Remington 03a3 sporter 30-06

Fancy sporterized Remington 03a3 in a curly maple Mannlicher stock. Rifle has been fully re-blued, glass bedded, had a single stage timney style trigger and safety added. Receiver has also been tapped for a scope mount. Action cycles super smoothly and the stock was custom built for this rifle. There are two little spots in the bluing on the trigger guard and some dings in places on the stock but overall this rifle is in amazing shape. More pictures available if you would like them. Asking $525 obo it's also posted in other places.

Weekend bump

In my opinion the 1903 is the smoothest of WWI and WWII bolt action rifles and certainly rivals if not exceeds anything commercially made. I have both 03A3 and 98 Mauser and Springfield is slicker ... and that's saying something. Both are cock on opening ... mostly. But both lift striker the last little bit onto trigger sear when bolt is closed. The lift for my 03A3 is less than Mauser and it almost closes the bolt itself. Both wear Timney triggers and 03A3 has slightly less trigger pull weight so that might account for some of the difference.

This one has a side trigger block safety which is fine. They are actually better than some of the aftermarket wing style striker scope relief safeties. Not uncommon for those to disengage when bolt handle is rattled. Ask me how I know! Obviously this rifle was tapped for some unknown one-piece scope base/rail. I had to switch to one-piece on my Springfield when I changed to Warne quick release rings. Because my new scope had a short tube it wouldn't sit on the rifle with proper eye relief without an extended forward ring and no one makes extended QD rings. I acquired a one-piece semi-rail from SARCO but the hole placement for forward two screws in receiver did not match the holes in the rail so I drilled one new hole in the base (a second hole in base could not be matched to receiver). Two screws is sufficient to secure one-piece base for 30-06.

The wood on the for sale rifle is nothing short of spectacular. It also has the old style machined bottom metal with floorplate release vs later cheap production stamped metal one-piece bottom metal. Notice the clunky looking tacked on trigger guard on my rifle. The OP is asking a fair price for a run of the mill sporterized Springfield. But this one has some very special wood. Recessed detachable sling swivels is a nice touch. Does OP have the swivels?

Thank you for the thorough analysis. You are a wealth of knowledge. I was not aware there were machines vs. stamped bottom metals. I also appreciate the commentary on pricing. If I am every overpriced on something, I would prefer that those that know more than I do say something rather than just shake their heads in silence.

Unfortunately, I do not have the swivels. My dad has a set that are in bad shape. I test fit them and they worked but I don't have any for this gun.

Bump

Can you post a photo of your dad's swivels? Might be helpful to know what variety of detached is needed. I would be tempted to buy your gun just for the stock and then resell it (possibly at a profit) but my Springfield has too much history to change it now. Well, change the wood anyway. Too many memorable scars. Also, it fits me like a glove and I shoot lights out with it as is. My rifle has a wing style scope relief safety and now that I have switched to QD rings and optional iron sights it needs to go. With scope off, that wing is up in the air when engaged and too easily disengaged. Your rifle already has the fix.

I can't believe this very fine rifle hasn't sold. As I said, in my opinion 1903 is the finest bolt action ever made and 30-06 caliber ... what more needs to be said? Best cartridge ever developed. People will not hesitate to lay down twice the price for some new designer cartridge push feed rifle off the shelf with painted metal perched on a plastic stock. I don't get it!

I will post pics as soon as I can. Unfortunately, I just got back from scout camp with my boys and I leave this weekend again for another camp. I won't be back in his shop for at least 3 weeks. I agree with the designer gun comment. In 10 more years I will probably regret selling this as it will probably come back into style just like how kids today are wearing copies of clothes I wore in high school.......man I sound old

The more I consider it, the more I'm tempted just to keep it. The high comb and length of pull for me really well.