Winter project
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Winter project
I've had some extra time this winter so I dug into the project pile with the idea of actually finishing something. Several years ago I bought an 8/43 mfd Smith Corona 1903A3. Some dufus drilled and tapped it and cut the barrel just behind the front sight. It wore a synthetic stock and a 3.5-10x50 BSA.
I saw a candidate for a general purpose/scout rifle. I wanted a dependable, multi-sighted, clip-loaded rifle that could be easily be maintained in the field.
I wanted pedestal type bases mounted on the barrel to mount an aimpoint or a scout scope. I layed out where i wanted the bases then measured the barrel diameter and taper. Then I printed off a list of every Weaver base made and found the closest I could to what I needed. Then I final fit them a little at a time till they came in by checking level and mounting a scope set to mechanical zero and using a laser bore sighter. Once everything was lined up I borrowed my buddy's drill jig and drilled and tapped the base holes.a Then I mocked up where the barrel was to be cut( 19 1/2"). I mounted an Aimpoint R1 and laser bore sighted it. I had earlier found an original 03A3 rear sight and now had to find a propper height front sight. I ended up with a Williams sight base I found at my buddy's shop. Using the laser and a lower 1/4 co-witness with the aimpoint, I lined up and marked the location of the front sight. Then it was time to cut the barrel. I sawed it off and then put the barrel through the headstock of the lathe leaving
the action out the back. Then cut a new crown(sorry no pic). At this point I debated threading the muzzle to 5/8-24 and using an AR-10 flash hider. I decided not to thinking it just would'nt look "right".
Then back to the drill jig and drilled and tapped holes for the front sight. After mounting I did a final bore sight on all the sights. The rifle came with a polished and turned-down bolt with a low safety. I got a military contour bolt and safety and headspaced it to the rifle so I have two complete bolts that are interchangeable.
I hope it shoots! I can't get into the range cause there is too much snow.
I saw a candidate for a general purpose/scout rifle. I wanted a dependable, multi-sighted, clip-loaded rifle that could be easily be maintained in the field.
I wanted pedestal type bases mounted on the barrel to mount an aimpoint or a scout scope. I layed out where i wanted the bases then measured the barrel diameter and taper. Then I printed off a list of every Weaver base made and found the closest I could to what I needed. Then I final fit them a little at a time till they came in by checking level and mounting a scope set to mechanical zero and using a laser bore sighter. Once everything was lined up I borrowed my buddy's drill jig and drilled and tapped the base holes.a Then I mocked up where the barrel was to be cut( 19 1/2"). I mounted an Aimpoint R1 and laser bore sighted it. I had earlier found an original 03A3 rear sight and now had to find a propper height front sight. I ended up with a Williams sight base I found at my buddy's shop. Using the laser and a lower 1/4 co-witness with the aimpoint, I lined up and marked the location of the front sight. Then it was time to cut the barrel. I sawed it off and then put the barrel through the headstock of the lathe leaving
the action out the back. Then cut a new crown(sorry no pic). At this point I debated threading the muzzle to 5/8-24 and using an AR-10 flash hider. I decided not to thinking it just would'nt look "right".
Then back to the drill jig and drilled and tapped holes for the front sight. After mounting I did a final bore sight on all the sights. The rifle came with a polished and turned-down bolt with a low safety. I got a military contour bolt and safety and headspaced it to the rifle so I have two complete bolts that are interchangeable.
I hope it shoots! I can't get into the range cause there is too much snow.
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
- Griff
- Posting leader...
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- Location: OH MY GAWD they installed a STOP light!!!
Re: Winter project
Nice job.
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
Re: Winter project
Col. Cooper would be very proud
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
Re: Winter project
Haha! Not if he lifted it! It surely doesn't "make weight". Then again, I've never been too hung up on the super-lightweight rifle thing anyhow.BlaineG wrote:Col. Cooper would be very proud
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
Re: Winter project
That's cool!! I love 03s; a Scout rifle in the "right" chambering!
Glad that you didn't put a flash hider on it. It looks perfect, just the way that it is.
Glad that you didn't put a flash hider on it. It looks perfect, just the way that it is.
Re: Winter project
Thank you very much. Sorry for the crappy pics (I surely ain't Kirk!).damienph wrote:That's cool!! I love 03s; a Scout rifle in the "right" chambering!
Glad that you didn't put a flash hider on it. It looks perfect, just the way that it is.
I like the new Ruger GSR but I think they went a little short with the barrel. I also think I prefer stripper clips to a detatchable magazine on a bolt rifle. As with the flash hider, I sweated on what to use for a front sight also. I considered an M-14 style winged option but I know they can get plugged with snow/debris. With the ramp I can adjust it with different height and styles of bead. Williams also makes an open top hood for this sight.
Hoping to shoot it this week but I will certainly be on snowshoes to hang targets.
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
-
- Senior Levergunner
- Posts: 1924
- Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2007 3:36 pm
- Location: New Hampshire
Re: Winter project
Very nice, OldWin! Good shooting this week. I look forward to your range report.
Re: Winter project
Thank you! I checked out a place this afternoon without getting stuck. Came home and got my portable bench and target stand ready. I'm going to give it a try in the morning if all goes well and i will post the results.mod71alaska wrote:Very nice, OldWin! Good shooting this week. I look forward to your range report.
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
- 2ndovc
- Advanced Levergunner
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- Joined: Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:59 am
- Location: OH, South Shore of Lake Erie
Re: Winter project
Sweet!
I grew up in a house full of '03&'03A3 sporters. Really like what you did with yours!
jb
I grew up in a house full of '03&'03A3 sporters. Really like what you did with yours!
jb
jasonB " Another Dirty Yankee"
" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
Re: Winter project
Looks alot like my Mauser M96 in 6.5x55MM.
Re: Winter project
Yeah I really like 03's. I was glad to have found this one that I could play with without hurting.2ndovc wrote:Sweet!
I grew up in a house full of '03&'03A3 sporters. Really like what you did with yours!
jb
Thank you. I take that as a compliment as the 96 in 6.5x55 is one of my favorite Mausers of all time.Mescalero wrote:Looks alot like my Mauser M96 in 6.5x55MM.
I just got back from shooting my 03 so I will post up the results.
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
Re: Winter project
It was already bubbad when I got it , so I turned into a scout.
Re: Winter project
I'm happy with the results overall. Seeing as i was shooting from a rickety bench in the back of the truck. And the fact that including the purchase price of the rifle, I've got about 400 bucks in the whole thing. I had the scope and Aimpoint already.
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
Re: Winter project
Like it!
- Sixgun
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Re: Winter project
Great idea and nice work!
Nice lookin' leverguns in the background. Being in your gunroom is better than any other place on Earth. -------------Sixgun
Nice lookin' leverguns in the background. Being in your gunroom is better than any other place on Earth. -------------Sixgun
Re: Winter project
I'd love to see pics of your 96 Mauser Mescalero!Mescalero wrote:It was already bubbad when I got it , so I turned into a scout.
Thanks Sixgun! Yeah I love my gunroom and spend as much time there as I can.Sixgun wrote:Great idea and nice work!
Nice lookin' leverguns in the background. Being in your gunroom is better than any other place on Earth. -------------Sixgun
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.