4x4Wire's TrailTalk Forums: Hunting Rifle Mission Creep

This is so typical of the things I do that it's almost comical. Some of you may remember the sporterized 1903A3 Springfield that I recently found.

While it is a nice rifle, I decided I should "improve" it. Since someone had already drilled the receiver and installed a set of Lyman receiver aperture and globe target front sights, I realized that the Bubba work had already begun and I could do nothing to further degrade the value. So, I decided to construct an "Improved Bubba 1903A3 Springfield".

The plan was to spend "some" money on it, but not try to build a Guild quality rifle. I thought about rust bluing the metal, but decided that a working hunting rifle should be all business and offer a measure of simplicity, so I wouldn't worry too much if it got a few nicks and scratches. Still, I wanted a proper-looking rifle. Improvement costs could be offset by selling the Lyman 48C receiver sight (probably worth $125-150) and the front sight (maybe $25). That would mostly pay for a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40mm scope, which should be adequate. So, I disassembled the rifle, removed the sights and found what I expected - a nice Timney trigger:

The first decision was to leave the original parkerized finish on the receiver and barrel, then parkerize the nice 1903 (not A3) milled trigger guard and magazine floor plate.

A 1903A4-style sniper bolt handle had already been fitted to allow a scope to be installed, so that part was done, although the bolt and handle needed finishing - so I had the bolt handle parkerized, then polished the bolt barrel a little in preparation for jeweling if I later decide I want that look. If the rifle comes out like I hope, I may eventually bead-blast the receiver and barrel and re-parkerize everything.

After removing the front sight, I really wasn't happy with the barrel lug and even it it was removed, it would still leave the unfinished mounting area which is stepped:

A hacksaw took care of that problem in a few minutes:

For a quick and dirty barrel facing, I used a file and some sandpaper to polish, then very minimally crowned the barrel with a filed outside chamfer edge and for the muzzle, chucked a round-head brass bolt into a hand drill and lapped the bore edge with some polishing compound. If it doesn't group well like this, I can decide later if I want to put a military or target crown on it:

So, what to do for a stock? I really like a classic wood sport stock, but considered a synthetic one - but all of a sudden an uncut, semi-inletted original Reinhart Fajen 1903A3 Mannlicher walnut sporter showed up on auction:

Gimme it!

These stocks were considered the best-of-breed in the '50s and '60s and I couldn't believe there was still one of them around. I bought it in the last 10 seconds of the auction - even though I wondered why the walnut appeared so light in color and figured I might have to use a dab of stain to get good color. When the stock arrived, I realized the photographer used too much light - the stock is beautiful..... not exhibition grade wood, but just right for a very nice field-grade rifle:

I'm not a fan of the white grip/butt cap spacers on field rifles, so I removed those and reset the wood screws:

Now, I will have to do a little wood shaping to get the final fit - and some finish inletting for the Timney trigger. It's tempting to build a Mannlicher-style Springfield, but I really don't want one, so I'll cut about 12" from the forend. After final shaping and sanding, I'll bed the action and finish it with Tru-Oil..... haven't yet decided if I want to pillar-bed the action or if the barrel should be fully bedded..... guess I'll see how everything fits and then decide.

I'll post some more pictures as progress develops.

Frank

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