Finely got a Winchester 03 .22 Win Auto

[usabaker]

About four or five years ago I ordered 200 rounds of .22 Winchester Automatic rimfire ammunition by mistake. Rather than resell the ammo I decided to hold on to it until I could find a rifle that could fire it.

I had been looking for a Winchester 03 (1903) rifle ever since, even bid on a few at auctions. None ever fell below $450.00 that was in an acceptable condition and there were always milsurp rifles I wanted more so never shelled out the cash.

After work yesterday I wandered down to the gun shop and there sitting on the rack was a pretty little 03', when I asked to see it the tag flipped around and a $199.99 price nearly yanked the eyeballs out of my head. I figured there had to be something wrong with it. Inspection and questions and while I am far from an expert or even well versed on these rifles, I found nothing wrong. The rifle is in excellent condition for being 115 years old. It was manufactured in 1906 according to the serial number.

Since I'm working at the range tomorrow, she will be coming with me.

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.

[rcathey]

Sweet little rifles!
Winchester and Remington had competing designs around that time.
The Winchester 03 seen here and the Remington 16.

Both were incredibly sleek designs. Futuristic even!

[browningautorifle]

Nice, nice, nice...should be a very smooth little shooter.

[usabaker]

should be a very smooth little shooter.

Jim, I hope so bore looks real good, no degradation at all. I'll be taking it out to the range tomorrow.

---------- Post added at 08:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:23 PM ----------

Winchester and Remington had competing designs around that time.
The Winchester 03 seen here and the Remington 16.

Now you are going to make me look for a Remington 16! the folks at the Winchester forum are telling me that the barrel has been changed at one time because the rifles built-in 1906 still had the MODEL 1903 stamped in the barrel, this one is stamped 03 which they say came later. Kind of interesting that someone would send it back to have the barrel changed.

[rcathey]

Kind of interesting that someone would send it back to have the barrel changed.

Well that’s even cooler! That must have been a well loved rifle.
How many rabbits and squirrels do you think it put on the table?

[browningautorifle]

Kind of interesting that someone would send it back to have the barrel changed.

Could be the original was pitted from black powder ammo...and needed help?

[eric27]

That's a nice purchase

[usabaker]

When I was at the range yesterday I was able to fire the rifle for the first time. I used Aguilla 22 Winchester Automatic ammunition. Even with my bad eyes that really had a hard time with the iron sight, shooting off-hand, I was still able to hold a 2.360″ 10 round groups at 30 yards. It’s me that’s making the groups that big not the rifle. I should have shot it off a rest or prone I guess. But just the same it is a truly accurate rifle.

[browningautorifle]

Even with my bad eyes that really had a hard time with the iron sight,

I've taken to shooting off a bag mostly now too. Unless I'm just gong shooting...I like nice close groups too.

[usabaker]

I've taken to shooting off a bag mostly now too. Unless I'm just gong shooting...I like nice close groups too.

Yeah, I guess I should be thankful I had good eyes until I got in my 60's. I struggle with iron sites now but just can't give them up. They have always been my preferred aiming method.\, I didn't own a scope until I was 26 or 27 the were a big no-no around my dad and grandfather.