My new (to me) 1903 Springfield rifle ...

[Reverend Al]

Well, after watching and searching for about the past 3 years I finally found myself a 1903 Springfield .30-06 with a decent barrel at a price I could afford! It'll mostly be used for shooting boolits, but will see the odd jacketed round mostly for comparison.

It's wearing a 1929 dated barrel which is "star" stamped at the muzzle which mates up with the serial number for year of mfg. It has been used for target shooting and includes a Redfield aperture target rear sight, a Lyman 17A front sight, and a military target style sling. The bore looks perfect after soaking in Hoppes #9 for the past few days. It is NOT stamped "NM" on the trigger guard so I really don't believe this rifle to be a true "National Match" Springfield, but I'm not worried about that. I just wanted a decent 1903 with a really good barrel for some target shooting and this one definitely fills the bill.

Was out to see a gunsmith buddy of mine today and he even donated 16 rounds of 1962 LC Match .30-06 ammo for initial testing! Can't wait to get it up to our local range and get a few rounds through it ...

[smilie=w:

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[Reverend Al]

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[Earlwb]

Nice. Do let us know how it works out. I like the Lyman peep sight that was added to it too.

[Texas by God]

That looks fabulous. Let us know how it feeds from those Garand clips LOL. I hardly ever see a Springfield for sale around here except the odd O3A3 sporterized one. Great score, Reverend!

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Congratulations on your 1903. With those really great sights and a good bore you should be in for some good shooting. The ammo is probably corrosive, so clean accordingly!

[Larry Gibson]

Nice looking Match M1903.

Back in that time period star gauged barrels and other parts could be readily bought from Springfield Armory through DCM. Complete barreled actions and match rifles could also be purchased. Many "match" M1903s were made by ordering parts and installing them on standard M1903. A SA match M1903 usually had some different parts than are shown. Not that it matters if the rifle is a shooter, a check of the action serial number to manufacture dates can quickly tell if that barrel may be a replacement.

Again, nice rifle.....very nice actually and I love those sights.

[vzerone]

Here is some data on Nation Match 1903's. There were no Remington M1903 National Match rifles. All M1903 National Match Rifles were built at Springfield, with the exception of one year (1919?) and possibly a partial year's production that were made at Rock Island. All National Match barrels were star-gauged, but they were unmarked until after 1921 (?), when the star gauge mark was applied on the muzzle, and the star gauge record number was stamped on the barrel under the stock or handguard. The record number was an alpha character followed by four digits, and should not be confused with the steel lot code number. All barrels with star gauge markings are not "national match" barrels, however. The barrels were available for purchase from the DCM as a separate part, and could be installed on any model of M1903. Thus, a star-gauged and marked barrel on a M1903 is not a guarantee that the rifle is a National Match rifle. Only DCM paperwork or a SRS data base entry can verify that.

Some characteristics:

1) Look at the muzzle crown at the 6 o'clock position - there should be an "asterisk" stamp present. If so, look at what Bob described up above.

2) The bolt should be lightly etched on the bolt "body" with the serial number of the rifle.

3) The bolt, follower "rib" and receway should be polished.

4) The stock should have the serial number stamped on the bottom of the butt between the rear of the trigger guard and buttplate.

This is not to discredit your rifle and you stated yourself you didn't believe it to be an original National Match. That does matter though as you have a really nice rifle and it does indeed have a National Match barrel.

Have fun shooting it and do tell us how it shoots!

[JMax]

I have that same Redfield rear sight on my Norwegian Krag that I shoot clay pigeons with at 100 yards. Love that sight and the Lyman brother on my US Krag. Both were sporterized and I got them for shooting not collecting. I got 3,800 Swede blanks for a song and have filled a 5 gal bucket with empties in the past year with about 1,600 left to load. Off to the recycler this week to get some walking about money.

[Reverend Al]

Lake City would have still been using corrosive primers as late as 1962? Wow ... that really surprises me. I thought they stopped using corrosive primers in the 1950's ...



Congratulations on your 1903. With those really great sights and a good bore you should be in for some good shooting. The ammo is probably corrosive, so clean accordingly!

[Reverend Al]

Just went digging online about corrosive primers in US mfg military ammo and found this ... (but it doesn't mention Match ammo, just "ball" and "AP").

LAKE CITY ARSENAL:
Type: .30
-
'06 Ball
Lot Number: 13700
Date: June 1951
First SAFE Headstamp: LC 52
Type: .30
-
'06 AP
Lot Number: 13158
Date: April 1952
First SAFE Headstamp: LC 53

[Reverend Al]

Also found this so it looks like it is not corrosive ...

"None of the Cal .30 (30-06) Match T291 and M72 was loaded with corrosive primers. So, anything with a headstamp of 1957 or later is OK."

[Jack Stanley]

Nice rifle Rev. !! Up until a little while ago I had a national match butplate that would have fit that ......... but it was fitted to another rifle . Good shooting with your new prize !!

Jack

[Reverend Al]

Finally dug these two out today too. They've been part of my shooting books library for 40 years now. E.C. Crossman on the Springfield and on Military Rifle Shooting. Both first editions ... 1932.

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[Reverend Al]

Also found this info online explaining the "SADAL" cartouche stamped on the stock ...

SADAL was the inspection stamp of Daniel A Leary, who worked at Springfield Armory from about World War I until the mid-1930s. He had three stamps from different eras - DAL= WWI to @1931; SADAL @ 1931-33; SA/DAL, 1933 to retirement.

[Char-Gar]

Nice. Do let us know how it works out. I like the Lyman peep sight that was added to it too.

The sight is a Redfield and not a Lyman

[Petrol & Powder]

That's a great example of a 03 and I really like that Redfield sight !

[Reverend Al]

That's a great example of a 03 and I really like that Redfield sight !

I like the entire rifle! (And I'm absolutely tickled that I finally found exactly what I was looking for in one of these 1903's after years of searching high and low ...)

Still need to slug the bore and see what I already have on hand in suitable boolits to try in it. I'm going to try and get it up to my local range one day next week if possible!

[Larry Gibson]

I wouldn't even bother slugging a star gauged M1903 barrel. I think you'll find cast bullets sized .310/.311 will be the best. My M1903A1 National Match Type II (Original was on 'A3 action, I built mine on a DHT '03 action) ) is the most accurate with cast bullets using the 311466 and the 30 XCB with the 311299 not far behind.

220010


Here is the 30 XCB (2 sighters, 10 for record) over 20 gr 2400 w/Dacron filler at 100 yards on 100 yard reduced SR-1 target.

220011

It also shoots M72 into 1 - 1 1/4 moa and 175 MKs over 49 gr Varget into sub moa.

[Reverend Al]

Nice rifle and nice group!

Not sure if I have the Lyman 311466 or not ... I'll have to go and look through my moulds and check. I do have a 311299 in double cavity so I can always start there. I have a 311284 that a friend has loaned me to try in my '95 Winchester in .30-40 Krag and that might be worth trying too? I have both 2400 and Varget on hand (and many other powders of course) ... might not have any 175 MKs on hand, but I'm sure I have some 168 HPBT Match in both Sierra and Hornady that I could try.

I just ordered a new Labradar chronograph to replace my ancient Oehler model 33 and it will be interesting to see what some of these loads generate for velocities since it will be much faster and easier to set up on range days so I'll use it more often. With some of my other rifles I've found that their accuracy loads are often in the same velocity range regardless of the various components used.

I'll keep you posted as things progress with my Springfield ...

[Larry Gibson]

Looking forward to your results.

[gnoahhh]

I think the rear sight is a NM sight. Note the polished surface and the legs on the "7's" are curved, not straight as on the standard sight. (On the issue sight that is.)

I would do a chamber cast to see just what the throat diameter is. You can't predict over the internet what a specific rifle's throat is (which will drive cast bullet diameter). Star gauge barrels weren't specially made barrels, as some will tell you. All '03 Springfield barrels back then were subjected to the Star Gauge test during manufacture, and those that exhibited strict adherence to dimension and tolerance standards (groove and bore diameter over the length of the bore) were given the star gauge stamp. That's not a guarantee that the barrel will shoot, but it's a guarantee that it's in spec which is a good indicator that it should shoot. I've owned regular barrels that out-shot Star Gauge barrels. Star Gauged barrels on original NM and Special Target rifles I've owned over the years (four total) all had .310-.3105 throats, and as such performed best with .310 cast bullets. Your mileage may very well vary.

And yes, that LC Match ammo is definitely non-corrosive.

All in all a very fine rifle you have which should give you much pleasure as you figure out its secrets.

[Reverend Al]

Was hoping to get up to the range today to test the Springfield, but Mother Nature decided that we deserved a mini-monsoon here in Victoria! For a while it absolutely came down in sheets ... and then drizzled the rest of the day. Only just cleared up now at nearly 6:00 pm. Hopefully tomorrow will be better weather and if the rain holds off I'll head up to the range then ...

[Reverend Al]

OK, so the weather improved today. It was sunny and warm, a real "blue bird" day in fact! Got the old girl up to the range finally and put a few test rounds through it. Found that I had to "raise the ladder" on the open rear sight to be able to see through both the rear and front aperture sights otherwise the open sight blocked my sight picture. Fired a few rounds at 50 yards first to check the sights and they needed some adjustment. Then it was out to 100 yards for a few targets with some factory Winchester 165 grain, some of my Garand loads (47.5 grains of IMR4895 under 150 grain fmjbt Hornadys loaded in Winchester cases, WLR primer), and some of those 1962 vintage 175 grain LC Match loads. I need to buy a set of Lyman 17A sight inserts since I find the insert currently in the front sight a bit too small for my liking and the same with the Redfield rear sight. I have a few spares so I'll have to go digging to see if I have any rear aperture discs that are the correct thread for the Redfield. That and I need to source (or make) some bullseye targets that are a suitable diameter to work with the aperture sights. With my 65 year old eyes I was definitely struggling to get a decent sight picture at 100 yards ... it was pretty hazy. I'm sure that most of today's vertical and horizontal variations were my fault and had nothing to do with the gun or the ammunition. Definitely lots of fine tuning that needs to be done, but I think today was a good start on the journey!

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[Shiloh]

Thanks for the pics.

SHiloh

[Reverend Al]

Not really "bragging worthy" targets but they are what they are. Again, I found it very tough to get a good sight picture with the small front and rear apertures and the black bulls on my targets were far too small for my lousy old eyes. I'll try to scare up some targets with large diameter black bulls that are better suited to the sights (and my eyes). Now I need to get busy and load some boolits and see what happens next ...

[nicholst55]

It looks like the rifle wants to shoot good groups. Getting old makes it tough to shoot like we did 30 years ago, doesn't it?

[Reverend Al]

Yeah ... tell me about it!

:sad:

[Char-Gar]

Lyman, Williams and Redfield apertures have the same thread and are therefore interchangeable. Lyman makes an aperture with an itty bitty hole for target shooting. Use on of those and your sights will be sharp. If you go hunting with the rifle, screw in one of the Williams Twilight apertures. There will be no need to resight the rifle.

For target shooting, use a front aperture that has a post and ring. Center the target bull in the ring and squeeze the trigger. Much more precise than balancing the target bull on a post. Just as they eye will center the front sight in the rear aperture, the eye will center the bull in the ring.

I am 76 and can still shoot sights like these well.

[Reverend Al]

Yes, I know how to use double aperture sights and have used them for years. It was just that the targets I was using were not a good "fit" for the size of the front and rear apertures to get a clear sight picture. I need some larger black bullseye targets and larger front and rear apertures so that I can clearly see what I am shooting at ...

[JoeJames]

It looks like the rifle wants to shoot good groups. Getting old makes it tough to shoot like we did 30 years ago, doesn't it?Or 50 years ago. On Sunday mornings at early church I look at the lettering on the stained glass above the altar to check my eyes to figure out of there's any point in shooting that afternoon. If the lettering is clear and crisp it's a go. Otherwise ...

[Reverend Al]

I finally sourced a couple of extra inserts for the Lyman 17A front sight. A post and a large diameter circle that might be a better match to the size of black bull on the targets that I am using. Now I just need to put together some more test loads and get it up to the range again. Not getting out of the house much lately since my wife just had a full knee replacement surgery about a week and a half ago so I'm busy playing "house nurse" instead of loading ammo and shooting ...

[bob208]

I have seen various dates of when the switch to non corrosive priming was completed. to be safe treat all military surplus ammo as corrosive.

[Marlin356]

Sweet rifle. Natl. Match rifles did have NM on the guard but they usually has a drawing lot stamped on the stock.

The correct rear sight would be a Lyman 48 not a Redfield. Use a large aperture in the rear an a front aperture that gives you a clear white ring about the black bull.

enjoy !

[Reverend Al]

I'm fairly sure that this rifle was put together by a target shooting enthusiast for his personal use and that it's not an actual MN rifle. Apparently many '03's with the "star" barrels were purchased for personal use and I'm fairly sure that this is one of them since the barrel date matches the serial number for date of mfg. Regardless, I love the gun and look forward to getting it out with some cast boolit test loads. At the moment I'm busy playing "house nurse" for my wife who just had a full knee replacement about 10 days ago, so I'm not getting any shooting in. Going up to the range for a little while tomorrow to help out with a club event and that will be my first day at the range since she had her surgery ...

[Reverend Al]

I did manage to get down to my shop and run some already cast and on hand Lyman 314299's through a sizer to reduce them down to .311" while my wife was napping. Now I just have to neck expand some brass so that I can load some of them into a few .30-06 test loads. (I actually have a Lyman 311299 mould as well, but didn't have any examples already cast with it.)

[TCLouis]

I think that has "FUN" written all over it.

Cast Boolits and you will be set.

[guicksylver]

The 299 and 29-30 grains of IMR or H 4895 /4064will get you to cast boolit heaven, absolutely no need for fillers... I've got a couple of 03's that will shoot sub min. @ 100 with that load.
She's a beaut.... if any one knocks it they are just jealous.. (like me).. I have about 8 but still hate to miss out on one.. every time I see Dan's Stamp I can't keep from laughing.. the longer he stayed there the bigger the stamp got..the original was about 4x smaller BTW that stock is worth about $450+.most valuable part of the rig..NICE GRAB.. HAPPY SHOOTING Dan S.

[Reverend Al]

Thanks! I need to put together a few rounds and get out and test it again, but been up to my ears playing "house nurse" for my wife who had a knee replacement surgery about 3 weeks ago. Too many projects (and project guns!) and not enough time ... (and of course I'm just in the process of buying another new project rifle too!) ...

[smilie=l:

[TCLouis]

Just a shot in the dark here, but try using a 6 o-clock hold.

[Reverend Al]

I managed to get a post front sight insert for the Lyman 17A front globe sight and will likely try a 6 o'clock hold in future. The circular / globe aperture that was in the gun when I got it wasn't a good fit for the black bullseye targets I had which is why I tried the orange stick-ons instead. Just need to get some more test ammo loaded and get it back up to the range to see if the post front sight insert suits me better ...

[Reverend Al]

Finally got this old girl out to the range again since I was meeting a friend at one of my local clubs to shoot a few rounds together. Tried the 314299's sized down to .311", then some 311284's also sized to .311", then on an impulse I loaded some little Lyman 125 grain GC spitzer boolits that I had on hand that I shoot in my custom built bolt action 7.62x39mm (an old Ideal #311359 from memory?). The '299's put 5 rounds into about a 3 1/2" round group at 100 yards about 10" low of point of aim, the '284's were fairly dismal and put 5 rounds into about 6" or so also low of POA. The real surprise for the day were the those little 125 grainer spitzers ... they shot right on point of aim at 100 yards (the rifle is zeroed at 100 yards with LC Match 173 grainers) and the first 4 rounds went into a nice little cluster of about 2" and then of course I pulled shot #5 low right and ended up with about a 3" group. All were loaded with 18.0 grains of old Hercules 2400 in WW cases with WW LR primers. The full length sized cases were then neck expanded with an RCBS expander die using a .310" plug. More testing needed of course, but it was a great first result with cast in this old Springfield ...

The 5 rounds at 100 yards with the little 125 grainers ...

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[woodbutcher]

[smilie=s: Hi ReverendAl.Great rifle.Only one thing that I don`t like about it.I don`t have one like it.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[Reverend Al]

Had it out to the range again today. The more I shoot it the more I love it!

[smilie=w: