Springfield 1903 Advice?
 

I've been kicking around the idea of getting a quality bolt action chambered in 30.06 or .308 - then, today it dawned on me ...

Why not get the iconic 1903? (s/n 800,000 or higher, of course)

Prices seem to be all over the place on these guns, from $400 beaters to 1K+ examples in pristine condition with matching numbers.

For a shooter grade or slightly better with a good bore - where should I look and what should I be aware/wary of?

I don't plan on getting this or any gun anytime soon but it gives me something to research and get my ducks in a row for "one day."

Been wanting a 1903a3 myself , keeping an eye out for a good deal. I would prefer the a3 for the sight upgrade, I can't hit squat with leaf sights. Look on surplusrifle dot com or the CMP forums in their classified section. If possible get one with a CMP certificate. I'd stay clear of gunbroker and the like, too many scammers on there. A good price would be around the $700 mark plus or minus a hundred..

Matt,

if you get one you should really get this for it http://hi-luxoptics.com/index.php/vi...m-8x-usmc.html

or http://hi-luxoptics.com/index.php/vi...r-4/m73g4.html

how cool would that be!

buy two

I concur.
In my case I was only able to buy one, although the person selling them had about six of them. He was selling them for a veterans organization that had them for ceremonies and had to sell them. I had first dibs on picking the best of the litter.
1943 Smith Corona.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/DSC02811.jpg

Thanks for the thoughts and pics. I found this vendor selling them - not sure how "original" they are at this price but it's one for me to file a way for the future:

http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/originalgi...ingfields.aspx

Also, do these old guns fire modern ammo or would I need to find milsurp or reload for it?

Careful with sarco, the rebuild them from "drill rifles". Ask them before you buy.

As long as you don't use high pressure rounds, commercial ammo is fine to use in "bolt" surplus guns. Never use commercial ammo in a Garand tho.

I wouldn't recommend modern loads. I only fire surplus or specially loaded rounds, like for the Garands.

I appreciate the learned replies. Maybe a 1903 isn't the best choice for a first bolt rifle when the time comes. A novel idea and a good history lesson as I continue to learn about them ... but perhaps I should start with a modern gun.

Several great priced rifles out there today. Savage Axis ll, Ruger American, Remington , and Winchester all have "entry level" bolt guns under $400 with scope. I mean entry level as for thr price not the quality. I think the Axis ll would be your better choice imho.

For me, it's about shooting "History ". I would not blink an eye on a 03 or 03a3 if money was no object. Then again, I still would like a modern rifle for accuracy shooting.