Need help with hypothetical 1903a3 re-barrel question.

[Mosinguy]

Say I had a 1903a3 action and bolt. What would I have to do to make a .308 out of it other than rebarrel it. Where could I buy a mag spacer for it? Saw actions for sale and thought it would be a neat project.

 

[kludge]

Yes, just a barrel and stock. Magazine mods may or may not be needed. If you have a springfield action, I just wonder why you would make a .308 when there are so many better options out there.

 

[Mosinguy]

Yes, just a barrel and stock. Magazine mods may or may not be needed. If you have a springfield action, I just wonder why you would make a .308 when there are so many better options out there.

Like what?

 

[kludge]

If I had a Springfield action I'd be building something on the .30-06 parent case. A .338-06 and a .280 Rem would be at the top of the list.

The .338-06 can launch a 225gr Nosler Accubond at 2650fps. At 400 yards you still have a tick over the magic 2000fpe and 2000fps remaining... meaning you have a 400 yard elk rifle without resorting to a magnum, more gun that I will probably ever need. Nosler rates their Accubond down to 1800fps... that occurs at 580 yards.

The .280 Rem can give 2700fps with a 160gr Nosler, with similar fps numbers to the .338-05 but with 1500fpe at 400yds and 1200fpe at 580 yards. Yes the 7mm Rem Mag will push a 160gr ~150fps faster, but at the cost of ~10 gr more powder, and the blast and recoil. Good for any deer our past the typical shooter's ability. And it will shoot the more typical 140gr bullets at >2900fps.

If you are in to long range target shooting the .280 is still supersonic past 1000 yards... the .308... well... it's harder to do.

 

[Mosinguy]

If I had a Springfield action I'd be building something on the .30-06 parent case. A .338-06 and a .280 Rem would be at the top of the list.

The .338-06 can launch a 225gr Nosler Accubond at 2650fps. At 400 yards you still have a tick over the magic 2000fpe and 2000fps remaining... meaning you have a 400 yard elk rifle without resorting to a magnum, more gun that I will probably ever need. Nosler rates their Accubond down to 1800fps... that occurs at 580 yards.

The .280 Rem can give 2700fps with a 160gr Nosler, with similar fps numbers to the .338-05 but with 1500fpe at 400yds and 1200fpe at 580 yards. Yes the 7mm Rem Mag will push a 160gr ~150fps faster, but at the cost of ~10 gr more powder, and the blast and recoil. Good for any deer our past the typical shooter's ability. And it will shoot the more typical 140gr bullets at >2900fps.

If you are in to long range target shooting the .280 is still supersonic past 1000 yards... the .308... well... it's harder to do.

Regardless of caliber how hard would it be to find a barrel and have it installed?

 

[kludge]

Gunsmithing Services

Scroll down about half way... send them your action, tell them what you want, and wait 8-10 weeks.

 

[Mosinguy]

Gunsmithing Services

Scroll down about half way... send them your action, tell them what you want, and wait 8-10 weeks.

So for around $250 they'll put a barrel on the receiver and headspace everything? Does that include bluing do you know?

 

[kludge]

Yes and yes, but just the barrel, AFAIK... My barrel was dine in matte black to match the receiver. If you want the action and barrel to match, high gloss blueing, receiver work (squaring/lapping) then that will be extra. A Springifled in .338-06 would be a once in a lifetime rifle for me and I'd pony up the extra $180 to have them do a high gloss blue on the barrel and receiver.

 

[fireball168]

So for around $250 they'll put a barrel on the receiver and headspace everything? Does that include bluing do you know?

Add the cost of the barrel and contouring to that, plus the refinishing.

 

[kludge]

That includes the cost of the barrel. Mine was $270 installed and finished.

 

[fireball168]

I can assure you $245 does not include the cost of the barrel fitted on a Springfield action.

If you are talking about $270 for a prefit Savage, that is an entirely different conversation.