Finally got the girls to the range

[Mike D]

Made it to the range this morning. First time shooting both rifles. Both have nice shiny bores. After first seeing the Gibbs 03a4, I got a bad itch for one. Ended up with a nice clone AND a nice a3! I think I'll be keeping both!

First I bought the a3 that had the C-stock on it from a gun show. $650, I know, a little high, but it came with the repro sling, so it's OK! Then I found the a4 clone at another show. $650 also. Original a4 bent bolt, Weaver J 2.5x, Redfield mount and rings (original?), WWII web sling. It had a really nice replacement Scant stock on it but I sold it for $100 bucks and put the C-stock from the a3 on it. Got an original straight grip for the a3. Had to modify the C-stock for the bent bolt. Using my Dremel, it doesn't look like Chucks, but it works for this budget clone. I later found out that Bubba drilled and tapped the receiver. The front hole wasn't even tapped deep enough for the correct length screw! Had to re-tap the holes (8-40), and get new screws. The front hole is a little off center, causing the scope to sit a little to the right after correcting it with the rear windage screws. It's not much, and it works for me, being a lefty!

Shots were fired consecutively with no cool down time. I used a Case-Gard Site-in Clean to help steady my shots. Its a cheap plastic deal, but it worked about as good as a sandbag in front and nadda in the rear. The Weaver J may not "look" correct or be a top notch scope, but it held zero through 20 rounds or so that I fired today. Ammo was Federal, which uses a 168 gr. Sierra Matchking BTHP. This group was just under 2 inches.

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Even with the receiver not being tapped perfect, I'm really glad I have this rifle for $650 instead of the Gibbs.




Didn't have to mess with the windage on the a3 a bit. Shot one round with the peep all the way down(yardage?). Then moved it back one click to shoot the group shown. Changed the POI about 5 inches. I also left the sight hood on. I kinda liked the "little circle inside the big one" to get things centered. Two of the shots in this group were actually surplus rounds. All in all, I had a LOT of fun shooting these 'ol gals! [/QUOTE][/IMG]

Thanks to everyone for helping me get my "project" completed. Your highly valued info and insight is much appreciated.

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[Jim Tarleton]

Nice groups, especially with the A3. I have found that I can shoot as well with an aperture sight as a scope. Last deer rifle I built has nothing but an aperture sight, and it shoots 1 MOA on a regular basis from a rest.

Range day is always fun when everything goes well. You have put a burr under my saddle. I feel the need to punch some holes.

Jim

[Jack Stanley]

Some day a deal on a good clone will come my way untill then , I'll keep on blasting with what I have . The rifles you show are very nice indeed , great groups too !

Jack

[Chuckindenver]

nice shooters'