03 target rifle question

[EversonExhaust]

I have been scouring the internet trying to figure my rifle out. I am stumped however on the barrel! it is 27in. with a taper from 1.18 to 1 inch, no front sight, SA on top of 507 stamp under scope holes, and polished bright. anyone ever seen one like this or know where it came from?

rest of the rifles features are: 129xxxx ser.# with polished and #ed J5 bolt, timny trigger, and a two color laminate stock.

It is very well built (says the couple of gunsmiths I have showed it to that tried to buy it from me) and is pretty accurate.

Any information or guesses would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

ps, After all the researching I have been up to I think I need a Unertl on it to make the rifle extra classy, does anyone agree?

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.

[45B20]

Everson

By your description it sounds like a civilian put together, although it may be well built. However there is all ways a chance, the barrel & receiver came from one of the Springfield target rifles of the very late 20s to 30s. Have someone do a SRS search of the rifle’s serial number and see what shows up. You will need to supply the entire number but you can do that thru a PM. Also take a look at Brophy, starting on page 105 and see if anything rings a bell. The barrel size that I noted that fits your description pre-dates your receiver but I certainly could have missed one.

Good photos of the rifle with emphases on any markings would be very helpful. I do think that if this is a Springfield target rifle of some type (international, free, ’T’ or whatever) the laminate stock is a much later add on, so,,, remove the barreled action from the stock and also take some good photos of the bottom of the barrel and action again with special note of any markings. There is a gentleman by the name of John Beard that frequents this forum that maybe able to help you if you supply some photos.

I would not put too much hope in the internet for a rifle like this.

Good luck, I hope you have something.

45B20

[Griff Murphey]

I started shooting high power as a high school boy in 1964. The sporterized/targetized Springfield was usually someone's first high power rifle. From there the shooter went either to a nice bolt gun like an M-70 or 40X, or an accurized M-1. That said, some people did keep their 03's and did lots of stuff to them. I can assure you that every high power firing line in the 1960's had such a rifle on the line, often times, several. You don't mention the sights; often the issue sights would continue to be used, or the rifle would be drilled and tapped for a Lyman 48 or similar better rear sight. Occasionally even a globe front sight was fitted.

[EversonExhaust]

thanks for the replies, I will get some pics up soon. After reading that chapter of Brophys book it kinda makes me want to add a palm rest and a unertl. Is there anyone out there that makes re-pro pieces of the palm rest brackets and hook buttplates? If not I am a welder could bubba something up.......after figuring out if its rare or not, of course

[EversonExhaust]

heres some pics. the barrel mark is the one that has me stumped. hell of a target rifle though. Unfortunately the only competition she sees is shooting cans and quarters, and not often enough damn work! won 20 bucks one time on a bet that I could hit 3 glowsticks in a row at 200 yards

more info: 7ish inches (measured with leatherman) between tap holes on rcvr and barrel.

[Calif-Steve]

Is this a an NRA Sporter someone has ruined? Not sure, but it looks that way to me.

[EversonExhaust]

Is this a an NRA Sporter some has ruined? Not sure, but it looks that way to me.

don't know, what else do I need to look for that would say "nra sporter"
maybe its a rare international nra sporter bubba style B national match style T?
lol

[Chuckindenver]

serial number?

[relics6165]

EversonExhaust:

We need to know your entire serial number.

From your photos, it looks like it is 1294xxx, there are literally hundreds of NRA Sporters in the 1294, 1295, and 1296 serial number block. If we knew your exact serial number, most likely one of us on this forum could look it up in the DCM 1922-1942 book, and let you know exactly what you have(or at least, what you started with).

My speculation is that you have an NRA Sporter action and bolt, most likely a Type T barrel (it may have an inch or two cut off), and after that, mostly aftermarket parts to build your target rifle.

The spacing for your scope blocks is essentially correct for Unertl (or Winchester A5) target scopes of the era. The rear block was on the front of the receiver, and the front block was on the barrel 7.2" (on centers) in front of the rear block.

The rear hole in your receiver is not correct for either Unertl or A5 blocks, and was probably added later. In addition, the holes at the rear of the receiver (on the side) are (most likely) original Lyman 48 rear sight holes.

Scott Duff just sold an '03 with a very late serial number that closely resembled a Type T, and as I recall, it has an SA over a number stamped on the barrel, just like yours. Unfortunately, it is not pictured on his website any longer. When you say the SA over 507 is under the scope holes, do you mean on the bottom of the barrel?

If you are uncomfortable posting your full serial number, PM either Chuck or me, we both have the DCM book.

With a little more info, I think we can figure out what you have. Additional photos would help, too.

HTH

[relics6165]

EversonExhaust:

"maybe its a rare international nra sporter bubba style B national match style T?"

I just read your last post, funny how I missed that...............

Other than the Style B part, you may be closer than you think!