Busta chip, I learned a lotta stuff studying this sight, I am not well heeled enough to be a collector of all correct vintage weapons, I'm more of a functional quantity rather than absolute quality sort so I am very thoughtful and careful ,when I make a purchase If I'm going to keep doing it and just got schooled following this thread. If your in N.C. there's a lot of places to shoot maybe even outside the back door of the sellers place of business, let him pull the trigger a few times from standing and then buy ammo with the 300 you save at Creedmore, or save the cash for more correct m1903a3 when you find one. You will not find a 500 yd, gong there. (just make sure hes not like a marksman) bring good pictures straight off to this site and then be prepared to move on it when your good. Good Luck!