Springfield 03 Sporter

[351 WINCHESTER]

I'm looking at buying a 03 springfield sporter. Looks like a professional job. My uncle used to hunt with one and he loved it.

I've never shot a springfield and know nothing about the action, but assume they must be good.

Need some feedback.

 

[Winger Ed.]

I sure like mine.........

If the sporterization job doesn't look like it was by some guys down at the muffler shop-- grab it.
Even then, if its cheap--- grab it anyway. Whatever is screwed up can be fixed.

They shoot like a dream.
The design is sort of a patent violation of the Mauser 98 action,
with a few modifications.
They were double heat treated, and the action is tougher than Chinese Algebra.
Back in the '50-early 60's, when you could buy one for $15 anywhere--

As a kid, I saw them in racks- for sale at auto parts stores, and even gas stations:
It was common for people to get one, and have the work done to re-chamber them to the 'new,
and insanely powerful',,,,,,,,,,, .300WinMag.

They were tough enough to handle it, and the 26" barrel allowed the .300 to get up a full head of steam.

.

 

[86thecat]

Make sure to check serial numbers, "early" 03's strength may be questionable.

 

[Oohrah]

Anything above 800,000 is good to go. Even the low numbers, I have
never seen or personally heard of one fails. Own at least a half dozen
and all are accurate and great shooters in whatever form they are in.

 

[Vaarok]

They're decent rifles, but they get a lot more credit than they really deserve based on nationalism and nostalgia. They're a heavily modified and upgraded copy of the '93 Mauser- a few rather questionable changes mixed in with the upgrades, but perfectly safe and serviceable.

They are definitely a decent and inexpensive high-power centerfire rifle chambered in an ubiquitous and relatively inexpensive caliber, with a bit of history mixed in.

If it's priced right and the work's done well, it's not a bad buy.