Have just been given a nice 03A3 action by my BIL (D&R Gunshop) and am considering it for a 9.3 x 62 build. Will the 03 magazine allow me to seat the heavier bullets without restricting powder capacity? Also, I have heard that some of the earlier actions had some heat treating issues that restricted chamber pressures, can anyone give me a serial number cut-off for these actions?

Many Thanks,

Jim

The 03s had the heat treat issues- I don't think that there was any problems with the A3s. I haven't measured the box length in my 03, but I don't think that you will have issues with the 9.3x62. BTW, I have found the 250 TSX to be an excellent choice for my Model 70 based 9.3x62.

Thanks for the info mrfudd!

a3? it will be fine... polish it up a bit, and you should have no issues worth mentioning

You are kidding me, a desecration of an American action with a Germanic cartridge!
1903 Springfields should be 35 Whelens, 400 Whelens and 30/06's.
Mausers should be metric.

Just an opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
You are kidding me, a desecration of an American action with a Germanic cartridge!

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
You are kidding me, a desecration of an American action with a Germanic cartridge!
1903 Springfields should be 35 Whelens, 400 Whelens and 30/06's.
Mausers should be metric.

Just an opinion.

I know he's kidding but man that would be a lot of re chambers due to the gazilion mausers out there with "American" chamberings.

Then don't forget the .30-06 is a metric cartridge it was just converted to inch dimensions.
Even the beloved .45 acp is based on a metric cartridge John browning already had the tooling for a 12mm case head so the .45 ACP is a
8mm mauser case head

Ok, so lets say I decided to go with the the 35 Whelen instead of the 9.3; what make of factory brass is best (not interested in forming from 06 brass), and is there as many good .35 bullets available as there are for the 9.3? I notice there seems to be only a 20-30 fps edge for the 9.3 using the Barnes 250. Also, how acceptable is the Privi brass that Graf's sells?

Jim

As far as I know Remington is the only company that makes brass for the whelen. I believe you will find more bullets for the 35, but the weights tend to be lower than for the 9.3.

the 03a3 as stated has no heat treat issues. it has a stamped bottom metal unit on it that you can replace with the nicer version from a standard 03 if you want to make it a bit nicer.

Although I think it is classic to do a whelen on one, if you prefer the 9.3 I see no reason not to do that. Then later do a whelen on a mauser.

Red

by that logic, it should be a CRIME to put a 30-06 or 308 on a mauser ..

do what you wish.. it'll feed fine, and if not, its just a couple dollars to get it to

I have a 6.5-06 built on a 1903/A4 which should have a similar magazine max length to a 1903/A3.

The max COL length rounds I can load and reliably feed with it are 3.424 inches.

So in answer to your question, the 9.3x62 (which is typically listed with a max COL of 3.340 inches) should easily feed out of your action.

.....but, you should really make it into a Whelen

Barstooler

The Grafs brass is very good. I had good luck with IMR4064, Grafs brass, and 250 TSX.

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
by that logic, it should be a CRIME to put a 30-06 or 308 on a mauser ..

do what you wish.. it'll feed fine, and if not, its just a couple dollars to get it to

No, it's OK to do that since they lost the war.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark:

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
by that logic, it should be a CRIME to put a 30-06 or 308 on a mauser ..

do what you wish.. it'll feed fine, and if not, its just a couple dollars to get it to

No, it's OK to do that since they lost the war.

To the winners so go the spoils

The 9.3X62 can be loaded to 2700 fps with 250 gr bullets if you got to full 60,000 psi loads. That is comparing apples with apples ...with the 35 Whelan. For the 03 action you can go to 2600 fps and still be better off than the 35 Whelan. You can load Woodleigh 320 gr RN for a buffalo load or 232 gr Normas for deer. PM me with your email id if you want some bullet test data, loads etc on the 9.3X62. I have heaps of useful info. Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Freestate101:
Ok, so lets say I decided to go with the the 35 Whelen instead of the 9.3; what make of factory brass is best (not interested in forming from 06 brass), and is there as many good .35 bullets available as there are for the 9.3? I notice there seems to be only a 20-30 fps edge for the 9.3 using the Barnes 250. Also, how acceptable is the Privi brass that Graf's sells?

Jim

Both cartridges are excellent and will suit a 1903 nicely.

I personally like the 9,3x62.

I also like Springfields. They can make lovely sporters! And having been given the action you need not feel guilty about making something nice from it!

Do the polish work slowly and carefully ... there is a very pretty rifle in there

Don't get me wrong I love metric cartridges I have some of them too but my 9.3 is on a Mauser so are all of our 6.5's. Just seems like the right thing to do.
I love Springfields and have some. Currently have 30/06 on a Springfield but have a 30/40 on the way and another 03' action that is slowly becoming a 400 Whelen.
I hope you all know I was ribbing mostly but if it were me I'd have a hard time going metric in a Springfield even though the 9.3 in a 1903 would be a smooth set up and would be a natural fit.

On another note I use the brass from Graf's that is stamped Graf 9.3x62 and the PRVI 285 grain bullets with Ramshot Big Game powder and CCI 200 primers and the whole mix performs great.