+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: 03A3 finally gets to the range.

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member Ridolpho's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Last On
    09-27-2022 @ 11:12 PM
    Location
    Province of Alberta, Canada
    Age
    66
    Posts
    1,019
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:24 PM

    03A3 finally gets to the range.

    Am currently going through the collection looking for something to shoot at an upcoming informal WW1/2 commemorative get-together. Wanted to get away from the Lee Enfields for a while so tested two 30-06's- Model 1917 and this '43 03A3. Did a thread on this one a while back and concensus was it's a rifle that was re-furbed after very little use- 4 groove bore is like a mirror and wood is excellent. Bought it 25 years ago and it has been in the safe since. Found the peep sight excellent with the tall, thin front blade working well on the targets I was using. Trigger pull is different from what I'm used to shooting lately but I would call it very good with a 2 stage pull and crisp break. Didn't need to waste a lot of the Federal American Eagle I have on hand- a couple of shots to adjust windage and got the 100 yard 5 shot group in the photo. Center to center 2.6 inch with 4 in a little under 2 inch (crude bench with left hand supported lightly by sandbag). For fun I then dragged my target out to the max distance on this range (230 yards) and quickly shot a single 5 shot group (the yellow dots). 4 of these are 5 inch center to center with the 5th ruining things. The range calibration for this ammo seems to be a bit off (although perfect at 100) but I was holding the tip of the blade on the central red dot and if I moved it down to just below the black it wouldn't be too bad. All in all I was shocked by how well this rifle worked but I guess it should be expected out of a gun in this condition. The Model 1917 didn't do quite as well and will need some tuning. The 03A3 will likely be the gun I use at this shoot where the max range will be 400m (430 yards). Can anyone suggest some commercial FMJ 30-06 that might be closer to the range calibration of these sights?

    Ridolpho
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 01:16 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,838
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:24 PM
    We don't have much in the 30 cal FMJ choices here in Canadaicon. Federal is just about all there is. I'd be loading for it...with Hornady FMJs.
    Regards, Jim

  4. Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:


  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Advisory Panel purple's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Last On
    06-05-2021 @ 09:59 PM
    Posts
    86
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:24 PM
    Handloading will bring out the best in the rifle. I load for mine a lot and find any of the 168gr match bullets to be a good starting point with IMR4064. The 155gr Sierra and Nosler match bullets are also a good choice. The 150gr Hornady FMJ is about the most accurate of the non-match grade FMJ bullets. You can also experiment with IMR 4895, Varget, H4895 or IMR 4320, all of which do very well in the .30-06.

  7. Thank You to purple For This Useful Post:


  8. #4
    Advisory Panel Chuckindenver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 12:38 PM
    Location
    Denver Co
    Age
    61
    Posts
    3,152
    Real Name
    chuck
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:24 PM
    switch to a letter A front sight, use a 6:00 hold on the target
    warpath metal finishing contact info.
    molinenorski@msn.com
    720-841-1399 during normal bus, hours.

  9. Thank You to Chuckindenver For This Useful Post:


  10. #5
    Legacy Member Ridolpho's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Last On
    09-27-2022 @ 11:12 PM
    Location
    Province of Alberta, Canada
    Age
    66
    Posts
    1,019
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:24 PM
    Thread Starter
    Thanks for the comments guys. Unfortunately I don't have time to reload for this one right now. Chuck- do you know of a current source of "A" front sight blades?

    Ridolpho

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Finally got back to the range today
    By majspud in forum Italian Rifles
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 06-15-2014, 07:39 AM
  2. She's finally in her forever home, with first range report.
    By ChrisATX in forum Range Reports - Show us how good you are!
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 04-14-2014, 09:20 AM
  3. Range report........finally....
    By Bionicback321 in forum Japanese Rifles
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-10-2012, 03:16 PM
  4. got to the range yesterday - finally happy
    By spinecracker in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 06-28-2010, 08:10 AM
  5. Finally got the girls to the range
    By Mike D in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 01-24-2010, 10:03 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks