Of the two greatest bold action rifles ever used, the '03 is one of them. The other is the Mauser 98. You've got yourself some treasure there. A lot of military '03s were sporterized for biggame hunting in the years after the First World War through the 1950's. In fact the popularity of the modern bold action biggame rifle today is a direct result of those 03's being used for biggame hunting. Enjoy using it.

Is it an 03 or an 03-A3? Both good guns but there were some proubs with "hot loads" cracking the 03 actions. The 03-A3 was a stronger built action. My Dad sportorized an A3-O3 back in the early 70s to take hunting in Newfoundland. He has still got the gun and it still shoots great!

Thanks, Westernhunter. The only thing I regret about drilling and tapping is that the front base now covers some of the model info on the receiver. But, a custom-made walnut stock had been added, as well as the peep sight, so I figured "what the hell". It's originality had already been altered, so I might as well fix it to enjoy it. The bore is excellent. I plan on sighting it in in a few days. I do think it will be a tack-driver.

I have an 03-A3 built by Paul jaeger in 1945. Love it! The barrel is pitted as the guy I got it from, guy that had it built, shot a bunch of corossive primers thru it. Still shoots better than I do. Wonderful rifle.

Solid rifle. As stated earlier only the model 03 was the one with issues you can go to m1903.com and look up the year and where it was made by the serial# and stock markings. Mines all original exept for the scope. Worked for me this morning got this little axis buck at about 75yards dropped um in its tracks.

Nice! Thanks for the info, and I'd be out today sighting it in, but it's FINALLY raining in Virginia. We really needed this rain. Rained all night. I think it could rain all week, and we still wouldn't be back to normal, but we'll take what we can get.....

Nice axis there blacktailer

Tesor- take a photo of that old springfield and let us have a peak at it.

I have two M-1903's. One is a Springfield that I use in military surplus matches. The other is a Rock Island that was in poor condition. It is going to be a long term project. Going to have it rebarreled to .35 Whelen and get express sights installed on the barrel. Not going to drill & tap. It will also get a nice deep bluing to try to mimic the pre-war bluing custom rifles used to get and a nice walnut stock.

Here's my '03. It's a pretty gun, except for where I removed the rear Lyman peep. The stock had been inletted for the peep, and now it's gone. Good shooting gun, though.

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Sweet, nice pce of wood on it!