So i have this '03mk1 reciever and bottom metal...

[Andrew Wyatt]

that i really want to restore so i can shoot it, but i absolutely hate the original 1903 sights.

I'm thinking about rebarrelleing it with a numrich 03 barrel, with GI sight and everything,putting it in an 03A3 stock set, and putting a williams or other quality reciever sight on it.


what do you think?

 

[Jim Watson]

Were it mine, I would get a good GI barrel, a type C stock, and try to find a Lyman 48. Friend of mine had one like that, well kept but well worn. It was not stargauged or otherwise match marked, we figured it had been somebody's rapid fire gun with their true match rifle kept for prone.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

are current lyman sights similar to the 48?

 

[Gator]

It would be a shame to drill an tap an original '03 MkI receiver for a receiver sight. If you restore it, it will be worth something, drilling and tapping will ruin that value.

If it were mine I'd sell it and use the money to buy an already sporterized 03A3. I picked up a nice one with a Lyman 48 sight and a mint bore at a gunshow for $275; it shoots great. You could get that easily for your receiver and bottom metal providing they are in good shape.

If you want to build a rifle on your receiver you may want to consider using a scout scope. B-Square made a mount that went on the 03's sight base and required no permanent modifications. I see them for sale on e-Bay for $15-20. You would have an 03 with a Mauser 98 sniper type of scope set up.....that would be cool!

JMHO

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

It would be a shame to drill an tap an original '03 MkI receiver for a receiver sight. If you restore it, it will be worth something, drilling and tapping will ruin that value.

I do not understand this statement. it's essentially "valueless" as it stands because I will not sell it, and putting a reciever sight on it adds to its utility.

I'm a shooter, not a collector, and even restoring it with the proper parts will not increase its value more than the cost of the parts.

 

[Sparky]

I acquired an 03 mk 1 that has been sporterized and rebarreled to338/06.
It was drilled and tapped for Redfield bases when I got it...but only one hole had been done for the front ofd the mount. Long story short...those receivers are harder than the hinges on the gates of hell! Drilling and tapping one is not for the faint of heart. My friendly ...maybe formerly friendly ..neighborhood smith ruined a bunch of drill bits to drill and tap 1 hole in mine to better secure the base.
Good Luck

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I've some cobalt drill bits on order for the drilling portion of the exercise.

this is going to be a definite long-term project. It'll be neat when i'm done, though, as it'll probably end up with some other goodies like a 10 round magazine.