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Re: Smith Corona 1903A3

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 2:12 pm
by Mike4MSU
I literally got it last night so I havent had the opportunity. It was a local private sale. I thought it was a good deal so I bought it.

It does seem odd that yours is in pristine shape and yet went through an arsenal rebuild. While the one I bought is very clean and nice, I believe it has been used and yet it escaped a rebuild during its life.

Re: Smith Corona 1903A3

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 7:00 pm
by Capt. Frank
I have a 1943 Remington '03-A3, it has Lyman front and rear target sights. With match grade 168 grain ammo, it shoots 3/4 inch groups at 300 yards, and 4 inch groups at 600. I hope yours shoots as well.

Re: Smith Corona 1903A3

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 7:58 pm
by Whig
Sounds great but 3/4 inch groups at 300 yards is unheard of. Must have been a typo. That's like one fifth MOA from open sights. I'd like that on my Robar SR90 sniper rifle. With an 8x80 March Optics scope, I can regularly get 1/2 MOA at 500 yards with 175 grain .308 reloads in my SR90.

Maybe you meant 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards.

I'm anxious to get out and try the 03A3 out to see what I can do. I have gotten down to 1 MOA a few times with my Krag rifle at 200 yards. That's pushing it for me but it's a 120 year old Mil Surp rifle. Still working on the best reloads for the old treasure.

Re: Smith Corona 1903A3

Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2019 7:48 pm
by butlersrangers
Thought I'd "step" into this 1903 - '03-A3 thread:

Bottom: '03-A3 Remington with a R.A. '2-43' barrel. I've had it for over 30 years and fired it a lot in slow-fire matches.
This rifle appeared 'Like New', when I bought it. There are no markings, at all, on the 'scant-grip' stock (?). All metal is a uniform 'Park', with nothing 'blued'.

It is the way it was, when I bought it from a fellow shooting-club member.
He claimed he bought it from the DCM. He never used it and wouldn't even open the action. (I bought the gun and not the story).
There was a time when I could not stand the sight of the stamped parts of a 1903-A3. I have come to 'love' this rifle!

Middle: A (November-1935 dated) Springfield Armory 1903. This lovely Action and Barrel were in a 'sportered' stock and had commercial sights. I "restored" it to 1903 configuration, with original parts, about four years ago.

Top: My 'Bushmaster Carbine - Bantam Sniper' fantasy rifle, (a current fun project in progress). The 1903 action dates from 1921.
The receiver has been drilled and tapped for Weaver bases and the barrel cut to 20 inches. I got the metal from an ugly cheap 'sporter' and am assembling something useful from discarded parts.

If I can find a good deal on a loose '03-A3 barrel, I may try for a '03-A4 'look alike'.ImageImageImageImage

Re: Smith Corona 1903A3

Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2019 7:52 pm
by Whig
I like that scant grip stock!

Re: Smith Corona 1903A3

Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2019 8:13 pm
by butlersrangers
Thanks 'Whig', I like shooting the 'scant-grip' stock! It works for me.

I developed a kind of 'cupped' grip, when using it for position shooting.

Re: Smith Corona 1903A3

Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2019 11:05 pm
by FredC
BR,
I saw feet in reply#13, another one for your rogues gallery. :-)



Re: Smith Corona 1903A3

Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2019 11:30 pm
by Whig
At least they have clean socks on them.

Re: Smith Corona 1903A3

Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 6:31 pm
by Baltimoreed
Nice looking rifle Whig though I prefer the 03s looks. But then I prefer the Krag over the 03. Form over function I guess. But as long as they all shoot 1/4 moa.

Re: Smith Corona 1903A3

Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 6:49 pm
by Baltimoreed
They have heels and toes why not socks? Makes perfect sense.