r, |I iirÌlr, r,l l,',, ]'lli ,!',''." i I :,.r I 1 ]' t:",ti',i NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA ?a(/A/,nttt' of THE AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

lóOO Rhode lsland Ävenue, N. W. r Washington ó, D. C. Dlstrict 7-3412

li'ìi j¡1r' i'¡j I lrl ll '',' , , ,i' Information on rhis reliable u. s. Service afm and the carrridges rhar it is chambered for

PAGE ITEM PAGE ITEM PAGE ITEM PAGE ITEM 14 Sight Setting l7 Notes on 0343 2 NATO 8 Jacket In Balrel Seals Under Primers I8 Style T Springfield 2 Militaly to Spolting 9 Orclnancc N¿rtncs 2 Bolt Stop 9 '03 Cocking Piece 18 0343 T'alget Sights J Idcntifying Powcler 9 0342 Springfield 18 9 Splinglìcld Numbers 3 Beldan DecapPing Blank Ammunition l8 Heaclspacc Pl'oblcrn 4 How to Check HeadsPace 10 Decapping Gov't. C¿tscs Itl 2-Ct'oovc B¿u't'els 4 Rod Bayonet '03 10 4 Case Life 11 Removing '03 Sight Bases 18 N. M, Springficld 16 5 Tin-Can Ammunition 11 Cas Escape Hole l8 Points of Windage '()3 16 .30-30 Ancl .30-'06 5 Sight Micrometer 1l Ejeclór Trotrblc Springfielcl llolts 16 Barrel Shortening 19 5 Springfiel

ó.

8. 9. 0. 20. Salety lock assembly 21. Boh sleeve lock sPring 22. Bolt sleeve lock 23. Bolt sleeve locl Pin 24. Firing pin rod 25, Aperture sPring screw 26. Aperlure sPring 27. Aperlure 28. Windage Yoke 29. Windage Yole sPring 30. Windage Yoke Plunger 31. Rear sighl base screw 12. Windaqe inde¡ knob screw 33. Windage indcx l¡nob 34. Winda!e indcx knob sPrìn9 35. Rear sight base

tl

5{

3ó. Windage Yole scre* 41' 37. Eiector- 44' 38. Eieclor Pin 45' 39. iut-off Plunge. 46' 40. Cul-off plunger sPring 47' 41. Cul-off 48' 42. Cut-off screw 49'

EXPTODED VIEW OÍ flIODEt I9O3A3 R'IFLE 5th Printing

Notesofl ... STYLE T SPRINGFIELD I have notetl RlnlnvnN a(lveftisements offering so-called St)'le T 1903 Springfield The Modet f . Hotv do thesc difler from the orcli- 90343 Springfield ntrlt 1903 Servíce rifle7-L.A.N. Answer: The Style T 1903 Springfield ,Taru story behind the development Except for receiver markings, 190343 rifles produced at Springfield Ar.mory prior I of the U.S. Rifle, Cal. .30, Model liflcs made by this firm are of identi- lo World War II were special rifles made 190343, stems back to the Br.itish cal pattern to those produced by Rem- up for long-range and lnternational shoot- evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940 which ington. Plodtrction of 190343 rifles was ing. They were made with straight-taper left England with less than one million cliscontinued by Remington Feb- in heavy barrels in 26", 28", and 30" Iengths, rounds of ammunition and sufficient ruary 1944, and the Model 1922 walnut rifles on hand to equip abouf 2 divisions Old-timers familia¡ with with- the beauti- out upper handguard was of pistol grip only. Neally a million 1917 Enfield fully-machined 1903 rifles rifles of Spring- half-stock sporting type nrinus finger with amntunition immediately field Armory or Rock Island Arsenal shipped grooves and v/ith checked steel to England from our own war rnanufacture are somewhat critical of reserve stores buttplate. A single front barrel band en- were only a stopgap. To these relatively crude 'war babies' of worsen matters, circled barrel and forearm and incltrded a Springfield Armory Remington or L. Smith-Cor.ona was at that time just getting C. sling swivel. The rear sling swivel was at- into the manufacture. It is quite true that war- swing of Ml (Garand) rifle production tàched to the buttstock with 2 screws. time expediency dictated many manu- Sighting equipment consisted of and the comparatively few 1903 and facturing a Ly- shortcuts, but the fact still man 48C micrometer rear sight and either l903Al rifles on hand were badly renrains that needed by the Model 190343 is an Winchester globe or L_yman l7A hoocled our own folces and could entirely serviceable and not be spared. inher.ently ac- flont sight. Telescope sight mounting bases cur¿rte lifle capable In June of excellent scores for Lyman and Fecker sights wer.e ín- of 1940, Sir Walter Leighton, on the a personal repl'esentative target l'ange or convcrsiorì to a stalled on barrel and receiver ring. The of Pr.ime fine sporting arm. Minister Chulchill, came to ¿ìctions were of conventional 1903 type Washington with polished with the request that U. S. industry Strong by ony stondord bolt and extractor. The,se were fitted and adjusted to the same stand_ tool up to produce the .303 cal. Br.itish The modeln alloy steels used in its ards as those of the National Match rifles. selvice rifle. Due to a critical shortage fabrication, abetted by up-to-date heat- Some were made up with headless cocking of machine tools at that time this tleatment methods, provide reserve a piece and special reverse safety. Thé request could not be granted, but as a malgin of stlength far gr.eater than the reverse safety will also be found on Style T ¡'ifles with conventional knobbed coók- ing piece. The 10" twist barrels wer.e rifled with the conventional 4 Iands and grooves and star-ganged. The completed rifles wer.e târ'geted at 200 meters and were required to average apploximately 2/2,, ¡o 23/4,, for lO-shot groups with National Match am- munition. Barrel, stock furniture, ancl action, ex_ compromise meastrre machinery for average chambe¡ pressure of both clusive of bolt and extractor, were polished producing the mili_ Model 1903 Springfield tary and commercial .30-'06 a¡nmuni- ¿rntl blued. Weight of complete rifle with_ rifle was removed from storage at Rock tion. In short, the receiver ancl bolt of orrt sling was approxinrately 1ZV2 lbs. Island Al'senal and leased to Remington the 190343 r.ifle are exceeclingly when lìtted with 30" barrel. Arms strong Co. by U. S. Or.clnance. by any stanclard. Proclu heavy barrel Completed 190341 rifles began com- Riflemen accustomed to barrels with rifles ha and no parts ing off the assembly line by October conventional 4-, 5-, or 6-groove rifling peculiar be now pur- 1941, only 9 months after Renrington view with suspicion the 2-gr.oove barrei chased r M.D.V/. signed the British contract. A totat of common to many 1903A3 riffes. This 348,085 190341 rifles were subsequent- system of r.ifling was not adopted, how_ ly manufactured, but due to the com- ever, withont extensive tests. It was ORDNANCB NAMES plex machining operations demanded found that ther.e was little diíïerence in I lnvc seen designations of U. S. milíurry by this model, daily procluction require- the performance capabilities ments of the 2_ rífles by yenr and olso sinply by the could not be met. To circum- and 4-gloove barrels; thus this mode letter qtul vent this problem, of M a nunthet'. Hotv is it decided Remington enginêer.s rifling was approved for use in 1943. which designation is ttsedT-S.P.L, effected a redesign of the tSO¡et Answer: Until the 1920's, small which was approved on May 21, 1942. the number of Ordnance items and the com- Thus was the Model 1903A3 rifle con_ parative simplicity and ceived. Only 24 parts of the original small scale of the Model 190341 remained development process did not require any unchanged. fixed Twelve minor parts were eliminated system for designating items under ãnd development. ng forging On adoption as standard, items were given names which eir produc- identified ceiver blidge where them by their fundamental characteristics period, the rect optical relation and usually stated their origin, and the The range scale on year of adoption was addecl. For example: contract since our .*., *"tf i,,Brttt"'j of this sight is triggered mark Browning Automatic , Cal. by Pearl Harbor, created á ations. The slide ape demand for .30, Model of 1917. Sometimes the "of" rifles which could not other- tup and down this scale wise be met. for desired was omitted. ranges from the minimum 200 yds. set- After World War there was a tendency Later production of 1903A3 I rifles by ting up to 800 y

series, but this appe-rrs to- be or little prac- morked "Model i,?lj; t|i".Ë.ä.;'t""r'åtl;;'r:"ftt;Ïätü;üi U. S. Rifìe, Col. .30, Mì90343 tical importance'-E.H'H' at designotion of type rorely at Spr.ingfield and about No. 285,507 õá-Às;', r'colloquiol practically to seen morked on regulotion items Rock Island. It is impossible burst a leceiver or break a bolt of rifles 190343 TARGET SIGHTS with serial numbers above those, though I tuistt ro rc¡ttoca tttc,-frottr rt.tt.ct rc.or ;J:ir"ì:itt":i.ilTo"'r",l""io"i,noår.u::f:'ä'; Service sigltts ol rny 190343 tvill:, per-it eno.rgh gas escape to iplinter the .rllleo,t.,,nll. ,righr,s sttirublc lor turg.cl t.l,:1,iui rtocL or bulg*e thl -uguiin", anà endanger tt¡ tttttl itu ltttl.ittc 1000 yds. WIt4t r(ilgcs up the eyesighl-glur.".. of a shooter. not wearing shottkl I or¿l¿r?-S.R.'L shooting Ansrvcr: lwoulcl r.ecórnmend the Ly- At No. 1,275'767 Springfield At'mory man 48S, Rcclfìeltl olynrpic sights with changed the material in the bolt and re- long slicle (1'or 1000 yis.), rtl Lt *¡'i"h ceiver to nickel steel. At No.319,921 Rock nickel steel fot' some p-.ÑiO" changes in windage ancl elevation Island began trsing . adjtrstmcnt e[ual to V,t ;1in\te of angle. of its receivers btlt continued with the Specify that they be suppliecl with laì'ge improved heat-tleated carbon manganese target-iype acljusiing knobs. Also stritabJe steel for othels' The nickel steel receivers is the 7+-min¡te Recìñelcl Moclel 70SSr were marked NS on the flont face btrt this long slicle rnicl.ometer r.eceiver sight with malk is coverecl up by assembling the balrel to the receivel'and the only way to U. S. Rifìe, Col. .30, Ml, so morked tar.get knobs. 3 tell the difference is by a file test. The back in the stock l/10'.lt is necessary to carbon steel receivers are ha¡d on the sur- take a complete turn due to the extractor face and can scarcely be filed at all, but notch in the feeding cone at the rear of the the nickel steel receivers are fairly soft barrel. on the surface and the file will take hold. After moving the barrel back, the re- Nickel steel receivers and bolts are very sultant gap in the stock will be determined nearly as strong as the double heat-treateá by the taper of the barrel. In most cases ones. The double heat-treated receivers this gap is not objectionable unless the and bolts are considered somewhat the barrel has an extremely sharp shoulder more desirable, because their hard sur- just ahead of the chamber. Glass bedding, face allows easiest bolt operation. if properly applied, will neatly fill this gap During World War II, M1903 ancl Also, if the barrel is moved back, the pres- Ml903A3 rifles with serial nnmbers over sure on the barrel at the last few inches 3,000,001 were made by of the fore-end will be slightly changed. Co., Inc., and by L. C. Smith & Corona Rebedding, or glass bedding, will correct Typewriter Co. Their receivers and bolts this.-J.E.H. were made of high-strength steels, and all these are'high-number' riflei. 2.GROOVE BARRELS As to safety, there were about 800,000 Iow-numbered M 1903 Springfields and I recently purchased a Model I903 285,000 Rock Islands made, Springlield rifl.e.arul upon exaninìng or over a mil- tlrc 'last lion in all, and they were continued in bore I lound tltat it had only 2 rifling on. The lot was procluced for use jn service until superseded by the Ml rifle. grooves instead' ol the customary 4. My the 1940 National Matches. From 1917 to 1929 inclusive, records were friends claint that this barrel will not be Those rifles manufactured from I 921 kept of all accidents to receivers of Spring- accurate and have advised me to replace thlotrgh 1927 were fitted with the standard field rifles, and during that time of the it with a 4-groove barrel. They also claint stlaight-gríp Service stock with finger 800,000 low-numbered Springfields there lhat the 2-groove barrel will give higher grooves in the forearm. The rifles of lS2¡ were 33 reported burst or about 1 in 24,- pressure than the 4-groove type, Do you and succeeding years were fitted with the 000. Of the 285,000 Rock Island low-num- concur?-N.D.C. new type 'C' pistol grip stock which lacked bered receivers there wgre 24 reported the customary finger grooves .Answer: During the World War II pe- in the fore_ burst or about I in 11,800. There were 9 . arm.. Headless cocking pieces and reverse riod a considerable number of 2-groóve cases of severe injuries; no one was killed, satetles were used on some rifles manU_ barrels were manufactured for 1903 and in most cases there were no injuries factured prior to 1931. Springfield and l9l7 Enfield rifles. The or only minor ones. From the above, the National Match 1903 ¡ifles can trsnally cutting of only 2 grooves resulted in a user of one of these rifles can judge be identifìed as such by careful examina_ saving in production time, Official Ord- whether or not he cares to continue firing tion of wood ancl metal parts. The barrels nance records indicate that there \ilas no it . Thc chance for an accident does small star stamp difference in the performance capabilìties on the exist though it is slight. should be noted, how_ of the 2-groove and 4-groove barrels, and During all those years there was no I 903 rifles bearing this that the 2-groove barrel will give some- reported case of any receiver burst or bolt ational Match pattern. what lower pressure than the 4-groove broken in any of the r.ifles having serial ed for National Match numbers g00,000 type.-M.D.W. higher than Springfield use prior lo !9?,1 may have this marking. or Rock Island 285,507. Also, Springfield Armory would at onî Springfield Armory investigated reheat- N. M. SPRINGFIELD time sell star-gauge Service riffes ór star- treating low-nnmbered receivers and gauge barrels for a very nominal fee and of- I recenlly saw a,n adverlisentent ofieríng ficially reported that reheat-treating them a so-called 1903 National Match Spring- would not guar.antee safety. This was be- rifle. When cause failures were generally due to burnt field were these made? How do they cliffer steel from overheating while forging, and ltom the standard Springfield burnt steel cannot be restored by any Service rifle?-C.B.D. known method short of remelting.-J.S.H. Answer: National Match 1903 Sorinp- field rifles were firsr made up for tnè'Nã- HEADSPACE tional Matches of 1921. The barrels werè PROBLEM close chambe¡ed and especially selected by 1903 star gauging. Receìvers and bdlts were alsó ís ín selected after rigorous gauging. Cocking bolt câms were stoned and bolt rlìnways ating polished to minimize f¡iction. Bolt bodies. sbe sight leaves, and extractors were polished. c.orr.ected without affectíng the closc ín_ Stocks were of specially selected straight- Ietting ol the bàrrel?-,L.R.N. grain walnut treated with linseed oil. After assembly these rifles were test fired from the shoulder to determine their relative Bolts of National Match 1903 rifles werc precision. a rifle would If not group within polished bright and numbe¡ed to corre- 4" vertical ancl 8" horizontal at 200 mete¡s spond with the receiver, Extractor.s antj range, it was rejected. Similar small lots sight leaves were polished bright. Natíonal Stock as- of Match Springfield rifles were sembly was of selected American walnr¡t. made rrp viltually year every from 19Zl Buttstocks were often stamped with the

1 receiver number. Buttplates were check- by their this. It engages the seãr very deeply, so ered and this checkering is often deeper indicating that no matter what the shake between ancl sharper thân that of the Service-typê the bolt the parts, or the speed and force with plate. characteri which the bolt is worked, the sear catches There are minor difterences in the vari- the cocking piece with a high degree of uses a 2-stage movement ous vinlages of National Match rifles which certainty, How it fecessafily complicates the identifrcation to do this with only a moderate weight of photograph. problem. It is also quite easy to 'doctor up' pull is shown in the years, Service rifle to closely resemble In recent especially since World a regular preference National Match version. These facts Also produced by contract firms during War II, a for single-pull trig- the gers military should be understood by anyone consider- World War II were the special bolts with has caused many sporterized rifles be altered. When this is done by ing purchase of what is purported to be a reverse curve handles for the 1903 A I to replacing the whole trigger mechanism gennine National Match Springfield. The rifle. Such bolts also show evidences sniper's with one designed as a single pull, results Ord¡rance bill of sale and star gauge rec- qf hasty wartimc procluction. are good and the owner has only to .de- orrl shoulcl be requested b¡' the purchaser. cide whether it is worth the cost. -M-.D.W. ZB'RO Some attachments and modifications for HIGH.ALTITUDE this purpose simply put the first stage of POINIS OF WINDAGE the trigger out of operation, leaving only I have purchased an unaltered Spring' the second stage with its much smaller out rea- field rifle and u,ìsh to use ¡t for larget engagem worked shooting as is. What ís the value ol the sonably service of usual graduations on the rear of the base, whíclt hunting t their oPeration safetY design of show lateral movement of the sight?-I'II. ,is based the double-pull trigger; this must be rec- Answer: The windage graduations ognized and great care taken in installa- (often called "wind gauge", a silly name would be requíred il the rifle is tion and adjustment to prevent the safety gauge each reclíon since it does not the wind) used high mounlainous country' say becorning marginal. target of in correspond to a movement on the at an altitude of 10,000 lr'?-R' T. Ànswer: The air is much thinner at high altitudes than at low, and offers less re- sistance to the bullet. Consequently, the trajectory will be somewhat flatter in high altitudes, and less sight elevation will be required. Because the difference in air pressure and density is quite noticeable (the density at 10,000 ft. is only about .7 that at sea level), it has often been thought that be con- 4" for each 100 yds. of range. It is readily the effect on the trajectory must quite small. possible to estimate t/q of tll'e interval be- siderable, but it is actually tween these. A quarter-point, therefore, For example, a ,30 cal. sharp-pointed 180-grs. weight fired at 2700 amounts to 1" at 100 or I minute bullet of trigger of bosic Mquser type, in Yds., requires about 8 minutes elevation Double-pull angle. These quarter-points became the f,p.s., lhis cose from Ml9l7 rifle. c is the seor. o is of 300 yds. range. .7 the air density, standard unit of measurement for wind- for At trigger hump in conloct with receiver ol fìrst; the required elevation will still be about trigger pin, it gives age adjustment among target shots with the due to ¡ts closeness lo lhe 7Vz minttes. The effect on blunter bul- the trigger o greot mechqnicol odvontoge for Springfield.-E.H.H. lets is somewhat greater, but is never more the fìrl stoge of pulling the seor down. b is for calibers suitable trigger humþ which is sfiective during second SPRINGFIETD BOTTS than about one minute ql for big-game shooting at that range. stoge; il gives seor its finol molion o foster rote How can one dístínguish between the The- reason for this comparatively small tyþes of bolts used with the t'aious .30 cal. effect will be better understood by noting 1903 Springfreld sørvice ilfl.es?-L. N. Srzn- that most of the bullet's time of flight vonr, Helena, Mont. would remain, even if the air were taken Answer by M. D. Woite: From 1903 until away entirely. In a complete vacuum' l9l8 the bolt of the Springfield rifle was the necessary 300-yd. elevation for a of the single heat-treated, casehardened type projectile flying at 2700 f.p.s. would still with a tuined-down straight handle. When be about 6.8 minutes.-E.H'H' the double heat-treatment process was in- stituted during 1918, the bolt design was TRIGGER changed slightly to incorporate a swept-back DOIJBLE.PULL lundle which bettered the rapid-ñre capa- What is the reason lor the double-pull bilities of the rifle by placing the knob closer trígger on military bolt-action rifles? I to the trigger. When nickel steel was later notice that the trigger on bolt-actíon sport- used in lizu of doubte heat-treated carbon ing ri.fles is single-pull, and I have read steel, the bolt design remained unchanged that this ís necessary lor shootíng at run- but the initials "N.S." were stamped on the níng targets,-N.Y. to dis- Answer: In bolt actions the sear is carbon mounted in the receiver, while the notch special it must engage is on the cocking piece in es were the bolt. There must be some looseness of bolt in receiver for easy operation, and also a little between cocking piece and bolt. This play between the parts requires a special sear mechanism to insure en- gagement.- Íhe double-pull trigger is an old and handle design and can usually be identified simple but highly effective way of doing 5 trigger, Some of the best rifle shots in the to turn out antmunition mt¡ch faster ancl in recoil, we know every quantity here- world today, as measured by standings in with a saving in cost and no defects the weight and velocity of the bullet, the Olympic and International competition, showed up until the ammunition had been weight of the powder charge, and the choose a light slack trigger with double in storage about a year; then body splits velocity of the escaping powder gases pull. occnrred in considerable quantity and the (which for most fr¡ll-charged rifle car'- The man with an ex-military rifle thus ammunition had to be condemned. just tridges can be taken as about 4000 f.p.s.). can use it as well without changing The cartridge you sent in was of war'- By transposing the above, therefore, we the must handle cor- trigger, only he it time manufacture, and no doubt at that have the following from which we can rectly, which many riflemen today do not time an attempt was being made to get all compute the velocity of free recoil of the know how to do. Do tlot tly to pull it all possible production and possibly the manu- ¡ifle: the way through at once. On beginning to facture was speeded up too much thus wSvn*4000w" point the rifle, take up the first pull and causing the trouble. hold it ("take up the slack", as it is called). This unfortunate instance does em- 1: w 'fhen pull squeeze off the second when on phasize most strongly the desirability of If the energy of free recoil is wanted, the target, This is very natural, easy and having a rifle with a fitlly enclosed breeclr it follows at once as: and as fast and smooth as any. It becomes so that no gas or brass particles can get automatic with a little dry firing which is back to the shooter's face. From this - wv2 a necessity for good shooting anyway. I point of view the design of the Garand "- 2s believe it helps against trigger-jerking and Ml l'ifle is particLrlarly good because thc It is interesting to note that in very flinching, that bane of the trntrained rifle- rear of the receiver directly behind the man.-E.H.H. hiþh-speed .22 cenler-frres, the recoil is bolt is fully enclosed; moreover, if an¡, due in nearly as great degree to the force gas does get out around the front part required to accelerate the powder charge of the bolt, it is deflected upward away as that for the bullet. BODY SPLIT from the shooter's eyes.-J.S.H. As to your second question, it is easy Thís cartridge case split lrom the primer to tell a blank cartridge from a ball car- pocket about lnllway up the side ol the tridge by the recoil. Obviously the recoil cnse '¡vher¿ lired in nty MI rifle. The slocli RECOtt of the blank will be very light, since there oÍ the rifle was contpletely shaftered, How- To seltle an ûrgutt1c,1l, please state is no bullet and the powder charge is ever, the nletal pofts r)ere dantaged not whether the recoil ol a .j0:06 rifle would light. It might be disputed, however, that and, thanks to Mr. Garand, I was not be greater with a 150-gr. or a 220-gr. a member of a firing squad cor,rld be sure injured by gas or brass particles. Yort bttllet, lhe sanre powder charge being used. he had fired a blank cartridge, in the will note the case vos ntade ín 1945. presence lVould a member of a firing squad be of noise from the other dis- able to tell lront llte rccoil ol his rifle charges, etc.-E.H.H. whether or not he was firing a blank carlridge?-H. McP. MAGAZINE CUT.OFF Answer: The answer to your first ques- '03 tion is provided by Newton's Third Law What is thc lurtction ol lhe magazine of Motion, which states that every action cut-off ol the 1903 Sprinsfield rifle?-W.8. force is accompanied by an equal and op- Answer: The magazine cut-off assembly Spl[ .30-'0ó cortridge cose posite reaction force. This law of nature serves the dual purpose of retaining the Will you please tell tne whether or has been tested in the most diverse ways bolt in the receiver and allowing the con- nol tlte trouble could have been caused conceivable over the past 250 years, and tents of the magazine to be held in reserve by eNcessíve presstrre, excessive heacl- there is no way to beat or evade it. without otherwise interfering with opera- space, defect in tlte case at the time ol When a rifle is fired, the rifle and the tion and firing of the rifle. tnatutÍocture, or the tge of the cuse. AIso, bullet are separated by the same force ap- orc llrcre atry indicatíons that the bolt plied to both. The action force is given ol the rifle ntay have not been contpletel¡' by the mass of the bullet and powder times closed or tlrct there tt,as any def ect irt its velocity, and the reaction force by the the rifle? Shottld I cotttitttte Io shoot this mass of the rifle times its velocity. From rífle?-W.H.F. this you can see that the recoil from the Answer: The trouble was caused by a firing of a 220-gr. bullet must be greater defect in the cartridge case and not by than that from a 150-gr. bullet fired at the excessive pressure, excessive headspace, or' same speed, any trouble with the gun, and there are However, you phrased your question no indications that the bolt was not com- in a way which is a little less clear, in pletely closed. There is no reason yotr you powder that said the charge would The .30-40 Krag-Jorgensen was our shoulcl not keep on shooting this gun, btrt same be the for both. It is in general Service prior the I wouldn't advise shooting any more possible rifle to adoption of not to load full charges of the Springfield. The was magazine-fed cartridges fronr that catrsecl the Krag a the lol same weight behind these two bullets, as yet trouble. repeating rifle, musketry tactics of the it would result in excessively high breech period dictated that it should be fired Body splits in cartridge cases may be pressure with the heavier bullet. The com- single shot with the soldier loading single due to a small inclusion iu the brass at parison must therefore be made with the rounds from his cartridge belt or por-rch. a point where great strength is required. actual speed of each bullet, The contents the magazine were be or more conrmonly by incipient lamina- of to To do so, write down the equality which held in reserve and not used except in tions ol' planes of weakness in the brass has been already stated above in words: emergency. actual practice command caused by stressing too heavily during In it WV:w'v'*w"v" personnel exercised rigorous control over manufacture in combination with aging the soldier both to conserve ammunition afterwards. in which the capital letters stand for the and contì'ol direction, rate, and type of As an illustration of what can happen. wèight and velocity given the rifle in re- fire. Voice commands as well as bngle in 1928 an efficiency expert at Frankford coil, and the small letters for the weight calls were used for the pnrpose. Fire dis- Arsenal reduced the time manufac- for and velocity of the bullet and the powder cipline was thus an important part of the ture of cal. .30 ammunition by omitting charge, as indicated by the subscripts. (We soldier's training. one the pl'ocesses of dlawing in forming have replaced masses with weights, which Part of the reasoning behind this con- the cartridge case. using only 4 draws is equally correct in an equality of this cept lay in previous experience with the instead of the previorrs 5, arrd speeding up kind). single-shot cal. .45 Springfield rifle, Sorne the presses. By this means was possible it Except for the velocity given the gun responsible individuals actual ly were 6 against adoption of a repeating rifle be- warpage. Others lay a pin in the groove aud cause they felt its tlse would result in the then peen the edges ovcr to hold it in place. creation of a serious ammtlnition supply Where aclequate tooling is available, I * problem. Their contention was that the have fonud a nrethocl that does a grand job, iolclier armed with a repeating rifle would and one that is cìifficult to detcct afterwards. I waste ammunition by promiscuotls un- With the barrel rcrnovcd from the receiver, aimed fire. It is interesting to note, how- I mill a longitucìinal clovctail to the clepth ever, that several âttempts were made to and length of the groove. I then rnill a adapt the Krag for use with a clip charger. nrale dovetail which will be a drive fit in this These experiments were terminated when slot. 'fhe rear end is then cut ofi flush it was decided to develop a clip-charged with the shotrlder, after which thc barrel is repeating rifle based upon the Mauser ac- set up in the lathe and turned down the tion. This program restrlted in develop- mininrum amouut nqccssary to obtain a ment and adoption of the Model 1903 smooth contorlr. T'he joint will be almost Springfield which feattlled a magazine cttt- invisible if thc dovetail is fittecl carefully. pro- ç off despite the fact that the Mauser a a totype did not have this feature. Ger- I man musketry tactics called for habitual DEVICE PEDERSEN ACP cortridge (1,) ond for Peder- tìse e and .45 cortridge 'tvould information regarding a sen Device ion c I like nec Device whích rifle device known as the Pedersen the lVar' imPo was ínvented duríng the first lYorld all. wolild like to bolt on a cartridge single loaded into the but nol t.tsed in that '¡var. I lhe market. chamber since the extractor hook would get one íf such device is on not override the cartridge rim, t ! -J.E,H. The fact that the Model 1903 rifle has Ànswer: This was an automatic bolt for late a magazine cut-off was no dottbt due to the Springfreld rifle invented by the the U, S. musketry tactics of the period based J. D. Pedersen and manufactured by upon the Krag rifle. Our subsequent ex- Remington Arms Co. It was held top secret perience in World War I effected a change during World War I and in order to con- in these doctrines which eventually re- ceal its identity was called "Automatic sulted in the 'firepower' theory and adop- Pistol, Caliber ,30, Model 1918". This tion of the Ml rifle. It is interesting to automatic bolt for the Springfield rifle Speciol grooved cut-ofi ond oltered seor (l') note that small arms ammunition supply quickly replaced the regular bolt and had compored with regulor cut-ofi ond seor never been a serious problem despite a detachable 4O-rotlnd magazine. It shot has they were all disposed of as scrap, being greatly increased rates of frre possible with a pistol-type .30 cal. cartridge with an melted up to prevent their getting into the today's military rifles.-M.D.W' 80-gr. bullet at 1,300 f.p.s. The device was demonstrated in France to Gen. Pershing, hands of unauthorized persons. The am- who was enthusiastic about its possibilities munition was also all destroYed' A BETTER SOTUTION and ordered 500,000 of them to be ready Accordingly, there is no source of supply Iú'hat is the best methoil lor rentoting for use on Mar. l,l9l9. However, by the for these items at the present time. Maybe the sþ of the time the armistice was signed on Nov' 11, a dozen of them might have escaped de- Model re com- 1918, only 65,000 of these devices had been struction, ancl these are in various museums þarcd & uith completed with 65 million rounds of am- or in the hands of collectors. barrcl, munition for them. They were placed in This device was fully described in an iløt o for and I of the storage. A little later a test board decided article in Tup AunnrcaN RIFLEMAN there was no foreseeable use for them and May 1932 on page 7. Unfortunately, we

nunlctous deeþ locking sþring cuts arounrJ the slnnk wlúclt would. dþþear to weaken the clønzber eten further. I tvould go ahcad an sPline groove bY trnning d but I lnt'e noted ,/ warnhigs Tnr Rr¡'r,lrr¡,1N. What'l t n Íhis?-Cr¡.{nr,ss A. Ror¡'n, North Abington, Mass, pedersen Device ond 4.-round mogozine (obove) instolled in rifìe (below). Rifle hos speciol Answer by H. E. MqcForlsnd: You will eiection port in left sîde of receive¡

lris own waY of deal' Some itrst ignore it the barrel ancl then use an electric arc to welcl it shut. I don't like this method as it rnav induce barrel 7 have no more issues of this number of the found in this way must vary somewhat, so each round proved to do. He was able magazine, btrt you might be ablc to find according to the manner of pouring, the to do this by differences in handling the one for reference in some library. Again, precise point judged to mark the beginning cartridge and closing the rifle bolt that this device was desclibed in Hotcher's of the neck, the weight of cartridge brass, Ìvere so small they could hatdly be noticed. Notebook (pages 361 to 372) and you whether the case had been fired or not, It illustrated the point, besides bèing a re- might be able to find a copy of that in yor.rr. and in fired cases the pressure developed. markable demonstration of skill, library.-J.S.H. Trial of cases showing a degree of varia- However, the magnitude of the effect tion in these respects i..dicated they do not should not be ovelestimated. In 1932 a noticeably affect comparison of the car- test was made at Frankford Alsenal which MILITARY CARTRIDGES tridges. The volumes given were those of appears to establish it rather conclusively, The great number ol military cartidges apparently typical fired cases, and each was for IMR powders at least. The ammuni- in exisîence is striking, Is it now possible the mean of 10 measurements. tion used was Ml ball, and had an air to determine which is the best?-M.O.F. space of aboú 3/16" between powder and .303 British 7.9 mm. S .30 M1906 Answer: It is impossible say which base of bullet. Each phase of the test to 3.25 cc. 3.60 cc. 3.90 cc. is the best, because it would first be neces- consisted of 10 rounds with the powder at sary to answer the question, "Best for 7.62 mm. NATO the primer end of the case, 10 with the cartridge rolled to distribute the powder what?" Each nation desires the cartridge 3.20 cc. most effective for its military purposes, along the case, and l0 with the powder at but differing experiences have led to dif- The large powder space of the .30-'06, the bullet end of the case. This was done ferent ideas of w.hat that is. Some have however well it may have turned out for in turn on 4 lots of ammunition, and each even concluded that a full-powered mili- many later target ând sporting loadings, lot was done 4 times, so the test was rather tary rifle cartridge is not required at all. was an undesirable feature forced by the thorough. Following were the results: However, the features of existing mili- U. S. powders available when the car- locolion Mcon Velocìly Meon Volocìly Meon P¡c¡sura tary cartridges can be compared in various tridge was adopted. These were not the ol Powdcr (l,p.s) Sprood lp.aå) ways, sometimes equal of the Rcor 2611 40 17,387 leading to an interesting German flake powder, which Dl¡trlbutcd result. gave substantially 2589 ól 15,128 the same results from Forword 2567 14 ,f3,85ó Most of the well-known military car- the smaller 7.9 mm. S (8 mm. Mauser) tridges were originated during the 25 years military cartridge. The over-all length Pressure and velocity were highest with of powder primer before World War I. At that time the rifle the .30-'06 cartridge was also undesirable. the at the end of the case, as was almost the only weapon the infantry The smaller powder space typified by would be expected. However, the dif- ferences between vahles powder soldier had. Consequently the iifle and the other cartridges above appears to have with the at positions cartridge were developed with great met military lequirements. The almost the extreme were only 44 f. p. s. and p. performance thought and care. The product generally identical volumes of the .303 British and 3531 s. i. The effect oh proved successful, which says much for 7.62 NA'IO (.308 Winchester) carrridges would not be noticeable except in the most precise the thoroughness of the work when it is were not expected, however. For this work,-E.H.H. remembered that those were times of al- reason the whole experiment was done most world-wide peace, with only limited over for coufirmation, and also a check NATO CARTRIDGE experience to base fundamental ideas on, was made by pouring Ball-Powder from Some nations took to small bores (6.5 one case io the other repeatedly, until no Tltere have been sonte newspaper refer- mm. or 7 mm.) for the obvious advantages doubt remained. ences to a NATO cartridge. Just what is these afford. The major nations chose boies The 7.62 NATO cartridge was tested fftrs?-S.G.E. of about .30". very thoroughly by the U. S. Army before Answe¡: The NATO cartridge for rifles adoption, and found to meet requirements and rifle-caliber machine guns is the cal, for a full-power military cartriclge better 7.62 mm. NATO (7.62 mm. is the metric than any other known. It combines suitable equivalent of .30"). volume with an unusually sholt over-all Adoption of this cartridge by the NATO Iength which gives great practical advan- nations was announced on Dec. 15, 1953. tages in new gun mechanisms.-E.H.H. It was the T65E3, the final form of the cal. .30 T65 cartridge designed and manu- AIR SPACE factured at the Frankford Arsenal in 1945, with later assistance of Olin Mathieson have I noticed sonte shooters in, .30 cal. Chemical Corp. and Remington Arms Co., compelition I { takíttg care that each cartridge Inc. Formal standardization in the United !¡ is handled so.that when lontled in the rifle ¡ the þowder ís back at the prinrer. end ol the cartridge. Does this really help the Íi shooting, or is the benefit only intaginary? "l _A.T.R, i, ¡ Answer: Position of the powder charge I in the cartridge does to a certain extent affect pressure and vetocity. The effect { : varies with the amount of air space left in the cartridge, with the kind of powder, I t and possibly with the plessure at which the powder is burned. This has at times caused difficulties (1. to r.) .303 Mk. Vll, 7.9 mm. S, .30-,0ó, ond in 7.62 mm. NATO corfridges (on %" grid) acceptance testing of ammunition. One such occasion arose in the late 1930's, Following gives the powder space in when the powder then r¡sed in loading cubic centimeters (cc.) of 4 important mili- cal, .30 M2 ball left a considerable un- tary cartridges. They were found by filling filled space in the caltridge. I saw the the case to base of neck with Ball-powder proof-house foreman at Fl'ankfol.d Arsenal which flows very smoothly, weighing the demonstrate the effect of variations in powder, and determining from that the handling the ammunition. He lepeatedly volume by means of the powder density stated in advance whether the round he which had been found by weighing a care- was about to fire would give a high or a 7.62 mm. NATO corrridge (r.) ond .30-,0ó fully-determined volume. The case volume low velocity, and by about how much, and mílitory corlridge (on Ya" gridl I "Some device should be provided for many marksmen stoned off the point of States took place in August 1954. The 1.62 the bolt stop plunger until it was in- NATO is thus the U, S. standard rifle- preventing the bolt, when oPen, from mm. operative. caliber military cartridge. slipping forward undel the clip seat'" function by In later years, about the time of World mm. NATO cartridge was The bolt stop performs this The 7.62 just front of the locking lug War II, it was the practice in ordnance brought out in sporting loadings by Olin rising in when cutoft is in the "On" position maintenance shops to remove this bolt as the .308 Winchester, which the Mathieson and the bolt is drawn fully to the rear. stop from the '03 rifles. When the '0343 is well known. 'l-his sliding for- riflè was put into manufacture the bolt (.30-'06) military cartridge prevents the bolt from The cal. .30 but when it is stop was omitted.-J.S.H. which means that it ward of its own weight, is limited standard, pushed sloping groove in only so long as some forward the will be manufactured point bolt stop Iies guns that caliber which the of the POWDER rifles and machine of the way and permits IDENTIFYING be for a con- cams it down out of remain in service. That witl forward. Please look dt the in the .30-'06 the .30-'06 is the the bolt to move Powder siderable time, and also reloacled cartídge whích I am sendíng full-power sporting most widely used of all separately by express and. inform me whal ammuni- cartridges, so supplies of '30-'06 is and what charge weight ol it shoultl can be expected to it tion and comPonents be loaded. I have a quantily ol this powder to come'-E.FI.H' be available for decades and would like to use it to fiIl my reload- MILITARY TO SPORTING ing needs.-F.C.N. Answer: It is, in general, impossible to Catt I ptùl the bullets ol M2 Service identify smokeless powder in this way' ammunítíon and replace them with huntíng The reason is that the grains of most bullets of 150-grs. or 180-grs. weight?- smokeless rifle powders sold for reloading H.B. are in the form of small cylinders with a Answer: Mere change of bullet make or single perforation through the axis, and for type can change peak powder pressure a number of powders these cylinders are several thousand pounds per square inch. of almost the same size. In some powdeis Laboratory tests done at NRA direction they are exactly the same size if we include showed lower pressure from the M2 serv- noncanister lots sometimes available, the bèing obtained by ice bullet than from any of 9 commercial Bolt stop in ploce, os seen from lhe bottom of performance differences .30-'06 hunting bullets of like 15O-grs. Mì 903 receiver iuch means as changes in the coating on weigbt. Replacing the M2 with a 150-gr. the grains, etc. For example, there are or position, hunting bullet can therefore be expected to When the cutoff is in the "Off" have been at least 7 noncanister powders to the raise the pressure. However, this substitu- the bolt does not come far enough of exactly the same grain size as the tion is done occasionally and no trouble rear to clear the bolt stop entirely. The familiar IMR 3031. Difierent types of Ball- the round seems to have resulted. point of the bolt stop enters Powder are also not practicably distin- and Replacing the M2 with a 180-gr. bullet àepression on the side of the lug guishable by any kind of visual examina' any kind and the same powder charge prèvents the bolt from slipping forward tion. of the rifle should not be done at all, because of the when the muzzle is depressed. If Among the powders sold in factorY loader, this marked bullet weight increase. was being ttsed as a single canisters for reloading there are a few of down Such substitutions, even when safe, are would keep the bolt from sliding distinctive flake form. However even round in unnecessary makeshifts. Practice shooting and interfering with loading a with those of this kind it must be re- in preparation for hunting is best done the chamber. membered that there are many powders with the military ammunition as it is. The used by the ammunition factories which small quantity of hunting ammunition never ùave been standarized as canister check sight setting and these may look the same as some needed for a final of lots, 'quite and for use on game should be bought or canister types though performing loaded for that purpose,-E.H.H. difierently. With a known powder, it is only neces- BOLT STOP sary to refer to existing loading data, or in In comptrring nty 1903 Springfield wilh the case of military-surplus powder pur- u friend's 1903A3, I noticed that lhe bolt chased from a reliable source' to obtain from my gtn has o small, round depres- loading data there. This shows the impor- .tiott on the lelt sitle ol the top locking lug, tance of preserving the identification of antl a little inclenlttliott or groove on the powder with the greatest care. lront etlgc of this sctme ILtg, whereas I When the identification has been lost, do not see o,xything like thís on the bolt it is advisable to have a sample of the of the '03A3. lVhat is the rcason for this? powder tested fo bY Is nry bolt defective?-M.G.D. a recognized bal âs Answer: The difterence is caused by the the H.Þ. white d., fact that the 1903 Springfield rifle has whereas the what is called a bolt stop Bolt of M1903 rifle (lower) showing bevel on 190343 does not have this. The bolt stop front edge of left side of top locking lug ond on the model 1903 rifle is a little spring circulqr ¡ecess for point of bolt stop neor ¡eol (with plunger attached) that lies cross- of. this lug. Bolt slop hos been removed from re' ways in the receiver in a slot just behind ceiver ond lies in front of bolt. Bolt of Ml903A3 the magazine. The plunger sticks up rifle (upper) shows no bevel or recess in left thlough a hole in the left side of the side of top locking lug leceiver just under the rear bridge of the bolt BERDAN DECAPPING leceiver and just forward of the magazine In practice it was found that this stop was not actually needed and, as a I have often heard and read that reload' cutoff. impracticable. The first mention of the bolt stop and matter of fact, the marksmen at CamP ing Berdan-prímed cases is can be found in Appen- Perry and other big rifle matches found Is this the cøs¿?-N.S'N. the reason for it problem lies onlY in de- the Report of the Chief of Ord- that it was an annoyance in rapid-fire- Answer: The dix I to Berdan construction' used by nance 1903, the report of the Board especially if the point of the bolt stop capping. The for incorporates a boss experimental musket that plunger happened to be extra long or the mõit foreign countries, which tested the serve as pri- On tlepression happened to be particularly in the cartridge case head to eventLtally became the M1903 ¡ifle' the center of page 92 the Board recommended that deèp or sharp in the left lug. As a result mer anvil. Since it occupies I the primer pocket, the central vent used Headspace is the distance from the face clown, springing the action the necessâry with our anvil primers must be replaced of the breech to that surface in the rifle flrnount. with 2 or 3 small holes spaced off center. chamber which stops forward movement of Headspace clreck is sornetimes attemptecl This does away with convenient decapping the cartridge. This forward stop is the bot- with factory cartridges, determining whether with a punch through the vent. tom of the rim recess for rimméd cartriclges, It is not true that reloading Berdani and the chamber shoulder for rimless õar. primed cases is impracticable, High-grade tridges. With rimmed cartridges, the head- Berdan primers of noncorrosive, nonmer- space is only the thickness of the maximum curic type are available from importers. cartridge rim plus a slight clearance. With Decappers for Berdan primers are also rjmless cartridges, it is a conrparatively long available, and it is practical to decap with distance, measured to the shoulder iu the a homemade tool. All other reloading steps bottleneck chamber which is not at right PRESCRIBED POINT are exactly the same as with American- angles to the b¡eech face. Because it- is made cases. sloped, a certain point on the shoulder must Berdan decappers work from outside the be chosen to which the measurement must piercing piimer case, the fired and lifting be made, and this point is always prescribecl (see it out cut). in thç chamber drawing. The longest factory cartridge must go into the shortest rifle chamber of that cali- ber, and also the shortest cartridge must not the bolt will close easilv on such cartridges be uncluly short in the longest rifle chamber. r.vith a greater or less thiôkness of sheet meial You can see that the dimensions of both stock between the head of the cartridge antl cartriclges and chambers must be kept within the face of the bolt. This is inadequste, rather narrow ìimits. not onìy because of tlre springy natule of I-Ieadspace is normally checked by the cartridge brass, but also becãuse of the tuse of a Go and a No-Go gauge. The Go gauge when inserted in the chamber must b ¡rermit easy closing of the rifle bolt, showinq that the chanrber is not below the minimrrm length. The No.Go gauge must not permit closing of the rifle bolt, showing that the chamber is not above the meximum length. The bolt should be stripped. Force shoulcl not be applied to the- bolt handle during gauging. Rifles have been re. portecl as having excessive headspace, when in reality the bolt was macle to close on the No-Go gauge by forcing the bolt handle

ROD BAYONET '03 OO I've been havíng a discussion with a ll lriend who claíms he once otvned a 1903 Spríngfield rífle wíth a rod bayonet which Berdon decoppers, most of which ore mqde in into a reservoír tvithin the fore-end Germony, wo¡k principle this somple frtted on of when positiott. maintaín long lool. tired cose is dropped into hole (o) in no! in fixed I bottom hqndle, ond held down wÌth middle that all 1903 rifles were ntade for use with hondle. Bringing top hondle down forces spike a detachable knif e bayonet vhich was (b) through fìred primer ot on ongle, then carried ín a seporale belt scahhaìtl wltett roisíng middle ond lop hondles together lifts trct secured to the rifle ntuzzle. Am I primer oul ríght?-T.L. The same can be done by hand with Answer: I'm afraid youl friend is right, an awl, which should have a sharp point as first production 1 903 rifles were fitted ground with a slight hook. Hold the case with a rod{ype bayonet. President Theo- safely by dropping it into a hole drilled in dore Roosevelt, among others, strentrously a board, just large enotrgh to take the case objected to this comparatively fragile bayo- body. Pierce the fired primer (do not use net, with the result that the r.ifle was re- this method with unfired primers) with the designed in 1905. The oliginal tangent- awl, holding it at an angle to miss the type Krag rear sight was r.eplaced by a anvil beneath. Then an upward and slightly folding leaf sight and the front band was prying effort on the tool, which is soon redesigned for use with a detachable learned, lifts the primer right out.-E.H.H. knife bayonet. These original 1903 rifles were chambered for the I 903 Service cartridge loaded with 220-gr. round-nose rechambering these HOW TO CHECK HEADSPACE of rifles in addition to bullet. The newer 1906 cartridge, devel- sight and bayonet'modifications. Original I haye been told that rifle headsþace can oped in 1905, was loaded with a sharp- tunaltered 1903 rifles with rod bayonet are be checked by measuring (with a microtneter pointed 150-gr. bullet which necessitated extremely l'are.-M.D.W. caliper) the case of a cartridge frred in the rifle. Can a headsþace check really be made in this way?-Wrrr,rllr S. Srlrrsom, San Irrancisco, Calif. Answer by E. H. Hor¡ison: It is quite irnpos. sible to check headspace in tire madner you describe. l0 e gun had been found during World War I that âny n se its of it.

CASE LIFB I have read some t¡me ago that the lile of reloaded cartridg P''o' tånsed by sizíng on stead of íesizing the cctses how ntuch difference in this make?-R.D,L' Answer: The experience of handloaders difiers somewhat in this respect, apparently due to differences between sizing dies, rifle chambers, and powder presstìres to which the ammunition is loaded. However, I believe it is the generaf experience that to an al case life does not depend on whether cases mal 50 ale resized full length or not, but on the to over amount of working done to the brass. as 600 The photograPh shows the neck and changed the initial burning rate. of the powd-er and resulted in high and erratic ãr.rrur... Probably no great harm would îrave resulted from this condition alone'

micrometers for the same purpose' This model came out about 1924 in which year I first saw it at CamP PerrY. There is no need for stlch a device on rifle, was traced to the effect of grease the Ml which is now the Service and it built on the neck of the cartfidge case in com- since that has l-minttte adjustments bination with the high bullet pull. With into the sight in both elevation and wind- no grease on the neck, the powder pres- age.-H.E.M. sure-inside the cartridge case expanded the cartridge enough to loosen the neck and let the bullet out, but when there was SPRINGFIELD BARRELS I recenlly received a "servíceable" Model 1903A3 Springfield rifle which, accordittg lo the markings on the baruel, was made in A pril 1943. I got this rifle because I wanled to con- increased and damaging pressures resulted' vert it to a sporter, bul lhe gun ís obvï After the end of the Matches, the 'tin-can' ously unsuitable for sporterizing because ammunition was withdrawn from use and the rtnish on lhe otttside of the barrel is the remaining quantities scrapped' None very rough. Going along the bawel from was ever -ãd"- this one experi- lhe breech toward the muzzle at one poinl Excessive working of bross by sizing die which mental lot for the"*cept National Matches of reached the diometer oÍ 45/64" and a by greot reduclion I is too smoll, os shown 1921.-J.S.H. little lurther along totttard the muzzle antl incrèoses díam' shoulder of a .30J06 case which has been there's a sort ol step it sized in a full-length die of a well-known eter to 46/64'. these rífles? make. The case was forced only SIGHT MICROMETER Is this the usual case with standard bar' part way into the die and the expanding I have been given an ínslrument marlced Is there a pltrpose hehind this type of plug *as omitted, to make the sizing P. l. O'Hare, Newark, N' l. It is ol brass, rèI turning? Is ít tlangerous to frre this uisitl". Inside diametel of the case neck about 3" Iong antl 3/q" diameter, wíth purt riflc? How will accurocY be afiected?- as left by the die is .297". The neck of of one side òut away, and carries a slide H,L.B. this die is obviously fat' too small, and on a micrometer screrr). I have about every Answer: The roughness of the outside this unreasonable amount of reduction type ol reloading equ finish of the barrel as described by you is makes for short-lived brass. Cases sized at first thought thís quite normal with these 190343 rifles in this die invariably split first at the neck. gauge, but now have made uncler the stress of wartime produc- The only way to obtain long case life anyone antong the Io tion. in reloading is to use a sizing die which identiÍy it. What is In order to save man hours with a con- nowhere reduces the case excessively'- Answen If You had ever engaged in sequent tremenclotls saving in expense, and E,H,H. competitive shooting with the Model 1903 also for an increase of production in time Springfield lifle, you'd know what that of desperate need, the specifications for TIN.CAN AMMUNITION gàag"t i.. It was used to make precise these rifles were relaxed strfficiently to re- rear necessity for a smooth' even times have heard old CamP elevation changes on the Springfield move the Several I photo, its upp¡r over the otltside of the barrel' hand.s speak ol 'tin-can' Natíonal sight. As shown in the finish Perry of the lotrghness on the otrtside of the Match ammunition. Can you tell me what sh-oulder was set on the upper end This does not affect the safety ol the rifle this was and when it wos made?-G'R.C. sight leaf, and the slide under the sight barrel does it affect the accttracy. Moreover, the earlY 1920's bullet sli"¿e. Turning the micrometer thimble nor Answer: In min- it cloes not prevent conversion of the rifìe jackets were of cupronickel and rifles were then made chãnges in elevation in sight to a presentable sporter, because with a iubject to troublesome nickel fouling. It utes of angle. There were other ll bit of draw filing and finishing with an '03 DEVELOPMENT model Mausers. This rifle was adapted to abrasive belt, either on a machine or by a rimless cal..30 cartridge of larger using the belt with each hand is llho developed the as a r.ag capacity than the .30-40. and had rused polishing rifle, and when wqs this development it a ro¡ in a shoe. the barrel can be bayonet in the fore-end, made quite smooth and after bluing will project initiated? I am particularly inter- The Secretary of War approved the quite presentable. ested ín the early developnrcnt up to the be 1901 rifle, and antho¡ized production tinte the M1903 with rod bayonet was its While the Springfield rifles being sold for Service test. by the DCM are not finished like commer- odopted.-5.Y. In 1903 the board of officers fo¡ test- cial factory sporting rifles, they never- Answer: During the Spanish-American are ing rifles recommended that the barrel theless a very great pr.ice. War, (J. S. office¡s noted that the bargain at the 7 mm. length be reduced Io 24', to permit use of Spanish M¿ruser l.ifle was superior to the the arm by cavalry as well as infantry -J.S.H. .30-40 Krag in 2 important respects. The and thus avoid necessity for. a carbine. Mauser had dual locking lugs '03 BOLT NUMBER on the bolt The board also recommended that the head which enabled it to successfully rear sight be moved back against 1903A3 withstand pressure the Tlte Springfielcl I prtchased of high-perfo.-un.ê receiver. These recommendations were ap- front tlte Goycntntent is brttnr! new bul cartridges, and its magazine could be easily proved, and the shortened and rapidly rifle was thc bolt is ttot nttmbered to correspontl clip loaded. At the end of thê adopted as the Model 1903. rtitlt tlte rcceiver. I,Yottkl this indicate The M1903 rifles wìth the rod bayonet tltal the bolt (;,ll is a replacement? Weren,t differed considerably from the later issue Spring/ield l¡olts numbered conesporul to M1903 rifles. They had a 24.2,' barrel, 2 y i tlt I lt e rece it e r? -H.M.L. transverse holes in the front sight base. Answer: Bolts of regular Ser.v.ice Model a ramp-type rear sight, and only one 1ug 1903 Springfield rifles were not numbered. on the safety. The wood of the stock and and as a natter of fact the only part The first rifle in this development was handguard came oloser produced to the muzzle than carrying a serial number l's the receiver, and tested at Springfield Armory it did when later moved back in 1900. to make Numbers found on other parts are not It had dual locking lugs anã room for the attachment of a knife several other Mauser serial numbers. features, but its bayonet and, moreover, the wood of the The bolts of Springfield ¡ifles manufac- magazine was of single-column type which handguard on projected later models is higher right ttrred for target shooting purposes were below the stock. It had a 30,, in fiont of the rear sight base. barrel and nsually nt¡mbered to correspond with the was adapted to a rimmed car- When the rifles were rechambered for receiver as they were essentially hand fitted to a particular receiver and barrel combination. Such rifles were not classi- fied as regular Service arnrs. The special I903 rifles manufactured for National Match or Tnternational competitions are in this category. Also. rifles made up for test may have numbered bolts.-H.E,M.

Experimenlol AUXITIARY CARTRIDGES springfield rifìe developed for rimmed cql. .30 cortridge, produced, ond lested in 1900. Note single-column box mogozine, loter dropped ol cartridges can be Irc use of so-called there nrch a car- .30-'06? Is this a new detteloþtltent?-F. D. Kn.rrrr, Reno, Nev. Answer by M. D. Wcite: For rnanv years now the Marble Arms Corp., of Glaäsione, Mich., has supplied a variety of auxiliary l90l Springfield col. .30 rifìe

''"*-*r<ø+---{

Model 'l903 Springfield ¡ifìe with rod boyonet to the t the M1906 cartridge, the barrels were ser higher back, which made them .2,/ shorter tha¡t on ope before. Krag{ After the M1903 rifle had been adoptecl ing piece and detachable striker. This rifle and put into production, the question functioned well except that the rimmed arose of possible infringements of Mausel. cartridges did not strip easily from the patents on certain features of the rifle. clips, and there was rim interference drìr- especially on the clip. After negotiations, ing feeding. an agreement was reached to pay a royalty In 1901 another rifle was produced and of 75ql on each rifle and 50y' on each tested at Springfield Armory. It employed 1000 clips until a total sum of $.200,000 an improved magazine cutoff, simplifiecl should have been reached, which was to trigger mechanism, and magazine flush be considered a full settlement of all with the stock. The magazine handled a obligations. This sum was reached in staggered cartridge cohtmn, and was like July 1909. that of the Spanish 1893 and later Later a suit was brought by another a range with the shows that these two rules angle, corresPonding to company' Deutsche Waffen & Examination cartridge of appro*imetelY 550 German onlY in the divisot, which is I 0 in M1906 unitionsfabriken, claiming that the difter yds. Even at half that range, where the M 12 in the other sPitzer bullet infringed a patent one and is about 2 ft 8" high, a stand- M1906 table shows the actual de- trajectory pointed bullet that had been issued The following not be overshot on a for a angle caused bY a ln8 enemy would in 1907. U.S. legal oPinion flection in minutes of the midpoint of the to one Gleinich at the ranges used hold a little below claim was groundl ess be- cross wind of 10 m.P,h. the danger sPace was thal the with the military body. On lower targets, Ordnance DePt. had experi- in formal target shooting to a shorter but still consid- cause the in quarter-Points or is continuous mented with bullets and ptrblished rifle; the correction range. Pointed given by the ArmY rule; erable report on these experiments in 1894. minutes of angle a correction as given bY the On ottr entrY into the war with German¡' and the same to which you refer. The in 1917, the Gleinich Patent was seized Marine Corps rule ProPertY Custodi an, and deflections in the second column are those by the Alien and end of the war a tribu nal ap- of the M1906 150-gr ball ammunition, after the the M2 balt pointed to settle claims growing out of will be nearly the same with such seizures awarded the German com- ammunition. pany the sum of $300,000 Plus $112'520.-s5 Actual ArmY Marine interest.-L.O Range Deflection Rule Rule 200 yds, 2 min. 2 2 J '03 FIRING PIN FALL 300 3 500 5 5 4 stoPs travel of the firing Ilhat forwartl 600 6 5 ptn anrl striker assemblY ín lhe Model 800 9 8 7 1903 Springfield? Should it be stopped t2 10 9 by the taper ol th e striker nose, shouldel 1000 " nose ol the cock- to ol the stríker, or bY the We see that both rules are verY close tng canr boltonting in the bolt cocking The ArmY rule is a little closer the truth. gfield rifle. Arrow cûm notch?-W.T.C, Marine CorPs one for M1906 and Reor sight of M'l903 SPrin than the ìndicotes boltle sìghl Answer: Forward movement of the as- M2 ammunition, and is also somewhat stoPPed when a shoulder on because it is easier to sembly is more convenient suggestion which nas been made, the cocking contacts bY 12, but the difference A the front of Piece divide bY l0 than the M1903 lifle is to be used in the unit disassembled, CorPs handbook is when the bolt sleeve. With is small. The Marine the front sight be rePlaced is a shoulder where description, but hunting, is that you will notice there not identified from Yonr with that of the M 190343 rifle. The front pin rod enters the cocking Piece would be closer for the the frring the rule outlined sight blade only is meant. Front sights Ml ammunition, which was the Service with a little care n the wars and muqþ are readilY interchanged ammunition betwee driving out the small tlansverse Pin target shooting' in favored for militarY which holds it down in its slot' Because of take of both these The correct view to the receiver rear sight of the M190343 rules is to consider them as simPle rules must be higher than first rifle, its front sight of thumb, of helP in making the rifle. With the M190343 The that of the M1903 shot good trnder windY conditions. installed, the Ml903 rifle can wotlld front sight rifleman's estimate of the wind be zeroed by filing to height indicated bY weigh far more in the resul t than the choice trial firing. This substitution involves only between the two iules.-E.H'H. an inconspicuous alteration to the rifle, which is readilY restored to original con- SPRINGFIELD SIGHT dition by replacing the M1903 front sight. I collect SPrinslield rifles and notttrallY -E'H'H' tlo ttot wísh to oLter any ol thenr, but I do like to shoot them occasíonallY. I no- PARKBRIZING rifle tice, in shootittg a SPringfreld M1903 preParìng to sPot'tctize nty Spring' tlte I ant with the notch which aPPears v,hen Ml903A 3. Although the ntilitary dotvn, tltat the rífle freld sight baÍ is folded dull frnish on tlte ntetnl is ttot cottvcttliontl shools very higlt This proctícallY rules rifle, iî ¡s highl\ pttctical in hunting. I lor a sPo,'1¡ng out my plans lor usíttg it ín Iack ol gkrrc" atrd prevert tion of corrosion wrong wíth the rifle' cannot frnd anYthing This linish will be destro),ed hy polislting and excellent cott- whích is unaltered ín Is there 4nY rt'aY lo d tr pl ictrtc it in tl¡c RULES to point ol WINDAGE dition, and besides it shoots ltome worksltoP? Il not, whcre can I hat't to the U, S. ArntY Drill Reg- aîm wh en I use lhe síght slide set to cor' done?-H'D.8. Accorcling llhY the iol¡ ulations and Rifle Marksmanship, issued rect range with the leal vertícal' rhis sight gíve The finish on Yotrr SPringfieltl the nnntber ol quarter'points of 'shottlcl the tlifferent p\rts ol Answer: 1941, The ArmY favols it for the set off a wind clíreclly such different results?-C.L. is Palkerizing. windage to be for yotl advance. It has a low range is eqnal to the first figure Answer: The notch which shows on top same reasons across tlrc qual ity and is rttst-resistant the range lintes the velocity ol thc when the sight leaf is down ( see cut )is light-reflecting ol lt was adoptcd after long ex dívitled by 10. This Prontpted tne sight. The thought behind it and durable. vind, the battle and manY trials to fìncl the small tnY old Mnrine Corqs hand- was alwaYs instantlY available, Periment to drag ottt was that it possesslng these

REMOVE ROUNO CORNERS "Hunter lype" odjustments con KNURLING be provided FOR Ircm 5" to 40" from'ready' positíon and on the Springfield WITH FILE COMPACTNESS the rifle will not fire. But if the trigger 190343 reqr sight os shown. WHILE is pulled Ihe Allen sel scrow is topped ROTATING when the safety is ín these posi- into tions,.the rífle the hole occupied by the KNOB IN will fire when the salety is originol operlure spring tttoved to'ready' position screw, DRILL and the finger is qnd serves to lock elevolion, PRESS ofr the trigger. What's the story on thís? Top hole in yoke under oper- OR lure, -.w.R.J. ond plug with another E LEC TR IC Answer: you are quite right in saying DRILL . i;i*' ,tjf"'*.;:í:å.:"".0".1'' tliat the springfield will fire when thè ironkrin,' sr. p.ui, ¡niin. safety is thrown to 'ready' or 'off' position 4-4OA LLEN SET t4 Small Arms' face of the test of Experimental bridg main If sa rear tain at least .004" clearance.

of thb case mouth to be reaSonably cloSe plane.-J.S.H. to the origin of rifling (which was of course made for the long 220-gr. bullet) FRONT SIGHT COVER

It would be dangerous to fire the rifle ver with safety lug engaged as this could re- Answer: The shearing (seã arrow) is ion sult in a ruptured receiver or frorn the bolt in lng (rop) ond .30;0ó ccrlridge away of the ìafety lug during storage. .3OJO3 lugs were not when it is not i ays the event that front locking leceiver ring' for firing. was shortened properly engaged within the removecl neck of the cartridge case - 'Ih" provided to retain with the shorter cylindrical iuf.ty lug was to correspond receiver in the event portion the new bullet' The result was the bolt within the of for any reason' Mod"l 1906 cartridge, the familiar that the front lugs failed ih" including rupture of the receiver ring it- J .30-'06. modern center-fire bolt- cartridge can be fired safely self. Almost all The .30-'06 have a safety or leserve lug chamber, but the .30-'03 car- action rifles in the .30-'03 to function in a similar manner' tridge will not go into the .30-'06'-E'H'H' designed In sãme instances the lug is formed by the bolt handle root whereas in others it is SPRINGFIETD QUESTION separate. 'fhe Krag-Jorgensen and Model Thc tmserviccable Springfreld I þttcløsc

.30 MI9O3 CARTRIDGE An olcl friend ol mine insists that he once owned a Winchester M1895 rifle

yds. 3", etc.-M.D.W.

NC PRIMER EROSION correctz-J'C.M. he be What is the effect of noncorrosive non- difterent Answer: There were indeed 2 ntercuric primers on erosíott? I have never 903 cartridges for seen, any inlormatiort on thís, and il oc- was rifle, and the to nte that íf the olcl chlorate primer her' ctrred at one time av '03 SAFETY LUG gave less barrel erosion, it would .be pos- ized "ribtt using The Model 1903 Springfield to obtain longer barrel lile by the same designation, When checking over my with ammunition of to lhal the bolt il attcl cleanitlg very carefully to combat firing a long 220-gr. round-nose bullet at rifle, I tvas ntrprised find salety ltrg does ttot bear agaírtst the re- t he corrosiott.-C.R'U. abou-t 2,200 f.p's. In 1905, however,. the briclge tvith o carlridge in the cham- Answer: You are quite right to distin- Germans cbanged their I mm' military ceiver her. The gop i'r ttide enottgh to occept ct gu thin pieci ol cardboard. ÍIow cun this Ern condition be correcte(l?-I).8,T. of ll Answer: That generous clearance is by ga clesign ancl not accidental. In any Model che 1903 .30 cal. rifle, clearance between rear ing away of the whole bore surface, l5 bronght on by the very salty deposit left may have a few burrs on either the ejector Coat the bolt sleeve threacls, cocking cam, by old-style chlorate primers. days In the ol the slot in the left side of the bolt in extraction cam on outside of bolt, and the of these primers, many barrels more were which it rides. A little work with the file striker well in the bolt; hold the trigger. destroyed by corrosion than by erosion. or stone to remove these burrs will no back, and smartly raise and lower the bolt During the thorough investigations made handle nrany before doubt result in the ejector working proper- times. Thor.oughly wash, re- the modern noncorrosive non- ly.-H.E.M. peat with finel grade, thoroughly wash ¡nercuric (NCNM) plimer was adopted for again, and lightly oil before assembling. the military .30-'06 cartridge, it was found Except for what is necessary on that rifles fired MI9O3A3 GUARD SCRE\ry the ex- with ammunition loaded traction cam, keep all compound off the rvith these NCNM primers The rear guard snffered ,57o to screw ol my M1903A3 outside of the bolt and locking lugs, ancl l07o less erosion than those fired with Springfield rifle does not come aII the way wash out the receiver after completion. chlorate primers. This advantage of the to the top of the hole lor ít ín the re- Other rubbing surfaces-sides primer of striker, NCNM was in addition ro the ceiver tang, yet the screw is the standarcl sear recess in receiver, etc.-should be principal preventing one of destruction of Iength ancl ca,xnot be turned in any far- honed flat and smooth with a medium and gun ,tvay bores by rust.-E.H.H, tlær. Is there any ready of fillírtg the then a fine hard Arkansas stone.-F. pe H. ra tlter un,síghtly hole?-LJ,N. Answér: For speed GAS ESCAPE HOLE in wartime manufac- BASES Mr9O3A3 ture these guard screw holes were drilled ON I received my 1903A3 rifle and lound a and tapped clear through, since it is much 5/16" hole drilled in the left side ol the simpler to tap a through hole than a blind receiver and into the bolt to the point one, The standard length screw was re- where lhe firìng pin shows when the actiott tained for interchangeability with other is in the fired position. Springfields. This was sold to tne as an unserviceable rifle but I understood that unserviceable tuithout removing this dovetail base, rifles usually had some minor part miss- Have I dangerously weakened the re- ing or damaged and could be reworked ceíver by removing part of the receiver into servìceable rifles. With th¡s hole in the bridge? If so, would ít be possible to re- receiver I leel that mine could not be. place thß metal by caref'ul welding?_ Please correct me if I'm wrong.-C. W. S. E.H.W. Answer: That hole in the left of the re- ceiver together with the matching hole in the bolt were put in purposely as part of a Reor guord screw hole in Ml903A3 rifle careful design to permit the escape of any gas that might get into the bolt from a punctured primer. In the absence of any such gas escape hole, gas getting into the or 2 threads of the rear mount screw, This bolt from a punctured primer might blow is hardly sufficient. the firing mechanism to full cock and

t,r' Hole fìlled by stub screw from below for better oppecronce There is a ready way of filling the hole sufficiently to give the rifle a more finished appearance. Saw off the tip of another guard screw to a length a little less than the depth of the hole to be filled. With the hacksaw make a screw slot in the sawed end. Remove all traces of oil from the upper cause the cocking piece to strike the shoot- part of the hole, apply to the threads a er's face or gas might get back into the drop of strong tincture of iodine (you Receiver shooter's eyes. You will see, therefore, may have to let the ordinary weak bridge of Ml9O3A3 Springfìeld, show- that ing síght instead of being a defect this hole in your article stand with the cork out for some bose which should not be removed. time to evaporate to strength), and turn Receiver sights ond telescope boses qre ovqil- rifle is a safety feature and is not some oble for this rifle, accident the stub screw in from below until its mode io fìt over the un- but actually makes it a better. chonged receiver bridge rifle.-J. S. H. upper end is nearly flush. The strong io- dine will rust it securely in place.-H.E.M. You can get around this by sweating the mount base to the receiver bridge with soft I9O3 RIFTE EJECTOR IROUBTE solcler. Use the screw also; it will enable LAPPING ACTION PARTS you to position the mount correctly and The ejector ol my 1903 Springfield ísn,t oÍ nty Springfrel¿l even I or 2 threads will help the fastening. lunctioníng properly. Ittstead ò¡ nilti"g vering them with This method is preferable to welding the the base ol the cartridge case, it híts thL d and exercisittg receiver, which is not advisable.-L.R.W. side and thus does not eject the case. Is there supposed to be a spríng ín the eiector assembly?-I.L.H. Ànswer: There is no spring in the ejector assembly of the Model 1903 rifle. Tlie passage of the left bolt lug .over a hump the on rear end of the ejector throws it surfaces that cannot readily be honed. out into operating position. If your ejector The finer grade could be used is for the worn to the extent that it is not thrown first lapping, followed by a materially Answer: out properly, finer There is very litíe you can do the only cure would lie in abrasive such as electric razor sharpening to better the accuracy of your replacing it. The possibility Service am- exists that you or other f 400-grade oil-mixed compound. munition. The limiting factor. is actually t6 the quality of the bullets used, and you cases that season cracking is, practically type of tracer cartriclgc was deveìopcd to frorrr followirtg tbe tracc would gain nothing by weighing the loaded speaking, a thing of the Past. prèvent tlte enenty locating thc cartridges. Long-continued firing of ammunition irom its source and thereby Some lots of stpndard Service ammuni- with this defect might result in erosion of tuä..rur. tion will prove to be very accurate, or at the neck portion of the rifle chamber by of the serio.s fire hazarcl i.volvecl, least as accurate as some lots of com- gas escaping through the crack, and de- tracer ancl incendiary ammunition shoulcl mercial ínatch ammunition. I suggest thât posit of a little melted brass at that place. be used on controllcd rnilitary ratrecs ouly. you test a sample of each lot of ammuni- This eventually causes hard extraction. tion available to determine which lots give However, a great deal of firing would be better than average accuracy. Using a high- required. Season cracking does not directly RANGE DUMMY make the ammunition dangerous to fire. grade, heavy-barrel match rifle equipped have some Franklord Arsenal .30:06 There is a slight danger that a loose bullet I with felescopic sight, conduct controlled ba| cartridges which were apparently 200 yds. may be left in the rifle bore when a car- firing tests at ranges not less than assembled without powder charge. The yds. tridge is removed from the rifle without a and preferably at 500 or 600 When primer is inert although it has the regqlar firing, and in a worn barrel this bullet may specific lots of better-than-average accu- cup ancl anví|. There ís a narrou, Iongi- are it would be a wise go far enough forward to permit loading racy thus identified, tudinal slot aboul I / 16" wíde and 3/¿" match and firing a normal round behind it' which idea to set thém aside for use in Iong milled into the side ol the case near accurate lots shotlld be would be dangerous. This rather remote competition. Less the head. llhat were these carlridges made used for practice onlY.-M,D.\il' possibility will be eliminated by a little care in noting that loaded rounds taken up for?-L.A.N. from the rifle are complete'-E'H.H. Answer: Those cartridges are special FIRING THROUGH A MUZZTE CAP range dummies made up for use by rifle When coach I kttow that it is dangerous to frre a gurt marksmanship coaches. a wlrcp tlrcre ís any uror, mud o¡ sintilar ob- BANDOTEERS stnrction in the bore. To þretent the bore I have olten read ol service ,in, o^- of nry rifle beconting accidentally þlugged munítion being issued in bandoleers. What caq whila afield, I rse a snull, þlastic thtt are these, and why are they used?-M.D.T. frts ntuzzle. h¿te never yet been over the I (often conlrcnted tuith a situation where I clidn't ,A,nswer: Bandoleers spelled band- usage) provide a way of løye tinte to retnore this caþ before firing, oliers in civilian but if I had to frre without rernoting tha carrying ammunition in an easily-acces- caþ, would this tenil to damage the gun sible manner. They are made of olive-drab barrel in the same wdy ds d bore obsttuction? cotton cloth with a light webbing shoulder I{. Son¡nns, Milwaukee, Wis. strap. The bandoleer itself thus weighs almost nothing, and ammunition so packed -fonm H. Hor¡ison: There seerns to Answer by E. can be conveniently removed from the be absolutely no danger in firing through one of the conventional muzzle caps sold for rifles. As you can see, these caps do not enter the bore in âny wây and, in cfiect, are suspected that a rifleman was flinching' on the outside of the gun rather than inside he would insert one or more of these the bore, as is the case with an obstruction. range dummies into the clip without the knowledge of the firer. The recoil of the ordinary Service cartridge tends to mask SEASON CRACKING packing box and carried without any the flinch, but since the range dummY weight penalty, and the bandoleer thrown powder any flinching be- have obtained quantiry of .30:06 lacks a charge I a away when emptied. both coach and manulactured during comes quite obvious to military ammunition The bandoleer has 6 pockets, the cover appears to be in good con- firer.-M.D'W. Ilorld War I. lt flaps being without any catch and readily (lition, e)ccepr that many ol the case necks opened for removal of the contents, but so some these, this SIGHT SETTING show a fine crack. In ol made that they do not come open in carry- quite loose. leaves the bullet ing. Thé present standard bandoleer holds I 'wo¿tld like to submit the lollowíng indicate some de- Does this lundamental each pocket a carton containing either problem. I am shootíng ,30:06 loads using is ammuni- in fect in manufdcture, and such one 8-round clip of ammunition for the a 200-gr. bullet at 2500 l.p.s., and let us say to shoot?-G.H.W, tion dangerous Ml rifle or two S-round clips for the the drop from line ol cleparture is 2" al defect is known as 'season Answer: This M1903 rifle. For a long time the ammu- 100 yds,, 12" at 200 Yds., 30" at 300 Yds.' not present when the am- cracking'. It was nition was identified by a card placed in 50" ot 400 yds., 88" at 500 yds., and 130" many years munition was made, but after one pocket, as shown in the photograph. at 600 yds. neck, stretched tight- the strain in the case Bandoleers packed since Feb. 1, 1945 have Assuming that these figures are cotect, the crack ly over the bullet, resulted in this information stenciled on each end il I know my sight settíng to bring my you describe. pocket.-E.H.H. shots into the center of the brtllseye at Ammunition loaded iñ the World War I 200 yds., how do I figure the addítíottal period and shortly after is most likely to elevation to overcome the additional drop (see photograph). show this defect It was .30-'0ó AMMO when I go from 200 to 300 yds., or lrom 300 to 600 yds., ¿tc.?-R.G.W. Answer: The solution is based on the fact that a minite of angle is equivalent to approximately 1" at 100 yds., 2" at 2OO yds., and so on. Therefore from your drop figures, it is evident that you would have to elevate your rifle 2 minutes to hit the point of yds., minutes at 200 yds., accentuated in .30-'06 military ammunition Answe,r by Phil Shorpe: Your service car- aim at 100 6 yds., minutes at intended for rifle use by the fact the brass tridge is the M25 T¡acer' Acttrrllv this is 10 minutes at 300 l2ty'z yds., minutes 500 yds., and was annealed quite hard to permit eâsy a 'dãuble trace' type, sincc it first clevelo¡:s 400 17.6 at at 600 operation of the Springfield rifle bolt. So a dinr trace at aboirt 50 yds. At about 150 21.7 minutes Yds. you bottom of the much has now been learned of the manu- vcls., it turns to a bright trace rvhich cotr- If want to aim at the you rnust facture of cartridge brass and cartridge iinues for approximately 1000 vds. This bullseye and hit the center of it, 17 add the half-diameter of the bullseye to pin piece the forepart of the cocking to the REMOVING '03 SIGHT BASES your drop figures for each range. In.big rod prior to cutting off the knob. The rod bore shooting, the 200- and 300-yd. bulls- and cocking piece assembly are quite hard, IIow are the front and rcar sigli bases eye is 12" in diameter and you must add and thtrs must be annealed prior to the rentot¡ed front tlrc 1903 Springñeld barrel?- 6" to your drop flgures.The 500- and 600- drilling, pinning, and cutting operation. Plul Iì. Dow,rr.run, Youngstor.vn, N. Y. yd. bullseye is 20" in diamete¡, and you Rehardening is indicated if galling of the Answer by L, R, Wqllack: Both tlte rcar and must add 10" to your drop for these cocking cam and undue sear notch wear front sight bascs are hcld in place lvitlr lateral ranges. Big bore matches are not shot at are to be avoided. cross pins. 'I'hc pin in thc front sight ìrasc 400 yds. and there is no standard bullseye This alteration is not recommended as for that range.-J.S.H. the cocking piece knob is a valuable safety featnre in that it tends to deflect gases. r/'. etc., to the side in the event of a punc- -'a/ SEATING DISCS UNDER PRIMERS tured primer or burst or split case. ìù/ith In þunching tlrc þrímers out of sonrc the knob ¡emoved there is nothing to pre- vent the gases back .30:06 cases nunufa.ctured at the Frank- from coming straight 2 ford Arsenal in 1949, I noticed d small through the bolt sleeve and into the shoot- washer in the þocket under the þrimer. The er's face, & nuterial aþþedts to be ¿ þlastíc of ,.æddislt The headless cocking piece might give color. -What are they made of , and wløt slightly less lock time because of its lighter vas the obiect in þutting them |here?- weight, but use of a stronger mainspring is Ro¡nnr Err,rNcnn, San Francisco, Calif. the better solution when faster lock time Answer by E. H. Ho¡rison: These are Cel- is desired.-M.D.W. is locatccl just to the ¡ear of the clovctail Iophane seals used by Frankford Arsenal in slot, and can be driven out with a suitablc cert drift punch. The pin in the rea¡ sight base the I9O3A2 SPRINGFIELD sleeve is at the bottom frout encl ¡liovt Yz" frour the frout cc'lge. 'Ihís pin shouìcì bc the Freqttent menlion is mode ol Mottel the startecl rvith a pointccl punch, aftcr which 1903, 1903A1, 1903A3, and 7903A4 ríflcs, action takes place rapidly. In this particular bttt rtothing cotrccrning the Model jg03A2. insta¡rce 1949 of ammnnition, phosphorus- Wos a rífle with this model clc,signation type primers wcre used. ever produce¿l?-L.R.L. Answer: The Model 1903A2 is a .30-'06 subcaliber firing device for use with artil- lery pieces of various types. It consists of a Model 1903 ba¡rel and action assembly. minus sights and stock, fitted \4,ith bronze bushings so that it can be centered within the bore of the larger gun. Its use effects a great saving in artillery ammunition and at the same time provides realistic reducecl- range training for the gun crews.-M.D.W. BLANI( AMMUNITION

Con powder salvaged f ron'r ntílitary .30:06 blanks be usetl to relood? Il so, in whot cal¡l)er and with what weíght of it can bc reurovcd with a drift. Both sight l¡ullet?-P'.L. l>ases can then be rcmoved f¡om the bai¡el oc Answer: Never loacl ûny blank-fire ntiliziug a brass or coppcr clrift appliecl to powder the rear of the bascs. Iucidentally, it may 'I'he behind any kind of bullet. It is a scals are punchcd from strips of the special powder designed to make a bang take several hcavy blows with the r¡allet to start the rear base sìrcet Ccllophane. On firing, they âre con- with nothing in front of it but a light case- froru its scat. sunecì or at least cha¡rcd. If, however, mouth ìvad. With a little resistance, it deto- t'he cascs are clecapped without firing, the nates almost like dynamite. decapping pin pierces the seal and pushes The cases used for blanks are once-fired .30-30 AND .30.'06 it out in the forn-r of the washers described. ¡eturned cases. They have been compleiely A ol minc, vlto scrvetl in World gh cour- lriend cleaned and inspected the same as new War ntaintoins that the.30-30 tyas rankford I, ones, and are no diffe¡ent from once-fired tlten the stanclard Arnry cartriclge tncl material cases of your own, except better cleaned. that he wos issued a ,'ifle oÍ tllot col¡bcr. togethcr There is no reason they cannot be con- ls this correct?-L.8. unfired sidered the same. While a few new cases Answer: This misconception dies hard. that were manufactuling rejects are also It appeals to be based on nse of the loaded as blanks, the rejections were not catchy term ".30-30" r'ather than on an for any '03 coÇKrNG PIECE critical defects, but for such things idea of the cartridge itself. as minor dents, scratches, or variations The .30-30 is a sporting caltridge I u,ottld Iike to convert piece the cocking that have no effect in firing.-B.R,L. brought out 1895 by the Winchester' of nty '03A3 Springfield in to heaclless typa Repeating Alms Co. brass caltridge by rentovirtg the knob.,How Its is thís done? D eca p pin g G ouernnt ettf cr¿s¿s case is about long, rimrnecl, and of Do y.ott recotrtmend tltis alleration?- 2" L.T,R. After breaking numerous decapping pins rather small size. It is used in varia- on crimped-in Government primers, Ì tions of the Winchestel Moclel 1894 and Answer: The cocking piece knob is removed the steel point frorn a dime store other light Iever'-action l'ifles. It has threaded to the end of the firing pin rod, ice-pick and ffa¡tened the tip by grinding been extrenrc'ly popr.rlal as a light spor t- with the end the peened of rod to hold until it would not pierce the primers. For a ing cartliclge in Nolth America, but it the knob in place. If the knob porrion is base, I nsed a sewing thread spool. This h¿ts never bcc¡r ouL militaly carttidge nor' cnt off, thele is nothing to hold the re- works as well as anything I have tried. A had any impol'tant lnilitary use. maining portion of the cocking piece on lightweight hammer is used.-O. H. Mc- The U. S. rifle cartritlge dr-u'ing both the rod. It is therefore necessary to cross- KrrCeN. World Wals was the caliber .30 M1906, 18 often abbreviatecl.30-'06. It was adopted chambered f or the .3 0 calibct cartridge smoothly at speeds below the velocity of in 1903, ancl changecl to its present basic desirecl. sound the boattail bullet has a good deal folm in 1906. lts car-tliclge case is abottt There is verv littlc difie¡ence in the various longer extreme range than the flat-base 2.5" long, t'imlcss, ancl of comparatiVcly Springfield seivice barrels. The 1903 an<ì bullet of the same weight and velocity. large size. This is the caltlidge tìsed in lE03Ãl ba¡rels arc identical. The 1903À2 An exhaustive serieis of tests was in- the M1903 (Springfield), M1917 (Enfield), was a sub-caìibér modiÊcation for artillcrv stituted right after World Vy'ar I aimed at and Ml (Garand) Selvice rifles. Since Wolld War I it has also been widelY nranufactufed as a sporting caltlidge.

fo ur. getting a longer range for ottr machine REPLACING BARREL gun cartridges. The 150-gr. .30 cal. flat- I rtnr thin.king ol reborreling nty Spring- base bullet at a muzzle velocity of 270O ft, kttow what was found to have an extreme range of 'thefield rífle, ctntl vottlcl líke to clutnce.v ttre of a new batel fittÍng 3400 yds. whereas the 172-gr. boattail bul- wilhin lteotlspace toleranccs. The inexpen- let at a muzzle velocity of 2640 f.p.s. was sive new Spríngfreld barrels advertised in found to have an extreme range of 5900 Tup Rlrr¿urN ore very aîtractive if nol yds.-I.S.H. ¡ ntrrch gttnsmitltírt¡¡ is reqrúred.-C.M'R' Answcr: The new barrels advertised will FRANGIBLB BALL fit your Springfield, but they usually,can- have seen .30:06 military ammuni- gunsmithing' I not be inslalled withotrt some tiott with headslamp FA 45 and a dark In the first place, the barrel must screw grøy painted with green sight line bullct a típ fol- in until extraciot' slot and front Iowed by n white bancl. The powder cases this requires up correctly. In many charge seemed very light. What is this a lathe, a little metal from fácing off, in amntunitìon? Can it be fired wíthout the shoulder. tlarnage ordinary barrel?- been mY experience that to an rifle Also, it has F.D.T, (1.), .30-'0ó militory, ond .30-'0ó sportìng these barrels are made with tight head- .30-30 Flangible cortridges space. This means that a chambering Answer: It is the Ball Car- l'eamer and headspace gauges are neces- tridge M22, developed during World War for training aircraft gunners. The green delived sary to obtain correct headspace after the II The designation .30-30 was and white bullet tip is for identification. and tlte barrel has been fitted uP. from the diameter of the bore The bullet was designed to break np on of The entire oPeration is a somewhat fact that the powder charge consisted gun' an aircraft skin, so that be -fired powdet' critical one and requires competent it could 30 grs. weight of the smokeless directly at adversary planes during train- brought smith work.-L.R.W' used when the cartridge was ing. To make this possible, the bullet was powder charge out. For cotnparison, the constructed to be very brittle and was grs. The only BTANK CARTRIDGE it of the .30-'06 is about 50 MODET I90ó fired at low velocity. Firing had be is in to likeness between the two cartriclges Is it true that ,30:06 cartridges wílh done in aircraft maihine guns specially the diameter of their bullets'-E.H'H. paper bullets u)ere at one time manufac- modified to function with low-powered tured and issued to troops by U, S. Ord- ammunition. BARREL SHORTENING nance? Whal wrts lhe Purpose oÍ tltis The bullet was made of 50% Bakelite round?-C.D.L. and 50Vo lead powdel pressed into bullet have .30:06 militarY barrel with I a are no dot¡bt referring to form. Its weight is approximately 108 grs. unsightly sigltt mountíng cttts ot llle Answer: You rather blank caltridge Powdel charge is ll.3 grs. DuPont S. R. To improve ils appearance I the tinned-case Model 1906 muzzle end. paper 4759, or equivalent, giving muzzle veloc- shortett ít approximately which was loaded with a hollow would like to E.C. ity of about 1360 f.p.s. at maximum Witl this shortening operatíon afrect bullet containing a 6-9r. charge of I%", propelling in breech pressure of only ó000 p.s.i. potential ûccuracy the barrelT-H.C'B. blank powder. The charge ol Due to the bullet construction and the Answer: .30-'06 barrel can be Your .{a-fø low velocity and pressure, there would be loss what- shortened lVz" with no accuracy little mechanical is to cut it ol no damage or erosion soever. The only requirement to lifle boles from fir'ing.-B,R,L. off absolutely square and then properly crown the muzzle to eliminate burrs. the cartridge was 10 grs. of the sâme Where one lacks proper tools and experi- powder. The powder charge in the btrllet AP BULLtsTS a competent gunsmith should handle insured its breaking up after leaving the ence, armor- this work.-H.E.M. muzzle and of course added to the noise I would like to use some cal' .30 of discharge. The waxed paper bullet piercing bullets lor lurgel shootittg, but thot tltey u,ill u'ear out ,03 insured proper functioning of the cal'- hctve been warned BARREI ON MAUSER tridges through the rifle magazine. Prac- my rifle barrcl vcry fasl. Is this cortect? I am inte¡estcd in þttting a S¡xingfrcld tically the same cartridge is loaded today -L.E.N. 1903 rifle batel on a nev FN actiott. Catt by DuPont and is available under both Answer: The fear has been often ex- this be done? \I/h¿t i.s the difføence in Peters and Remington þ¡¿¡d ¡n¡¡s5.- pressed that armor-piercing btrllets may Springfr.eld barels designated by tyþe ds .M.D.W. be hald on barrels. It is found, however, 1903, 1903A1, 1903A2, and 190343?* that rifle balrels shoot accttrately far long- Wrr-r-rs S. S;rrrllr, C)ak Riclgc, 'I'enn. BOATTAIL BULLETS er with such bullets than with regulation Answer by L. R. Wollock: Ycs, aly 30''06 ball bullets of conventional constt'tlction' evidettce there ott Sprineficld barrcl can bc instaìlcd on a What conclttsive is There are some test results indicating I¡ttllet?-- lViarrsõr actior. u'hcthcr FN or.nrilitary. 'I'lrc the advortlogc of the boattail that armor-piercing bullets do catlse a w.T.c. than iob is onc for a grrnsmith sitrcc tllc barrcl more rapid velocity loss in bal'r'els must bc cttt ofr )/+ irrclr at thc brccclr crrd' ,A.nswer: Becat¡se the tapered Lear end is the case with bâll btrllets. This criterion after u,hich it can be threadccl and 6ttcd of the boattail bullet allows air to flow of barrel wear is of little interest to rifle to the l\¡Ianscr actiorr. It must thcn bc rc- in around the base of the btrllet more shooters. What they wish to know is how

19 long their rifle barrels will keep their far. Notv, hotvever, sevcral ol nty carlridge posite to that in hardening steet. How- grouping ability on the target. The armor- cases have q crock líke thc one in the ever, the cost of a new die is hardly piercing bullet is excellent in prolonging fircd ca,re ilhstrcted. Is lhis a sign of poor justified for this purpose even if yon cotrld barrel accuracy. brass, or lhc rasull ol some incorrect slep be sure of getting a correct replacement. This fact was noticed at the Frankford ín reloadíng?-F.N.5. Neck annealing is seldom worth the bother. Arsenal during routine test firing begin- Answer: In most cases this failure (see even, where equipment is available. ning about 1945. The .30-'06 heavy test arrow in cut) is simply a sign the case is While case life varies with brass quality barrels used normally improve in group- at last worn out. It is caused by the re- and sizing die dimensions, in .30-'06 it ing for a few thousand rounds of firing peated stretching and squeezing of the probably averages at least 20 firings. After with IMR powders, after which the ac- brass at that point, as the case is fired and that many, you may fairly conclude that curacy gradually levels off and then begins resized. It is not dangerous, since the body the case owes you nothing more. Cartridge to decline. In barrels fired with the 168-9r. behind it seals the chamber against any case cost is therefore very small. steel-cored A? Bullet M2, this improve- gas escape to the rear. ment and leveling-off period lasted several Such a crack is at times mistaken for thousand rounds longer than in similar a 'seâson crack', which used to appear barrels fired with the 152-gr. Ball Bullet after long storage of old .30-'06 military M2, a flat-base bullet of conventional ammunition made with a hard case neck lead-core construction. The number of to ease opcration of the Springfield rifle barrels used and rounds fired removed bolt. A season cl'ack (now comparatively any possibls doubt as to the AP bullet's rare) is a fine even crack the full length great superiority in this respect. of the neck, and does not look like this Later the 172-gr. bullet of the M72 kind of crack at all. match cartridge, a boattail bullet with This failure can, if necessary, be post- hard lead core and stifï jacket similar to poned by 2 special measures. The first is the former Ml bullet, was found to give to rnake sure your case sizing die does Examine your cases before each load- about the same long accuracy life to not reduce the neck excessively, as many ing, which should be done in any event, barrels as the AP bullet.-B.R.L. do. The second is to keep the neck soft and discard all defectives. When the re- by annealing it after each few reloadings, mainder finally become too few to reload which is done NECK CRACKS by heating to a low red as a lot, throw them away-their life is only the neck (not the case body, rvhich about at an end, and they sho¡rld not be I have been reloading for my ,30:06 for strength must be left as it is) and mixed with nerver cases of different char- about a year, wíth excellent success so quenching in water, the effect being op- acteristics.-E.H,H. NRA Handbooks ABOUT THIS REPRINT A NRA Illustrated Shooters Guide, $2 to NR/ lllastrated, rl nal[î'iilJ rhc Members, to Non-Members of $3 N of Anrer- FIREARMS ASSEMBTY ica, 1600 Rhocle Island Ave., N, W., HANDBOOK Washington 6, D. C. Material of interest to shooteïs, A tahøble relerence oø fireanns NRA Gun Collectors Handbook, huntcrs anrl gun collectors appears $1.50 to Members, $2.50 to Non- This ourstanding reference work con- in every issuc of THE RlFLEiviAN. Members tains articles on 77 firearms-rifles, More than 725,000 NRA members profit fronr thc publications, services handguns, and . Each arricle il- and progranrs of thc NRA. lust¡ates a gun, pictures all irs parts in thei¡ relation ro one anorher, tells how ABOUT THE NRA Illustrated & Indexed Ques- tions & Answers Handbook, $1.50 to take it down, illusrrares steps in the NATIONA.L RIFLE to Members, $2.50 to Non-Mem- takedown in detailed drawings, and bers ASSOCIATION gives some hisorical information about the arm. No other book is comparable The National Rifle Association is a in scope and rrearmenr of rhe subject. nonprofit organization (founded in 1871) supported 160 pages. by the membership fees of public-spirited citizens. Its pur- NRA Illustrated Hunters Handbook, Postpaid from NRA ÌIeadquartefs poses are to educate and train citizens of good repute in the safe and efficient $2 to Members, $3 to Non-Mem- NRA membe¡s, $2.i0 bers handling of firearms; to foster a Non-members, $3.50 knowledge of small arms and the abil- ity to use them among members of law enforcement agencies and the OTHER REPRINTS AVAILABTE armed services, and all other citizens who wot¡ld be subject to service in the Getting sta¡ted in Gun collecting, 20y' Remodeling the o3A3 Springfierd, 501 event of war; to promote social wel- Powder fare and public Fires, 25y' Remodeling the .303 Lee-Enfield, 50d safety, law and order, and the national defense. Member- The Ml Rifle, 50( Sighting-tn the Hunting Rifle, 50d ship in the NRA is available any The .45 Äutomatic, 501 to reputable citizen of the United States upon nomination Avoiloble from the by a currenr mem- Nofionol Rifle Assocíotìon of Americo ber. Membership dues are $5 a year, ló00 Rhode lslond Ave., N.W., Woshington ó, D. C. $9 for two yeârs, $12.50 for three years. Life Mernbership is $100.

20