03 Sporter - Again...

[Electric Miner]

I bought this rifle about 15 years ago. I had it for a short while, then sold it to a shooting buddy. He had it for some years, then couldn't shoot it due to medical problems. It, apparently, changed hands at least twice more. I got it back yesterday in a three-way deal to get my buddy's widow a mobility scooter.

It was originally sold to me as a military 03A3 action, refinished, with a commercial barrel, no rear sight, and mounting a Realist Camputer auto-ranging scope, with the proper mount and cam for 30-06. I can attest that it was plenty accurate the last time I owned it. For whatever reason, this stock setup kicks the dog mess outta my shoulder, one of the reasons I sold it to begin with. I had a Weatherby Vanguard in .300 Weatherby that didn't kick as bad as this rifle.

Anyway, here it is...

[Hawg]

I'm not really a fan of thumbhole stocks but that's a hella nice rifle.

[ShotgunDave]

Wow EM, that's a real beauty. I'd love to have something like that for deer hunting.

[Marshal Will]

Looks really good. Nice trade (back). When I was young, I had a sporterized 03A3 and mine kicked, too. Accurate, though.

[Electric Miner]

I may restock it with something more practical.

[Hawg]

I've got a benchrest target rifle built on a 1903A3 in 30-06. It's the most accurate rifle I've ever owned and it doesn't kick. It does weigh 15 lbs tho.

[Captainkirk]

Doesn't look like much stock drop on that one, EM. Re-stocking might help considerable.

[Clydesdale4x4]

Dad was the biggest Springfield fan, my first deer gun was an 03, always was a grip of 03/03-A3's around. I thought his .35 Whelen was built off this action, for years. I was dismayed (not that it's a bad action he built it off of) when I discovered it wasn't upon reacquiring.

Beautiful piece, my friend.

[Hawg]

my first deer gun was an 03,

Mine too. I got it for my 12th birthday.

[Clydesdale4x4]

my first deer gun was an 03,

Mine too. I got it for my 12th birthday.

I was right in there, Christms 83 or 84, 12 on the first, 13 on the second. Full military dress, etc.

[Hawg]

I was right in there, Christms 83 or 84, 12 on the first, 13 on the second. Full military dress, etc.

Are you recoil sensitive?

[Clydesdale4x4]

I am, but it wasn't the 03, it was Mom's .308 Featherweight that gave me the flinch.

The .35 Whelen, when we put (BRNO VZ-24 8mm rechambered to .35 Whelen Ackley Improved)it back in Dad's fiberglass stock he picked int he 80's made me cry, in the walnut stock we found for it with the butt pad similar to the one shown on the thumbhole stock above, wasn't so bad.I could d hunt with it, but the fiberglass lightweight hard butt stock that doesn't fit me that Dad picked ("I want an ugly hunting rifle to beat around the woods.is brutal.")

[Hawg]

Well that blows that theory.

[Clydesdale4x4]

in the full dress, I think it was about 11#'s, mild recoil, to be honest.