Looking to shoot my 1903 more, particularly since 5.56 ammo "issues" as well as jumping into the world of reloading.  Sort of applies to M1 Garand as well, but mostly looking for options on 1903 first.

First one is no tap scope mounting options.  I've seen some that require removal of the rear sight/leaf thing, but I don't really like those options as I want to use a 4-16 scope that is coming off of my Rem 700.  I've seen maybe a couple of mounts on the receiver, but not quite what I was looking for.  I've shot the 1903 "as-is" and while fun, I would really like to shoot it with a scope.  Maybe considered blasphemy, but that's also why I want a no tap mount (no permanent mod). 

Second is what accuracy have you folks seen out of your 1903?  And Garand as well?  Understand that would depend a lot on the grade of gun/barrel.  My dad got these through CMP.  Not sure what grade he bought, but I think he got the Service grade.  We've shot it a few times and it's fun.  I just think it will be more fun with a scope.   

Maybe considered blasphemy,

Install a red dot on it and post pics.

Today, Dec 3, is the
M1 Garand 20th Anniversary
For Hickok45's rifle anyway 

There are no-gunsmith options for mounting a scout scope on the M1.  The mount replaces the rear hand guard.  These work very well.

Accuracy - these are WWII service guns that typically shoot 2-5 MOA with M2 ball ammo.  They'll often shoot noticeably better with M72 Match or hand loads.  You can match condition an M1, but it takes a lot of work and experience.  Best to do the simple stuff - make sure the action fits tightly into the stock, the op rod is not binding, gas cylinder not loose, rear sight aperture doesn't wobble, etc.  If your eyes are still good, you can replace the sights with NM sights (hooded rear and thinner front blade). 

There are no-gunsmith options for mounting a scout scope on the M1.  The mount replaces the rear hand guard.  These work very well.

Accuracy - these are WWII service guns that typically shoot 2-5 MOA with M2 ball ammo.  They'll often shoot noticeably better with M72 Match or hand loads.  You can match condition an M1, but it takes a lot of work and experience.  Best to do the simple stuff - make sure the action fits tightly into the stock, the op rod is not binding, gas cylinder not loose, rear sight aperture doesn't wobble, etc.  If your eyes are still good, you can replace the sights with NM sights (hooded rear and thinner front blade).

On the scope mount, I was looking at this one:

https://www.brownells.com/optics-mounting/rings-mounts-amp-bases/rifle-bases/03a3-springfield-mount-prod26102.aspx

But then have to "grind the bolt handle". 

I can't find the one that I was looking at that mounts on the receiver ahead of the ejection port, but can't find it right now. 

On the accuracy aspect, was just wondering what others were getting.  I'm personally not expecting a lot.  4-5 MOA would be totally fine.  Would I like better?  Sure, but not expecting that much. 

The Pu'uloa Rifle and Pistol Club will host a Vintage Rifle Match on 12 December. This event is for all M1 Garands, M1903s, M1917s, and even Krag-Jorgensons. This coming match is shot only at 200 yards.

There will be an Excellence in Competition Service Rifle Match afterward. 200, 300, and 600 yards. The CMP has changed the rules for optics on the M1 Garand for Service Rifle Matches

See the attached documents if interested.

The Pu'uloa Rifle and Pistol Club will host a Vintage Rifle Match on 12 December. This event is for all M1 Garands, M1903s, M1917s, and even Krag-Jorgensons. This coming match is shot only at 200 yards.

There will be an Excellence in Competition Service Rifle Match afterward. 200, 300, and 600 yards. The CMP has changed the rules for optics on the M1 Garand for Service Rifle Matches

See the attached documents if interested.

Ahh, that sounds fun.  Thanks! I had wanted to shoot my Rem 700 out at Puuloa on one of the practice days.  I emailed the club a while back to arrange it, but never did it.  Gotta get off my butt and shoot the 1903 more. 

Only 200 yards eh?  Can they setup a target at 50?    (kidding, kidding. . . well, kinda) 

I took my 1903a4 with a 10x scope out to Chuck Taylors sniper class when LIFE had him out here. Using Greek surplus M2 ball ammo, I was a middle-of-the-pack shooter in a field of participants that spent thousands and thousands on their rigs. My father had the rifle drilled and tapped, so I had no guilt about putting a modern scope on it. I managed a couple of sub-MOA groups during the sighting in process for this class!

Back when the steel gongs at Kokohead were a thing, I had no trouble ringing the 440 yard gong with iron sights on my Garand, again using milsup M2 ball ammo.

You do realize that the rifles in question have scope mounts that were designed for them, right?

I took my 1903a4 with a 10x scope out to Chuck Taylors sniper class when LIFE had him out here. Using Greek surplus M2 ball ammo, I was a middle-of-the-pack shooter in a field of participants that spent thousands and thousands on their rigs. My father had the rifle drilled and tapped, so I had no guilt about putting a modern scope on it. I managed a couple of sub-MOA groups during the sighting in process for this class!

Back when the steel gongs at Kokohead were a thing, I had no trouble ringing the 440 yard gong with iron sights on my Garand, again using milsup M2 ball ammo.

You do realize that the rifles in question have scope mounts that were designed for them, right?

Yes.  I've seen many of the scopes and mounts that I will call vintage (or original intent).  That said, I'm looking to mount a modern scope tube.  Basically the same mount methods for Rem 700.  I haven't seen those available without modding the receiver. 

What grades were your 1903 and Garand? 

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Premature send?   

Premature send?   

Nope, not at all. I am using this browser DuckDuckGo. And the security settings I have it set to don’t allow the use of the “Notify” button at the top of the forum because I want to follow this thread. So I just typed something and hit reply so I can follow it.

I used to have a CMP M1 Garand. I sold it to a member here. I hope they are enjoying it? I loved the feel and the accuracy of that rifle. It had a pretty good barrel still. I reloaded for it and loved shooting it. Side note: Varget, 4064 and 4895 work well in the Garand. The problem for me is that I am not much of a semi auto fan. I prefer taking the bolt into my own hands and stroking it lovingly. Seriously though I realized while I loved the rifle I was not shooting it much. So I let someone else who would enjoy it have it. The sights on both the Garand and my 1903A3 are terrific even for my old fudd eyes. My 190A3 has a brand new 1944 barrel. And it is very accurate. I was shooting lead boolits out of it with a reduced load due to the 100 years restrictions but even so I did very well with it. So it was economical to shoot as well. The 1903A3 is aa terrific rifle if you have a decent barrel still. If I was going to try and shoot it beyond 300 yards or so I would consider a scope. My rifle is a mixmaster so the value won’t be hurt if I D&T it. But I don’t think I’ll do that. I have other newer rifles I at my disposal I can use to reach out farther.

What grades were your 1903 and Garand? 

Um, no idea. I think my dad got the a4 from CMP (or the ODCMP at the time) after his service. My other 1903 examples have all been purchased from other shooters or gun stores.

IIRC, I think I ordered a "field" grade for my M1, back when they first rolled out that designation. I was much pleased; what I received was actually "service" grade.

Nope, not at all. I am using this browser DuckDuckGo. And the security settings I have it set to don’t allow the use of the “Notify” button at the top of the forum because I want to follow this thread. So I just typed something and hit reply so I can follow it.

I used to have a CMP M1 Garand. I sold it to a member here. I hope they are enjoying it? I loved the feel and the accuracy of that rifle. It had a pretty good barrel still. I reloaded for it and loved shooting it. Side note: Varget, 4064 and 4895 work well in the Garand. The problem for me is that I am not much of a semi auto fan. I prefer taking the bolt into my own hands and stroking it lovingly. Seriously though I realized while I loved the rifle I was not shooting it much. So I let someone else who would enjoy it have it. The sights on both the Garand and my 1903A3 are terrific even for my old fudd eyes. My 190A3 has a brand new 1944 barrel. And it is very accurate. I was shooting lead boolits out of it with a reduced load due to the 100 years restrictions but even so I did very well with it. So it was economical to shoot as well. The 1903A3 is aa terrific rifle if you have a decent barrel still. If I was going to try and shoot it beyond 300 yards or so I would consider a scope. My rifle is a mixmaster so the value won’t be hurt if I D&T it. But I don’t think I’ll do that. I have other newer rifles I at my disposal I can use to reach out farther.

the purchaser is enjoying it, 'spector
i shot it once, it is accurate, and i suck at rifle
disclaimer, it was at less than 30 yards

Nope, not at all. I am using this browser DuckDuckGo. And the security settings I have it set to don’t allow the use of the “Notify” button at the top of the forum because I want to follow this thread. So I just typed something and hit reply so I can follow it.

I used to have a CMP M1 Garand. I sold it to a member here. I hope they are enjoying it? I loved the feel and the accuracy of that rifle. It had a pretty good barrel still. I reloaded for it and loved shooting it. Side note: Varget, 4064 and 4895 work well in the Garand. The problem for me is that I am not much of a semi auto fan. I prefer taking the bolt into my own hands and stroking it lovingly. Seriously though I realized while I loved the rifle I was not shooting it much. So I let someone else who would enjoy it have it. The sights on both the Garand and my 1903A3 are terrific even for my old fudd eyes. My 190A3 has a brand new 1944 barrel. And it is very accurate. I was shooting lead boolits out of it with a reduced load due to the 100 years restrictions but even so I did very well with it. So it was economical to shoot as well. The 1903A3 is aa terrific rifle if you have a decent barrel still. If I was going to try and shoot it beyond 300 yards or so I would consider a scope. My rifle is a mixmaster so the value won’t be hurt if I D&T it. But I don’t think I’ll do that. I have other newer rifles I at my disposal I can use to reach out farther.

I'll have to look harder at the Garand recipes further down the road, but one I'm definitely looking to do eventually.  I already have Varget and 4064, so good to have options there. 

My buddy has some factory ammo that is intended for M1 Garands.  So I can shoot some of that and chrono the loads and see. 

the purchaser is enjoying it, 'spector
i shot it once, it is accurate, and i suck at rifle
disclaimer, it was at less than 30 yards

I’m glad to hear it. He seemed pretty excited about buying it.

I’m glad to hear it. He seemed pretty excited about buying it.

oh yeah, he still is excited about it

Um, no idea. I think my dad got the a4 from CMP (or the ODCMP at the time) after his service. My other 1903 examples have all been purchased from other shooters or gun stores.

IIRC, I think I ordered a "field" grade for my M1, back when they first rolled out that designation. I was much pleased; what I received was actually "service" grade.

Maybe my dad for the field grade.  The stock looks "rough", showing quite a bit of wear.  I was trying to look up the descriptions, but couldn't find it.  Something about what is original, parts that could have been replaced etc.  I looked up the serial number on my dad's, but I forget what the history that was available said.   

I recall that 1903s are hard to come by on CMP now.  Something about occasionally there's a batch that they "find".  I remember hearing about a batch of ceremonial rifles or something like that.  Cool items of history.