Took my 03A3 to the Range

[Krazykarl]

My other O3A3 is an all original 1943 Remington. It too is a 2 groove with scant stock. The upper hand guard is cracked so as a college kid I repaired it with epoxy. I am currently playing with some original FA 1932 manufacturered FA70 .30 caliber primers. Using IMR 4064 and Hornady 150 FMJ. I am still conducting science and will get some chronograph numbers once winter goes away. But, last month I fired 40 rounds of those evil corrosive primers. With a hot and fouled barrel I put 5 bullets into 1.5 inches. So far so good.

[m1a_scoutguy]

My other O3A3 is an all-original 1943 Remington. It too is a 2 groove with scant stock. The upper hand guard is cracked so as a college kid I repaired it with epoxy. I am currently playing with some original FA 1932 manufactured FA70 .30 caliber primers. Using IMR 4064 and Hornady 150 FMJ. I am still conducting science and will get some chronograph numbers once winter goes away. But last month I fired 40 rounds of those evil corrosive primers. With a hot and fouled barrel, I put 5 bullets into 1.5 inches. So far so good.

Ah, that's very cool! I actually have like 1500 older Winchester primers and when I contacted them, they said that yes, they were corrosive. I can't bring myself to dispose of them, so I will keep them in a cool dark place, LOL Shooting them out of a bolt gun would not be an issue, just clean them after you finish, I wouldn't use them in my M1s cuz its more of a pain to clean with the gas system and all. It's 45 degrees and sunny up my way today and really wanted to hit the range but just couldn't get motivated, still, Feb and it's gonna get crappy again but it's supposed to be 55 then 60 degrees on Wed/Thursday so I will pick one of those days. Keep us posted on how she keeps shooting I'm intrigued by those older corrosive primers' performance.

[G woody]

A major burden to be caretakers of those fine old rifles. Hug um & love um. I'm in envy !!

[AndyLate]

Hit the range again today. Brought the 1903A3, my mixmaster 1903, and 2 M1s. Shot just over 200 rounds, roughly 140 through the M1s and 60 through the bolt action rifles.

It is significantly easier for me to shoot an M1 than either of the 1903s. I have a heck of a time finding those skinny front sights against the targets. The 'A3 is better with its larger peep closer to the eye, but both are challenging.

The A3's stock seems noticeably shorter than the scant (semi-pistol grip) stock on my 1903 or the M1. Both bolt rifles seem to have a tad more recoil than the M1s, but they don't really thump too bad. You have to remember not to wrap your thumb around the grip on the '03s unless you enjoy hitting yourself in the nose.

The bolt guns and my chromed late production M1 ran fine, my 1943 Garand seemed a little picky about feeding the 6th round occasionally. I need to look at it.

They are not cheap to feed, but I had a lot of fun!

Andy

[Krazykarl]

Andy,

What ammunition are you using?

[AndyLate]

Andy,

What ammunition are you using?

Surplus M2 ball.

Not a great pic:



Andy

[mark5pt56]

AL, if you reload, try to find H4895 and look at Hodgdons reduced load data with H4895, makes it easy on the shoulder. Nice rifles!

[AndyLate]

AL, if you reload, try to find H4895 and look at Hodgdons reduced load data with H4895, makes it easy on the shoulder. Nice rifles!

I do reload and need to quit being lazy about it. I have a couple pounds of 4895 and some 4064 as well. Since the ranges I have easy access to are limited to 200 yards, I have been thinking about the 125 gr service rifle loads as well as the standard 150 gr.

Andy

[mark5pt56]

Those reduced loads with H4895 make you laugh each time as they are mild, I recall getting a .308 bolt going 21-2200 fps with a 125 pro hunter for my daughter when she first started. Plus it makes the whole experience enjoyable without getting hammered.

[m1a_scoutguy]

I do reload and need to quit being lazy about it. I have a couple of pounds of 4895 and some 4064 as well. Since the ranges I have easy access to are limited to 200 yards, I have been thinking about the 125-gr service rifle loads and the standard 150-gr.

Andy

Hey Andy, get going, LOL I use H4895 for my M1s and IMR4064 for my 1903A3 rifles. 4064 is easier to find when the need arises, H4895 is pretty tough still, although I have multiple LBs of both powders. I have used the 125 Speer TnT bullets with great success in my M1a but never thought much about them for my M1s or 1903A3 rifles, I may dig them out and have a look. I use 168/175s out of my bolt guns but shoot mostly 150FMJs out of my M1s. No need really to put the extra effort of a match load into what I do but they do help when I have done it. There are other 125 bullets but I always liked these: https://www.speer.com/bullets/
The previous post when I posted the target that is with IMR4064, shoots pretty well. I guess I could/should try the H4895 but I really like it in my M1s and hate burning it up in "working" up a load when I have a decent enough one now, LOL I shot my 1903A4 the other day and it shot good as usual but I didn't take any good pics of the targets, silly me! Not sure where you get your data from and the internet is always a good starting point for sure and that's where this is from ( https://hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploa...final-data.pdf ) I printed this off and put it in my current book, I like the Hornady newer books cuz they have Service Rifle Data, always nice having it right in front of ya. I have some old info from either the CMP Forums or one of the other surplus places that have loading info, I can't find it online @ the moment but I'm pretty sure I have it printed off and if I find it, I'll make a copy and send it to you if ya want, or just scan & post it here, it's good stuff. Well keep us posted on the old girls & I will do the same. We are running into some crappy weather for a bit so my range days will be few for a while but will update as the days roll on, Happy Shooting.