Dad's 03A3

[Nature Boy]

Back in the late 50's my dad picked up an 03A3 for $15 when that was the going rate and proceeded to turn it into a deer rifle like so many did back then. He had it blued and tapped for a scope, bolt handle clearenced for a scope, bought one of those do-it-yourself rough cut monte carlo stocks.....and for the last 60 years that's where the project ended.



I decided I would get it shootable. Picked up an inexpensive poly stock, took it to the smith to have head space checked and had timney trigger installed. It's now ready to go....

He's 82 and excited to finally get to shoot it. I'm also interested to see how it shoots. The smith said the barrel and chamber look brand new. I'll post a range report afterward.



I'm on the hunt now for a nice wood stock. The bluing on it is exceptional and would look fantastic in wood. Suggestions would be much appreciated

 

[1KPerDay]

Cool! Bet it shoots great.

 

[Reloadron]

My dad went through USMC boot camp before being sent to the Pacific during WWII. He trained with the 03A3 so during one of his visits up my way he and I did a range trip and I handed him my 03A3 to shoot. Man, we had an enjoyable day. I gave him the rifle. He passed away back in '99 and the rifle came back to me but I have never forgotten that day with him and the 03A3 which he did quite well with.

Enjoy that rifle with your dad and enjoy your dad while you still have him.

Ron

 

[Malamute]

I would suggest much lower rings.

I'm a fan of good sporterized 03's. my dad had a gunsmith do his sporterization and it came out quite well. I think it has a Fagen aristocrat stock with very nice figure. It throws up to the shoulder very well, with the scope reticle right where I'm looking.

Everyone today has a cow about sporterized military rifles, but I vastly prefer the feel when shooting and just handling a good sporter over the original clunker military rifle. I do like the 03's in original trim, just not nearly as much as a good sporter. I wouldnt change one today, but am not the least bit heartbroken about ones done in the past.

 

[Nature Boy]

Those are med height rings and you are right, they do look a tad high. I just put an extra Nikon I had laying around to see how it fit.

May wait till I find a better stock to get it all worked out.

What do you guys think about this Boyds stock?

http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Produ...903a3-military-barrel-channel-walnut-finished

 

[Malamute]

I think mine has basic Weaver bases and low Weaver rings. With the Fagen stock, it works very well with that combination for being right where it needs to be when shouldered quickly. When right, it seems like magic. When not right, I think its the reason people say scopes are slow. Hitting running rabbits isnt that tough when the scope is set up right.

Like you said, when you get the stock you want, it will determine where the ring height should be.

 

[1KPerDay]

If you go low rings make sure the bolt handle doesn't hit the eyepiece. You may have to bend the bolt handle. My sporterized '03's bolt is REALLY close to the eyepiece and you can get pinched if you're not careful.

 

[Malamute]

Good point, though with adequate metal in the bolt handle, some clearancing can be done on it where the scope eyepiece interferes. I've done it a couple times.

 

[Glockula]

Unless you modify the safety on an 03a3 you need a lot of clearance to work the safety. I would assume that is why the scope is so high.


Cool rifle!

 

[Malamute]

I think he mentioned that he just used a scope and rings had around, though when zooming the image up, it does look like it has the original safety. It will eventually need a scope safety.

 

[Nature Boy]

Yes, the safety will need to be modified

 

[Malamute]

I dont know what they cost now, but the last time I looked I think they were about $15 or so. Bueler, Pachmayr, maybe Redfield, and one or two others may have made them in the past, I dont recall whos still doing them. Brownells may have them. If they dont show on their web site, call them and/or get their catalog. I'v tried finding many things on their web site that their catalog had, and they say they have in stock, but it isnt findable on their site.

 

[bannockburn]

Nature Boy

Nice rifle and a nicer story to go with it. Let us know how it goes at the range once you get it set up the way you want it to be.

 

[Nature Boy]

Got to the range today and zeroed it in at 100 yards. Used some Walmart Winchester 150 gn soft points. I'm sure it would group better with quality ammo.

Now I just need to get him out to the range to shoot it



Other than the 2 test rounds the smith fired, that's the first time it's been aimed and fired in over 60 years.

I was impressed with how smooth the action was. And the timmey trigger is a massive improvement over the old issued 2 stage.

 

[627PCFan]

Anyone else notice the three shot vertical strings?

 

[lightning]

Good on you for finishing this for Dad. Great rifle.
This the one my Dad built in 1957. Chambered in .30 Gibbs by Rocky himself. < 1 MOA all day.