A Springfield 1903 woods rifle

[UNM1136]

I love/hate my heirloom sporteized '03A3.

Love the history. Love that my wife's grandfather got it through CMP for a song and customized it, and killed a lot of deer with it. Loved that my wife's dad chose me to receive it, rather than his son. Love how it shoots. Not free floated, but I have shot it enough to compensate for a warming barrel over 10 rounds- over 8 inches of change, in two axis. I have DOPE on those first 10 rounds a dozen times over.

Hate the feel of the beautiful well carved custom stock. Hate that 150gr is the only bullet it likes.

Based on observations, any elk providing his/her vitals within 500 yards will likely fall over dead...Into my freezer.

I love, love, love loving this despite its flaws and shortcomings...something almost three decades of marriage taught me about the other love Herself's father gave me...

pat

[Malamute]

I love/hate my heirloom sporteized '03A3.

Love the history. Love that my wife's grandfather got it through CMP for a song and customized it, and killed a lot of deer with it. Loved that my wife's dad chose me to receive it, rather than his son. Love how it shoots. Not free floated, but I have shot it enough to compensate for a warming barrel over 10 rounds- over 8 inches of change, in two axis. I have DOPE on those first 10 rounds a dozen times over.

Hate the feel of the beautiful well carved custom stock. Hate that 150gr is the only bullet it likes.

Based on observations, any elk providing his/her vitals within 500 yards will likely fall over dead...Into my freezer.

I love, love, love loving this despite its flaws and shortcomings...something almost three decades of marriage taught me about the other love Herself's father gave me...

pat

It may be worth bedding the action and possibly part of the barrel, that may help with the warm barrel/POI change and the only liking 150 gr loads.

Is it a 2 or 4 groove barrel?

Ive had both original and sporterized 1903s, a decent sporter stock is much more user friendly for shooting and carrying, though some can be improved for fit to the user with a little woodworking.

[UNM1136]

It may be worth bedding the action and possibly part of the barrel, that may help with the warm barrel/POI change and the only liking 150 gr loads.

Is it a 2 or 4 groove barrel?

Ive had both original and sporterized 1903s, a decent sporter stock is much more user friendly for shooting and carrying.

Not sure. As an Hierloom I don't want to change anything while wife's dad is alive. When his Parkinson's takes him I figure it is a Fair Game Hierloom, and .35 Whelen AI, with a threaded barrel, suppressor appropriate to and a comfortable shooting stock before I pass it on to one of the three kiddos.

I don't disagree that a DECENT sporter stock is better than the original, this one is pretty, and usable enough for game, I could do so much better with a better stock. The only time in my life I think that I will be wrong with my usual "shorter stocks are generally better", and then cheek pad and palm swells carved into the stock such a poor fit for me...

pat

[03RN]

It may be worth bedding the action and possibly part of the barrel, that may help with the warm barrel/POI change and the only liking 150 gr loads.

Is it a 2 or 4 groove barrel?

Ive had both original and sporterized 1903s, a decent sporter stock is much more user friendly for shooting and carrying, though some can be improved for fit to the user with a little woodworking.

Do 1903s typically like being free floated? Or do they typically like a little pressure on the barrel?

[Malamute]

Do 1903s typically like being free floated? Or do they typically like a little pressure on the barrel?

I dont know, dads that shot the nickel size group was free floated. There may be more than one right answer. I had an original Rem 03A3 in like new condition that also shot extremely well, I did a 5 shot group with 190 gr BTHP loads that was about 1/2" tall and 1 1/4" wide for 5 rested over my motorcycle seat in a stiff cross breeze. I was very happy with it.

Best I can suggest is a bit of research and see what you gun likes. Id start free float and go from there.

[Bruce Cartwright]

Not sure. As an Hierloom I don't want to change anything while wife's dad is alive. When his Parkinson's takes him I figure it is a Fair Game Hierloom, and .35 Whelen AI, with a threaded barrel, suppressor appropriate to and a comfortable shooting stock before I pass it on to one of the three kiddos.

I don't disagree that a DECENT sporter stock is better than the original, this one is pretty, and usable enough for game, I could do so much better with a better stock. The only time in my life I think that I will be wrong with my usual "shorter stocks are generally better", and then cheek pad and palm swells carved into the stock such a poor fit for me...

pat

UNM1136:

I saw the reference to the 35 Whelen AI (Ackley Improved, I believe). I have always been fascinated with that cartridge but never got around to buying/building a gun for it. What are your thoughts on that cartridge? If you think there is some interest, we may want to start another thread rather than derail 03RN's thread about his gorgeous rifle.

Bruce

[UNM1136]

UNM1136:

I saw the reference to the 35 Whelen AI (Ackley Improved, I believe). I have always been fascinated with that cartridge but never got around to buying/building a gun for it. What are your thoughts on that cartridge? If you think there is some interest, we may want to start another thread rather than derail 03RN's thread about his gorgeous rifle.

Bruce

Done, sir!

We will likely be the only two reading the four posts I predict it will get...

here

pat

[03RN]

One of my favorite channels.

https://youtu.be/Jhh4wIS6zMI?si=cGXELJezFOR_Eypy

[Duces Tecum]

My first group at 200 yards was just under 6" shooting off a stump.

Attachment 116178

Others could disagree, but it seems to my mind that all 6" groups are not the same. For example, a 6 incher with the holes scattered randomly over the target tells an entirely different story than if the rounds were (ex 1) clustered within a in narrow N/S column, or (ex 2) closely packed within a horizontal area that may be 6 inches long, but also is 2 inches wide.

I'd be quite satisfied with targets like yours, expecially with iron sights atop a century-old rifle.


Duces

[Trooper224]

One of my favorite channels.

https://youtu.be/Jhh4wIS6zMI?si=cGXELJezFOR_Eypy

It's easy to lose hours of your life with that channel.