Replacement stock on previously sporterized 1903a3 - several questions

[ssgross]

looks real nice. The polished bolt handle gives it some pizzaz too.
After shooting a couple dozen rounds in a newly fitted stock, re-tighten the action screws. As the metal settles into the wood in it's first time out, the fit will change slightly. I should think a laminate stock would settle less than walnut, but I've never done one.

My 1940's copy of Howe's "Modern Gunsmithing" says the 1903 sporter still benefits from upward pressure from the forend. If your barrel is free floated, you might play with some business cards, or a piece of cork to to make a shim out of. There is a pdf copy of Howe in a sticky somewhere here on milsurps.com.

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[gentwocoog]

My 1940's copy of Howe's "Modern Gunsmithing" says the 1903 sporter still benefits from upward pressure from the forend.

Hmmmm... that's contrary to everything I've ever heard about free floating, but I'm certainly no expert. Will give it a try next time out - thanks. And will find Howes on the site and see what he has to say.

---------- Post added at 09:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 PM ----------

Thank you Daan - it was a labor of love. My dad loved that rifle.

I've had the opportunity to visit RSA twice in the past 8 years and would do so again tomorrow given the chance. Incredible place. Wish I could afford a hunt there.

[ssgross]

that's contrary to everything I've ever heard about free floating

Some 1903's are reported to have benefitted from free floating the barrel, but these are exceptions. "Baffling" muzzle vibrations at certain points of the barrel is very common across many types of military rifles. Lot's of literature, classic and contemporary, about how the 1903 was designed to fit in the wood for utmost accuracy, and upward pressure from the forend was the design. Howe writes about the design in detail, and even goes in to the 1903-specific type of barrel whip that was noticed during testing and mitigated by fitting with upward pressure of the forend. Hatcher's books, and Campbell's 1903 book also have info. The topic of proper fit at the muzzle wasn't new to the 1903. Hudson's "Modern Rifle Shooting", published in 1903, discusses the topic with regards to accurizing the Krag (great description for doing trigger work an the trapdoors in there too). Good news is, most of these older sources are in the public domain and you can find pdf's for free - many on this site.

Your stock was likely inletted to be free floating. So you've done your due diligence by trying it out after proper fitting of the receiver. Now you are free to experiment and tune to perfection. It can only get better!

[Daan Kemp]

I've had the opportunity to visit RSA twice in the past 8 years and would do so again tomorrow given the chance. Incredible place. Wish I could afford a hunt there.

Still is an awesome place. Best country in the world to live in I still believe.

It might be a good time for that hunt, prices should be highly negotiable in this Covid time.