What Chamber for 1903 Action

[Josh]

I was gifted a poorly sporterized 1903 Springfield with a roached out 30-06 barrel by my Uncle. My only instruction with the rifle was "You can't sell it".

Well, I'm ok with that. Now I’ve got the action sitting in a better stock but I can't for the life of me pick a chamber. Everything I've thought of is covered in my safe already. I've got at my disposal and fingertips the following in bolt actions: 30-06, 270 win, 22-250, 6mm ARC, 308, 6.5 Creedmoor, 350 Legend, 350 Rem Mag and 7.62x39. In military rifles I've got 7x57, 8x57, 7.5x55, 7.65x53 and 7.62x54R.

I don't necessarily want to alter the bolt and feed lips of the action, but I'm not opposed to it. What could I possibly chamber this action in that gives me something different from everything else I've got and the myriad of hunting rifles I own. Hopefully something that fills a performance gap I have that I'm not seeing.

I would prefer that it shoots cast, but I've got plenty of cast rifles. Should I go with something in a bigger 6mm? Something bigger than 35 in bore size? I feel like I've got everything I've ever wanted for rifle cartridges, now I'm trying to figure out what to do with "just one more".

Thanks for your brainstorming and ideas, you all have helped me a great bit over the years.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Well, to my way of thinking, and it's gonna totally depend on how fudged up that chamber is. What about a 3006 improved? I agree not to open up the bowl not to alter the feed rails. The barrel Hass to come off anyway for probably Hass to come off anyway… But I would avoid going with a shorter case because you're gonna have to do a lot of extra machining, and it may not look good at the receiver barrel juncture. Depending on your diameter, depending on if there's any engraving on the barrel, yada yada yada.
So stay with that 3006 parent case.
So to me because you can't go smaller, I would look at 8 mm 06, three 3806, or my first choice would be 35 whelen. Or an improved version of any of those.

 

[Snakeoil]

If it were me, I'd put a Criterion on it, a C stock and return it to Military dress. I'd then drill and tap for a Unertl or Lyman STS.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Maybe I wrongly assumed you wanted to keep the same barrel. Of course, changing the barrel opens up many more options to calibers. In that case I would say pick something that's a "hole" in your caliber lineup or something that you've always wanted with a .473 case head.

It may be a misnomer, but there was a hardening issue with some serial numbers, so that might be something to think about. The early number, double heat treat receivers. I have one. It's never been a problem.

 

[462]

CW beat me to it -- .35 Whelen.

Why?, in memory of the man, because the caliber has a certain ring to it, and you might be able to save the barrel.

 

[RBHarter]

If you blow an 06' straight it's a .451 45-70 . The 45 Raptor, a rimless 460 S&W will fill most of that 45-70 role also . There's also just blowing a 284 Winchester straight for a .473 rebated rim 45-70 right down to data , chamber , and dies . All of the data from the 165 gr angry Colts collar button up to the 535 Ruger T Rex/ brontosaurus slayers .

The 338 clan doesn't really do anything the 35s don't.

I know a guy that offered me an octagon 36" 375 Shilen barrel plus fit and chamber at an actually very good price . 375 -06' AI ?

 

[Rushcreek]

Everyone should have a 25-06 at least once in their lives.

 

[300BLK]

338-06 or 375 Whelen

 

[fiver]

25-06.
it kicks like a cast bullet rifle only at 3-K.

 

[Mitty38]

Why not re barrel and go with the original caliber for pre WW1?

30-30. Would be a cheap and easy caliber to reload and shoot lead in.
Not a bad kick even at a full load.
That is if you could even find a 30-30 barrel

 

[Michael]

Another vote for the 338-06 (Imp), or even the 338 Federal, mild mannered little beast in a small package. It would take some work on the feed rails and bolt face, but how about the 458x2 American. Both are easy to load, versatile, have some character, good brass availability.

 

[RicinYakima]

Having played with '03's for 40 years, either rebore it to 35 Whelen, or rebarrel it to 275 Rigby. FWIW

 

[todd]

if it were me, i would stay away from Ackley cartridges. i used a 22-250AI and i only got 50-75fps faster than the original and i used more powder for it. the only thing about the Ackley cartridge is the brass, it rarely needs trimming.

i would rebore it.

use JES Reboring, he does an awesome job, http://35caliber.com/

you could use 338-06, 35 Whelen, 375 Whelen, 9.3x62....or if you rebarrel it, then the worlds an oyster. i'd go with my bucket list a 400 Whelen-Petrov.

400 Whelen

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400 Whelen

Part 2 from Mr. Petrov's story. Again, a polite reminder that this information is shared with credit to Mr. Petrov. Further that any loading or dimensioal information is for reference only. It was...

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[Josh]

25-06.
it kicks like a cast bullet rifle only at 3-K.

I've owned a 25-06 before, my grandfather talked me out of it. It's a cartridge I've not reconsidered.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I suggested the imprived because it might be enough to "clean up" the chamber.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I've owned a 25-06 before, my grandfather talked me out of it. It's a cartridge I've not reconsidered.

6.5/06 is another if your considering the 25... Better every day and twice in Sunday. Can do same bullet weights plus alot! More.

 

[Josh]

Ok, after reading replies there's a few chambers that are popping into my mind.

6x57 - using a 6mm Creedmoor reamer. Both this and the 6.5 version would be easy to load 6mm Rem AI's but with a 30° shoulder

25-06 - because that was one of my favorite chambers back in the day

6.5x57 - using a 6.5 Creedmoor reamer

7x57 - because I've read SO MUCH about the 7x57 and it's attributes

338-06 - I've got the dies, always wanted one and could use an old take-off barrel to get rebored. This is the cheapest option, but my least favorite option.


I really like all of these options, the 6mm and 6.5 are just odd wildcat ideas I've had for a while that kinda make sense. The other 3 are just plain practical rifle cartridges.

This all said, I'm thinking I want a roughly 20" barrel, which would make more sense with the 7x57 and 338-06. But, if I go with the 6mm, 25 or 6.5 option it would be a 24" barrel.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I always wanted a 6mm Rem.

I decided to build myown. I Used a 30/06 Weatherby action. So I throated it for my longest. Ullet seated to base flush with neck.

Loaded to full potential Im kissing 3200fps with a 107g & shooting 3/8" 5 shot groups.

I thought hard about a 6 Creednor s improved 6Remmy. But wanted a 6MM Remington!

I agree needs longer bbl and if ya had ta have short. Id choose others.

CW

 

[Rick H]

Its hard to go wrong with a 7x57. I might opt for a 22" barrel but either way it is a great cartridge.

 

[RBHarter]

One more for the wish book 30 Gibbs . It's basically an 06'AI but with a 308/300 WM neck and 45° shoulder.

You have a GI 7×57 so I didn't submit that . The 270 and 06' cover all of the ground but there's always the 280 Rem/7mm Express . All the standard 06' weights 100 fps slower still a dead heat for drift , drop , flight time and energy at 300 yd , yeah single digits per weight .