Remington 1903A3 (sporterized)

[backwoodzboy]

I did some trading with Dad a couple of weeks ago. I ended up with a Remington 1903A3 that had been sporterized. I would have probably just put the old military stocks on it, but, it had been drilled and taped for mounting a scope. I was taking it apart to look at some stuff and to make sure under the stocks was not over run with rust, when I noticed a few things.

I found some bases that fit it, and put some rings on to get a feel for what could be.

It appears to be fitted with a different safety.

I dont think that this is an A3 trigger guard, but I could be wrong, the floor plate has a spring mechanism that can be pushed with a tool of some sort

At the front of the trigger you can kinda see a spring and latch something or other.

Is it me or does that barrel appear to be turned down?

I am thinking that this is not an original part.

Looks like there was some bedding going on as well.



Looks like most the barrel was bedded as well.

It came with a Redfield rear peep sight, and a Lyman front. I want to go ahead and get a different sporter stock and a scope for it as well, or should I just put the peep back on and go scopeless?

 

[1KPerDay]

Cool A3. As for the stock, leave it as is. Looks good to me.

Yes, the trigger and safety lever are aftermarket; the safety had to be fitted to allow clearance for the scope. I have an '03 sporter in .270 that has a similar safety.

Yes, that's not an A3 trigger guard, which were one piece and stamped/welded. That's a milled guard/mag from an older '03.

Dunno about the barrel but the front sight is definitely aftermarket.

Nice rifle. I dig these.

Again, I'd leave it alone. But it's your rifle.

 

[backwoodzboy]

So.... Scope it or put the peep back on ????

 

[Gunnerboy]

That is the nicest sporterized 03 stock i think ive seen.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Very nice work. Somebody knew what he was doing. The addition of the 1903 trigger guard shows that. Some would go a bit further and narrow the front and rear of the trigger guard. Timney trigger, very nice. If it were me, I would keep that stock, that is very nice.

Turning down the barrel was common in the 50s and 60s, my dad did it to an 03 he bought in 1946 (which I now own, and have rebarreled to .270 AI).

I have the same safety on an 03 I built in the 80s.

 

[Slamfire]

Looks like a Buehler safety. Might be an 03 bolt, A3 bolts had lots of tooling marks, and of course an 03 trigger guard.

 

[agtman]

So.... Scope it or put the peep back on ????

Try it with the peep for a while and see how you shoot it with that. There's no down side to developing your accuracy with iron sights.

I assume the Redfield rear sight has a setting to lock-in to once you've zero-ed at, say, a 100yds. I have an old Lyman rear sight on a customized Krag that does that. It's mated to a barrel-banded Lyman front sight almost identical to the one on your 03A3. You can remove and re-install it with no loss of zero.

Anyway, once you've played with it using the irons, try a scope - but I'd recommend staying w/ a low-powered scope, like a 1-5x-24 or something similar.

And use rings of as low a height as possible to keep the scope closer to the bore line, but not so low that it interferes with working the bolt handle.

Enjoy yours. These old guns are quite fun.

 

[Dr.Rob]

That is a well done thought out sporter as oppssed to a bubba rifle.

 

[dprice3844444]

weaver mounts too.great gun,leave it alone

 

[Hummer70]

I would not touch a thing on that rifle. Well done. Pass it to your kids as a family piece.

 

[lonestardiver]

You'll like the Timney...I have a Timney target trigger on mine.

 

[rori]

My only thought is that a scope on that stock would make it very hard if not impossible to get a good spot weld. On the other hand a peep sight would work just great and are very useable for a great deal of hunting and preferable for many situations. I would just put the peeps on and hunt with it as was intended. Great Rifle!! Frank

 

[dirtyjim]

that rifle has potential.
i think i would have to ditch the scope mounts for a long slide lyman 48, replace the pad with a nm style buttplate, reshape the stock similar to this rifle, pluge the scope mount holes then rust blue it.

 

[Gordon]

Dirty Jim that is my idea of a practical rifle. BTW I found a Krag in the same configuration as that Springfield in Colonel Coopers vault when he was close to passing. He had a lot of ammo for it and it was very worn, but obviously very loved!

 

[backwoodzboy]

I think what I might do is.... I want use a scope to find a good load for the rifle, and then do what was suggested about the scope base holes. I will probably go ahead and keep the upper wooden guard off so I can enjoy those beutiful lines on that barrel contour. I would love to rework that stock to make it look more like they posted cause it is soooo sweeeet!!!