Remington M1903 Match rifle

[Calfed]

Two years ago I got this Remington match rifle at an on-line estate sale. I knew it wasn't "as issued", but thought it might be some kind of a military, DCM or NRA match rifle. Since then, I have decided that it is a "one-off" target rifle built by a gunsmith. I've always been intrigued by the stock. I've never seen a target stock that was full military length and used the original stock metal of a military stock.

Has anyone ever seen a gunstock like this one?

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[bb1]

No. I haven't. I looks just like a gov't issue that grew a cheekpiece. Other than the rear site hole grew shut too. What does it have for a peep sight now?

[Calfed]

Well, the front of the stock certainly looks like an 03 or 03A3. Apparently, even though this is an M1903, the handguard has been replaced with an 03A3 style.

The rear of the buttstock, however, with the cheekpiece and the pistol grip is like nothing I've ever seen on an 03 or 03A3.

The sight on it now is the same as in the picture--a Lyman 48--only with an aperture installed.

[bb1]

I think the A1 had a pistol grip. Never,ever a cheekpiecs. I couldn't tell if it was a Williams, Lyman or what kind of sight. I can't see the serial number. Is it 3xxxxxx?
I'm envious.
Bill

[Rick the Librarian]

The rear sight looks like a Lyman. Don't know what to make of the stock.

[Calfed]

Hi, Rick. I posted pics of this rifle on Gun Boards a few years ago trying to identify it. Got a few compliments, but no real information. The feedback at that time is what convinced me that this was not some issued match rifle from the DCM or NRA.

Here are a few more pics, one of the rear of the stock and the other of the barrel, which has been highly polished, to the point where the maker and date is very faint.



I removed the handguard and found that the barrel is almost free-floated, except for the end, where it exerts a bit of upward pressure on the upper band. Some one has gone to a great deal of trouble to do this, as it appears that the barrel may have been turned down a bit.





Were these types of match guns common at one time, and is there anyway of ever knowing who the 'smith was?

[Chuckindenver]

nice rifle.
heres my take..
stock made by custom stock maker, using a GI stock as a guide..{no band spring notch}
front lug,,1917 Enfield,
receiver ring, a modified 17 ring.
barrel, a set back 1903A3 barrel.
buttplate, Savage target buttplate.
likely the shooter did the mods himself, as did many in that day.
id bet the buttstock has weight added as well, remove the buttplate and see.

[Jeff L]

It looks like a nice shooter to me. I'm sure you'll get some gawkers at the range.

-Jeff L

[Calfed]

It is a very good shooter

Here is a target, 150 grain Federal Power shoks:



I think it could have done better--I fired that before I realized that I needed to install an aperture in the threaded hole

I'll have to develop a load for it and see what it can really do.

[Chuckindenver]

try some 180 GRN bullets, and back your loads off a bit, that usually tightens up my groups lol.