Need help resolving a 1903's insufficient headspace

[Chuckindenver]

so,., youv owned it 42 years, and have shot it a bunch, and now all of a sudden it wont close on a go gauge? does it close easy on a factory round? if so, your good to go

[RDG]

so,., youv owned it 42 years, and have shot it a bunch, and now all of a sudden it wont close on a go gauge? does it close easy on a factory round? if so, your good to go

No. You have read it wrong. I have NOT shot it a lot. I thought I might have shot it in the past a FEW times, but given that it will NOT close on a factory round makes me think I never shot it and have confused it with my other 1903. STILL LOOKING FOR A GUNSMITH recommendation because my earlier hope is a bit delayed for now.

[browningautorifle]

STILL LOOKING FOR A GUNSMITH recommendation because my earlier hope is a bit delayed for now.

Well, Chuckindenver has sure worked his share and I'm pretty sure he has a set of gauges and reamers...ship it off to him and he'll return it with a warranty.

[Chuckindenver]

ok,, sounds like it just needs to be finished reemed./.
so.
ill touch on a few things posted.
setting the shoulder back. sounds easy, and anyone who says, just set the should back, as most likely never done so, or has a real clue how its done.
turning the shoulder back, on a 1903, would be a almost a 1/4 inch, yes, thats a country mile, you would then have to move the breach face up, that same distance, as well as recut the extractor cut, and recut the cone breach , then, recut the chamber, and then all your brass from that day forward would show were you pushed that chamber forward.
on the 1903, you would have to remove and reinstall the rear sight base. guess what? that rear sight base wont fit anymore, so now what? shims? solder it? mabye some epoxy? lets say it all works out, you figure this out...then you install a bayonet.. well, now what.. its a 1/4 inch too short,
iv been down this road so many times... it would be cheaper and better, if indeed you had long headspace { you dont} to replace the barrel. even if you used a commercial replacement , like criterion or whiteoak.. nice original 1903 barrels are still around .
i dont think. your barrel needs replaced. just finish reemed. so that it will take a live round.
the reason on said anything about turning the shoulder back. is this post is now on a search engine... not so much for you.. the OP but for future viewers..

[browningautorifle]

setting the shoulder back. sounds easy, and anyone who says, just set the should back, as most likely never done so, or has a real clue how its done.

I have Chuck...

[Chuckindenver]

my comment wasnt directed at anyone , just a clarification, on the process.. i hear turn the shoulder back tossed around in random comments and it makes me cringe lol