Opinion on drill rifle rebuild.

[mattgunguy]

My title is a bit misleading. I'm not looking for opinions as to whether or not recover a drill rifle, that is a topic which I have no issue with. No, this is a request for opinions on my current collection of parts & which route to take. I've never had more than one receiver to choose from at once before. I've a maybe NOS High Standard replacement barrel. I didn't pull it out of the package, so I'm not 100% on the NOS statement as yet. Regardless, this is the barrel I'm using now.

Remington serial# 3302670. This one is closest to usable now. Has just a few spots that still could use some attention.

Springfield Armory serial# 945276. I've done nothing to this one aside from removing the welded cut off, bolt, & fitting a new cut off. Haven't cleaned up anything else.

The rest of my current crop of parts is rather assorted. Early & late rear sight sleeves. Milled & stamped followers / butt plates, front & rear bands. Only have a stamped magazine at the moment (but there is another gunshow next weekend). The darker is a two bolt & the other has no bolts.

I'm leaning towards using the Remington receiver & mostly the stamped small parts. Kinda like an 03 / 03a3 or late rebuild.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

I'd do the Remington too, it's closest to ready. The hashed cut off area on the Springfield would always bother me to look at. It'll be fine once it's had a refinish. I like that old two bolt stock too.

[baltimoreed]

I’ve always liked the milled parts of the 03 over the stamped 03-A3 even if it is a better shooter. Preferring the 1896 and 1899 Krag rifles it’s only natural that I’d like the lines of the ‘03 and it’s sights.

[browningautorifle]

I’ve always liked the milled parts of the 03

Me too, they can be changed around as they come available anyway.

[mattgunguy]

I prefer the milled parts as well, & I greatly prefer the sights of an 03 over the 03a3.

[browningautorifle]

Should work out to be an enjoyable build anyway...keep us up on what happens?

[Phoenixent]

Rebuilt 3000 Springfield Rifles both 03 and 03-A3 from drill rifles at 16 years old working for Federal Ordnance. They all were Cal ROTC drill rifles that we took the plugs out cleaned the chambers and checked headspace. Then reassembled and tested with five rounds of PMC each rifle. Fun time for a 16 year old back in the early 80s.

[mattgunguy]

It is short chambered. Bolt test gauge on the go gauge. Now I've got to get a finish reamer. Since .30-06 is one of the few common American calibers that I don't have already.

But at least it's a factory fresh bore.

[mattgunguy]

Very long thread on this very subject. Had one here too, but I can't find it now.

rebarreling 1903a3 questions - CMP Forums

Worth the read. CID has some very good information on down in it. I learned how to do these from reading his posts over the years.

Couldn't agree more when he says "do it right the first time".

[ssgross]

I prefer the milled parts as well

ditto here. On poorly fitted or new "drop in ready" (note the quotes, they never are but many expect them to be) stocks rounds can frequently "stick" (usually second to last or last round) when the gap between top of mag and receiver is not perfect. It's a lot easier at the range to pop the floor plate off the milled magazine than to remove the action screws on the stamped one.