1903 Which gun do I have

[ibohunter]

I have a sporterized and it says on the receiver, Remington 1903, serial #3097418, am wandering do I have a 03, or a3-o3, thanks in advance, Jim

[Mike D]

Welcome! Its a M1903. Rem started producing them in late 1941, shifting to M1903A3 about a year later.

Mike

[Doug Douglass]

You have a Remington 1903 made about 1942 on WW1 Rock Island Arsonal machinery. As time progressed to save money and speed production Remington started replacing machined parts with stamped parts, added a better battle sight and the rifle was then designated an 1903-A3. By the end of 1943 they were replaced with M1 Garands.

[Rick the Librarian]

FWIW your receiver was serialized about May, 1942.

[chuckindenver]

should make a great huntin rifle...safe, strong..and ill bet shoots well. Remington 1903.
my first hunting rife was a Remington 03, built by my dad, it was stolen in a home burglery when i was 18, id love to get that ol girl back.
shot my first Mule deer with it.. i learned alot of things from that rifle.. one that Timney triggers are poo poo, and that recoil on your upper leg hurts much more then your shoulder, mark2 safetys are not safe...and that ball ammo, kills a deer with no problem.

[ibohunter]

The gun has a 30-06 very heavy target barrel will be used for long range target, so thanks for everything and If I might add, will the gun be safe with full loads?

[Bill H]

Any safe load should be safe in your rifle, assuming nobody has done anything to it which would render it unsafe. 03 is not the strongest rifle, but surely it is safe for any normal load.

[ibohunter]

what scope bases would be correct for this rifle, again thanks everybody

[dave]

Any safe load should be safe in your rifle, assuming nobody has done anything to it which would render it unsafe. 03 is not the strongest rifle, but surely it is safe for any normal load.

Would you consider a Win 54 or Mod 70 strongest? 70,s were made for some pretty potent cartridges, such as 300 and 375 H&H Mags.
Both these rifles were based on the SA 1903, and Remingtons were among the strongest 03's made!

[chuckindenver]

since the model 54 and M70 were cheaper copies of the 1903...id say..some flaws in that logic.
however, with an aftermarket barrel. i would have the headspace checked.
and any standard load would be just fine. if you handload. just follow the loading data. and youll be fine.

[ibohunter]

any idea what scope bases fit?

[chuckindenver]

looks to be drilled for weaver bases.

[Kurt]

Do you have a picture of the barrel? Your second picture looks like it has the remanents of the rear sight pin slot but may just be a reflection. I have a sporterized 03 that iis 6463 rifles younger than yours...a tack driver.

Kurt