Happy New Year everyone. I recently acquired two nicely sporterized 1903 Springfields with their original military barrels. Being some what new to hand loading, I was wondering if any of you had loads your military barrels like. Thanks in advance.
Suggested loads for a 1903
- Thread starter stan rose
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A load of 150 SMK 47.5 grains IMR 4895 LC cases, any primer just duplicates the service load of the era. I have shot in old bolt gun matches a load of 168 SMK 47.0 grains IMR 4895 LC cases, any primer, OAL LT 3.30"
Ammunition today, the velocities are higher, don't really know if the pressures are higher, original service ammunition was LT 50,000 psia.
Ammunition today, the velocities are higher, don't really know if the pressures are higher, original service ammunition was LT 50,000 psia.
Jim Watson
Member
It is my impression that .30-06 is not now loaded to any higher pressure than it ever was; 50,000 whatchamacallits. (In the old days they calibrated their copper crushers in psi but now we call that CUP and reserve "psi" for the piezoelectric transducer reading.)
BUT, we don't load them with Pyro DG or other first generation smokeless, either.
Book loads show 2750 fps at 40,000 CUP, while the full 50,000 CUP will get you nearly 3000 fps, the magic of progressive powders.
BUT, we don't load them with Pyro DG or other first generation smokeless, either.
Book loads show 2750 fps at 40,000 CUP, while the full 50,000 CUP will get you nearly 3000 fps, the magic of progressive powders.
BobTheTomato
Member
I use IMR 4895 47 grains 150 grain FMJ.
Pretty close of M2 ball.
Pretty close of M2 ball.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Any load for the 30-06 you can find in any reloading manual will be perfectly fine in your Springfield.
You just need to play around until you find a load it likes, a lot.
Nobody here can tell you what bullet & powder that might be.
rc
You just need to play around until you find a load it likes, a lot.
Nobody here can tell you what bullet & powder that might be.
rc
The Hornady factory Garand ammo (168 gr. Amax) has always shot very well in my 03-A3's. In fact, I've never talked to a Springfield shooter who's said otherwise.
So I've picked a few brains and I'm convinced that load is 46.5 grs. Varget. I've used various 168 gr. match bullets with excellent results. I've also always used commercial brass.
There are many 165 gr. hunting bullets to try, but 2 that are close to the match boattails that I've used are the Sierra 165 HPBT (GK #2140) or the Hornady SST.
Laphroaig
So I've picked a few brains and I'm convinced that load is 46.5 grs. Varget. I've used various 168 gr. match bullets with excellent results. I've also always used commercial brass.
There are many 165 gr. hunting bullets to try, but 2 that are close to the match boattails that I've used are the Sierra 165 HPBT (GK #2140) or the Hornady SST.
Laphroaig
45lcshooter
Member
Keep in mind your rifle is older. Older rifles can not take todays full pressure hot loads. the action of the 03 and the Garand are similar and and make of the same soda cans.
The only real weak spot in the Garand is the OP ROD, with todays full charge loads the rod will bend. So we instruct people inquiring about Garands and reloads to stick with a 150gr load.
The 03, is bolt action so it can take more pressure than the Garand by long shot. But remember the 03 is over 100 yrs old. I don't want to be throwing a 200-220gr bullet down he barrel of it, because you will probably have barrel damage.
When someone asks about 03 or Garand reloading. I always error on the side of caution, and by saying reload it M2 Ball ammo. about 47grs of IMR4895 and 150ish grain bullet.
The only real weak spot in the Garand is the OP ROD, with todays full charge loads the rod will bend. So we instruct people inquiring about Garands and reloads to stick with a 150gr load.
The 03, is bolt action so it can take more pressure than the Garand by long shot. But remember the 03 is over 100 yrs old. I don't want to be throwing a 200-220gr bullet down he barrel of it, because you will probably have barrel damage.
When someone asks about 03 or Garand reloading. I always error on the side of caution, and by saying reload it M2 Ball ammo. about 47grs of IMR4895 and 150ish grain bullet.
Jim Watson
Member
I certainly agree with the last part. Load them conservatively, like land, they aren't making any more.
But some details... Pretty sure the M1 (and WW II 1903s and 1903A3s) were made of better material than WW I 1903s, even the late SA and RIA nickel steel guns.
The M1 rifle was designed around the M1 cartridge with 173 grain BT bullet. But the Army did go back to the 150 in 1940 so most M1s were normally shot with that or the 168 gr AP.
And of course the 1903 was designed for the 220 gr RN bullet even though soon replaced by the 150.
But some details... Pretty sure the M1 (and WW II 1903s and 1903A3s) were made of better material than WW I 1903s, even the late SA and RIA nickel steel guns.
The M1 rifle was designed around the M1 cartridge with 173 grain BT bullet. But the Army did go back to the 150 in 1940 so most M1s were normally shot with that or the 168 gr AP.
And of course the 1903 was designed for the 220 gr RN bullet even though soon replaced by the 150.
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