New collector, need advice please

[Rick the Librarian]

Glad to hear from you - don't be a stranger!

[LooneyToon]

just buck 'er off in a band saw and make an underfolder. You can probably use coat hangers for the material...

I need to remember that one... Two points!

[LooneyToon]

That is a nice lookin' 03, and good pictures!
I would recommend you try cleaning the bore with Balistol. I have had rust that Liquid Wrench wouldd not touch that Balistol got out with little effort.
IF the bore turns out to be beyond shooting after you clean the heck out of it, instead of trying to find a nice replacement barel with the proper date,
look for a good gunsmith who can bore it out and sleeve it. I have done that with a couple rifles- one was a WWI 1903- and it may be a better chioce
for yours as well. IF, that is, you REALLY want to shoot this one, instead of putting it up for display.
Good luck!

[ccjcc81]

I need to remember that one... Two points!

I really want to see this coat hanger underfolder. Sounds legit.

---------- Post added at 12:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:57 AM ----------

That is a nice lookin' 03, and good pictures!
I would recommend you try cleaning the bore with Balistol. I have had rust that Liquid Wrench wouldd not touch that Balistol got out with little effort.
IF the bore turns out to be beyond shooting after you clean the heck out of it, instead of trying to find a nice replacement barel with the proper date,
look for a good gunsmith who can bore it out and sleeve it. I have done that with a couple rifles- one was a WWI 1903- and it may be a better chioce
for yours as well. IF, that is, you REALLY want to shoot this one, instead of putting it up for display.
Good luck!

Ah, I've never even heard of such a thing! That would be something I would consider carefully. I want to be able to shoot this, even if only sparsely. Does the bore out/sleeve job reduce the value?

[browningautorifle]

look for a good gunsmith who can bore it out and sleeve it.

I wouldn't do that...not for a full bore rifle. Using a sub cal insert might be OK, but if you don't like a chamber or barrel, just replace it. Just so LooneyToon understands, I've done it too. I wouldn't do that...if I were you.

Yes, an alteration removes the value.

[2AD_Vet]

I would leave it as/is - "notched" handguard and all.

Rick, for its year, couldn't it have a smooth butt plate or a partial checkered version as opposed to the fully checkered? Also the rear sight windage knob should be dished for that year shouldn't it?

I think that is a beautiful rifle and there isn't much that I would mess with but if it were mine I think correcting those two items and obtaining the proper upperhand guard would be all that I would look to do. If it shoots well still, leave the barrel alone.

As for the sling, is a No-Buckle canvas also proper for that year?

[browningautorifle]

a No-Buckle canvas

Those actually fit a great range because they were used by everyone throughout time...