280,xxx, but mine is well up there in #'s.  Its a nice rifle, I figure someone shot it somewhere, and it didn't blow up, so I will too.  One source said to be wary of low #'s that had a number added to the rifle making it a high # !!  ( I looked at my reciever, and it looks authentic )  thanks again,  Bob

[AtlLaw]

Hey Bob,

I'm assuming your 03 was manufactured at the Springfield Arsenal.  "Low Number" '03's from there were numbered under 800,000.  The cut off for Rock Island "Low number" '03's was a much lower # but I can't remember what it is exactly.  03's manufactured in '33 were A1's, I think they started that designation in '31, and were Nickle Steel (I think I said Chrome before).  Again, that's as I remember.  And my 'memberin ain't that good nowadays...

My 338/06 action is around 1 million two...

Enjoy it!

Richard

[mattl]

Bob,

If you have a 1903A3 they are all good, no problems.  Only the 1903 had issues with the action strength.

Matt

[AtlLaw]

Good catch Matt!  I never noticed the A3 in the title...  All A3's are good un's as far as steel goes...  'course with that serial number there is no way it could be an A3. 

You realize that dontcha Bob?  Did you ever say if it was marked "Springfield" on the receiver ring?  If it ain't, well, that'd be about as proper as a yankee bein Governor of Jawja!

[ardeekay]

This thread brings up excellent thoughts... I have to admit, all I can see is the ser. #.. there is a redfield base that covers everything else on the front ring, and I really don't want to remove that base.  I am assuming its a O3A3 because I went a gun show and there was a military O3A3 there and it looked a lot like my reciever (considering mine has been sporterized)  Its a springfield of some kind, and the # is accurate, are all the markings on the front reciever ring?  on top?  I could pull the stock off if there are markings underneath.   Bob

[ardeekay]

P. S.  I pulled off the base... it says, (  U S   /  Srpringfield  /  Armory  / 1903 / 13530xx ) thats 5 rows, reading from the right side.. note, and I appologize, the # is different than my original post ( 1.3 million  instead of 1.5 million) the base partially covered the #.  Glad I took the base off, it appears there are 2 extra holes drilled and tapped in it, one in front, one in back, now I will have the chance to put it back on with locktite.  So that would put it in 1931??  Bob

[Swampman]

Bob,

If you have a 1903A3 they are all good, no problems.  Only the 1903 had issues with the action strength.

Matt

Correct and great shooters too.

[gunnut69]

My pocket collectors guide shows a 1930 manufacturing date for serial #1,353,xxx. This is an extract for the Madis book. Still this late a date will be safe with any sane 30-06 load although not as tough as the 03A3's made later. That's not a condemnation of any maker just a recognition of the improvements to the rifles metalurgy..

[ardeekay]

Thanks gunnut...  I am just going to shoot the thing when I can..( factory ammo only.. For a while..) and see what happens.   So far, I tried a factory 120 gr. load in the chamber, and it feels great, maybe the first round might be fired via a string just to see if it it goes 'boom' and doesn't come unglued.  Bob

[AtlLaw]

So far, I tried a factory 120 gr. load in the chamber, and it feels great,

   Hey Bob, I don't understand... What "feels great?"

maybe the first round might be fired via a string just to see if it it goes 'boom' and doesn't come unglued.

Now, far be it for me to discourage caution when dealing with firearms, but what exactly is it that makes you feel so hinkie about this rifle?

I doubt if you're using Blue Pills and I always felt this "string & tire" test is good for that fired round only.  Kinda like the "gambler's fallacy."  But if there is something that makes you nervous about the rifle you are right to be cautious.  If that is so, I assume you have already done a detailed visual inspection of the rifle (not likely you or even a 'smith would have the desire to have all the metal magnafluxed) and most importantly you have checked the headspace.  Or had a gunsmith do it.     'course I don't remember ever seeing an '03 or A3 with excess headspace... still should be checked though...

I don't know if, when Remington got the machinery from Rock Island and started making '03's, they changed the type of steel used or not.  Matter of fact, I don't know if they ever used other then the original mil spec steel throughout their production of '03's and '03A3's.     The so called '03M's and '03A4's don't count in that respect!   

Don't cha just love Springfields!?   

[ardeekay]

What I did to 'feel great' was put a factory round in the magazine, loaded it, and ejected it.  ( another issue with this rifle is that there is no markings on the barrel... that 25-06 round felt good.  Years ago, I bought a used rifle, and took it to the range, all went well until a co-shooter picked one of my fired brass and said it looked funny, it came to pass that I had a 30-06 improved... and was never told that,, so I ended up having to buy dies, etc.  I haven't fired this mannlicher 25-06 yet, and won't until late April.. but I hope that it is moa or under, ( I have seen mannlicher stocked rifles that DO shoot moa...but they are rare..) but I have a 'thing' for them.  In the last 5 years, I have sifted thru 3 Ruger internationals, 1 CZ, and 1 Remy m-7, all mannlichers, and none in the moa or under class.  There is one for me somewhere, and I hope its this Springfield, it sure is pretty.  I have faith in shooting the rifle now, thanks to this thread, but was concerned about some of the older actions..  Thanks to all... I'll be in touch...  Bob  PS, I found a nice used leupold 6x at a gunshow this weekend, and plan on putting it on it.

[ardeekay]

I fianally got a chance to shoot it... Its a keeper !!  52.5 grs. of R-19, 100 sierra, first (3shot) group, .661...  second group (53.5 R-19) .787 !!  I finally got a mannlicher that is under moa !!  Thanks to all.. Bob