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I'm going to be looking for an 03A3 for cast bullet match shooting (100-300 yds) and am wondering whether stock pins vs bolts are a concern for 1600 fps loads. Also, it seems that what I really need is a good bolt and bore combination rather than overall correctness. Opinions or experienced recommendations welcomed.
Bore condition would be my first concern. If you shoot cast bullets in a rough or pitted bore, you will be fighting problems with 'leading' that will drive you to distraction.
Full agreement on a smooth barrel being important to prevent leading, and ease cleaning. As I understand it from reading Brophy, Campbell and Poyer, the stock pins (vs. Crossbolts) caused problems for the Springfield because of the primary use of an '03 in a mid-late WW2 Rifle Platoon that was mostly equipped with M1 Garands - which was Grenade Launching! Initially the M1 could not perform this function, so a couple of 03's were needed in each Platoon for the Grenadier.
So I don't think you will notice anything using normal to light cast bullet loads. The second crossbolt was not even added to the 03 stock until around 1917, so I don't think you have a lot to be concerned about - unless you want to launch Rifle Grenades......
PS - This could be your excuse to put the newly acquired rifle in a nice, new CMP "C" Pistolgrip stock, though. CC
I agree - I don't think the amount of use that most people put M1903s are going to cause a pinned stock to crack under normal use.
I shoot almost nothing but cast bullets in my 03A3. Bore size is most important. Rough or pitted bores can often shoot cast very well (my Krag for example). I have never had a problem with leading. The nuimber 1 cause of leading is improperly (e.g., too small) sized bullets. Slug your bore and size the bullet at or 0.001" over bore size (or more ideally, throat size).
Stock pins will have no effect.
Stock bedding would be of greater importance than the pins or bolts if you shoot cast bullets.
A new 2 groove barrel in a nice '03-A3. You should be in good shape.
Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I picked up two Remington 03A3s today at Puyallup; one a stone mint unissued with 2-groove bbl, and a very nice 2-groove with a gorgeous fiddleback stock as a shooter. Both have a MW of 0.5 and throats below 1. The leade on the "shooter" is sharp and I think it will shoot well. The unisssued one will be a safe queen. Pics will follow on a separate posting next week. Thanks again....