Springfield '03A3 Calibre Options

Call me strange but why not just keep it as a 30-06 with a new barrel?
Naw, .338-06 would be my vote. But I’m strange too.
 
Call me strange but why not just keep it as a 30-06 with a new barrel?
You're strange. But I may do that. There's no particular reason not to, I'm just musing on what I could change it to. But I don't think I'd change the barrel until I really had to, if I kept it .30-06.
 
If anything I think that I would keep it based on the 06 cartridge just so that you don't need any bolt work.

That still gives you a lot of options
 
If anything I think that I would keep it based on the 06 cartridge just so that you don't need any bolt work.

That still gives you a lot of options
Agreed, that's why I looked at .35 Whelen first. No bolt work required and keeps the vintage element I'm fond of.
 
You're strange. But I may do that. There's no particular reason not to, I'm just musing on what I could change it to. But I don't think I'd change the barrel until I really had to, if I kept it .30-06.

You could make it a 30-06 Ackley Improved. Simple chamber reamer changes the shoulder without changing the barrel.
 
Take a look at 35 Whelen ballistics compared to those of the '06 especially when using heavier bullets. You will soon see why I went the Whelen route. It is just a barrel swap. Have you had a gunsmith look at the barrel or checked the throat erosion? It looks to me that the rifle is a wall hanger as is, i.e. no iron sights and no way to mount a modern scope on it. Another thought is that you could have someone that shoots Vintage Sniper Rifle take a look at it, this rifle might be more valuable than you think it is.
 
Take a look at 35 Whelen ballistics compared to those of the '06 especially when using heavier bullets. You will soon see why I went the Whelen route. It is just a barrel swap. Have you had a gunsmith look at the barrel or checked the throat erosion? It looks to me that the rifle is a wall hanger as is, i.e. no iron sights and no way to mount a modern scope on it. Another thought is that you could have someone that shoots Vintage Sniper Rifle take a look at it, this rifle might be more valuable than you think it is.
I've done nothing with it since I bought it, no gunsmith, no shooting, no nothing. And as-is, no, it's probly not good for hunting but as a vintage-style shooter, I reckon it'd do alright. Not gonna win any competitions or anything but just for paper and steel should be fine, and I don't mind putting a big Unertl-style scope on it just for that (although I expect that if I was really inclined to, it could be used for hunting; the Unertl served in war for some thirty-odd years). But alas, I don't think this rifle is particularly valuable. While it LOOKS like it could be a sporterized USMC rifle, it's almost certainly a bubba job.

Changing the barrel and getting rid of the current mounts, then setting it up with a cocking piece rear sight and a typical front sight plus a side rail or a typical 1903A4 base would be doable, though, if I wanted to convert it for more serious use. In which case I'd still probably change it to .35 Whelen. I've been thinking that I might have it gussied up a little in a few years and either give it to or lend it to my cousin for his birthday.
 
Hi everyone.

This is just an idle thought at the moment, since I have some other stuff planned for the near future, but here goes. A couple years ago I picked up a sporterized Remington 1903A3 (pics will be added later, I'm writing this at the gym). It's not a pretty job but it's not the worst, and it's set up for a scope only with no provision for irons and no way to easily add them.

Since it needs a little cleanup and some work, I've been thinking about having it rechambered as well instead of keeping it .30-06 but I'm not sold on the idea. .35 Whelen seems the best option but is there something else? .333 Jeffery, maybe?

Thanks,
W.G.455
Webley Green
Depends on what you want, if the bore is OK just run a 300 win mag reamer into it, open up the bolt face and a few other thing.
Problem is IF you open up the bolt face you are limited in the future.

My opinion is biased for a PROPERLY loaded 35 Whelen. Speer reloading site lists the 250gn Speer hotcore at 2,700fps and Nosler lists the 225gn accubonds at 2,850 fps or you can go a 225grain Woodleigh at 2,950 fps. Equals and in some cases beats the 338 win mag and does so SAFELY.
That should be enough for most things to 400 yards. Check out the other posts on the Whelen.
I AM BIASED TO 25 CALS AND THE WHELEN THO.
Cheers mate Bob
 
Webley Green
Depends on what you want, if the bore is OK just run a 300 win mag reamer into it, open up the bolt face and a few other thing.
Problem is IF you open up the bolt face you are limited in the future.

My opinion is biased for a PROPERLY loaded 35 Whelen. Speer reloading site lists the 250gn Speer hotcore at 2,700fps and Nosler lists the 225gn accubonds at 2,850 fps or you can go a 225grain Woodleigh at 2,950 fps. Equals and in some cases beats the 338 win mag and does so SAFELY.
That should be enough for most things to 400 yards. Check out the other posts on the Whelen.
I AM BIASED TO 25 CALS AND THE WHELEN THO.
Cheers mate Bob
That load of yours gets hotter every time you mention it!:whistle::eek: Now nearly 4350 ft/lbs of energy!! Not only more than most .338 win mag loads can do, but equal to a standard loading for the .375 magnum! :eek::rolleyes:o_O Not bad for the old '06 case eh?:confused: Oh and not familiar with the .25 Whelen, but let me guess. Blasts a 117gr bullet to 5400 fps right? LOL.:rolleyes:(y):eek::eek::D:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
Guys must have goofy chronographs down under mate.:whistle::D:D
Cheers!
 
Sesstoppelman, I've not used any of Bob Nelson's loads but I too like my 35 Whelen. Out of my 23.5" barreled rifle I got 2730 FPS pushing a 225 Gr. Barnes TSX using IMR 4064 powder. That load doesn't leave much on the table when compared to a 338 Win Mag.
 
If you are going to shoot that thing with the steel butt plate, then recoil has to be a consideration. I'd go with the .25-06, .270, .280, or .30-06 tops.
 
Medium game 270, 280, 25-06 or 30-06. Bigger game 338-06, 35 Whelen or 375 Whelen. Or to be different build something on Rocky Gibbs line of improved cartridges. Or try a 8.5x63 Reb from Europe
 
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Well it's nice to see this thread suddenly getting revived, haha. I still think I'm gonna go with the .35 Whelen (though possibly in a different pre-A3 rifle and maaaybe convert this WWII one to some fun 1950s cartridge for a good Cold War-era toy).

@Spooksar An 8.5 what-now?
 
Well it's nice to see this thread suddenly getting revived, haha. I still think I'm gonna go with the .35 Whelen (though possibly in a different pre-A3 rifle and maaaybe convert this WWII one to some fun 1950s cartridge for a good Cold War-era toy).

@Spooksar An 8.5 what-now?

It’s a 338 cartridge based on the 30-06 with the neck moved forward. I bought one on a deal for a pair of rifles, the other was a 9.3x64. It’s an interesting cartridge
 
It’s a 338 cartridge based on the 30-06 with the neck moved forward. I bought one on a deal for a pair of rifles, the other was a 9.3x64. It’s an interesting cartridge
Interesting; I don't think I've ever heard of that one and google gives me nothing.
 
Sesstoppelman, I've not used any of Bob Nelson's loads but I too like my 35 Whelen. Out of my 23.5" barreled rifle I got 2730 FPS pushing a 225 Gr. Barnes TSX using IMR 4064 powder. That load doesn't leave much on the table when compared to a 338 Win Mag.
I too like the Whelen, great round. Your velocity is much more realistic than some quoted elsewhere.... I am a natural skeptic, and while it may be possible to get .375 H&H ballistics out of a .30-06 case:eek:, I wonder if its a good plan.;) In other words, maybe one can, but doesn't mean you should.:(
 
When possible I try to get my hunting loads out of a series of "books" entitled The Complete Reloading Manual for the (XXXXXX.) These books are generally caliber specific although some may contain data for multiple calibers. For instance the one sitting close to my computer at the moment is for 300 and 375 H&H. It shows 2079 Proven and Tested loads, for 186 Various Bullet designs and 62 different powders. This series of books offer the reloader a lot of choices, very helpful when you can't get your favorite powder.
 
Interesting; I don't think I've ever heard of that one and google gives me nothing.

I posted it originally as 8.5x53 it’s 8.5x63 Ammo Guide has it on their website but not much info. Created by Reb Werner in Germany
 

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