03a3 built for 600-1000 yards probable?

[Masterdebater]

Father in law has a nice on already sporterized from awhile back and in great condition. Already sitting in a wood monte carlo style stock, drilled/tapped with rings and scope. Would definitely take some work such as better stock if needed and glass bed it, trigger, heavy barrel and target crown needed? And most importantly appropriate glass.

Id rather build one over time than buy a factory rifle and this one is in awesome shape and already has a good start. Ill have to look again later for what year it was made and other markings, been about a year since ive shot/seen it.

[russ69]

I'd pass. The 03s are not known to be the strongest action out there. If you are throwing everything away, it's better to start with a good known receiver.

[Masterdebater]

I see stuff online about people building them up into long range shooters and thought it might be a fun project

[pterrell]

Personally, I think it's just wrong to take a military surplus rifle and do anything with it but return it to its original configuration :P

In all seriousness though, Marines were using 03A3s/03A4s clear into Vietnam (replaced by the M40) as a sniper rifle. It may not hit that 1000 yard mark but it will shoot 600 yards accurately.

[Masterdebater]

I agree pterrel but its in irreversible condition so it makes for a good candidate for messing with

[Bainter1212]

I would aim for a more realistic goal, like 600 yds instead of the cliche and oft quoted 1000. Otherwise, if you have the money to throw away and want a nice project to fill your time with, go for it.
If you don't already reload, that is a large part of the accuracy equation. Finding a factory load that your gun likes is a crapshoot, whereas reloading to the gun can produce that perfect load that the gun loves.

If you reload, I would do a lot of experimenting to find that perfect load before sinking money into the gun. There is a chance that rifle is capable of excellent accuracy without serious modification.

[TMB 1]

[Jarhead]

Here's one

[1911man]

03-a3

McMillan stock, timmey trigger, hart 26" Ect..

[1911man]

03-a3

The target, 3 shot group @100 meters.

[not-fishing]

Better Target, 1903, 200 yds, iron sights, Korean Surplus ammo, prone with sling.

[Calif Hunter]

I have a 1903 with the Pedersen device cut in it. It was already sporterized before my uncle got it, and he left it to me when he died. I put it into a Bell and Carlson stock, and added a Leupold scope. It shoots consistently into 1/2 to 5/8 inch at 100 yards with the original barrel and handloads with 150 gr Ballistic Tips over IMR-4064. It's taken a deer or two.

[Masterdebater]

Yeah ive been reloading since I was 18 so close to ten years. I used to shoot nothing but bolt rifles out to about 400 yards so I needed to learn. The action on these are so smooth and comfortable I love the feel of it compared to others. My other option was to buy the ruger American predator in 6.5. Probably would sell my mini to fund it.

[TMB 1]

These are excellent barrels, if you wanted to build it into a faux WWII sniper http://criterionbarrels.com/barrels/m1903a3

[milotrain]

I love the action. I'd restore it AND turn it into an LR rifle. Do a sleeper.