Springfield 1903 Safe Serial Number Ammo options

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saucerful69

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I picked up a Springfield 1903 a little while ago.

Really itching to shoot the rifle but wanting some advice on ammunition to use in it.

It is a "safe" serial number.

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience!

Thanks!
 
Any standard .30-06 ammunition should be fine in a high number Springfield, assuming the rifle is sound and in good condition.
 
You’ll get best results at the loading bench but the 150gr Remington express or Federal blue box both worked ok for me. Not National match groups by any means but if you don’t reload it gives you something to try.
 
saucerful69 said:
I picked up a Springfield 1903 a little while ago.

Really itching to shoot the rifle but wanting some advice on ammunition to use in it.

It is a "safe" serial number.

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

What is the s/n? Any made by Springfield Armory above s/n 800,000 are termed "high numbers" made of double heat treated carbon steel, and later nickle steel, and are deemed "safe", assuming the condition is otherwise serviceable. There is a 100 year debate on the safety of receivers below s/n 800,000. Some shoot them, some don't. A similar issue applies to receivers made by Rock Island Arsenal due to changes in heat treatment over the period of manufacture.
 
The M1903 is the home of the .30-06. Any commercially loaded ammo is safe to shoot, assuming the rifle is serviceable and bearing in mind the caveat on shooting high vs low number receivers. Consult a reloading manual for reloading data. I've developed MOA handloads for a M1903 sporter with 150, 165 and 180 grain bullets.
 
According to Ackley, Springfields below 800,000 are low carbon steel, case hardened. From 800,000 to 1,275,767 were double heat treated, and over 1,275,767 were nickel steel.

From Rock Island Arsenal over 285,507 were nickel steel.
 
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