A Quick Range Report - 1903A4 & 1941 USMC Sniper

[Defender3]

I made a trip out to the local 100y range today to try and get some data on some rifles, including a new Accuracy International in .260, a 1903 A4 with M73B1 and a 1903 with a Unertl, usually called a 1941 USMC Sniper.

The local range goes out to 100 and it was a nice day, sunny, in the low 80's and a steady breeze. I have to say I'm still not comfortable behind this A4, I'm going to use a small towel or pad to get my cheek up so I can get a decent eye box. Also, old eyes do not like 2.5x! I "staged" the rifle pictures as I shot for almost 4hrs and realized I didn't take any pictures! So I placed to rifles back on the mat and grabbed some shots.

Two groups of Hornady 30-06 match. The rifle likes it, but I need to better my position behind the gun.

I shot well with the 1941, for some reason I was able to get better situated behind the rifle and the 10x was appreciated. Still not where I'd like to be, but better than the A4.

Here's a couple of sighters (high and adjusting down to the bull) and then a 5-shot group with the Hornady.

I fired another 5-shot string a bit later and can only assume with the rising temps I had a POI shift:

I actually can do better. The AI in .260 and the 3-shot sighter group:

Here's the weather now, and it was just hailing!

 

[E.Maker]

Very nice. Beautiful rifles.

Do you handload? I have found that with my 03-A3's, and 1903-A4's I can only achieve approx. 3 MOA with factory match ammo.

After I started precision handloading for these rifles, I was consistently getting about 0.75 MOA.

Love these old guns. They have a soul.

Ephram M.

 

[acudaowner]

thanks for the info . still love old guns and new guns and well almost all guns some not so much others are just as different as people or the weather .

 

[Defender3]

Very nice. Beautiful rifles.

Do you handload? I have found that with my 03-A3's, and 1903-A4's I can only achieve approx. 3 MOA with factory match ammo.

After I started precision handloading for these rifles, I was consistently getting about 0.75 MOA.

Love these old guns. They have a soul.

Ephram M.

I do, but I've not worked up any loads for the 30-06 or done any chamber measurements, etc. I was surprised the Hornady shot so well out-of-the-box, versus Federal Gold Medal Match and the GI M72 ball, and still believe if I can get better situated behind that 1941, I can deliver sub MOA groups with that Hornady.

 

[pmclaine]

Dont let your historical pursuit handicap you.

Had the original users had access to a Triad Tactical stock pack they would have built up the comb.

100 percent removable for the historical look.....yet provides good eye relief for social purposes...

 

[Defender3]

Dont let your historical pursuit handicap you.

Had the original users had access to a Triad Tactical stock pack they would have built up the comb.

100 percent removable for the historical look.....yet provides good eye relief for social purposes...

View attachment 7082870

Yes, I have one from my M-14 I may throw on there as it's crazy trying to get a decent position. I was shooting prone and may also try off the bench as that tends to naturally hunch you down a skosh.

 

[E.Maker]

I do, but I've not worked up any loads for the 30-06 or done any chamber measurements, etc. I was surprised the Hornady shot so well out-of-the-box, versus Federal Gold Medal Match and the GI M72 ball, and still believe if I can get better situated behind that 1941, I can deliver sub MOA groups with that Hornady.

I found that the 180gr Sierra MatchKing with H4350 worked exceptionally well. Seems that the heavier bullets were the ones I saw the best accuracy with.

Ephram E.

 

[VSP968]

The last time I was at that place it sucked my left boot off at about the 50 yard line and my fat ass went down on one knee.

I had a wet muddy foot for the rest of the morning.

 

[Defender3]

The last time I was at that place it sucked my left boot off at about the 50 yard line and my fat ass went down on one knee.

I had a wet muddy foot for the rest of the morning.

Yes, it still has drainage issues and the guys who came out yesterday said the increase in rain we've had for the last 2-years has saturated this whole region. When they added the pistol berm, the water (including underground) had no-place to go and it created it's own above ground springs. The center of the field is all torn up as they got a bobcat stuck there trying to regrade. The left side of the range is unusable and my target at 100 (about 20' from the left lateral limit) was just at the edge of the usable space.

I navigated the morass yesterday with a skillfully laid out zig-zag pattern and was fortunate to leave with both boots, and dry feet. All bets are off today after that soaking we got last evening.

Are you out at Quantico shooting any of the matches this weekend? I just stopped by High-Power and there's a good crowd, and even some really brave folks shooting open irons on their M-14s.

 

[VSP968]

Yeah, that was some storm. My generator ran from about 330PM till sometime after midnight when the power came back on.

 

[cplnorton]

This is something I really want to try. I bought a lead sled, and some 60's USGI M2. I want to put all the snipers in the rest and shoot each one for a group. Seeing your post makes me want to try it even more.

Beautiful rifles by the way!

 

[Defender3]

This is something I really want to try. I bought a lead sled, and some 60's USGI M2. I want to put all the snipers in the rest and shoot each one for a group. Seeing your post makes me want to try it even more.

Beautiful rifles by the way!

Good idea. I have one also and should give it a try someday with differing loads.

 

[sirmixalot]

defender, is that range on your property?

 

[VSP968]

That’s the local mud wrestling pit.

 

[sirmixalot]

its a 2FER

 

[Defender3]

defender, is that range on your property?

I wish, I'm in suburbia with my own 1/4 acre.

As VSP posted, it's the local IWLA range about 7 miles from the house. I'm also fortunate to be about 10 miles from the Quantico ranges.