Springfield 1903a3 and modern ammo

[mrkurtz]

I was reading thru some old threads on this forum last night and saw a discussion on Garands and newly manufactured ammo. Modern stuff is too hot and bends the op rod. I didn't know that. But I've never owned a Garand. I do own a Springfield 1903a3 that I've been shooting with new factory ammo. It has a 1943 receiver and barrel. Is this going to blow up in my face? Thanks

[OneSevenDeuce]

I have an 03A3 from the same year. I have fired some of the hottest premium hunting loads in it and have never had a problem. Had some blown out primers but that was about it. Of course I would suggest having a gunsmith inspect it before firing if you are insure. But yeah, those chambers are built pretty tough.

[forgiven]

No problem with mine.

[MrPlink]

shouldnt be a problem on a bolt action, as thats what most of the hotter modern rounds are designed for.

[Milsurp Collector]

I was reading thru some old threads on this forum last night and saw a discussion on Garands and newly manufactured ammo. Modern stuff is too hot and bends the op rod. I didn't know that. But I've never owned a Garand. I do own a Springfield 1903a3 that I've been shooting with new factory ammo. It has a 1943 receiver and barrel. Is this going to blow up in my face? Thanks

No issues with commercial ammo and sound M1903A3s. The only possible problem is some M1903A3s are former drill rifles that had welding done near the chamber that might have compromised the heat treatment of the receiver. Some people are buying the former drill rifles and reactivating them by removing the welding http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=309666

[aaronraby1]

i have an 03A3 as well. but i redid the bolt knob and put a thumbhole stock and break on it as well as had the action and barrel re finished. it likes 150 grain bullets best. and yes, modern ammo. i dont shoot it much, usually a back up for my 300wm but it has never had a problem and is always on.

[Ratt12]

I have a 1903 that was rebarreled and chambered for 300 Win mag. It does just fine. Quite a few of them were done up like that and i have not heard of one of them blowing up. Just make sure it is not one of the low number recievers.

[m1match]

Your Springfield 03A3 will work with any commercial or military 30-06 ammo. The issue with Garands and bent op rods isn't that the ammo is too hot, the issue is that some ammo with slower burning powders has higher gas port pressures than the Garand was designed for and that is what bends op rods. The Garand was designed for medium burning rate powders like IMR 4895 and 4064.

[savageno4]

03A3 is fine. If you have an 03 Springfield under 800,000 serial number or Rock Island 03 under ~250,000 then the heat treatment on receiver may be inadequate, and shooting ANY load could possibly make it grenade. Again, 03A3 isn't a problem.

The Garand load isn't only because it is hotter. Garands are also designed for 150 grain flat base bullets. Loading the same charge and using a heavier bullet can FUBAR the op rod as well. I load my Garand ammo to M2 Ball specs, and I shoot that through my Garand, 03 and M1917 - I don't want to confuse my loads and put something hotter and heavier through the Garand and destroy it.

ETA: The 03 action is a pirated Mauser action (the lawsuit was thrown out after Germany lost WWI). Mauser actions are the basis for most modern hunting rifles and are some of the safest, most durable ever built.

[Mail Clerk]

I was reading thru some old threads on this forum last night and saw a discussion on Garands and newly manufactured ammo. Modern stuff is too hot and bends the op rod. I didn't know that. But I've never owned a Garand. I do own a Springfield 1903a3 that I've been shooting with new factory ammo. It has a 1943 receiver and barrel. Is this going to blow up in my face? Thanks

mrkurtz,

never had any problems in my 1903a3.

Mail Clerk