1903A3 Springield stock

[Ontario Hunter]

Is that a Herters "world famous Belgian" stock? Looks identical to the one Dad put on my Springfield in 1962. Horse wreck broke it in two, 1981.

 

[jruby]

I don't know but the barrel is marked Barnes and Johnston. I don't know who made it but it feeds the cartridges really really well and seems to be quite accurate. The action is marked 1951.

 

[TMac]

I’d give Mark Brown a call/email at Brown Precision and see if he makes a stock for the 03A3.

Precision Stocks | BROWN PRECISIONBROWN PRECISION

brownprecision.com

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I forgot we had discussed your gun in another thread. That really is a fine rifle. Not sure I would want to use it as a beater for bad weather. Might be a collectable. Perhaps consider rebarelling to 404J? Did you confirm the bore diameter?

Curious what is COL for 404 Express?

 

[jruby]

It's likely to be used only at the range. I agree it is nice rifle and deserves to be treated well. I don't plan to do or change a thing on it. It shoots a .411 bullet which is hard to find..I havie been using barnes ttsx bullets but those are for a 405 wincjester which shoots a little slower.
I neck up 338 win mag brass to .411 and fire a full charge of IMR4320. To me in North America this is as big as I think I will ever need.

Just curious where do you live in zbontario. I grew up in Michigan . My dad love to go to Cabads to fish. We fished the Goliath river. Also a lot of lakes that did not have names but simply numbers. We caught coolers of Northern pike that were very dark in color. The fish often did not need the lure to be in the water. Dangle it a couple inches out of the water and they would go for it. Good memories
Also spent time around Nipigon and Wawa

James


Just

 

[86thecat]

Found a Bell and Carlson synthetic for my m98 bad weather rifle in the barrel of take off stocks at a small local gunshop for the princely sum of ten bucks. Couple small marks and has the old style sling swivel rods bonded into the stock, but was a good find since I didn't need anything fancy. Has an open trigger guard that works with my big hand and trigger finger placement.
Keep an eye open, sometimes luck is on your side.

PS, Sealed an old wood stock for a sported 1903 years ago when by Bellingham. Stripped wood, used nitric acid and heat gun process to stain then bedded with epoxy and sealed entire stock with thin marine epoxy, being careful not to fill checkering. Turned out pretty well and used some very fine steel wool to lightly dull the gloss. Had planned on using a laminated wood stock but had heard that some of the less expensive ones had been known to delaminate in wet areas. Could have epoxy sealed a laminated stock but liked the fit of the walnut sporter that was on it, so just adapted it to the weather. You can laminate a wooden boat with System Three (which I used) or other marine epoxy so it should keep a wood stock from being wrecked by the weather.

 

[86thecat]

Just need to be sure any stain doesn't keep epoxy from soaking into wood, thats why I used the nitric acid / heat process. Sealed first, then bedded with thickened eopxy, just in case stock moved a little when sealed.
Too late to edit above.

 

[supergrizzly]

Regarding the bolt knob, I once was hunting Potter County PA and the day before it had rained and then turned miserably cold. When I loaded up in the morning, I failed to notice that the bolt did not cock when I opened it. Apparently, the trigger had frozen. 30 minutes after light I heard a deer coming up the mountain and when it appeared over the crest at about 50 yards, I lined up and pulled the trigger. Nothing happened so I worked another round in as quietly as possible with the same result. Realizing what was happening, the doe stopped and stared at me. Thinking fast, I held as steady as possible, pulled the knob back, and released it when she was broadside. Gun went off and the doe collapsed. It was kind of like shooting a slingshot! This was with my sporterized 03A3 with a two-groove barrel that was my first build as a teen. Still have it and still love it.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Regarding the bolt knob, I once was hunting Potter County PA and the day before it had rained and then turned miserably cold. When I loaded up in the morning, I failed to notice that the bolt did not cock when I opened it. Apparently, the trigger had frozen. 30 minutes after light I heard a deer coming up the mountain and when it appeared over the crest at about 50 yards, I lined up and pulled the trigger. Nothing happened so I worked another round in as quietly as possible with the same result. Realizing what was happening, the doe stopped and stared at me. Thinking fast, I held as steady as possible, pulled the knob back, and released it when she was broadside. Gun went off and the doe collapsed. It was kind of like shooting a slingshot! This was with my sporterized 03A3 with a two-groove barrel that was my first build as a teen. Still have it and still love it.

I don't see how the bolt could be opened without the striker being cocked. In fact, I'm certain it's not possible. I'm also fairly certain your firing pin hit some ice inside the bolt that kept it from impacting the primer. Many years ago hunting moose on the last day of the season, December 15, I got the drop on a pair of them. I could hear them coming for a long time. It was -20°C and I damn near froze by the time they finally stepped into the clear. Easy shot. Click! I checked and striker was released. I opened the bolt and recocked. Back on target and another click. Clearly the firing pin was iced up. I ducked out of sight, ejected the shell into my hand, and cycled/dry fired the bolt a half dozen times until I could feel a definite "clink" as firing pin hit bottom. Loaded the chamber, leaned around the tree, and dropped the moose with a neck shot.

 

[supergrizzly]

Ontario,
I get your point but must respectfully disagree with you. The trigger froze in the fire position (pulled back and stayed there) from when I unloaded the rifle and closed the bolt the night before. The trigger sear was in the fire position so the bolt could not cock. As soon as I got back to the cabin, the trigger thawed, and the gun worked fine. When I closed the bolt on the shell, it was as if I was closing the bolt and holding the trigger (Timney) in thus, it did not cock. Trust me, it happened, and I know what I am speaking about. I have built many 03s, 03A3s, 1917s, P14s and Mausers in my life and it was just a weird coincidence of rain, me leaving the rifle in my truck overnight and freezing temps. If you close an 03A3 or many other gun's bolt while holding the trigger in it will let the firing pin down gently.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Ontario,
I get your point but must respectfully disagree with you. The trigger froze in the fire position (pulled back and stayed there) from when I unloaded the rifle and closed the bolt the night before. The trigger sear was in the fire position so the bolt could not cock. As soon as I got back to the cabin, the trigger thawed, and the gun worked fine. When I closed the bolt on the shell, it was as if I was closing the bolt and holding the trigger (Timney) in thus, it did not cock. Trust me, it happened, and I know what I am speaking about. I have built many 03s, 03A3s, 1917s, P14s and Mausers in my life and it was just a weird coincidence of rain, me leaving the rifle in my truck overnight and freezing temps. If you close an 03A3 or many other gun's bolt while holding the trigger in it will let the firing pin down gently.

Okay. We are both right. Striker cocked on open but released when bolt was closed on the cartridge. Firing pin just rested against the primer. So you decocked the gun when you put it away and trigger froze in that position? Hmm. I would have thought you would notice the bolt essentially closing itself? Ah, maybe not so slick with a shell in the chamber. Very freaky.