my neighbor offered me a low s/n 1903 for 150.00. it has a very nice sporter stock, drilled and tapped with weaver rings and a 4x weaver scope.the bolt handle (looks like a hollow bolt m70) was very well done. only problem is the s/n is just over 300,000. it has a nice pacymeyer pad and new barrell. would it be safe if i kept loads on the mild side.

I'd jump on it.. and if it is one of those that are not the best of steel, then shoot lower pressure loads in it....

For a $150.00, I don't think you could go wrong, even if you have to be frugal on the velocity at times...

cheers
seafire

I'd get it as well, one can never have too many 06 rifles laying around. Just have it checked out if you have any doubts about the safety of the rifle and then enjoy.

I have one in the 250K area. I back off about 5-10% on my loads.

I'd take it in a heartbeat.

69? total guns "blew up..

jeffe

If it is a Rock Island, a 300,000 serial number range puts it in a better materials and processes range. The double heat treat really did very little overall; the single heat treat receivers were being burnt in the forging room before heat treat. All the double heat treatment did was spend lots of money giving the absolute best heat treatment that could be given to an incredibly low grade of materials.

Regardless of heat treat, these old 03's were built from materials that today is used for construction rebar. No one in their right mind would make a fire arm from duplicate materials as plain carbon steel just does not have the yield strength of even cheap low alloy steels.

Assuming that yours is a good single heat treat, remember that 1) the 03 was designed without shooter protection concerns, 2) was made in a period when steel quality was highly variable, and 3) is of low strength even if the materials were to spec and were properly heat treated.

For $150.00 bucks, I would buy it. But I would not reload max loads in the thing. If you blow a case head in that rifle the receiver ring is coming off.

The safest thing to do with pre WWI rifles is to make them wall hangers.

The price is right.

I wouldn't hesitate to shoot factory or handloaded equivalent loads in it.

Grab it.....but everyone else has said that already!

Whether that number is safe depends on the manufacturer. Try http://m1903.com/03rcvrfail/ for a little background.


Okie John

for better or worse i am now the owner. i will take of the front base and check the manufacturer. thanks for all the info. i most asuredly will keep my loads on the weak side.

My 1903 that I am in the process of turning into something decent, is a Rock Island in the serial range of 300,000.....

A little research put that serial range of being manufactured in about 1920 to 1922... before the Rock Island Arsenal quit making Springfields...

So that age range should be just fine for full power loads...