What in the world did I get myself into?

[Cordite]

Thanks, everyone. I've learned a lot. Quite an expensive lesson to have learned, but there you have it. I am most appreciative of your opinions and the "collective" hints that I not shoot it. I won't. If I can farm out the stock and other parts, maybe I can recoup my loss. On the other hand, it's a wall hanger for the present and a reminder to always, always, always know about that which you intend to purchase. I'll be looking for another but this time I'm better equipped to do so.

Regards,

Cordite.

[Kirk]

To expand on what Calif-Steve wrote, most shooters agree that the LN receivers are probably safe with military ammunition, if both the rifle & ammunition are in good condition. Commercial ammunition or handloads loaded to higher pressure levels puts additional strain on the receiver. If you choose to shoot the gun, make sure the chamber is clean & dry; the bolt face and especially the firing pin hole have no eroded or pitted areas and are flat and clean; that the firing pin hole is round and not enlarged and that the striker tip is round or hemispherical and smooth; no erosion or pitting any where. Any roughness, out of tolerance, erosion, pitting, etc. on these parts can casue a pierced primer. A bad case can split or fail. Both of these conditions release gas into the action and, as noted before, that can shatter and cause catesrophic failure on the receiver.

Also, since the rifle may be a parts gun put together by someone other than the army of CMP, it would be a good idea to check the headspace.

[Cordite]

Thanks, Kirk, for the information. A knowledgeable milsurp shooter/collector I know is going to meet me at the range this week and we'll remotely fire it to see what happens. I'll keep this thread posted. He's got the correct guages, too.

[bigduke6]

Thanks, everyone. I've learned a lot. Quite an expensive lesson to have learned, but there you have it. I am most appreciative of your opinions and the "collective" hints that I not shoot it. I won't. If I can farm out the stock and other parts, maybe I can recoup my loss. On the other hand, it's a wall hanger for the present and a reminder to always, always, always know about that which you intend to purchase. I'll be looking for another but this time I'm better equipped to do so.

Regards,

Cordite.

Cordite
It would be a bit extreme to strip or just hang on the wall, as a few have said, some do shoot LN rifles, i am a novice on these rifles (M1903) and purchased my first one last year and i recently picked up another but this was a LN RIA M1903 and it is a lovely old rifle.
I was in a dilema as to shoot it or not, in the end i decided to shoot it using squib/downloaded ammo i use this on a 50/100 mtr range and the other M1903 i have i use on the longer distance ranges.
Another option is to find an .22 kit (i dont know how rare these are or the price), or produce a .22 conversion kit which i have on the drawing board at present (if any member has an M1922 bolt laying around let me know).
Have a look at the thread in this forum a member had a freind produce a barrel insert.
Being in the UK is a draw back as these rifles are as rare as rocking horse s**t, and demand a high price but it hasnt put me off, its the most accurate milsurp rifle i have ever shot, even with my shooting.

[Cordite]

What to do, what to do. I have seen discussions regarding this issue and the camps are pretty well divided. As the pressure of 75,000 (c.u.p.?) seems to be the critical point, some have indicated that they regularly shhot milsurp ammo through their LN 1903. Some use commercial ammo but no more than a 150 grain FMJ. At this point I am going to the range and shoot it remotely by strapping it to a tractor tire and pulling the trigger by means of a thin rope. Sounds a little wacky but I know men who have proofed their black powder smoothbores this way. I think the concept is the same, but I'm not using a proof load. Hearing what everyone has said has made me cautious, which is a good thing, but I think this might do the trick. I sure don't want to just use it as a wall hanger but I certainly am not looking to blow my face up, either. Tomorrow is the day and I'll report back.

[Chuckindenver]

standard 30-06 factory usually run around 45,000
most Federal, and Remington is a little lower...
even a hot 30-06 wont be over 55,000

[Cordite]

Went to the range and we did what I said. We remotely pulled the trigger on 12 rounds, checking the rifle closely after each. (First things first, the headspace checked okay - that's "go?" My friend just said we were good to go). These were Federal factory rounds. No trouble. Then I benched the rest of the box with nary a hint of trouble. Didn't group very well but I know that was me, as I was a bit nervous and I know I was flinching, anticipating something. So there you have it. This rifle had no issue so far with a box of factory loads.

12 rounds might sound excessive but where safety is concerned, I would not have minded the whole box, but I naturally wanted to shoot it. Going back Saturday to try again. I'll probably stick with Federal, Winchester and remington loads.

Happy boy.