Federal Ordnance 03a4 clone $1525

[Salt Flat]

Now what the heck is going on? Federal Ordnance 03a4 clone $1525.

Federal Ordnance Rem 03A4 1903A4 WWII Sniper Clone 30-06 03-A4 1903-A4 - Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com : 870997695

Salt Flat

[AGB-1]

Federal Ordnance or "Fed Ord" - The Original Yesterdays Weapons

History for the Federal Ordnance M14 Rifle Owners - Gun Hub

Small Arms Review Magazine did a six part article on Bob Brenner.

[fatmonkey112]

Hello

Whoa, first time I've ever seen a forum post of something I actually won! I am the winner of this item. Took it to the range, got tight groupings at 100 yrds, shoots like a champ with 147gr PPU 30-06.
The crazy price? I would imagine 10 years ago people would have considered this price outrageous for a clone. I was in a bidding war with 1 other person for awhile on this gbroker auction, honestly was hoping to nab below $1100. Its a clone, but a well built clone, and the quality matters to me, not the authenticity of being a real 1903A4. If you look at Sreisel, Legacy Collectible, and Commonwealth Arsenal for example, you will notice many of the reblue/refinished/restored milsurps command "very near" the same value as one that is not refinished at all. I am a younger firearms owner (28) , most of my generation so to speak does not care for an original beat up milsurp firearm with heavy finish loss and mismatched numbers. Instead, we would actually prefer it to be refinished and restored that can be shot and treasured outside of a lifetime in a safe. What matters to me personally is the passing on of honest information however. This is a clone, it was purchased as a clone, and one day if I sell it, I will sell as a clone. No harm no foul in truth. I did not have $4500 to $6000 for an authentic Remington 1903a4, but for the range purposes and wallet sake, it does exactly what I want. My 2 cents as the buyer.

[Doco overboard]

Some of those clone rifles, if you take them from the stock, right on the flat portion of the receiver bottom behind the recoil lug.
The investment casting process leaves a wedge shaped depression that goes right to the bottom of the lower bolt lug. Some do not like that because of possible weakening over original design intent.
Also, as far as quality goes, it seems as if the bottom of the trigger has been ground for additional clearance on the inside radius of the trigger bow. Their should be a little more clearance found there than what can be seen from the ad on GB.