DMK
Member
I've seen lots of Garands converted, but never '03s. Is it done just as easily?
Can a 1903 Springfield be converted to 7.62x51 easily?
- Thread starter DMK
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Yup.
You can order a replacement barrel blank with a .308" bore, and have it externally contoured to match the dimensions of either a 1903 or 1903A3 barrel, then have it chamber reamed for .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO. If the rifle was originally purchased or papered as a Curio & Relic, it will lose that status once rechambered for a non-issued round.
Cutting back the shank of the original .30-06 1903 barrel and rechambering it for .308 Winchester would make for a shorter barrel once all was said and done, so the front sight would be closer to the handguard/stock and the rear sights, accordingly. It would stick out like a sore thumb to somebody who knew their Springfields.
The .30-06 length box magazine is much longer in the 1903 than it needs to be for the .308 Winchester. So when loading the 1903 up with .308 ammo, it wouldn't hurt to seat the rounds fully against the back of the magazine.
Chamber inserts aren't worth the powder to blow them to hell, BTW.
You can order a replacement barrel blank with a .308" bore, and have it externally contoured to match the dimensions of either a 1903 or 1903A3 barrel, then have it chamber reamed for .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO. If the rifle was originally purchased or papered as a Curio & Relic, it will lose that status once rechambered for a non-issued round.
Cutting back the shank of the original .30-06 1903 barrel and rechambering it for .308 Winchester would make for a shorter barrel once all was said and done, so the front sight would be closer to the handguard/stock and the rear sights, accordingly. It would stick out like a sore thumb to somebody who knew their Springfields.
The .30-06 length box magazine is much longer in the 1903 than it needs to be for the .308 Winchester. So when loading the 1903 up with .308 ammo, it wouldn't hurt to seat the rounds fully against the back of the magazine.
Chamber inserts aren't worth the powder to blow them to hell, BTW.
Selfdfenz
Member
I wonder if a mag insert would be a good idea to keep the rounds lined up a bit better.
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DMK
Member
Thanks Gewehr98,
So I guess there aren't any pre-made .308 barrels for these like there are for the Garand?
So I guess there aren't any pre-made .308 barrels for these like there are for the Garand?
Clemson
Member
The Garand gets around the cartridge length problem by using the en bloc clip to hold the cartridges in alignment until they are stripped into the action. The Springfield doesn't have that capability.
Clemson
Clemson
kimbernut
Member
Mag insert
Wouldn't a magazine insert to prevent .30-06 ammo from being inserted into the magazine be a good idea whether necessary or not?
Wouldn't a magazine insert to prevent .30-06 ammo from being inserted into the magazine be a good idea whether necessary or not?
Clemson
Member
Yes indeed! Deans sells an insert for about $15. It really isn't a safety issue, as the bolt will not close on a 30-06 round fed into a .308 chamber. If you were forced into using the gun for "serious" purposes, however, it might ruin your whole day to be caught holding a .308 rifle with 30-06 ammo.
Actually, I am thinking of rebarreling one of my M1's to .308 this summer. I will probably get a magazine insert. I use my guns for target shooting only.
Clemson
Actually, I am thinking of rebarreling one of my M1's to .308 this summer. I will probably get a magazine insert. I use my guns for target shooting only.
Clemson
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