Help identifying rifle.

[acperge]

Hello all!

My wife recently inherited a rifle from her father that we are having trouble getting any good information on.

What we know: It's a Remington model 1903. As best I can tell from searching it's a sporter version with commercial site and scope.

What is weird to us is according to the attached tag it's chambered in .270 and I haven't been able to find any info on if that's even possible.

I have no idea where to begin disassembling it to find any markings, and can't find any markings that indicate the proper caliber.

I've attached a few photos, with hopes maybe someone could help us better understand the rifle's history.

Thank you in advance for any insight you might be able to offer.








Thanks again!

Tony

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.

[JGaynor]

More than likely the rifle was rebarreled to 270 Win for the original owners preference.

At the beginning of WW2 Remington corporation received an order to manufacture M1903 Rifles using equipment former employed at the government arsenals (Rock Island, Il and Springfield, MA). Eventually the WW2 rifles were redesigned and simplified with the goal of speeding up production into the M1903A3 rifle.

Your father in law's rifle appears to be a well thought out and executed sporting conversion.
I believe the cartridge case used for the Win 270 is the same or very close to the original .30-06 (30 M2) so there would not have been any complicated modifications of the action or bolt.

The quick detachable scope mount allows easy removal of the scope and use of the metallic sights. The bolt handle has been modified to provide clearance for the scope.

I only suggest that you take the rifle to a gunsmith and have him verify that the chambering is really 270 Winchester. At the time time the smith can permanent mark the barrel with the caliber and conduct a general safety inspection.

[Calfed]

You've already got the basics.

Remington model 1903, made in late 1942. These were well made rifles, originally chambered in 30.06. Yours has been nicely polished and reblued, and as you note, has a scope and Redfield 70 aperture sight.

The .270 cartridge is a 30.06 cartridge necked down to 27 caliber and, as such, it is not only possible, but a common sporting conversion done back in the 50's and 60's to the 1903. It does mean that the barrel was replaced and not just cut down.

The only positive way to confirm that the rifle is .270 caliber is to do a chamber cast. However, any competent gunsmith could probably determine if it is .270 by examining it and checking the bore size.

It looks like a nicely sported rifle and should be a good shooter. Are you a hunter?

EDIT: a few minutes behind jgaynor.

[acperge]

Thank you guys so much for the info!

We will definitely take it up to a gunsmith and have them verify the caliber. We knew it was a hand me down originally owned by my wife's grandfather. We presume he was the orogial owner.

We are in Michigan, and I'm one of the many deer hunters out state is home to. I have only ever owned more modern firearms, but I'm very much looking forward to having this rifle inspected and hopefully firing it soon!

Thank you guys again for the info!

[Mike Haas]

Thank you guys so much for the info!

We will definitely take it up to a gunsmith and have them verify the caliber. We knew it was a hand me down originally owned by my wife's grandfather. We presume he was the orogial owner.

We are in Michigan, and I'm one of the many deer hunters out state is home to. I have only ever owned more modern firearms, but I'm very much looking forward to having this rifle inspected and hopefully firing it soon!

Thank you guys again for the info!

I agree with JGaynor & Calfed. A nicely done sporter. Your likely be surprised with its accuracy.

[browningautorifle]

A 270 bore even looks smaller than a .30 cal, you should be able to see by comparing the bullet to the muzzle. A .270 will drop inside a .30 and a .30 won't even start into a .270...

[rugersworld]

You have a nicely done sporter that you will be happy with shooting and owning. Do not be afraid of the redfield peep sight - they are surprisingly accurate and when using it, your head/ face will be in proper alignment with the stock making for a comfortable shot. The rifle also may benefit with some glass bedding if the action is shifting in the stock.

[Calif-Steve]

Looks like a nice .270 Sporter. Also looks like Army stock. Nicely done.