My father has two Model 1903's, one from each of my grandfathers. Both have been sporterized to some degree. The one from his father is a U.S. Springfield Model 1903 serial number 559XXX and has been sporterized with rings and a scope (A Lyman All-American 4X in Weaver rings with some of the blueing worn off the tube), a "new" stock and a bent bolt. This rifle was my grandfathers hunting rifle, and then my fathers hunting rifle, and my older brother even took his first deer with it. It was actively hunted with until the mid-nineties. It shot well for an old rifle and never had a hiccup until a fracture near the tang appeared in the stock. It now gathers dust in the safe.
The .30-06 from my mothers father is a U.S. Remington Model 1903 serial number 3193XXX. It has an older Redfield peep sight with the insert missing. It is not drilled and tapped for a scope, but the stock is a new stock (which still looks new). My grandfather had a .30-30 carbine and wanted something with more "oomph". He had an older neighbor who owned this rifle and wanted something with less "oomph". They traded straight across but I'm not sure if my grandfather ever hunted with his "new" .30-06. I seem to recall him saying he stopped hunting shortly after that.
I did a quick google search for "Model 1903 serial number lookup" and the first hit was this one. (Why the National Parks Service has a document on specific dates of serial numbers of Model 1903's has me stumped, but whatever...). According to this document the Springfield Model 1903 is from 1913 (Wow, pre WW-I!). The Remington Model 1903 is from 1942 and is the last batch of 1903's before the production of the A3. This rifle would also be one that had the improved heat treatment and improved nickel steel (again, according to that document).
Now, to my questions:
1) Is the U.S. Springfield Model 1903 serial 559XXX one that should be retired? Or could it be re-stocked and still used with standard factory loads like it's been doing for 70+ years (at least in my family, probably longer).
OR
2) Can I reload for this rifle if I keep the pressure more reasonable (sub-50K PSI)?
3) Would this action be suitable for a custom build, and if so, should I restrict the new caliber to a lower pressure round such as a 257 Roberts or 7mm Mauser? Or would there be no worries re-barreling with a new .30-06 barrel and running at full pressure?
4) Is the U.S. Remington Model 1903 serial 3193XXX action/steel strong enough to handle whatever I throw at it?
Thanks!
The .30-06 from my mothers father is a U.S. Remington Model 1903 serial number 3193XXX. It has an older Redfield peep sight with the insert missing. It is not drilled and tapped for a scope, but the stock is a new stock (which still looks new). My grandfather had a .30-30 carbine and wanted something with more "oomph". He had an older neighbor who owned this rifle and wanted something with less "oomph". They traded straight across but I'm not sure if my grandfather ever hunted with his "new" .30-06. I seem to recall him saying he stopped hunting shortly after that.
I did a quick google search for "Model 1903 serial number lookup" and the first hit was this one. (Why the National Parks Service has a document on specific dates of serial numbers of Model 1903's has me stumped, but whatever...). According to this document the Springfield Model 1903 is from 1913 (Wow, pre WW-I!). The Remington Model 1903 is from 1942 and is the last batch of 1903's before the production of the A3. This rifle would also be one that had the improved heat treatment and improved nickel steel (again, according to that document).
Now, to my questions:
1) Is the U.S. Springfield Model 1903 serial 559XXX one that should be retired? Or could it be re-stocked and still used with standard factory loads like it's been doing for 70+ years (at least in my family, probably longer).
OR
2) Can I reload for this rifle if I keep the pressure more reasonable (sub-50K PSI)?
3) Would this action be suitable for a custom build, and if so, should I restrict the new caliber to a lower pressure round such as a 257 Roberts or 7mm Mauser? Or would there be no worries re-barreling with a new .30-06 barrel and running at full pressure?
4) Is the U.S. Remington Model 1903 serial 3193XXX action/steel strong enough to handle whatever I throw at it?
Thanks!
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