1903 Springfild target rifles

[Calfed]

I've got a thing for "old school" 1903 Springfield rifles that have been converted to target rifles. Back in the day, before the Winchester model 70's, Remington model 722's, etc, these were the basis for many a fine target rifle.

I thought it would be interesting to start a thread for people who have an example of some of these fine old target rifles to post pictures...

I'll start with one of mine, a Remington model 1903 target rifle.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Who's the stock maker? And what is up with the hand guard not being cut for the missing ladder sight?

Was this a converted service rifle or more along the lines of a rifle built from a surplus action?

Ivan

 

[Calfed]

Who's the stock maker? And what is up with the hand guard not being cut for the missing ladder sight?

Was this a converted service rifle or more along the lines of a rifle built from a surplus action?

Ivan

I bought the rifle as is and can not answer your questions. The hand guard is obviously an A3 hand guard that was substituted for an 03, since there was no rear sight on the barrel.

The stock is a mystery. I thought that it might be heavily modified C stcok, but have come to doubt that. I took some comparison shots...

 

[Calfed]

A few more of the stock

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

Ersatz National Match Oh-Three

Here's my 1903 ersatz National Match rifle. It's a double heat treat 03 action, an A1 stock, 03A3 barrel, 03A3 handguard and Lyman sights, front and rear. Too much fun!

I built it up from an already drilled and tapped action so it was not privy to a full restoration to original status. As it is though, I shoot it much more often than my as issued Springfields.

 

[Calfed]

Here is another I picked up along the line...

Springfield in a scant stock, with Lyman sights fore and aft.

 

[Frank46]

I had a smith corona set up as a target rifle. Removed the issue rear sight and front sight. Gunsmith drilled and tapped for a Lyman 125 model 48 rear sight and installed a Lyman 17xnb which was a direct replacement for the complete front sight. My target load was an old 300 meter load. Any '06 case,Rem 9 1/2 large rifle primer,37 to 40 grains IMR 4895 and a 125 grain Sierra flat base spitzer. You'll find a sweet spot between 37 and 40 grains 4895,and 40 grains is the maximum. When fully sighted in at 100yds 2" groups were easy to obtain. Course those eyes were about 30 years old. They are now 73 years old. Frank

 

[1-1917]

Smith Corona 03-A3 that's probably more sporter than target rifle but since I only shoot targets with it.....

Two groove barrel and Timney trigger, it's one of the best cast bullet shooters I own.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I have only one Model 1903 target rifle, and it's a factory original. This a Model 1922-M2 in .22 LR. These are remarkably hard to find, and I lucked into this one at a gun show some years ago.

John

 

[Calfed]

Here's my 1903 ersatz National Match rifle. It's a double heat treat 03 action, an A1 stock, 03A3 barrel, 03A3 handguard and Lyman sights, front and rear. Too much fun!

I built it up from an already drilled and tapped action so it was not privy to a full restoration to original status. As it is though, I shoot it much more often than my as issued Springfields.

Nice. How does it shoot?

 

[Calfed]

Smith Corona 03-A3 that's probably more sporter than target rifle but since I only shoot targets with it.....

Two groove barrel and Timney trigger, it's one of the best cast bullet shooters I own.

That is a fine looking rifle...target or sporter.

 

[Calfed]

I have only one Model 1903 target rifle, and it's a factory original. This a Model 1922-M2 in .22 LR. These are remarkably hard to find, and I lucked into this one at a gun show some years ago.

John

Damn, John...great looking rifle. How does it shoot?

 

[PALADIN85020]

Damn, John...great looking rifle. How does it shoot?

It puts them into a tiny cluster at 25 yards. Not bad for an old rifle.

John

 

[Calfed]

All
Pics of another ARIZONA M2 Springfield. 1937 barrel date.
Very accurate. Capable of one shot one hole group at any range.
Bill@Yuma

Damn! Another fine rifle

 

[N_Frame]

I have only one Model 1903 target rifle, and it's a factory original. This a Model 1922-M2 in .22 LR. These are remarkably hard to find, and I lucked into this one at a gun show some years ago.

John

I see by the pictures that your rifle is an M1922 M1 that was converted to M2 configuration, as evidenced by the "2" overstamp of 1. I have an original M1922M1 that I bought a few years ago for $200. I've been led to believe that these rifles are effectively underbored 1903-A3, weighing the same as its larger cousin. Great rifle!

 

[RubEric]

Not target rifles but, M2, Sedgley, 2 Griffin & Howe, 3 NRA spotters

 

[Calfed]

That is quite a collection.^^^

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

I found a 1903 30-06 set up for target work years ago and stupidly wound up swapping it for ? But last year I found a 1922 M2 that’s a lot of fun. Not getting rid of this one.

 

[lrrifleman]

I don't have pictures on hand.

Back in 1987, I told my 'smith that I wanted to get into NRA high power matches, and he sold me one of his Remington 03A3 "NM" rifles. It is in a "C" stock with a Lyman 17 globe sight and a short slide Lyman 48. I shot this rifle for 3-4 years until I got my M1MkII target rifle. This Springfield really taught me how to shoot rapid fire! I earned my Sharpshooter classification with it.

I cut my teeth loading rifle ammo for it with surplus M72 bullets, until I learned that I could get higher scores in rapid fire using 147gr M80 bullets and a lighter charge of IMR4895. I still have a bolt rebuild kit and 3 spare barrels for it still wrapped in cosmoline. In the 1988 Nationals at Camp Perry, I managed to win 6 or 7 Marksman class medals, and 2d place in the Marksman Class Match Rifle aggregate. Eighteen years later, I managed to place in 8th Place in the CMP Springfield Match using a stock Remington 03A3 with "C" stock.

These rifles bring back very fond memories. I wish that I weren't disabled and still able to shoot these great rifles while teaching my children how to really shoot a rifle. Now if I can only teach myself how to overcome 50 years of shooting habits so that I could shoot left-handed! I often had Warrant Officers at Quantico gathered behind me during rapid fire matches!

 

[Calfed]

Do you still have your NM, Irrifleman?