Florida Shooters Network

I just picked this one up from a Member here last week and yesterday put a few home cast reloads through it at Manatee.



First group after sighting @ 100yds.



Has a few things that need attending to.
The stock applies a side pressure to the barrel rather than an upward pressure which I could live with and the trigger guard is stamped, not cast and machined.
It dates to 1931 from the number and I believe that would make it a 1903 A1 but am always open to listen to those that know more.

I am more than happy with its ability to make holes on paper and with the sights this has next time out at Manatee we will try to loft some lead at the gongs at the 565 berm and if that works out see if the lead can reach out to the 1000yd markers.

This is the third 1903, the others are a very nice 1903 A3 which equals this one for accuracy and a Sport-a-rized A3 that was lurking in a gun store and whoever put it together spent a lot of time and money doing the job and it was at a price that meant it just had to come home.

All are shooting home cast reloads with no issues.

Excellent group! Were you shooting with the Battle Sight [ sight laid flat ] or the peep? I could never see good enough to use the peep on those..... too far away from my eye, + i am not too proud to say i used to shoot mine with a slip-on Limbsaver!.... jim

Thanks Jim,
Used the Peep sight.
I found it gave quite a good target picture with the very fine front blade.
I did miss front ears as quick acquisition of the front sight was not always as easy as it could be.
Recoil... I have not tried a full power jacketed round through it and as I intend to only fire lead and am still getting copper out of the barrel I probably wont.
So with light loads recoil is not really a problem.
And I am with you on recoil... Way past getting any kind of fun out of shooting a round that just plane hurts me, some Turkey 12 gauge rounds come to mind as being the worst in that area.

Maybe a stupid question, are you using gas checks?

What is your load?
Bullet?
I have a nice K-31 that collects dust, 'cause it hurts to shoot it much.
Light kicking ammo is needed, fur sure, to actually enjoy using this old thing.
Info would be greatly appreciated.

Casual wrote:Maybe a stupid question, are you using gas checks?

I was always told
"No such thing as a stupid question, just stupid answers"
Yes a gas check is used, will list the load below.

g.willikers wrote:What is your load?
Bullet?
I have a nice K-31 that collects dust, 'cause it hurts to shoot it much.
Light kicking ammo is needed, fur sure, to actually enjoy using this old thing.
Info would be greatly appreciated.

I would normally keep load data pretty quite but......

Lyman 2-Cavity Bullet Mold #314299 303 Caliber (314 Diameter) 200 Grain Round Nose.
Wheel wight lead.
Sized to 310.
Gas check at the neck/shoulder junction.
Powder 16 Grains of 2400.
Wolf Primer.
Lubed with Blue Angel.
Remington Brass.

The A3 has a 2 grove land and the A1 a 4 land barrel and both shot this load very well.
The sport-a-rized A3 has a 6 land barrel and does not match the other two with this load but may well do if the load was worked a bit more.

Thankee.
Looks like a new hobby is in the makings.

Niccceee group. Shot one in NRA Jrs. back in the '60's-- CMP
never got around to wining one.
Photo

My 1918 '03A1 shoots great...kicks like a mule with usgi ammo and is smooth as butter.
It's a tribute to a great design and the men who used them to preserve our way of life.