1903 Springfield Questions

[mister dize]

Hi All,

I'm thinking of buying a 1903 Springfield rifle for some range work as well as hunting. I am new to C&R, so I've got a few questions, hopefully Calgunners can help me out:

• I know that M1 Garands need some modification to be able to use modern .30-06 ammo, is the same true for the 1903?
• What kind of accuracy can I expect out of the 1903 at 100 yards? I realize that I will probably hit my own skill limit before I hit the rifle's accuracy limit, but in the hands of an expert, how does the 1903 compare to something like a Remington 700?
• My budget is around $500. Is that reasonable? (Alternatively, do any of you have one for sale? )
• If at some point I want to put optics on it, will I need to get the receiver tapped? What would that cost?

[0321jarhead]

As for ammo you can buy military grade at reasonable prices. CMP sometimes has some, but it goes fast. In my Garand I have use commercial (PMC) 150gr., and it works just fine. Same for the 1903. If you do purchase a 1903 be sure that there are 7 numbers (serial number). If it is 6, the reciever is not strong. Long story. And yes you can find one for $500. It may not be anything special about it. Mis-match parts and wear. As for optics, Don't tap the reciever. You will then mess up the value for future resale and the history behind it. If you intend to have optics then save you money and buy a 1903A1 with a Unerti 8X telescoptic sight. As I am a collector it makes me cringe when these and other historic rifles are altered. And of course a Rem 700 will be more accurate. But, you never know. You make have a real good shooter. If you are not have luck with a Garand or an 03, be sure to check the nut behind the stock. Good luck friend.

[locktime]

There are quite a number of 03 & 03A3 sporters. They may already be tapped for scopes and have aftermarket stocks so no loss making further modifications. Find the right sporter and you are most of the way to your goal.

I believe the "high number" 03's and 03A3 are capable of handling any commercial .30-06 ammo.

The 03 and 03A3 platform has the same potential for long range accuracy as a Rem 700. The same variables apply: stock bedding, individual barrels, experimentation with bullet weights and loads, optics and mounts, trigger, etc. It's probably easier to buy a very accurate Rem 700 off the shelf than it is to build up an 03 or 03A3 however.

[El Gato]

High number guns are gtg with any reasonable commercial/reload ammo..
the 2 groove guns can be scary accurate... I shot a 5 shot group with my sporter once..using federal commercial ...5 shots and you can almost cover the group with a nickel...100 yds...signed witnessed...and couldn't do it again if you paid me I'm sure...

buy a good used gun with scope mods done.. alot of them were done in the 50's and earlier by really good gunsmiths...
I bought mine for 30 bucks barreled action only cause the owner said the barrel was trashed... looked like a sewer pipe... an hour with JB and it shot the above group... have killed lots of game with that rifle and my son used it to kill his first deer this year...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=228370

[Milsurp Collector]

As others have said, if you plan on adding a scope find a 1903 that has already been ruined drilled and tapped, so you don't cut the value of a non-drilled/tapped rifle in half. There are many out there. Consider getting a drilled and tapped sporter and converting it back to a more military configuration.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=153018289

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=153648599

If you are willing to use iron sights, consider a M1903A3 instead of a M1903. The M1903A3 has a rear-mounted peep sight that is easier to use than the M1903s barrel-mounted ladder sight. Both M1903s and M1903A3s are very accurate.

Some early M1903s made at Springfield Armory and Rock Island Arsenal had improper heat-treating. Others are OK, but there is no way to tell which receivers are brittle and which are OK. If there is ammo failure from weak brass or overcharged handloads a brittle receiver can shatter and injure the shooter. The questionable receivers are among the SA rifles with serial numbers below 810000 and RIA receivers below 285507. Receivers above those numbers are safe to shoot. Some people will shoot "low number" M1903s, but they are taking a risk that others find unnecessary.

[M1A Rifleman]

[QUOTE=mister dize;3643886]

• I know that M1 Garands need some modification to be able to use modern .30-06 ammo, is the same true for the 1903? Not true, the M1 can use commercial ammo in the 150 to 165 grn bullet range as this will not casue a problem. As for an 03, the same should apply IMOP as these were also designed around the early M1 and M2 ball ammo. Be advised there is a serieal number range for 03's that should not be shot.
  
• What kind of accuracy can I expect out of the 1903 at 100 yards? I realize that I will probably hit my own skill limit before I hit the rifle's accuracy limit, but in the hands of an expert, how does the 1903 compare to something like a Remington 700?
• Ican achieve 1-1/2 with reloads out of my 03A3. The full length stocks do not help accuracy. From the gun reviews I read, a standard $500 Model 700 may also only get 2" groups.
  
  My budget is around $500. Is that reasonable? (Alternatively, do any of you have one for sale? ) $500 may be on the low side with the exception of the CMP, however it will look rough. Several years ago I held a prestine 03, and the asking price was $975.
  
  [B][B]
• If at some point I want to put optics on it, will I need to get the receiver tapped? For a good mount yes. B-square makes a mount that attaches to the rear sight without modification to the rifle. What would that cost?

[QUOTE]

Rather than destroying a historical piece, please buy a new model 700.