Guilty as charged...if you can't spoil yourself what's the purpose?

I've also never really heard of anyone building a sporter from an '03A3 action...but there are allot of things I probably haven't heard of.

Rick

I've always read that the '03A3's were really strong...it's just the lack of smooth machining and tight tollerances because of hurried up war contracts that detracts from their desirability.

Some of the latter (early 1940's) produced Remington and Smith Corona '03's are guilty of this also though.

Either way...I love this action and think it makes into great rifles. Just my opinion.

Rick

I have never found '03's to be either hard to find or what I would consider to be too expensive.

It is not at all hard to find complete rifles in the $400 to $800 range...and I have never paid more than $260 for an action.

I guess it's all in ones perception.

Rick

Just got the most recent Gun Tests where they reported on a surplus Remington 1903A3, to my surprise they reported that the action was slick and smooth. I am reminded that the steels in the 03A3s were very tough and hard and these receivers are probably stronger even than a double heat treat 1903. Perhaps a DHT bolt in an 03A3 receiver might make a pretty good sporter, but as noted an awful lot of work would be needed to make the receiver pretty.

I have four Remington made '03 actions (all made between 1940 and 1941) and two of them are very smooth, machining wise, and the other two are a bit rougher but still very nice and tight.

I guess like anything made on an assembly line in a factory you will find differences in workmanship and quality control among the products no matter who the manufacturer is.

A friend of mine used to work in an auto assembly plant and he always claimed that the worst workmanship always seemed to occur either at the end of a shift (where people were tired and hurrying to go home)...or on a Monday morning due to hang-overs from the weekend!

Rick

On reflection, a very early Remington 03 action ought to combine top metallurgy with excellent fit and finish, but I have never considered anything but DHT actions for sporters. Maybe I ought to broaden my viewpoint !!