Some photos for Bigduke6 and everybody else.

[gunner]

Hi bigduke6,

I use a 167grs Silver Scenar Bullet from Lapua , PRVI Cases with 47,8 grs of N140 and CCI BR2 Primers C.O.L is 84mm. I shoot this in my M 1917 and i am very satisfied with this load.

Regards

Gunner

[Lancebear]

Hey Arisaka,

That bolt assembly is in like new condition and came with the rifle. Have two swept assemblies, but I will shoot the rifle the way it is. Thanks...do need some headspace gauges though. I only shoot military surplus ammo.

Lancebear

[Lancebear]

Hey Gunner,

All variations of The Model of M1903 are fine rifles. Springfield, Rock Island, Remington and Smith Corona were the only makers of '03,'03A1, and '03A4's. I like the M1903 or M1903A1 the best. All milled parts, that's just my taste and nothing against fellow collectors and shooters that prefer the M1903A3. Sure I will own one of those one day if I luck into one with all of those nice blued parts.

An M1903A4 will be huge "Marks" if you can find one in Bavaria. These are snipers with scopes. You must have a friend who really knows his stuff to advise you on buying one of these. Forum members here could help you with that. You find an 'A4 in Bavaria, folks here will start dancing. Fakes outnumber real ones by God knows how many. I know almost nothing about them.

Most '03's have been re-arsenaled by our government during, after WWI, between the wars and during WWII. So...if you are lucky enough to find a nice '03 for a decent price in your country...post some photos here and the real experts, not me, will let you know if it is a good rifle. Have a fine one for sale, but am not a dealer and have no export license. I'll post some photos for you so you can see what a good '03 should look like.

The Tiger Balm "Is" for restoration...you have a sharp eye. I use it to make my rifles smell nice...no, it restores my neck and elbows. It works well regardless of what science has to say.

I have serious German roots in my family tree. Names...Seitz, Lang, Krebs, and Behr. That last one is a part of my forum name.

Guttnacht (That right?) and good luck,

Death to tyrants,

Lancebehr

[gunner]

Hey Lancebehr,

Thank you for answering my question. I look since more than two years for a `03 but it is like searching for a needle in a haystack. The most ones sells a dealer in nothern germany and they are made of a few rifleparts and new stocks. That aint what iam looking for and the prices are too high for these ones between $1000 and 1400 for what you called Mixmasters. The next month a small dealer goes travelling trough germany and will look for a good one for me. Hope he find one. Thats nice that your roots are in our pretty little country and i am happy for the photos.

Einen schönen Tag

Best Regards,

Gunner

Gunner

[bigduke6]

Gunner,
Thanks for the loading info, as for looking for a M1903 Its taken me a few years to find one but it was worth the wait, am now looking for my next one, its the same in the UK regarding mixmasters and the prices, recent prices in Birmingham sale where £1000 to £1200, but i know a dealer in Yorkshire who imports from the states and the prices are reasonable it may be an idea to give him a call or email, have not got the number at hand but can get it for you.

Bigduk6

[gunner]

Biduke6, thank you for your post. I would be glad to get the dealers contact data`s. The prices are also heavy stuff in the UK. For the load datas i`ll test some more in the next week. I`ll try 185grs and 150grs. When there is a usable load i`ll post it to you by PM. BTW to use the N160 like they wrote in the VV Reloading Guide is not a good idea. I tested it and you get quick in high pressure regions the bore gets hot and i didn`t found a accurate load.
Only for info to save time by searching a good load.

Best regards

Gunner

[bigduke6]

Gunner,

contact Info for the dealer, His name is Howard (i think)
Historic Arms, West Yorkshire, England Uk, Phone 0044 1484 605033 or fax 0044 1484 607708

He is a nice guy been in the business a longtime, deals mainly with milsurps, he is worth phoning and leave your details, give him a phone every few months to remind him, Also if i get wind of anything that might intrest you will let you know,
just an example of his prices he had a M1903 for £525 graded as very good, that was last september.

Regards Bigduke6

[gunner]

Bigduke6,

Thank you very much for your efforts I`ll try it and hopefully i can get a good one.

Best regards

Gunner

[bigduke6]

Lancebear,

Can you tell me about the book in the background of the pics am looking for something on M1903 rifles, is this the mother book of all M1903 rifles? are they easy to find, i expect the price is high.

Regards Bigduke6

[Lancebear]

Hey Duke,

The big red book is Colonel Brophy's "The Springfield 1903 Rifles". Yes it is the book most studied by '03 collectors. Check out ABE Booksearch on the inet. Just did. The cheapest one is in the U.S. and is $52.26. Saw one in the U.K. for $73.00. Might be your best bet as shipping to the U.K. is probably $25.00.

Bruce Canfields books are good. And the little yellow book is very good. "TM 9-1270 War Department Technical Manual" a reprint of the 1944 ordnance maintenance manual for 1903 rifles. Sell'em here at shows for five bucks. Has lots of great photos and info. Covers all models and snipers. How to maintain and repair. Best five bucks I ever spent on the hobby.

The best book is currently being written by our own J.B. Hope we all live long enough to get signed copies.

Whatever isn't in Brophy's or needs updating is here on the forum. Just ask, somebody always comes through.

Gook luck and death to tyrants,

Lancebear