I would like a Springfield 1903, I want to able to shoot and trust the metallurgy. So, I am thinking about a Gibbs reproduction. Are there other reproductions available? I have plenty "pieces of history" and want a shooter. I have modern bolt actions which are pretty much the same, but the 1903 has its draw. I know plenty of folks shoot the real thing with no problems, but I have enough milsurps. Thank you for your comments regarding 1903 reproductions.
Rick, some of the thing about these rifles was that they used actions that had been taken off 1903A3 drill rifles. These rifles usually had the barrel welded to the receiver and the magazine cutoff also welded. The amount of welding varied greatly from a small blob of weld to a big weld. Think the barrels were bought from Kreiger barrels under the Criterion label and are supposed to be pretty good. The welds were ground off the barrel/receiver and mag cutoff. New barrels headpaced and test fired. Then new stocks, sights or rebuilt sights. The big question is that the optics were supposedly made in China with less that stellar results. Think the NRA rules do allow you to use a Weaver k4 4 power scope in the vintage optic sniper matches though. I'd check with Gibbs to find out wether or not they still make the 1903A4 and what type rifle the actions came from. I really like the 1903A3 and the '06 cartridge. Many years ago rescued a bubba'd 1903A3 from a gunshop for about $90 bucks. Barrel was toast and I had a new old stock 1903A3 barrel I'd aquired. The sporter stock was salvagable and had a good smith rebarrel the action, after I did the metal work (polishing) and installed a Lyman 57 steel rear sight and a redfield banded front sight. And then had it blued. Cost back then was a whopping $200 bucks. Try and have the same work like that done today for that price. In all honesty haven't seen one of these rifle in quite some time for sale. My suggestion would be check the auction houses like gunbroker And do a check on the selling prices. I say selling prices as there can be a difference between asking $800 and actually getting it. The '06 with either 168 grain Sierra matchkings or their 175 grain matchkings can be remarkably accurate. In fact I've owned a bunch of both pre '64 and post 64 model 70 match rifles and all were very accurate. And they loved IMR 4350 powder with the CCI 250 magnum primer. My latest is a Sako 75 which is no longer made in 30-06 and loves the 165 grain Nosler ballistic tip, 55.5 grains IMP 4350 and the CCI 250 magnum primer for a bit over 2800 FPS. And even better it loves the ancient lake city match M72 ammo dated 1967. Don't even have to change the settings on the scope. Aim Surplus did at one time sell the drill rifle actions don't know if they still do. Hint, glass bed with acragel bedding compound the recoil lug and receiver tang were the rear guard screw is located. The CMP I think still does sell the type C stock which has the full pistol grip rather than the scant stock or straight stock. I loves me my 1903A3 and the 30-06 cartridge. And use the thickest heaviest '06 brass you can find will last longer than some of the commercial junk on the market today. And google Lake City M72 Match ammo or empty cases. There are a few dealers who sell virgin pulled down M72 brass. Ain't cheap, good brass and no crimped in primers. Well I'll get off my soapbox. Take care and hope you get a nice 1903A4 sniper rifle. Frank
n you tell me about the Gbbs M1903 A4
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