M1903a4---It's finished

[kraigWY]

Put this together for the CMP GSM Vintage Sniper Matches. Legal per CMP Rules. SC '43 receiver, 6-43 barrel, all GI parts except the CMP Stock. Weaver K2.5 w/post recital, vertical split rings, Redfield Jr Base.

Finished it last night, soon as it warms up a tad I'll shoot it a bit to get it to settle in the stock then see how it shoots with good ammo.

 

[ORD]

Gorgeous! Look forward to hearing a range report when the weather/temp permits.

 

[The Lawn Ranger]

Mighty Fine. You did a great job Kraig.

I was thinking of building one of these for my Pops.

 

[Former0302]

Awesome! I have a 1903A4 repro in a scant stock and I've been contemplating putting it in a CMP stock. How much work went into inletting the stock? Interested to see how she shoots.

 

[kraigWY]

How much work went into inletting the stock?

Very little work needed. The barreled action went right in, I did have to cut a small relief for the modified bolt. Other then that I did nothing but hand rum several coats of Boiled Linseed Oil.

The stock did have some sort of finish, but I still wanted to soak in as much LSO as I cold.

 

[1kHIT]

Great looking rifle. Looking forward to seeing a range report when you get a chance to do one! Thanks for sharing.

 

[T J]

There is something about those rifles that makes you stop & stare, reverence I suppose. Thanks Kraig, she's a beauty.



t

 

[Mike Hull]

Looks great!!

 

[cattle buyer]

Good looking rig that I bet will shoot lights out.

 

[mdesign]

Nice looking rifle!

 

[Great-White Hunter]

Great looking rifle! I have a 1903A3, but that is one setup that I have always wanted, and would love to add to the collection in a heartbeat.

 

[dorton]

Beautiful stick. Congrats on the build.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[blcouch]

Curious- what scopes are legal in that class? I've seen the long Malcolm 8x put on '03s and that 2.5x but nothing else really. I'm assuming some Unertls would be allowed. Any other period correct optics out there? I hear the Leatherwood Malcolm isn't that great, but I also hear some guys in the vintage matches having good results.

 

[McCrazy]

Very nice rifle, Kraig. I have always thought the 1903s were some of the sleekest and most purposeful-looking sniper rifles.

 

[kraigWY]

Curious- what scopes are legal in that class? I've seen the long Malcolm 8x put on '03s and that 2.5x but nothing else really. I'm assuming some Unertls would be allowed. Any other period correct optics out there? I hear the Leatherwood Malcolm isn't that great, but I also hear some guys in the vintage matches having good results.

Per CMP GSM Rules, 6.4.3 Table 3:

For the M1903A4 (03 or 03a3):
M73B1 (Weaver 330C 2.5X)
M73B2, M81, M82, M84
Non-issue (but legal) Lyman Alaskan
Weaver K 2.5

For the 1941A1
Win A5, Win B5, Win B3
USMC Unertl 8X
Non Issue (but leagle) Unertl, Lyman or Fekker 6 & 8X up to 1.5 objective, Leatherwood Malcolm 3X or 6X
All scopes must have external adjustments and no recoil springs.

Hope this helps.

 

[kraigWY]

Very nice rifle, Kraig. I have always thought the 1903s were some of the sleekest and most purposeful-looking sniper rifles.

Accurate too. The '03, 03a3 are the most underrated actions out there. If set up (true the face of the receiver with the internal threads) is as accurate as most of the high price custom actions you find today.

It's the action the Army chose to build their Mann devices to test 7.72 ammo for accuracy and consistency. It was also used in the Mann devices to test '06, 30 Cal Carbine and 45 ACP ammo.

They do make some sleek, accurate, and light, sniper systems ( I like the "light" part).

My rifle is limited because of the scope (2.5 w/post), but for shooting 300 & 600 yards in the CMP GSM games, it will work.

I shot mine yesterday, still needs tweaked a bit. Still needs to settle in the stock, and I'm going to replace the striker and spring to get a better more positive primer hit, plus I need to work on the trigger, CMP requires 2.5 lbs for bolt guns, my is less then 2.

Then I'll start the search for the best load for this thing.

But, I'll have it ready for the CMP Games in Cody come Sept.

 

[Deej]

sweet looking rifle. my son is drooling over a garrand sniper but for me this is what I would love. I might have to hit a vintage match at the club and see what it is all about. sounds like might be fun.

 

[BasraBoy]

Very nice job! Enjoy it!

 

[7mmRM]

Very cool! Enjoy!

 

[diderr]

beautiful. I would love to own one of these someday.

 

[okiefired]

That's nice brother....gotta luv those Springfields.

Okie

 

[rollcentre]

what a sweeet rifle! I want one badly. I may put off my 91/30 sniper and start looking at building one of these!

 

[Mike Radford]

Accurate too. The '03, 03a3 are the most underrated actions out there. If set up (true the face of the receiver with the internal threads) is as accurate as most of the high price custom actions you find today.

It's the action the Army chose to build their Mann devices to test 7.72 ammo for accuracy and consistency. It was also used in the Mann devices to test '06, 30 Cal Carbine and 45 ACP ammo.

They do make some sleek, accurate, and light, sniper systems ( I like the "light" part).

My rifle is limited because of the scope (2.5 w/post), but for shooting 300 & 600 yards in the CMP GSM games, it will work.

I shot mine yesterday, still needs tweaked a bit. Still needs to settle in the stock, and I'm going to replace the striker and spring to get a better more positive primer hit, plus I need to work on the trigger, CMP requires 2.5 lbs for bolt guns, my is less then 2.

Then I'll start the search for the best load for this thing.

But, I'll have it ready for the CMP Games in Cody come Sept.

Great looking rifle. Good luck with it in Cody. What part of WY are you in? I have property NW of Riverton, near Kinnear. I will likely be in WY in Sept.. What is the date?

I hate the single post reticule, just can not get repeatability. I have a 330 with post only and the tip covers about 3 inches, maybe 4, at 100 yds. Your Weaver is quite a bit better than a 330 IMO.

The Malcolm 8x is OK, I think. I got one of the first ones and it will walk off the front base. Apparently this is something they are working on or have fixed.?? Great optics though.

 

[29aholic]

Nice job! IIRC the Lyman 3A is legal for vintage snipers too.

 

[kraigWY]

Great looking rifle. Good luck with it in Cody. What part of WY are you in? I have property NW of Riverton, near Kinnear. I will likely be in WY in Sept.. What is the date?

I live in Newcastle, the NE part of the state. The CMP Games for Cody will be the 5&6th of Sept, in conjunction with the GSA (Garand Collector's Assn. Annual Meeting.

I hate the single post reticule, just can not get repeatability. I have a 330 with post only and the tip covers about 3 inches, maybe 4, at 100 yds. Your Weaver is quite a bit better than a 330 IMO.

I don't mind the post sights that much. Besides the GSM Vintage Sniper Match is fired at 300 and 600 yards, I have a gazillion rounds fired at those ranges with a M14/M1A using a post sight. Kind of use to it. I use the post on the Weaver sight just like the irons, I take a 6 O'clock hold.

Besides I taught several sniper schools using the M1C/D and their M-84 scopes, so I got use to it.

I was out this morning banging away at a 300 yard gong with this puppy...I just might switch out the 174's for 180's and take this guy elk hunting.

 

[Mike Radford]

Thanks Kraig.

 

[onethousandmeters]

Beautiful rifle! Thanks for sharing, and hope you enjoy it immensely!

 

[Vaughn]

wow, that is a great looking rifle...have a similar project that I have been dragging my feet on. This motivates me to get started!