I know where I can pick up a nice 03 action for $450. The barrel seems to have been shortened, and the stock has been butchered.

Is it worth it for an action, perhaps with a barrel, for a custom rifle? The 03 action seems to be very smooth. I am very familiar with the 98 and M70, but although I own an 03A4, I don't know what this action is like for a custom rifle. Ku-dude

a nice, unhacked one shuld go arond 500... the FIRST cut on it cuts that in half. I picked up one alst jan, for $140, that was "perfect" except the 3 holes drilled and tapped, and the bolt skimmed for a scope. If i find the correct receiver, it'll rework... but it shoots 1.25"...

1903's and mexican mausers had been the basis for what I did with guns a long while
jeffe

Ku-dude
I'm trying to get a hold of an 03 also, but unless that is an unmolested action that is a candidate for restoration into a service rifle, I would say that is way over priced.
There was one in the AR classifieds that just closed today that went for less than $300. I think. It was a complete functioning gun. You can also get 03's from the CMP for that price.
At the last gun show here in town there were a couple old sporterized 3's in the $250 range
I don't think a barreled action should bring more than about $150-$175 . Unless it is rare or some kind of special production, like the guns modified for the pederson device.
Any way thats my 2cents
Good luck Shawn

They make up into a real nice custom rifle if they're done right. I've got a couple of them and they are among my favorites. The one you describe sounds way overpriced. Saw one at a gun show this a.m. that was probably close to what you are describing. Asking price was $300, probably could have got it for a bit less.

Unless it as all the smithing done to it bolt bent drilled and tapped not worth a whole lot around a 100 dollars even with all the work 150 to 200. remember you can buy a whole new rifle for less.

The 1903 Springfield really isn't very suitable for customization. Never was.

As a public service I have purchased a few from those individuals who had the misfortune of being stuck with one.

I still offer this service.

GV

I just sold a sporterized one in the Classified section for slightly less than $300 in an "auction style" format. Go look at the thread. Alink to the pics are there of what I sold. I don't know anything about these things, I've only focused my energies on newer sporting production rifles, but that might help you.

Roger

The 1903 Springfield really isn't very suitable for customization. Never was.

As a public service I have purchased a few from those individuals who had the misfortune of being stuck with one.

I still offer this service.

Grandview

Do you charge for this service besides the small donation you give to these poor people?

GrandView- I have a half dozen or so of these old clunkers. How much would you charge to take them off my hands?

Well, it should be obvious by now that my previous post was "tongue in cheek". My brother Idared and I have carried a few Springfields into the woods since the early 60's.

The 1903 Springfield is certainly a suitable foundation for a custom rifle. Bear in mind that the term "custom" has evolved into a completely different animal from the 20's until now.....particularly when referring to a military conversion. In the early days a Springfield military conversion was one of the few options to obtain a quality bolt action hunting rifle here in the US. Particularly one that was capable of handling cartridges in the 30-06 family.

As with Mauser military conversions, the Springfields require the usual bolt handle, safety, and trigger modifications for the current typical application with scopes. After market scope mounts, triggers, and safeties aren't as plentiful for Springfields as they used to be.....certainly not as readily available as those for the many Mauser actions.

The 03's are more desirable than the 03-A3's because of better finish and action contours. The 03's have a pleasing round contour on the rear tang verses the flat "slab" look of the A3's. The 03's have a milled trigger guard that is the shape of the Winchester Model 70 while the A3's have an ugly stamped version. An 03 bolt will be nicely polished and contoured while the typical A3 has rough machined ridges in it...particularly around the safety lug. That external safety lug requires a higher rear bridge than a Mauser, so scope mounting won't be quite as low as on a Mauser.

The Springfield will safely handle and feed the magnum cases, although I've never used one that was as "slippery" as those with 30-06 class cartridges. I wouldn't build one anymore on anything but the 30-06 family.

I have a real affinity for the Springfield, and spend more money on each than is likely practical for some. But then, a truly practical man probably isn't affected by history or nostalgia. I readily admit I am.

GV

With regard to the contemplated Springfield action purchase for a custom project, shouldn't some consideration be given to the serial number vis a vis, the low number casehardened receiver issue. I seem to recall Springfield actions under about 800,000 and Rock Island numbers under about 285,000 are considered unsafe to fire due brittleness of the receiver and bolt.

GrandView

Quote:"I have a real affinity for the Springfield and spend more money on each than is likely practical for some. But then, a truly practical man is probably not affected by history or nostalgia. I readily admit I am."

Well said GV. You speak for many of us. I only own one 1903 at this time, but it is a pre war Rock Island. Not perfect by any means, but a joy to behold for the reasons you expressed.

Idared,

You better stop singing the praises of this thing or I'm goint to "lose" your check when it gets here! hee hee.

Seriously, I would love to see/hear what it becomes in your hands.

Roger

I have an RIA 03, a Remington 03A3, and a Remington 03A4 all in original configuraton, as I received them from the CMP. I wouldn't even think about messing with any of them. They are all great shooters just as they are.
Mausers are my choice for custom projects. The only thing I don't like about them is the slower lock time which isn't a good thing if your trying to build a heavy varmint gun.

I would not pay over $275. for an 03 action and only that on a very good one...They are a nice action and smooth as silk, but for $450 you can pick up a Sears, JC Higgens, FN Mauser action or even a nice enough pre-64 Win.

Ray has given super advice on 1903 action values. His figures agree with my thinking almost perfectly. For $275.00 you need to get a good action with a milled triggerguard and floorplate to my way of thinking. I do love Springfields, as much or more than Mauser 98s or pre-64 Winchesters, but it is far too easy to put more money in them than you realize until it is too late. Best not to give too much in the beginning to help this from happening. If you look around good 1903s can still to be found that aren't messed with too bad yet.

I also will not dismantle a Springfield that is original or even one that can be returned to original state fairly easy any more. Back in the sixties such examples were everywhere and I didn't feel bad doing it but times have changed.

I have been monitoring this conversation and want to add that this action has been altered to accept dovetailed receiver sight in the rear and tapped for scope mounts. It has a shortened 3006 barrel with a front sight base that would accept a target sight. The stock has been chopped, UGLY. You could make a nice rifle from the barreled action. I'd say it is 03 not 03A*.

I have an 03A3 in mint condition and several custom rifles on M98 and M70 actions. The O3 is sooooo slick. I thought it might be nice to have one nicely stocked in 30-06. The one I have an eye on is a Remington. Ku-dude

Ku-dude

If it is made by Remington and the serial number is between 3,000,000 and 3,348,085 it should be a 1903. If it is above 3,348,085 it should be a 1903A3. This should clear up any question about which model it is, although if you are at all familiar with the Springfield rifle it is easy to tell by just a glance which model it is.

All Remingtons, both 1903 and 1903A3 were made of Nickel Steel so are very strong but aren't usually as smooth and slick as the double heat treated Springfield Armory and the Rock Island models. They are the ones I really like to find and will pay more for them than Nickel Steel models. I do agree that you should have a custom rifle based on a springfield. Good luck in achieving that.

I bought a 1903, with a custom stock, Lyman sights, custom bolt handle Timney trigger, Buehler safety, for $250. It's very very accurate.