reloading for the 1903
- Thread starter scythefwd
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], a stock 1903 can be loaded to shoot "very" well:
B
Don't consider myself an overly good shooter and my rifle is certainly not the "Holy Grail of 1903's but I do have a cut down Ex-sporter Remington made 1903 that will shoot 3/4 moa 5 round groups with the weaver K-3 scope I have on it. I'm running 150 grain bullets in my hand loads with H-4895
Don't consider myself an overly good shooter and my rifle is certainly not the "Holy Grail of 1903's but I do have a cut down Ex-sporter Remington made 1903 that will shoot 3/4 moa 5 round groups with the weaver K-3 scope I have on it. I'm running 150 grain bullets in my hand loads with H-4895
scythefwd
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joat.. mines 880k.. I'm past the cutover to double heat treat..
Jim Watson
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My imitation Springfield Sporter (A Remington 1903 barreled action in a 1922 stock) would shoot MOA with, of all things, 130 gr Speer JHP.
Of course we all remember that the 1903 was originally designed for the 220 grain roundnose bullet as used in the Krag, then upgraded to the 150 spitzer when we saw what the Froggies and Krauts and Switzers were doing, and what the Brits and Ruskies were working toward.
The 173 gr M1 boattail was originally speced out at the same 2700 fps as the '06 but they had to settle for 2640 with available powder. When they went back to 150, the better 1940 powder got it up to 2800. Commercial loads in the 1970s were well over 2900.
I don't know what Secret Knowledge F Guffey is working from on the non-universality of the 10 twist, but I recall the old story of the time when spot checking of Springfields gave markedly better accuracy. It was traced to a machinist setting up a rifling machine with the wrong sine bar and delivering a batch of 11 twist barrels. They shot great but were not spec, so the machine was readjusted and the odd barrels probably scrapped.
Of course we all remember that the 1903 was originally designed for the 220 grain roundnose bullet as used in the Krag, then upgraded to the 150 spitzer when we saw what the Froggies and Krauts and Switzers were doing, and what the Brits and Ruskies were working toward.
The 173 gr M1 boattail was originally speced out at the same 2700 fps as the '06 but they had to settle for 2640 with available powder. When they went back to 150, the better 1940 powder got it up to 2800. Commercial loads in the 1970s were well over 2900.
I don't know what Secret Knowledge F Guffey is working from on the non-universality of the 10 twist, but I recall the old story of the time when spot checking of Springfields gave markedly better accuracy. It was traced to a machinist setting up a rifling machine with the wrong sine bar and delivering a batch of 11 twist barrels. They shot great but were not spec, so the machine was readjusted and the odd barrels probably scrapped.
Famed barrel maker Harry Pope used 1:12 twist barrels in the M1903's he fit them to for the USA long range rifle team. They shot the 172's more accurate than 1:10 twist barrels did.
1:12 twist .30-06 barrels have shot 200 grain bullets as accurate or more so than 1:10 twist ones have. 100 fps slower bullets from .308 Winchester barrels have done the same. I think the arsenal developing the M14 service rifle knew that a 1:10 twist barrel was way too fast for best accuracy with 30 caliber 150 to 172 grain bullets leaving at .30-06 and 7.62 NATO muzzle velocities.
1:12 twist .30-06 barrels have shot 200 grain bullets as accurate or more so than 1:10 twist ones have. 100 fps slower bullets from .308 Winchester barrels have done the same. I think the arsenal developing the M14 service rifle knew that a 1:10 twist barrel was way too fast for best accuracy with 30 caliber 150 to 172 grain bullets leaving at .30-06 and 7.62 NATO muzzle velocities.
Jim Watson
Member
Harry Pope made 8 twist barrels for Krags that shot better than GI, too.
Jim, you're right about Pope's 1:8 twisted Krag barrels. At the slower velocity its long and heavy bullets left at, it stands to reason to do that.
A 1:10 twist has been most popular for the .30-06 and larger 30 caliber cartridges. Doesn't matter to most that 1:11 or 1:12 twists in them shoot the heavier bullets more accurate. Even the slower .308 Win. with 150 grain bullets excels with a 1:13 twist.
A 1:10 twist has been most popular for the .30-06 and larger 30 caliber cartridges. Doesn't matter to most that 1:11 or 1:12 twists in them shoot the heavier bullets more accurate. Even the slower .308 Win. with 150 grain bullets excels with a 1:13 twist.
Jim Watson
Member
Yes, I know, there are Palma rifles with 13 twist for 155 gr bullets.
And score benchrest .30 BRs with 14 twist for 130 gr bullets, too.
Berger's spreadsheet thinks a 13 twist would be adequate for a 220 gr RN at 2000 fps. But I wouldn't chance it.
Harry made up a bunch of .33-40s with 28-14 gain twist, too. Now there's a low velocity round.
And score benchrest .30 BRs with 14 twist for 130 gr bullets, too.
Berger's spreadsheet thinks a 13 twist would be adequate for a 220 gr RN at 2000 fps. But I wouldn't chance it.
Harry made up a bunch of .33-40s with 28-14 gain twist, too. Now there's a low velocity round.
Jim Watson
Member
Deleted duplicate.
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sean1129
Member
I've a sporterized 1903, open sights. I shoot 178/180 grain BTHP Hornaday (from Graf's) and 55 grains of H4350, which happens to the charge the gun likes. It shoots better than I can (open sights), which is a 1'' group at 40 yards.
The gun is fun--good luck!
The gun is fun--good luck!
Scythefwd, Thanks for letting me know, glad you are on top of that. If you have found a really good shooter (and a lot of the 03's are) you will really enjoy it. If I had to give up most of the toys, mine would be one of the last to go. It shoots better than I can see anymore.
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