Howdy,
I know this is an old thread; but it contains great info, and needs to be carried forward.
Like some of you guys; I too fell in love with these little wonders back in the 50's. It's a love that has now carried into my senior years. That love has now born fruit; as I have just received my first 1903 today. It's not as nice as the ones pictured. It most definitely has seen a lot of use. It has also had some poor amateurish stock refinishing that will take a bit of time to reverse. But; since I only paid $750 for it; I can afford to do it right; or even replace it entirely. The mechanisms, metal finish, and bore are all in great condition, and have not been molested. It has never even been drilled and tapped. Please believe me when I tell you that I am one happy camper.
I see that ammo is very scarce and high priced; which brings up my reason for posting. Does anyone know what other rounds might be used? I see that the 6.5 Carcano, and the 6.5 Swede are very close, and readily available at half the price of the MS rounds.. It looks like the Carcano might be fire formed; but that the chamber will have to be slightly lengthened and the shoulder angle increased a bit, and bolt face turned out some to accommodate the Swede. Are either of these ideas do-able, safe, or even feasible? Any comment will be appreciated.
Regards from Texas,
Larry