What do you think about a 1903A3 as a general purpose rifle?

[Muley Gil]

I used to have a 2 groove Remington '03A3 from July '44. It would shoot 3/4" groups from the bench, when I did my part.

I used mine for deer hunting as well.

That's a great choice for a GP rifle!

 

[Frank46]

There is nothing wrong with your springfield. I have one that cast me the grand sum of 89 bucks. Bubba had his way with her. Had a spare new barrel installed, lyman 57 target knobs rear sight and a redfield ramp
installed and rifle blued. I did all the polishing work. Had it now for about 25 years. No mystery metal on a springfield. Frank

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I think you did very well. I think almost any rifle is better than an Italian Carcano. I've got one that I've had since I was a kid. It's been sitting in the closet waiting for a "gun buy-back" program to hit. I missed one a few years ago, and I'm still kicking myself on that one. I tried to sell it once at a gun show once and couldn't find any takers. Finally, one vendor said "$100.00". I was floored - "...you mean you'll give me $100 bucks for this rifle"? "No", he said, "you give me $100 bucks and I'll take the dang thing off your hands".

Regards,

Dave

 

[GatorFarmer]

I will trade you something for that Carcano if you want Dave. I kept two since I sort of like them. One is a true mutant that uses some SKS and Enfield parts. But that is another story. I ought write about my mutants one of these days.

ARMSLIST - For Sale/Trade: 1903A3 Model SpringField is the now expired/completed ad that I answered. The photos show my rifle as it looked prior to painting. Pretty but it was awful shiny.

Apparently CMP sold a lot of nickel and chrome ex drill rifles a few years back. Some - like mine - had nice bores and seemed to offer a rock bottom price on a shooter. Now that I have googled it I am not sure about embrittlement - the receiver is thick steel. But I am not an engineer.

I suppose if it turns out to be a potential danger that I will need a new receiver.

 

[H Richard]

The Remington models were all good shooters. If you intend to shoot it in any kind of competition be sure to use a padded shooting jacket as the recoil of 52 to 60 rounds in a short period of time isn't pleasant. They are accurate and rugged rifles, but there could be better ones to serve your needs.

 

[Stonecove]

In 1985 I was given a Smith Corona 03A3 that was an NRA Sporter from the 50's. It was still packed in cosmolene and in a wax paper wrapper. My friend said he purchased it for $18.00. It's a 2 groove barrel made in 1943. I had always used 150 grain bullets and was never really impressed with my groups. I was told to try a much heaver bullet. My first group with 220 grain roundnose Remingtons was 5/8" using the peep sights. Two years ago I killed a deer that I thought had been wounded by my son in law. It was running full out broadside at 70 yards and dropped in its tracks. I don't think I could have done that shot with a scoped gun. (I would have never attempted it except I thought it was already hit). Anyway, my Weatherby .270 sits in the case and I use the 03A3 for deer under 100 yards.
The action is as smooth as butter, and the trigger is actually better than the Weatherby!
Stonecove

 

[venomballistics]

as a general purpose rifle ... well that pretty much sums up the design goals when it was invented

 

[Deacon KC]

Superb rifle, I prefer the A3 over the original because of the sights.