Folks,
I went to the local gun shop this morning to check out a large gun collection and stockpile of ammo that the shop owner bid on and was able to purchase. There is a pile of military ammo in sealed cartons, cans and boxes. There is so much stuff that the gun shop owner is still taking inventory of all that he bought in the transaction. Nothing else interested me.

As I was leaving, my attention was drawn to a rifle behind the counter. Closer examination revealed that is was a sporterized 1903-A3 Springfield with a 1903 milled triggerguard and floorplate. The scope mount was unique and it turned out to be an S&K Insta-Mount, one of the "no drill" type. What a unique and ingenious setup. The sporter stock was lovely with a recoil pad and the bore a 4-groove and excellent condition. Someone altered the bolt handle to clear a scope, but retained the military safety. We haggled a bit and the rifle cost $150.00 and came home with me.

This is now my 2006 project gun to use the .338-06 barrel that I bought months ago from Midway. I would not alter an original military rifle, but will work on a sporterized one. Why a .338-06 appeals to me remains a mystery, but within a few weeks will have one. All the best...
Gil


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Gil Martin

Keep us informed how your project turns out. I've got an old sporterized Eddystone in 30-06 that I've been trying to decide what caliber it would be good for. Not to familiar with calibers like the .338-06. Any other ideas for calibers for this rifle. Maybe the 30-06 is still the best. Have fun!--tr

moose2,
This is one of the nicest Springfield sporters I have ever come across. It has a solid and massive S&K Insta-Mount that is built like an M-1 Abrams tank. The stock is first class honest straight grain walnut. I doubt this rifle ever saw much use except for the first and second day of deer season.

The 1917 Enfield is a good platform for a sporter. I like the weight and feel of the rifle. The .30-06 is hard to beat. However, this would be a good way to obtain another caliber such as a.270 or .280. The folks at Midway have '98 Mauser Adams & Bennett barrels on sale for $69.95 that can be rethreaded and fitted to a 1917 Enfield. Look at their website at www.midwwayusa.com. All the best...
Gil

Gil,
Thanks for the input, and good luck on your project. Building a .280 is starting to look inviting. Have a nice .06 so really don't need another.--tr

6mm-06 would be my choice,I am gonna have one someday.

Gilmartin,

Cool! Your gone a love it when your done.

longwalker

This is such a nice rifle and I really love the S&K mount that I may leave this rifle alone. That will mean another Springfield sporter will have to be located. I hate it when this happens. The gunsmith is open on Thursday and Saturday so I have a day to ponder what to do. All the best...
Gil

I removed the S&K Mount to see what I had and this rifle is marked "03-A3" and "Smith Corona". The gun shop did not remove the mount and listed the rifle as having "No Serial No.". I know it had one. All the best...
Gil

Hello Gil
I also came across a "sporterized" 03 a couple of years ago.
Owner claimed it was junk, grouped like a skattergun.
The original remake was done by a wannabe gunsmith with minimal skill.
Had a Weatherby scope on it that if you tapped the rifle you could see the recticule move. (problem 1). Stock was poorly inleted, barrel channel had more contact points than a rugby team. (problem 2).
My first step was to place a no drill mount and a inexpensive scope on it, and see what it could do. 4" group, "potential". Took a rasp to the barrel channel to relieve the pressure points. 3" groups, this is looking better.
Work begins, bought a composite stock, glass bedded the action, freefloated the barrel, and mounted a Leuopold with solid mounts.
Time to work at the bench, shooting & reloading.
Rifle now shoots better than I do. I have it zeroed for 225 yds, on a good day I can have 3 of 5 touch at 100. I am shooting 125gr TNT's. Took a deer 2004 at 247 yds (measured), one in the neck went down like hit by buldozer. Best $75 investment I ever made.
Bill

william681 ,
Welcome to the Forum! Sounds like you did just fine with the Springfield. I look over every sporterized Springfield or Mauser that comes into the local gun shops. Often these rifles can be remilitarized by just putting them back into the original military stocks.

I found a sporterized 1903-A3 and someone put a lot of work into it. The rifle has a lovely stock, a wonderful blue job and a unique scope mount. Last week I saw the same mount on a custom rifle in a gun shop. Turns out it is a Griffin & Howe mount worth more that I paid for the entire rifle. You just never know what will turn up. All the best...
Gil