A3-03 advice

[fa38]

Want to start playing in cast matches and think I want a springfield.
Thinking on a really nice example or not so nice and have CMP redo it.
Which route and ballpark price I should look for?
What pitfalls to avoid?
Any other advice is appreciated.
Thanks

If you are considering Cast Bullet Assoc. Military matches you need to get an original military barrel. The Criterion barrels are not allowed in those matches but are fine for any other cast bullet matches.

I don’t know if the CMP has any original barrels for sale but they do sell the Criterions.

[Fernando]

That's the plan - still looking - I'm sure something will fall into my lap.

[Char-Gar]

That's the plan - still looking - I'm sure something will fall into my lap.

There was a time, not that long ago, when new in the grease 03A3 barrels could be bought for a few dollars. The last one I bought was about 15 years ago and cost me $35.00. They are still around, if you look long enough, but will cost you many times that.

[Scharfschuetze]

There was a time, not that long ago, when new in the grease 03A3 barrels could be bought for a few dollars. The last one I bought was about 15 years ago and cost me $35.00. They are still around, if you look long enough, but will cost you many times that.

I squirreled away a few of those also. I built an accurate 1903 Match/cast boolit rifle with one of them. The action (already tapped for a Lyman-so now collector value) and bolt were free, so I rebarreled it, dropped it into a 1903A1 stock with an 03A3 handguard and have been enjoying it since.

Sadly, I haven't seen those once common barrels at any gun show for some time now.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Here's a pic of Charles' 03A3 NRA Sporter Clone. It is one of the nicest looking rifles of this particular type I have seen. I used it at SHOT Last year to try to get Boyd's to make a run of NRA Sporter Stocks, but they kept putting me off and eventually flaked out, and gave me stupid excuses, so I am still looking for someone who will cut a decent stock for me.

The bummer is that Boyd's inletting is perfect and requires virtually no fitting at all.

I tried a Macon Gunstocks NRA Sporter Stock and it was a complete $200 *** !!! not even 50% cut, and after I returned it they tried to clip me for a $50 restocking fee.. Do yourself a favor and avoid this outfit !!!!

Hopefully someday I will find someone who can make me a stock as I already have the correct Barrel Band and Butt Plate that I need to do something with.

Randy

[WILCO]

Want to start playing in cast matches.....

Sanctioned event?

[Fernando]

Sanctioned event?

I think they are - but if not I'd still like to cover that base if I ever learn what I'm doing

[Ballistics in Scotland]

The only one I've shot was a 1903 with the old heat treatment, which had seen enough meticulous and unadventurous handloading for me to trust it. But if those matches require the original sights, the 1903A3 has an advantage which is worthwhile for anybody, and the older you are, the more worthwhile it gets.

I know the requirement for alloying elements in the steel for both actions and barrels was relaxed in wartime conditions, I think not immediately and possibly only for Smith-Corona. Not many soldiers fire thousands of shots in a war. It would be useful if there was some way of telling those apart. But I don't believe it is a question of any drastic deficiency.

[Fernando]

Well I jumped on one and a bbl date of 10-43
Looked OK from what I've seen the last 6 months
Probably over paid a little but missed on a few and got sick of waiting.
It's a 2 groove and except for some wood dings looks good to me.
So which is better 2 or 4 groove?? JUST KIDDING already searched that feud.
So the journey begins

[Scharfschuetze]

Congrats Fernando. I think that you'll have a great time with the old warhorse.

[Fernando]

Well all cleaned up and bore is mirror bright and the button marks are still visible
at the muzzle - I've looked down enough bores to know this is real low milage.
Wish I had one of those hand dandy armorer gauges for muzzle and throat.
Now it's time to load up some test rounds and stretch her legs
Metal all looks like it wash't carried much if at all - maybe CMP put all new guts in
but they all have R's on them.
Stock is a little rough but thinking on having a new C stock fitted - but we'll wring
it out first and see how I like the straight grip first.
I'm happy happy and the wife even said it was pretty neat (that's really weird)