.30-.06 Q's...

J

joeshredd

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May 8, 2002
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Okay, another long gun question for the community at large...

I recently asked about the Guide gun in .45-.70 and have decided I'm unlikely to ever go that route, but I do enjoy rifle shooting, and particularly somewhat longer than indoor ranges, but not quite 1000 yard ranges, either. So I figure my Enfield in .308 or my other in .303 would work and are fun to use, but I wouldn't want to hunt with them if I had a choice.. Thus...

A local shop has three potential prospects for what I have in mind and I'm curious about y'all's experiences/opinions.

1) A star-gauged '03A3 for about a grand, in really great condition;

2) A great sporterized Sprinfield '03A3 for a heck of a lot less (ie; I can also afford to by ammo!!!)

3) Or, a sporterized Remington 1917 model I (well, there's also an Eddystone in original trim, but for a few hundred more.. ?)

If price weren't an issue, I'd grab the star-gauged piece in a NY minute... But, for less than a third of it's price I can get one of the others... and buy ammo and whatever else I might need...

Which would y'all go for, and most importantly - why?

Now, I've heard that of the three WWI boltactions, the Mauser, the Enfield and the '03A3, that the '03A3 was the most accurate, the Mauser the strongest and the Enfield the fastest (IIRC!) But I don't know much about the 1917... So I hope to hear something from y'all that may help 'suade me one way or the other...

Thanks in advance!!!
 
IMO the 03 is never a bad choice but there are many .30-06 bolt actions that are much lighter. If you plan on packing it much, weight may be an issue. Of course, the extra weight translates to less felt recoil so there is a plus side as well.

As an aside, may I ask why you have chosen to not hunt with your Enfield? Both .303 and .308 are very effective cartridges. Not ideal for the bigger beasties but they will definitely get the job done.
 
Eyegor said:
IMO the 03 is never a bad choice but there are many .30-06 bolt actions that are much lighter. If you plan on packing it much, weight may be an issue. Of course, the extra weight translates to less felt recoil so there is a plus side as well.

As an aside, may I ask why you have chosen to not hunt with your Enfield? Both .303 and .308 are very effective cartridges. Not ideal for the bigger beasties but they will definitely get the job done.
Click to expand...


Good question... And the answer is that the less expensive '03A3 and the Remington have been sporterized with either a wooden or a synthetic stock - both weigh less than half of either of my Enfields!!!! The star-gauged '03A3 with original stock also weighs substantially less than my Enfields... So weight is a primary issue, as you've pointed out, in my deciding that one of these would be a better hunting option from the portability side of the argument.

Thanks for a quick response! :D
 
buy the star guaged 03A3, if you can afford it as this piece will always appreciate in value, plus it is supposedly more accurate than the normal 03A3. You won't be sorry ever if you buy it, you can always buy rounds for it next payday.
 
I have four 06's and one of them happens to be a sporterized 03A3 with synthetic stock. You can't go wrong with the 03A3. If the barrel needs it have it recrowned, and if it is drilled and tapped, have that checked by a competent gunsmith. Those receivers are hard as hell, and sometimes the holes aren't 100% centered if not done by a competent smith.:thumbup:
 
I have a little research to do...

Was just talking with one of my co-workers who is somewhat knowledgeable on the '03A3, as he has one...

Not sure which models are in the shop I'm looking at, and apparently there are differences in the models...

He also feels there are enough issues with the 1917 to make me want to stay with the '03A3's...

And yes, I know the star-gauged would be the way to go, but I'm not sure which version it is due to the stock configuration...

But any other thoughts and views, especially on what to look for :thumbup: are greatly appreciated! :cool:
 
I have a book (which is in storage) that stated that the US Pattern 1917 service rifle in .303 was not popular as the breech heated up sufficiently under sustained fire to detonate cartridges are soon as they were chambered. I used to have one, I think made by Parker Hale.
 
if i wanted a shooter then i would go with the sporter 03, if i wanted a collectible then go with the 03A3 star gauge. i would probably stay away from the 1917 because some had brittle receivers but i can't remember what maker and what serial number range{i think you can check in a dixie gun works catalog and it's listed in the back}. I'm curious why you don't just pick up a modern bolt gun like a rem 700,win mod 70 etc. you can pick up a savage 110{ugly but often more accurate than the rem or the win} for very little money. I guess as always just pick the one you like best and go for it. later, ahgar
 
i'm with ahgar on the issue of just getting yourself a decent modern rifle, i mean hey those old WW1 rifles are going on 100 yrs old, i like to shoot them too but it would sure suck to miss a trophy buck because of some problem with an old rifle like that.

if ya are on a limited budget, and the old bolt guns are cheap (i mean like less than $200) i might would consider them, but you can get a lightly used savage or remington bolt gun for ~$300, and imho they are a lot better rifles for hunting than a WW1 bolt gun. lots easier to put a scope on, lighter, shorter, handier, just seems better for hunting to me.

FWIW the 1st deer i ever killed was with a 8MM mauser Kar '98 and it worked just fine, but there are better rifles around for that job imho.
 
To answer the last two posts... Well, I have thought about either the Rem or Win models... But I have to admit that a little nostolgia is driving me.. and the price on the sporterized synthetic stock '03A3 is right about $200. And since I'll admit this would only be used for hunting in a SHTF scenario, I'd be more inclined to use it for recreational shooting... Like at my old computer at 200 yards! :)

I know, there are others out there that can do as good a job, but like I said, there is a major portion of my youth that was enamored with anything relating to the first two world wars.. Heck, I think by the time I turned 16, I had probably spent several thousands of dollars on models and stuff to build 'em and books to use as references. I know they weren't the best of times, but in terms of things that go boom, there were a lot of items that caught my fancy - and a good used bolt action with that cachet just seems to float my boat! :D

I do appreciate y'all's words, though... And any others y'all may have are appreciated, too...

Cheers! :cool:

PS: Sifu1a... went to Cowtown U for a few years... Go 'Boys!
 
I'd chose #2, Sporterized Springfield.

However, if it were me and I was looking for a good Mauser (that's what these really are you know) I'd try to get a Swedish model, either short or long version, in 6.5x55 caliber. Great accurate shooters (the Swedes didn't shoot them too much I don't think so they are in pretty good shape) made by Husqvarna these are as solid as they come. While the ammo isn't as readily available as .30-06 it is still pretty easy to find. The recoil is about half. This is important for new shooters.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/mauserswedish/index.asp

Any dealer should be able to order one for you. Usually they charge about $25 for the transfer.

I hunt with an almost original Czech VZ-24 mauser carbine with open sights that was rebarreled to .308 NATO sometime after WWII. Even though it has some years on it it still shoots better than I do. I know this by the patterns my Army Ranger son puts down with it as compared to mine. It is a great gun in a great caliber but not easy to find. I worked on it rebluing and refinishing it back into like-new condition. It gets lots of nice comments when folks see it and it isn't so big it is hard to lug around the woods.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/brnovz24/index.asp

Good luck with you search.

Remington has a neat website where you can compare all the various calibers.

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/

Here is what they say about 6.5x55.

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/results/default.aspx?type=centerfire&cal=14

About .30-06.

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/results/default.aspx?type=centerfire&cal=30
 
To tell the truth, I'd rather have the 6.5x55 Swedish.. I've only heard good things about 'em in that caliber, and how flat and accurate it shoots!
However, the ammo isn't as readily available and I'm too lazy to reload, probably even if I had the space, time and knowledge! LOL!!!
But, if I came across one and it was as economical as the Springfield I'm looking at, I'd probably get it and enjoy it as well... And at my age, I'm sure it (or any other one I get!) would outshoot me, too! :D I may have been on a rifle team once a loooong time ago, but my eyes aren't what they were and I'm sure I'm nowhere near as steady! :(

Oh well, I do have two nice Enfields in different calibers, so even if I end up passing on the '03A3, I know I have two good guns in two good calibers that can handle anyhting I'm likely to ask of 'em... And if I can't hit what I'm aimin' at and whatever it is gets close enough... they're heavy enough that I could club 'em to death!!!! LOL!!!! :p

Thanks again guys!!!!

edited to add: PS - thanks for the links!!! good reading!
 
The sporterized '03 is a Springfield 1903 Model 1, not an '03A3;

And the star-gauged model is a Springfield 1903 NRA Sporter, of which less than 5000 were made, prior to '36...

The bore's pretty good on the Model 1, so if I do jump, she might be the one...

Thanks for y'all's input,

Cheers! :cool:
 
I realize this was not one of the options you gave, however, I would ask you why you are not considering a New or Used Model 700 Remington action in a 30-06?
They are relatively easy to locate, comparatively inexpensive and the Model 700 action is famous for accuracy and dependability out of the box. Parts are easy to find also, if needed.
The other question I would have would be why you would want a .30-06 when you have .308? They have certain similarities. I realize the '06 has a wider range of ammunition, especially as the loads get heavier. Is that the reason? If so, then it would seem to me a 7mag. or a .300 Winchester would be a better choice. Both would be much flatter shooters, with more knock down energy when the bullet arrived at target.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the '06, it has stood the test of time. Just seems a little close to what you already own to me.
Just my .02 cents worth.
 
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