1903A3 - Just wondering. Will it hang in there.

[dwtaylorpdx]

I have a sporterized Smith Corona, My grandfather built it in the 50's, he worked in a mill so a friend of his turned the barrel and bobbed it.. Did a very credible job. Its in a Tiger Maple stock all in all a neat gun. BUT,, at > 17 lbs its not a gun I want to huff around in the Rockies..

I put a Timney in it a few years back and I've killed a lot of critters over the 35 years I've hunted with it.. But after lord knows how many rounds (Probably in the 5000+ range.) its starting to throw fliers. This gun used to consistently punch sub inch groups at 200 off a bench with bags. (20 shots through a 1" target....)

What I'm wondering is if I could play at F open if I picked up a decent new barrel? is there any specific reason the old girl wound not work ? I was considering a target stock to save the wear and tear on the one granddad built. (Too pretty. lol) Piller bed it, do the basics. The action is in good shape and Ive worked it over to make it as fast as I can. Was thinking of a 284 chamber...

Well that's it.. Cheers...

Dave

 

[rifleman700]

Re: 1903A3 - Just wondering. Will it hang in there.

Will you win any matches shooting an 03? Probably not. Can you be competitive? Depends on your ability more than the rifle. I own a few 98 Mausers and they shoot sub moa but I would never win anything with them. The question is how competitive do you want to be? Also, you won't save that much money in the long run. I would go Rem 700 or Savage if your on a budget.

 

[10ringping]

Re: 1903A3 - Just wondering. Will it hang in there.

Love the 700.

 

[dwtaylorpdx]

Re: 1903A3 - Just wondering. Will it hang in there.

400 for a barrel, and 200 for a stock blank, or just re-bed the old stock, with pillars to tighten it up. Grand-dad full floated the barrel with plenty of room, I could put a pretty heavy profile barrel in the original stock + It fits me like a glove.

I'd like to try F just to get the experience before I commit to another gun...

Dave

 

[scharfschutze762]

Re: 1903A3 - Just wondering. Will it hang in there.

I say go for it and see where you need to improve before you dump a load of money. If your rifle shoots under a minute hot then spend the money on ammo and practice. Hell I read an article a while back where some English dude won the world championships with a Choate major plaster stocked rifle. Dont forget a decent scope.
Good luck