1903-.22LR By Niedner

[JimF in CT]

I don't think it can be done using the M1922 or the M1922 M1 bolt.

They require the "overhang" part of the receiver (which is located where the clip-slot is on a standard '03-'03A3) to unlock the latch of the 2-piece bolt.

The M2 bolt WILL work, however. --Jim

[Da CSP 1903shooter]

Yes, it can be done. I have a couple of rifles that I made using M2 barrels and M2 bolts with 30-06 receivers. I have just completed two more rifles using 30-06 barrels relined to .22 LR. with 30-06 receivers and M2 bolts. NOT an easy task, takes a lot of lathe time. An insert and chamber end extension has to be made. The chamber insert extension has to be carefully made. Extractor & ejector reliefs are a pain to cut. But the results have been very good so far. I finish reamed them with a Match chamber reamer then carefully adjusted the headspace with the bolt adjustments. Using Wolf Match Target, (the cheaper stuff) I shot 50 rounds at 50 yards resulting in one hole measuring 1/2" wide by 3/4" high. I have a Unertl 10X scope mounted on that rifle. The second rifle is a Remington 1903 A3, I shot it yesterday its group was quite a bit larger (about 1 & 1/2") using the issue sights but still acceptable. Real nice projects and am real happy with them. I plan to make several more as they are just "Fun" rifles to shoot.

[Fick_2141]

I'm sure the lined 30 cal barrels shoot fine. But for simplicity, I would rather use a dedicated barrrel beit original or made from a blank.
There is a 1922 barrel on gunbroker still in grease for $500.
There are so many low number rifles out there, I don't know why more people don't convert them. I would think there would be a good market for 1903 .22 barrels. Maybe I will start a new business. Hmm

[Da CSP 1903shooter]

There are several barrel makers that will make a good 22 barrel for the Springfield type rifles. But they charge about $350 plus for the barrel, another $200 for installing, cutting the extractor relief, cutting the extractor relief and headspacing. You gotta pay the shipping back & forth another $50 plus dollars. So you have about $600 in the rifle just for the barrel. You add the cost of the rifle, the match sights, the scope, you gotta lot of money in it. So that makes it kinda hard to justify. Unless you can find an original barrel at a good price most people just won't do it. That why I used relined shotout 30-06 barrels. They take a lot of time but not a lot of cash. The group that I mentioned was one single hole of 1/2" wide by 3/4" high and there were no "flyers" outside the group. It was shot with the cheap Wolf Match target ammo. I am real sure that the rifle will do quite a bit better with some expensive Lapua, RWS or Eley but I put it together for fun, not match shooting. Even taking into consideration the lathe time, I have way less then the $600 I would have to pay for an aftermarket barrel. I could sell these relined barrels for as little as $250 and be happy with the price. Another real nice thing about them is they are original USGI dated barrels so they look pretty good on an original configuration rifle and can be used with all original stocks and parts. The aftermarket barrels are usually only offered in bull, heavy target or such tapers making them very difficult to use in original type stocks.

[Fick_2141]

So... How do you get the .22 liners? I see what you mean. Looks like a project like that is best for someone that really wants to do it, and has the tooling and expertise to get it done. Having the barrel correct externally is also a plus for most. For me I would rather it shoot as well as possible.
If a man could become known for making such a conversion by making enough of them, they could become collectable in their own right like the Neiders. Keep on making them and mark them as your creation. All you need is a reputation for quality, and time. Someday people will be collecting your rifles as unique and valuable pieces.
Now I want a lathe. lol I want to do it too.

[Da CSP 1903shooter]

You can get liners ( Redman makes them) from Brownells in Iowa. They have a web site. The liners are cheap about $30 each. But there are other makers of liners. Parker Hale used to make a real good one but don't know if they are still available?? I also made a liner using a H&R Model 12 Match bull barrel. Turned it down to about pencil thin to use it, but it shoots real good. But turning a barrel down to use as a liner takes a bunch of time. YES! You gotta get a lathe, they are a bunch of fun! You will never regret buying one. Maybe I will make a couple of barrels and sell them on gunbroker or a similar web site???

[Garand Doctor]

Just a note on using M1922 barrels for the conversion. There are two different types. The earlier one are made from a dedicated M1922 billet so they will have the full length of the standard M1903. The later one's are shorter as SA started to use 1903 billets making the barrels about 1/2 inch shorter. That's if you need to put a bayonet on the rifle. They are just a lot of fun to shoot and cheaper than an original M1922. Last one on the CMP auction site was up to over $2100.

[sandymac@mac.com]

Mike: Can you idenify all the various makes of rifles in the photo?

[Bizio]

Post deleted. I do apoligize.

[Michael Petrov]

Mike: Can you identify all the various makes of rifles in the photo?

On the ones that show a clear picture, yes!

Here is a little story on the scope on Mr. Niedner's rifle.

A story 99 years in the making. - The DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com