The 03-A3 is a Smith-Corona

If you had a choice, which action would you choose to sporterize?

anything shorter than 3.5" and smaller than .550 case diameter, it would be the springfield for me.

enfields - biggins!

What Jeffe said.
Regards, Joe

Neither if they were origional. What the others said in not.

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
anything shorter than 3.5" and smaller than .550 case diameter, it would be the springfield for me.

enfields - biggins!

+1

Abob, I will throw my 2c into the pot.

Cartridge selection makes a difference, so does the end result you are looking for.

size of course could put the 03a3 out of the action, as the guys stated, but depending on how high end you want the result the enfield may be less work/money. the things I'm thinking of are this:

(I'm going to go with both actions being as original)

SIMPLE SPORTER
the 03a3 is cheaper to just sporterize out of the box, take the rear site off, drill and tap it, timney trigger, and wood and synthetic stocks don't require anything fancy with the bottom metal. change safety for scope. (not sure you have to do handle)

an enfield is going to have the ears, thos need to come off, and if it isn't a remington you have the duck pond to deal with (if you want) then drill and tap, cock on open kit is very usual, and a timney trigger. but for stocking if you want nice lines you need to cut and weld the triggerguard, to get rid of the dogleg in it. nice thing is that no safety change isneeded, and the enfield safety is cosmetics aside a damn perfect safety, my favorite. and bolt handle should work with scope (although I don't like it.)

so 03a3 would be chaper, but....

you're spending the money, maybe you want it to be nice

add to the 03a3 an 03 bolt (doesn't look like a camshaft factory reject) and 03 bottom metal (not stamped, removable floorplate) and some other work for shaping and fitting and snaz up. mag box modifications depending on the cartridge.

enfield, ahhh, aftermarket botto metal is available for this if you want to go hinged which there is no drop in for the springfield.

IMO I have probably one of the most extensively customized 03a3's being built (only reason no hinged floorplate is because my father who I was building it for has never had one and didn't want one), and my favorite rifle is a sporterized 1917. therefor I can't tell you which I'd choose because there are so many things I'd consider and there are a few things I don't know about your goal.

both are cool, and something that isn't a mauser. if you go springfield you'll be in even a smaller group of custom rifles I think.

Red

mauser bottom metal works for either, it a tiny bit of bending and/or tigging .. however, in the 03, your basic stock can be openned to accept it .. on an enfield, its a custom stock