1903 conversion to 300win mag

[kendog4570]

[/B]
Just because something "can" be done doesn't mean it should be done...

Surplus Springfield barrels were used as blanks for years for many different applications, due to the availability, price, and quality. 3 cents per pound was hard to beat for a quality barrel in the post war years.
Converting one to a magnum caliber was not unheard of either. Many a poor-mans bull gun was built up by re-configuring an 03 to shoot 300 H&H and 30-338 for long range target work. I built one up in .458 American a few years back for a guy that just had to have one.
There is no crime in re-working a sound barreled action that was previously "sportered", into what the OP wants. One can spend less and get a newer gun, but it wont be a Springfield either.
Personally I would not do it. Too much work, for what?? As stated eslwhere, a good 30-06 handload will get you to within 100-150 foot seconds of the 300 WM, with 2" less barrel.

[Bhobbs]

OP if you want to do it just check that your smith can do it and get it done, as for all the purist save your own damn rifles, this isn't the Curio & Relic section.

You don't have to be a purist to see it's a waste of a good M1903 rifle. There are plenty of sporter M1903s around for much cheaper. There is no need to cut up another rifle.

[toby]

You don't have to be a purist to see it's a waste of a good M1903 rifle. There are plenty of sporter M1903s around for much cheaper. There is no need to cut up another rifle.

There is no reason not to either, if it does not serve the purpose of the owner then by all means fix it. Sometimes it's not about worth or history it's about what we want or what we want to do with what we have. As for a waste it's a terrible waste to let something sit and rot if your not going to use it.

[rdfact]

There are plenty of 03's available that have already been permanently modified. They aren't producing them anymore so why destroy an original piece of history. Use a new rifle or get something like this:
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=927409

[Bhobbs]

There is no reason not to either, if it does not serve the purpose of the owner then by all means fix it. Sometimes it's not about worth or history it's about what we want or what we want to do with what we have. As for a waste it's a terrible waste to let something sit and rot if your not going to use it.

Or you can sell it and buy an M1903 that's already been modified for much less and use that as the basis for your custom rifle.

[GunDog]

For the OP, I hope you know the difference between a "low number" and a "high number" 1903 and the significance thereof. Do you?

[toby]

Be your own man, Cut that FKR up and make it useful.

[Cheezle56]

There's enough Bubba'd up rifles, out there, either make 30-06 handloads to get the spec you want or get a bubba'd up rifle for conversion. I'm not entirely against hacking up a C&R, as I have plans for hacking up a Mosin, but specifically, one that almost no one will miss, like a '42 or '43 Izzy with a trashed crown or counterbore... but if you have something nice, better to keep it that way and hack something else up... Say, I heard Mosin actions are damn strong too, and McGowen makes drop in barrels that you can order in .308 bore... and you don't have to open up the bolt face since it already has a large bolt face and the extractor will grab... or better yet, buy a new rifle with a Mauser based action.
Also, there is really not much of a NEED for a .300 winmag rifle since 30-06 has already long proven itself of being able to take down any North American game, even moreso with hand loading and proper bullet selection. Really, the only point I see as a benefit of a .300WM is for long range target where it's a solid 1200 yd performer with heavy slugs, but at a substantial cost of recoil and barrel life. That nice shooting 03 in 06 may beat the crap out of you in .300wm and also, a more modern platform set up for accuracy and recoil management will give you a better return for you buck especially at the $2 a pop for .300WM. If it's the feel of the action you like, then again, I suggest you use a Mauser based action such as a pre '64 type Winchester as your base rifle and it will have certain modern improvements such a lower mass firing pin relative to the '03's cocking knob (more of a concern to the BR crowd, less movement of the rifle before the cartridge fires) ready to accept a scope, free floating barrel, stock bedding, and of you really need to, you can probably have a stock made to replicate the feel of the '03. In short, I think it's a bad idea to hot rod a vintage rifle to do something it wasn't, especially when in this particular case, a new production will do much better in almost every aspect.

[kcheung2]

It's a good way to turn a $800 rifle + $500 in gunsmithing costs into a $500 rifle.

[Cheezle56]

It's a good way to turn a $800 rifle + $500 in gunsmithing costs into a $500 rifle.

!!!!!!!! BINGO !!!!!!!!!

[dskit]

The OP asked for "thoughts/ideas/input". So he really opened himself up to all the posts here.

I think its a terrible idea for the various reasons noted.

The best course would be to buy an already sporterized 1903 and have at it.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

The best course would be to buy an already sporterized 1903 and have at it.

...or, get a 1917 instead. The receiver is much better suited for a magnum conversion. I've seen those re-barreled to .458 and not bat an eye!

[hambam105]

I will buy your 30-06 brass from you.

[19K]

re chambering a well used 70 year old barrel on a rifle thats not being produced anymore that contains a lot of history. sure, go ahead, youre turning a history filled, used, $700 rifle into a bubba POS worth about 250

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Since you are asking for input, here's mine: It is a terrible idea. An old war horse like a 1903 deserves far better than to be hacked up like that. Especially when cheap hunting rifles are a dime a dozen.