30-06 BCG

peeplwtchr · Sep 20, 2019

Hi-

I don't know much about rifles, so I am wondering if anyone can give any details on this gun my dad left me. I am fairly sure it is a 30-06, but when I search online, I see that the BCG looks like a Mauser? Does it? I didn't think they were exact diameter matches. Anyone know what ammo this should shoot? I am even unsure what the chamber is pressured for. I also tried to fing out what the heart-looking stamp on the bolt handle signified, but no success. It has a Buehler safety if that helps at all. I think it may be from the 50s.

Any info. is appreciated, thanks!

peeplwtchr · Sep 20, 2019

Another pic.

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 21, 2019

Thats an M1903 Springfield bolt.

They were originally chambered for .30-06, but that rifle has been modified so much, theres no telling what it is now if it is not stamped on the barrel. The original manufacturer's stamp is probably concealed by the scope mount.

Is the serial number still visible? Early production 1903's have uncertain heat treating of the receiver steel and can be dangerously brittle.

We would need more pictures to give any further details.

LoonWulf · Sep 21, 2019

yeah sporterized 1903 from whats visible in the pictures.
Can we get a picture of the whole gun?

From what I can see the works pretty extensive, so it may not be its original 30-06.

DocRock · Sep 21, 2019

You were kind of right about it being a Mauser...

I concur, M1903 bolt. Unless rebarreled in something else, it is indeed chambered for 30-06. You may want to check the serial number. Some very, very early rifles that may have survived had poor heat treating and are probably not safe. I stress that these are a very few, very early rifles. Otherwise, they have earned a reputation for being pretty accurate rifles, are reasonably collectable, and handle recoil quite well for a military rifle.

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 21, 2019

DocRock said:
You were kind of right about it being a Mauser...

I concur, M1903 bolt. Unless rebarreled in something else, it is indeed chambered for 30-06. You may want to check the serial number. Some very, very early rifles that may have survived had poor heat treating and are probably not safe. I stress that these are a very few, very early rifles. Otherwise, they have earned a reputation for being pretty accurate rifles, are reasonably collectable, and handle recoil quite well for a military rifle.

Uh, I dont know if roughly a million qualifies as very few.

Springfield Armory production to 800,000 and Rock Island to 285,000- about a third of all 1903s, not counting the 1903a3.

peeplwtchr · Sep 21, 2019

Wow you guys are good, glad I joined! Rifles outside of ARs are my next stage in this hobby, so I will be here alot.

So I cannot locate any serial#. I called my mom, and she said my dad "Made" this gun, and that Springfield sounds familliar. A few more pics, let me know if you discover anything else please.

Okay the 4 digit # on the side if the chamber looks like it is 4117. The 7 could be a 2, the stamp is bad on the last #.

Offfhand · Sep 21, 2019

It is a pretty typical amateur do-it-yourself looking sporterizing of '03 Springfields that were common back in the 1950's-'60's. Usually, the stocks were made from semi-shaped and inletted stocks available from Biship, Herters. Fajen etc. The stock on your rifle looks like the semi-finished stocks offered by Herters, with the distinctive "roll'over" cheekpiece, and white line spacers. Be glad that you have it.

WestKentucky · Sep 21, 2019

Basic but nice looking rifle. I like it. Really cool that it’s something that your father built and left to you. I hope that my kids and grandkids enjoy the things I leave for them, guns among them.

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 21, 2019

Well, I got good news and bad news.

The good news-

You have a Remington M1903a3 made in early 1944, which was probably assembled postwar as it has a 3/44 barrel and production ended in February of '44. These are made of good steel and that is an original .30-06 barrel, though it appears to have been rather crudely shortened.

The bad news-

That should be a 7 digit serial number, which has been buffed to the point of being defaced, making it illegal contraband in the eyes of the BATF. It was orginally 4112633 or something similiar.

AlexanderA · Sep 21, 2019

Yup. Partially obliterated serial number. Put the gun away and don't show it to anyone.

desidog · Sep 21, 2019

Well, since the gun was made before serial numbers were required... and might have been scrubbed before then too... I wouldn’t lose any sleep.

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 21, 2019

You could try to bring out the missing numbers with an acid swab as they are not totally gone, buff that whole area flat, restamp the complete number and reblue it.

As it stands any casual LEO observer can tell its been messed with.

Not strictly legal, but probably what I would do if it were a family heirloom. If done skillfully with the correct font it would take an expert to prove it was tampered with and they would have to really, really want to get you to make an issue of it. But the risk would still be there. Your choice.

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 21, 2019

desidog said:
Well, since the gun was made before serial numbers were required... and might have been scrubbed before then too... I wouldn’t lose any sleep.

Doesnt matter. If it ever had a serial number applied at the factory (and all M1903s did) then you cannot remove, alter, or deface it in any way.

DocRock · Sep 21, 2019

NIGHTLORD40K said:
Uh, I dont know if roughly a million qualifies as very few.

Springfield Armory production to 800,000 and Rock Island to 285,000- about a third of all 1903s, not counting the 1903a3.

But my understanding was that vast quantities of those were removed from circulation by arsenal so that there were relatively few survivors. Is that not so?

NIGHTLORD40K · Sep 21, 2019

DocRock said:
But my understanding was that vast quantities of those were removed from circulation by arsenal so that there were relatively few survivors. Is that not so?

They were removed from front line issue, but not destroyed. Many were sold off as surplus between and after the wars. Some were given to friendly nations and repatriated later. A huge number were turned into sporters such as the OPs gun- though his is based on on A3 receiver so he doesnt have to worry about the heat treating issue.

peeplwtchr · Sep 28, 2019

Thanks so much everyone!

I see now that there is 30-06 Springfield ammo., which seems much more expensive than 30-06 ammo not designated as Springfield. Will this gun indeed fire all 30-06 ammo?

beeenbag · Sep 28, 2019

peeplwtchr said:
Thanks so much everyone!

I see now that there is 30-06 Springfield ammo., which seems much more expensive than 30-06 ammo not designated as Springfield. Will this gun indeed fire all 30-06 ammo?

30-06 Springfield is the same thing as 30-06. You may even see it designated as 7.62x63 or 30 gov’t 06. With an A3 designation, you are fine with factory loaded ammo. I wouldn’t get crazy with any Uber hot boutique type loading, but factory ammo is fine

peeplwtchr · Sep 28, 2019

Thank you!

30-06 BCG

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