Need accuracy help with 03A3

[us019255]

"... Main problem was people could not get the bolts closed without hammering the bolts shut w..."


The plot thickens. Sounds like that one lot had brass that was longer than spec. Now if, like mine, many Garands have head space on the long side, but M1903's are on the tight side the original observation would make sense.

I have something else to check on my HXP (so far unmolested in the spam cans. Purchased as a reserve)

[sv1kSteve]

Does anyone have a pic of this rear guard screw busing or rear tang bushing.
Thanks for all of the help.

[Mike D]

Its simply a metal tube. Should be easily seen from top or bottom.

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[Chuckindenver]

if you remove that bushing, and trim 1/8 off one end, and install it back in the rifle, it will improve your groups..

[Mike D]

Chuck - are you saying the bushing should not extend above the surface of the wood on either side?

[TDH]

heres some advise..
put down your gages..
go to the range, and shoot some ammo...
sometimes you just have to have fun...and dont bust your noggin trying to figure it out...
it may or maynot be the issue, but its a start..and if it fixes. its cheaper then a new barrel.

Chuck, Engineers are a strange breed and always have to reinvent the wheel and build a better mousetrap. Even if said trap takes a warehouse to put it in. It's a deficency of the brain. As a welder that had to work and deal with these over anallytical minds sometimes you just have to let them do their thing while we go have fun.

[Chuckindenver]

Chuck - are you saying the bushing should not extend above the surface of the wood on either side?

yes, i found that the bushings tend to move, even though you cant see it, they do move, the reason for bushings in military stocks, so that no matter what climate the rifle is in, the wood can swell, shrink, and move, and not effect the function of the rifle itself, sharp shooter accuracy wasnt really an issue, if that rifle can throw lead down range, and kill, thats all that was needed,
all military bolt action rifle were made with stock tang bushing for the same reason, if the troop was say in AZ one week, and 3 mos later in the Jungles, then 6 mos later in the Winter of Europe, then it would always run safely, and in hit a 6 inch circle at 100 yards...{maybe}
many years ago, and old shooter collector, told me to shorten the bushing,
i never really thought much of it, but one time when i was refinishing a stock on one of my 03,s i thought,,well ill give it a try,, cant hurt right?
wow, did it change the rifle, went from 6 inch groups, to less then an inch.. i still own the rifle, and since then, any shooter that i have, gets the bushing trimmed.
if you have a rare collector rifle, i wouldnt touch it, you shouldnt be at the range with a 5,000.00 collector rifle anyway..
give it a try,,and let me know what you think.
this trick however wont help the 1917, P14 or Mauser rifles with double bushings.

[Mike D]

Chuck, I've got a Bishop sporter that does not have a bushing in it. I have an extra bushing (one in photo). Would it be wise to install it? The stock already has a small crack at the tang.

[Chuckindenver]

if it has a crack at the tang, usually it will have one at the recoil flat, that sits behind the front guard screw..
however, if you can glass bed the stock correctly, a bushing shouldnt be needed in a sporter stock.
it may help in repair.
heres another tip. make sure you have a gap behind the rear tang about 1/16 to 1/8 wide, and glass bed well, with a good 2 part epoxy.
i found the JB Kwik weld works well..remember to grease the action first, so it wont stick.