Is it possible to use a 1903 action for a 404 jeffery, or, a 416 ?

A 404 on an 03 Springfield would look like this:




and would end up like this:



I had mine done by Harry mcGowen (St. Ann, IL).

Ronn

It would be a great choice for any of the larger DG rounds.

However, a Jeffery on anything other than a Mauser is sacrilege;-)

quote:

Originally posted by Ronn38:
However, a Jeffery on anything other than a Mauser is sacrilege;-)

Nah, just less expensive! I love my M70 in 404j, I would love it in a Mauser as much. Now what to build on my recently aquired $75 1909 action?

03-- great place for a 416 AcRel

A 1909 action? That's really old--I'll take it off you're hands for what you paid for it. Then you can buy a nice new Howa ;-)

Ronn

Thanks! We will be in Dallas for DSC and since their venue has changed, the market hall gun show will be on the same time and I intended to go(haven't been in years) and try to find a good project rifleto go along with my '03 30-06.

lee440 has a very nice .458 win amg on a springfield.... shoots very nice!!!!!

Wow Ron, that is fantastic, if you have more pics please post them. most big bore springfields are just myths. you hear about them but never actually see pics. and that one looks like a very fine rifle indeed.

an 09 action for 75 bucks, yeah, I hate you.

what all was involved in the 404 on the springfield? custom magazine, rail work etc etc?

Red

Wow! That looks great!!

Ok, now as to serial numbers: my current '03 was manufactured in 1908 sn 300k; should I be looking for a similar range sn or go higher?

which manufacturer is the question we need to ask. SPRINGFIELDS below 800,000 and rock island below 285,507 are "low numbered" single heat treat and are not considered ideal or "safe" (by some" for customizing. since you're looking at spending the money for a custom you should go ahead and hold out.

all the other manufacturers used nickle steel, and are fine.

03a3's are also fine, and somewhat easier to find, but the bolts aren't as nice and the bottom metal is stamped. If you decide to go that route use all the parts off your 03 to fancy it up.

sadly I don't know which gunsmiths (living) really know how to work on an 03 or even 1917 actions. (anybody that knows of said smiths pm me some names, I'm not in market now but hopefully have future need). but the basic work is same as any other rifle.

Red

Right; my '03 is a Remington. When we clear customs, inbound from Zim, the rifle's SN shows up on Custom's screen as a stolen 12 ga Remington shotgun

If it's a Remington you're cool man. I've got a nice rem 03 action sitting in the safe right now too. Ease keep us appraised of the project. I'm real intersted

Red,

Thanks--I thought if G&H could build big bores on '03s, so could I! Harry McGowen (St. Ann,IL.) did the work; opened up the action,bolt face and extractor, worked the rails, mag extension, and added recoil lug on the barrel. I'm using a Timney trigger, which limits how much you can remove from the rear of the action, Harry took a little from the front and a little from the back when opening the action. He built a 35 Whelen for me on a 03A3 in 1987 and I really liked his work. I would say he knows his way around a Springfield’s.

I wasn't happy with the feel of the stock when those pictures were taken, so I put some weight in the butt and shorten the pull a tad, did a little reshaping on the for-end and added a recoil bolt. I post some more pic's when I finish rubbing in the finish.

I was unaware Remington also made 1903 models during the Great War; I thought they were assigned P17’s for manufacture (along with the M91 for the Tzar). Learn something new every day

Ronn

I have a friend with some Rem 03 actions and some 1917's as well. They all have good triggers and some style safety, good bolt handles etc. One or two of the Springfields have Side swing safeties on them. I don't know if 2 pos or 3. I think he wants $600 or $650 each for the converted ones.

Ronn38, Remington made 1903's in 1942 and 1943 on Rock Island tooling before simplifying production and making the 03-A3.

If I had money I'd love to have a couple of 1917 remingtons around for far future. IF I HAD MONEY I"d like all kinds of things. right now I'm more worried about preschool for two little girls. man life gets pricey.

Red