NRA Sporter with a Fecker

[cplstevennorton]

Are there any notes in the USMC record regarding the result of the trials. Having shot many NM Springfields and Sporters it is my opinion that the sporter is a far superior platform for field use on many levels.

You are really correct. The only thing that I would say is, the 1940 trial was heavily focused on heavy barrel snipers. Even though in their report they talk about previous reports that say a 15lb heavy barrel sniper with scope is too heavy for combat. But they decide that a heavy barrel sniper is desirable and recommend both the Model 70 Target model and a sporterized NM 1903 with a new heavy barrel installed as well. They first talk about the Model 70 Target model. But this is what is said after,

"We suggest two rifles, both highly procurable and practical. The first is described as follows: To the US Rifle Caliber 30, 1903A1, National Match, less barrel and stock and their attached parts, is assembled a high pressure barrel similar to that of the US Rifle, Caliber 30, M1903 Style T, 30 Inch Heavy Service barrel, but reduced in length to 24 inches. The rifle is mounted in a stock assembly, complete with band, sling swivels and sling, of the US Rifle, caliber 22, M2, or similar, which has been modified to bed the heavy barrel. In addition a recess for cleaning gear is drilled in the base of the stock and the stock fitted with the butt plate assembly of the US Rifle, Caliber 30, M1903. This rifle may be made up of parts standardized for years and easily assembled by small arms mechanics without special tools. The barrel length of the type of barrel selected is sound as proven by the several world record runs of bulls-eyes made at ranges from 600 to 1000 yards. ( I emitted some useless info)

The second type, which while having a limited usefulness, would prove valuable in special situations such as operations against bush-whackers, guerrillas and in a jungle fighting, is the sporter type rifles in 30 caliber. Several fine models are commercially available, including one of the model 70 series, but a satisfactory sporter type may be made up by small arms mechanics by assembling the US Rifle, caliber 30, M1903, less fixed base, to a stock assembly of the US Rifler, Caliber 22, M2, or similar. Fitted with fast sights, both telescopic and metallic, it would be most effective for short range combat: for open warfare and general sniping, it would be disappointing when compared with our selected snipers rifle because of it's light weight barrel and it's less precise performance."