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03-A3 Springfield

v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
edited November 2014 in Ask the Experts
Are these barrels timed or will I have a headspace issue with a GI issue 2 groove barrel?
This is an 03A3 barrel going on an 03A3.
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Comments

  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    FWIW
    I installed an 03A3 barrel that set up perfectly as it came out of the wrapper. Whether all will do this, I can't say.
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  • navc130navc130 Member Posts: 1,264 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Model 1903 Springfield Rifle book states that the 1903 barrels were chambered .004 short then hand reamed after the barrel was installed to finished size. It does not mention whether this procedure was changed for the A3 during wartime production.
    Reference: pg. 376, Appendix B, M1903 Manufacturing Procedures and Finishes.
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  • AmbroseAmbrose Member Posts: 3,225 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The barrels are, in fact, timed so that you can turn the barrel in to align the marks and the front sight will be in the correct place. I cannot find any reference to the chamber being short.

    EDIT: On further research, the book, The '03 Era, by C. S. Campbell states that, during the manufacture of rifles, the chamber was held .004 short to allow for head-space adjustment after assembly. I don't know and haven't found a reference to chambering procedure for replacement barrels. But I expect you wouldn't have a problem.
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Did the reference state what headspace was short of on new barrels?
    As I think I recall, 1.946-1.951 were acceptable GO gages while 1940 was min or too tight.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Well if you have a barrel vice and action wrench, spin it on, and see if the marks line up. If they do, try to chamber a FL sized round.

    If it doesn't chamber, but almost does, you can either get a finishing hand reamer, or (what I'd do being a handloader), file .004" off of a set of 06 loading dies and trim cases .004" shorter. Such would work fine in any normal 06 chamber yet and would be easy to do if you don't want to buy a finishing reamer.
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  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    We had to set the barrel back one thread when I put a new in cosmoline 3/43 barrel on my Newton rifle, then finish reaming.
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  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,046 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've rebarreled several '03's, they usualy have to have the shoulder 'shaved' in a lathe for the 'timing'marks to line up. then the chamber has to be reamed deeper (.004 is about right).
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  • cbyerlycbyerly Member Posts: 689 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Every new barrel I have installed has been short chambered.
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's an RA 12/43, 2 groove barrel going on an 9/43, RA 03A3.
    Someone removed the keyslot but it's otherwise unused.
    Maybe I'll be lucky.
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    When you say short chambered what do you mean?
    Which gage will go and which wont go?
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