03A3 Accuracy

[Khornet]

someone recently posted a thread asking about this. I wasn't able to figure out attaching photos until recently.

This is a 1943 Remington barrel. They were made with only 2 grooves and lands as an economy measure, but they turned out to shoot just fine. Made as they were to fill a need until there were enough M1s, I suspect a fair number of these were shot very little. And I think the 2-groove design may not wear as quickly, and definitley cleans easier. Look down the bore: all you see are 2 very broad grooves, maybe 1/4" wide.

Any how, the groups are below. In the photo with the 168 gr match bullets, you can see part of another very good but bigger group on the lower left. That group was the same load, but made using standard full length dies, versus the show-off group loaded with bushing-type hand neck dies. All brass received the full treatment: sprted by weight, neck turned, primer pocket uniformed, flash hole reamed.

 

[Firehand]

I haven't tried mine with match stuff as yet. With Korean M2 ball, it'll hold around 1" at 100 yards when I do my part; sometimes better.

It's like yours, two-groove barrel, and does quite well.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Those old Springfields will shoot when loaded with good ammo. My father's 1903A3, which I've fired more than he has, will group surprisingly well. It's a Remington marked 1944 on the barrel IIRC. So it's a 2-groove, wearing a scant stock (the straight one) with the 03A3 sights. Not a bad setup, actually. I think a C-stock would be more comfortable to hold, and the thing could use another 1" on the LOP.

On a good night I can shoot in the low 180s on the MR-63 simulated 600 yard target at 300 yards, prone. I've fired many 1.5" 5-shot groups at 100 yards, with H4350 and 168gr Nosler bullets. I don't neck-size or weigh charges either.

One gentleman checked the rifle out before I demonstrated this accuracy (prone at 100 yards, I might add), saying, "Nice, but the bore's a little dark." A few minutes later we walked downrange where I had two targets side-by-side. 5-rounds on both, the biggest just over an inch and a half. I grinned and said, "Still seems to shoot OK."

Just something about these rifles. I've seen shooters who can't shoot straight with them, but if they've got a good bore they tend to be able to show up any number of "modern" rifles.

 

[georgeduz]

here is the lastest news flash,any 1903 in good shape shoots well.if not great.so please dont be shocked.and how can u go wrong with a 3006.hope you enjoy the 1903