I have a bunch of .30-06 brass, and was wondering if anyone else here reloads for it. If so, do you have a recommended bullet type, weight, or powder charge?
What bullet weight did these guns shoot most during military service? I would mainly be shooting it to kill paper. However, if I did want to take it hunting, is the factory loaded soft point stuff too hot of a load for the 03? Will it create too high of pressures? Or can any factory loaded soft point ammo be safely shot out of the 03 not having to worry about too high of chamber pressures?
Any info or links would be appreciated. Thanks to all who posted on my other post with all the good info
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Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!
A lot of people that shoot their 30:06 reload. The military used 150 grain bullets with some weights like AP 173gr or M118 in that 173 gr range. I use about 46 grains of 4895 for the 150 grain load so I can use these loads in the Garand also.
All commercial ammo for 30:06 is safe in the bolt action 03 while not necessarily good for the garand.
My 03's and Garand shoot real well with the bulk bullets in the 165 grain range. Not to expensive, and shoot better than military ball. The best bullets (MatchKing) may be too expensive to be worth it unless you enter competitions.
I have a bunch of .30-06 brass, and was wondering if anyone else here reloads for it. If so, do you have a recommended bullet type, weight, or powder charge?
What bullet weight did these guns shoot most during military service? I would mainly be shooting it to kill paper. However, if I did want to take it hunting, is the factory loaded soft point stuff too hot of a load for the 03? Will it create too high of pressures? Or can any factory loaded soft point ammo be safely shot out of the 03 not having to worry about too high of chamber pressures?
Any info or links would be appreciated. Thanks to all who posted on my other post with all the good info
Iron_Colonel,
Before you load for your '03 springfield check the sierial no. Springfield Armory receivers under 800,000 may be unsafe. Rock Island Arsenal '03 receivers under 285,500 may be unsafe. They were made using a one step hardening prosess. The newer guns were made using a follow-up tempering prosess. Good luck.
Well thanks for the input again. In my first post about my rifle, I did mention that. But the gentleman I bought it from mentioned the 800,000 serial number range and to beware. He didn't have any on his table. I'll have to see how it shoots this weekend. I think I'll take some of the Greek stuff I have for my Garand, and some soft point Federal factory 150 gr. that I bought at Wally's and shoot it this weekend I am hoping.
Another question I have, is the rifling down the barrel. The rifling appears to be quite sharp, and not rounded at all. But the rifling itself doesn't seem very tall. Maybe I will slug the bore and see what kind of readings I get. I don't know if it is hard to tell in the pic in my other post of the bore shot. Any thoughts? I guess the only way to know is to shoot it
Thanks for the replies again!
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Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!
My 10yr old like to shoot my 03 with 180gr Sierra over 57gr of 4831. Here is a pic of him. Only problem is he shoots left handed, I can't get him to shoot righty lol.
Well that looks like a C96 type Mauser pistol in the backround. Wonder if it is a real Mauser, or a Chinese knockoff. Well if you're son can shot these guns, then I won't have any problems I hope But yea, he's doing something backwards
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Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!
Yea, he shoots backwards but hey, I'm trying lol. He can't fire it offhand yet, still a little heavy for him. The Broomhandle is a Mauser in 9mm, picked up a bolo too but the bolo is shot out big time, chamber & all. I'm looking into getting it relined just to shoot. Both the Bolo & the broomhandle as pretty beat up but still a blast to shoot & the looks you get are great too lol.
A pard & I are starting to work with our 03A3's using cast bullets.
He's had good luck geting 1 1/2" groups at 100 yds. while I'm getting 3-4" groups at the same.
He's using 16 Grs. of Her. 2400 with a 200 Gr. cast bullet.
I have reloaded many rounds using ballistic tipped 160 gr and 180 gr Boattail bullets. They shoot as good if not better than factory loads. I've never had a problem with any factory loads in my weapon.
But yea, he's doing something backwards 
