If you were going to re-barrel a 03 rem ?

[6.5 mike]

And yes it is a Remington, one between the 03's & 03-a3. The mil-spec bbl is toast, fired case ID is 0.315 & you can see the throat erosion on a boolit nose if you can get one big enough, used a 32-40 boolit sized to fit the case. I'm going to try one more time with a lee s/c 185 that, after beagling drops at 0.3152 & some red dot.

As I have a 257 Roberts, 35 Whelen, a couple 7x57's, I was thinking 280 rem, 6.5- 06, or back to 30-06. I do have a 03-a3 & a 700 rem 06 that I don't remember the last year I shot. Don't really see using a 308 length in this as I have a 98 action also.

The main reason for these 3 choices are 1 have 3-7 m/m moulds, 2 have 3- 6.5 molds including a cruise missle that drops the correct specs & both of BaBores. And like most of us, a bunch of 30 cal's.

I did think about the 338-06 but figure the Whelen has it covered.

[FrankG]

6.5-06 or 375-06AI

[wch]

Stick with the original: 30-06.
There's no better all around cartridge for North American big game until you hunt the big bears and the cast boolit data is long since established.
Cases are easily obtained, too.

[Mk42gunner]

Depends on how much you want to spend on the conversion.

If you are going to put it back to stock, or close, with iron sights; I would go with the .30-06.

If you are going to do a full sporter conversion -new stock, d&t, etc.; I would go with the 6.5-06.

Robert

[NWPilgrim]

Agree with above. If keeping mostly in military form amd iron sights then stick with .30-06. Very versatile and will keep resale value much better. If sporterizing and scoping then maybe something with more velocity than your other calibers such as .25-06, 6.5-06 or .270.

[akajun]

You can buy a military profile critereon barrel for that o3 for $185 from the CMP and it will shoot cat bullets well. I personally dont care for other calibers in o3's as by the time you pay for a custom made barrel for it and instalation, you could have bought a lower end NIB savage, Rem, Howa, etc for the same money.

[6.5 mike]

Thanks guys, good points on all. I should have said it's already in a sport stock, been d/t'ed for a Lyman 57 even if the holes are to far down the receiver, takes bout 30 thousands to almost tip it back straight, lol. I had it d&ted for a redfield one piece base, & put in a low safety so bout all that is left to do would be a new trigger. I have a 03-a3, 700 bdl that was my dads that might have had 100 rds fired. Also have a couple 308's, DCM cutdown Krag, & a Uberti hi-wall in 30-40, 2 '94's, & a 325b 30-30. And there's a 30 Herrett bbl mixed in there too., almost forgot the M1 Garand. I did load some of the fat boolits I'd made up this morning so we'll see if this works. It will not shoot pp'ed, the erosion is eating the patch before it gets a grip in the riflings as near as I can tell, almost no paper showing at the muzzle.
I have thought about pulling the bbl & having it set back then re-chamber back to 30-06 but I'm not sure how far back I could go. I have seen mil-spec bbl redone to 308. I bought this kinda on a whim at a show here a couple years back so I don't have a lot in it yet.

[roverboy]

There's a lot of different things that you could do. You could go bigger or faster. You mentioned a 6.5-06. That's a fast flat shooting caliber. Whatever you do, you really can't go wrong with a great action like the 1903.

[Joni Lynn]

It's hard to go wrong with a 30-06.
My father had one built in 256 Newton that is a pretty cool rifle. Very obsolete round but it's something he had always wanted.
Best wishes with the project.

[lefty o]

my top 3 choices for your project would be 25-06, 6.5-06 or 338-06Improved.

[gnoahhh]

I too would just spring for a Criterion '03 .30-06 barrel. Have a gunsmith spin it on and guarantee headspace, and carry on as you were before. Excellent barrels, from a proven maker. That way too, the barrel will match the outside contour of your original barrel which will obviate having to mess with the barrel channel in the stock.

[6.5 mike]

Like I said it's already in a sport stock with the rear sight removed. I've had 25-06s & don't care for the 270 much though I've had a few. What made me think of the 6.5-06 is my cruise missle mould drops at 175 gr & 0.268 on the bands. Not looking for speed but a heavy boolit shooter in 6.5. Maybe a 1 in 9 twist, my 260 has it & likes most all the common weights though it does show a marked liking for the 120's. I've looked at the specs in my Nosler book & kinda like what I see, but it stops at the 140 gr IIRC.

Going to give it one more try Thursday or Friday if the rain holds off with the FAT boolits I made up.

[cwheel]

If the rest of the rifle is stock, uncut, in good condition, I'd leave it unmodified. Ebay has new in the wrap replacement barrels in the $100 range all day long. You could get a gunsmith to mount and finish ream cheaper than almost anything else and have a fine hunting rifle. Would also preserve the collectors value. If I wanted to get a rifle to play with, change barrels, I'd go to a pawn shop, buy something I wouldn't destroy a collectors value on modifying. If it's in good condition, you could buy 3 at a pawn shop for what it's now worth.
Chris

[6.5 mike]

This one has had to many changes to the action to have much value & already restocked is the biggest reason for the questions. Didn't get to shoot so will have to wait a bit to see if the fat boolits help. Thanks for the ideas, this may turn into a long term project.

[runfiverun]

re-bore to 8mm-06

[NavyVet1959]

7.7×58mm Arisaka... If for no other reason than to mess with other people's minds... :)

[6.5 mike]

Finally made it today with the FAT boolits. Used a lee 185 s/c that drops at 0.315 after beagling, this matches the fired case ID. Had 20 plain base & 20 with g/c's, lubed with C-red, 10 grs of Red Dot.

When the plain base did hit he paper, at least they were straight, the g/c'ed did try to form a group so I think I'll follow this path a little more before I drop any more into this one. I can play with alloys, powder, & a couple of other boolits & see how much more I can do.

Thanks to everyone for the replys & ideas

[Blanco]

I read this thread thru to the end because I have a 03A3 that i acquired on the cheap. This rifle was sporterized by a guys grandfather. The original barrel is still on it but it has been hacked to around 18" It has sights on it that were added at some point but the rear is a bit skewed. The original stock was tossed in favor of a nice Fajen. The barrel is a 4 groove but I get the heebie jeebies just looking at it. I like the stock and the action is slick as butter. I was thinking of replacing just the barrel with a heavy target model and just leave it 06?
Before you guys stone me to death I DID NOT SPORTERIZE THIS RIFLE. I got it already jacked up. I would settle for a nice shooting bench rifle / knock around. I'm not planning to drop a bunch of money into it. I don't mind doing most of the work myself, I just dont have access to the correct tools.
Any ideas or suggestions?

[Coffeecup]

6.5Mike, were it me I'd go with a .270Winchester; I used to have a Springfield sporter with issue-length barrel in .270 that I was right fond of. Someday I'll get another.

Blanco, if that rifle can be returned to (mostly) military configuration, it might make a great rifle for cast bullet military matches. The 03A3 with issue sights (sometimes replacing the front with a thicker blade) is a popular choice amongst the guys I shoot with. Where yours has already been sporterized, you wouldn't have to worry about any modifications you made to it (glass bedding, wider sight blade, etc).

[Blanco]

Taking the one I have back to it's original form would be more costly than just getting a new one. If it were closer I might try it but this one is far beyond taking it back. It has been defiled beyond recognition.

[6.5 mike]

Blanco, find a boolit that fits your fired case ID, & give it a try. You may have a sleeper even if it is not to pretty, lol.

[justcharlie]

how about a 6.5 sweed nice round
justcharlie

[6.5 mike]

Have 6.5 tcu, 6.5 jdj, 260 rem, & 3 swede's. First 2 are t/c bbls. Still thinking bout the 6.5-06.