Do i molest my sprigfield 1903?

[brokenbone]

I have a springfield that has the orig barrel and redfield sights.  the peep site works great.  i took it out and shot 5 into 1.5 in at 100 yids and clover leafed three out of five with it.  but I want a hunting gun with a scope.  I could never do that good in the field.  besides when you are looking at a deer  or elk the hide does funny things to your vision.  I would like a scope.  i worked very hard for the small group.

so the question is do i have it drilled and tapped and keep it an 06 or drill and re chamber?

[PolarBear]

Go for it!  I had mine converted to left hand and took the old timey Bausch and lomb scope off. re drilled and tapped and topped it off with a Leupold VXIII.  I also had the trigger re worked.  The thing is a real tack driver.

[coyotemadness]

My grandfather bought an 03A3 in the 50's and then customized it. It still has the original peep sights. Not drilled for a scope. It shoots about 1.5 inches @100 yards. It has taken many deer in its day. I shot an elk in ID with it a few years ago. Still chambered for 30-06. If you plan on using it for hunting then by all means tap that sucker. My father never did because he enjoys the nostalgia  of iron sights.

[brokenbone]

i have a hard time writin iin books and cuttin into great old rifles.   but I think i will have it done.  I can't resist.

[300rum]

I know what you mean, you think that you are doing something bad and possibly pulling value as a collectors item, but go ahead and do it.  There are too many guns that aren't being enjoyed, just sitting there rotting because someone doesn't want to get a scratch in it. 

[Bofire]

 :)Just a thought, I saw a sale thing last weekend, I think it was a Weatherby/scope combo for $399.00 standard calibers. That is prolly cheaper than custom work to wreck an old rifle. my 2
Carl

[brokenbone]

i have been  thinking about a walmart special.  just for the value and keep this a good old rifle just the way it is.  but I saw a sporter one today in the pawn shop that was better than I  expeced.  who knows that I wll do.   b4 i do any thing to that gun i have to have the 264 bl put on my mauser action.  and sell three other actions.

[addicted]

if the decisions too tough. then just buy another gun and bake your cake and eat it mmmm

[brokenbone]

good idea i will have to pass it BUY my wife.

[Bscman]

My father sporterized one in the 70's...

Custom barrel, fully lapped and trued action, ebony tipped custom finished walnut stock, deep, high luster bluing....one heck of a fine .35whelen.

When I first started shooting he told me that, in case of a fire, the whelen was the first to be rescued. 

Chop it up!

[brokenbone]

NICE.  I sill probably drill it and keep the mounts for the peep just in case i want to go old school.  I will take it with me this weekend to Spokane for deer.  I have a win 243 but i do not trust the 1969 redfield scope that dad had on it.  I proved that I can shoot just fine with it wo a peep so I may have to do it old school.  just for fun.  i will take both.  is there a rule that you can only have one rifle with you afield?

[brokenbone]

just to update you   this rifle worked great for the coyotes.  it took two of them in about seven seconds.  but it failed to bring home the venison.  i missed the twig in front of the barrel and missed the spike by a foot at 68 yd.   
oh well. i will be back at it this weekend.  with a diff gun.  I took a win 243 with a cope on it and it went bad.  i shot a fork and it got away.  trailed it for most of two miles and till twelve in the morning.  the battries in he gps and the flash light were going so called it.  found it the next day about three hundred yards further.  just the horns and about two sq ft of hide.      good thing i shot two of those dogs the next day. 
I found two important things on that trip.  one triple check your scope. and SCOPE THE SPRINGFIELD!!!!!!!!!!!  and take enough round t the stand for the dogs.   I ran out after the fast shooting.

I will have it into the smith this week to get it drilled. and tapped. 

thanks for all the replys.

[dbllunger]

Don't waste the money.  Go buy a Savage 110 and it will shoot as well as any custom and cost 1/10th the price.  Plus you will have two guns instead of one.

[brokenbone]

i do not mind taking it to the Smith as it is my father inlaw.  Chucks shop is called Grumpy's Gun Repair.  out of granite falls. 
Info@grumpygunrepair.com
chuck is a good smith and a fun person to shoot with.  i just picked up a howa 1500 in 7mm RM.  it will do for the upcoming elk hunt.  thanks