Travis Bickle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Upper Lower Middle Alberta
I picked up a SA 1903 MK1 in a trade a ways back.
She is a late MK1 receiver. Almost at the end of the line of the last ones built.
She was rebarreled with a '42 barrel which is in mint condition!
Almost all parts were swapped or replaced/refurbished and the stock was a total write off so I sold it to fund the parts I needed.
The rear ladder sights were basically finished, the windage knob was stripped, the aperture was bent and the notches dinged and damaged as well as the slide being bent to boot and the graduations in the ladder not even legible as they were so faded.
I set out picking up new parts through CGN and a new scant stock, much thanks to Claven. He guided me through a lot of probably annoying questions along the way to tightening everything up on her. I had to hit up Numrich for some of the harder to acquire ones and took it up the ass for the shipping but the end result is awesome!
I finally got her out today to zero her with the new sight parts.
Ammunition used: Average quality Federal 150 gr Soft Tips.
Very little wind, beautiful day all around.
All shots were fired at 100 meters from the prone using an old sand bag as a rest.
Here you can see the target stand in the distance off to the right of the muzzle.
Loaded and ready to rock!
You have to roll with an HTSC (Highly Tactical Shooting Comforter) in your pickup at all times!
The target was the back of an old Fig.11 which I had spray painted a black circle about 4 inches across to aim at.
The first three shots hit the dirt in front of the stand lol So there were some debris holes in the paper when I adjusted the sights and fired the next 3 shot group.
I used the peep hole in the aperture and ended up having to level it between the 100 yard and 200 yard lines to put my POI to my POA at 100 meters with this rifle and this ammunition.
3 shot group after the first dirt shots:
This is probably the best group I got out the rifle today, I wasn't shooting my best but still I was very impressed with the accuracy:
I fired my last 6 shots into one group holding at 6 oclock position under another black spray painted circle, I keyholed one of the shots as seen in the top right of the group
All in all I am very impressed with the rifle. I still need to do some minor fitting with the new stock I think. I would actually like to get it bedded as well to improve on the accuracy even more.
It was a great learning experience and I have a lot more respect for the venerable .30-06 cartridge and the 1903 rifle design (Mauser copyright infringement more apt I think).
My first impression of the rear ladder sights was skepticism to be honest. They looked archaic. I was very surprised at the high functionality of them as well as the pinpoint precision which could be attained using the peep hole.
My only gripe with the 1903 is the battle sight! Holy #### is it hard to pick up the tip of the front blade with the rear ladder sights down. Considered the "battle sight" it was leveled for about 540 yards.
I shot a group at the center of mass of the Fig.11 and the group was so atrocious it didn't even warrant a photo! lol They really should have opened up the notch in the rear sight slide a little more.
I plan to get into reloading for the .30-06 and am hoarding all the brass I can currently.
I would really like to see what this beauty can do with some precision copycat loads of the US .30 Cal M1 Cartridge designed for the 1903.
It's far too expensive of a round and far too fun to shoot to be able to afford the habit buying commercial rounds lol.
And now for those who stuck around long enough some more gun ####
Next to my 2007 Norinco M14 with M1A rear sight and Boyds M1A Walnut stock.
She is a late MK1 receiver. Almost at the end of the line of the last ones built.
She was rebarreled with a '42 barrel which is in mint condition!
Almost all parts were swapped or replaced/refurbished and the stock was a total write off so I sold it to fund the parts I needed.
The rear ladder sights were basically finished, the windage knob was stripped, the aperture was bent and the notches dinged and damaged as well as the slide being bent to boot and the graduations in the ladder not even legible as they were so faded.
I set out picking up new parts through CGN and a new scant stock, much thanks to Claven. He guided me through a lot of probably annoying questions along the way to tightening everything up on her. I had to hit up Numrich for some of the harder to acquire ones and took it up the ass for the shipping but the end result is awesome!
I finally got her out today to zero her with the new sight parts.
Ammunition used: Average quality Federal 150 gr Soft Tips.
Very little wind, beautiful day all around.
All shots were fired at 100 meters from the prone using an old sand bag as a rest.
Here you can see the target stand in the distance off to the right of the muzzle.
Loaded and ready to rock!
You have to roll with an HTSC (Highly Tactical Shooting Comforter) in your pickup at all times!
The target was the back of an old Fig.11 which I had spray painted a black circle about 4 inches across to aim at.
The first three shots hit the dirt in front of the stand lol So there were some debris holes in the paper when I adjusted the sights and fired the next 3 shot group.
I used the peep hole in the aperture and ended up having to level it between the 100 yard and 200 yard lines to put my POI to my POA at 100 meters with this rifle and this ammunition.
3 shot group after the first dirt shots:
This is probably the best group I got out the rifle today, I wasn't shooting my best but still I was very impressed with the accuracy:
I fired my last 6 shots into one group holding at 6 oclock position under another black spray painted circle, I keyholed one of the shots as seen in the top right of the group
All in all I am very impressed with the rifle. I still need to do some minor fitting with the new stock I think. I would actually like to get it bedded as well to improve on the accuracy even more.
It was a great learning experience and I have a lot more respect for the venerable .30-06 cartridge and the 1903 rifle design (Mauser copyright infringement more apt I think
).My first impression of the rear ladder sights was skepticism to be honest. They looked archaic. I was very surprised at the high functionality of them as well as the pinpoint precision which could be attained using the peep hole.
My only gripe with the 1903 is the battle sight! Holy #### is it hard to pick up the tip of the front blade with the rear ladder sights down. Considered the "battle sight" it was leveled for about 540 yards.
I shot a group at the center of mass of the Fig.11 and the group was so atrocious it didn't even warrant a photo! lol They really should have opened up the notch in the rear sight slide a little more.
I plan to get into reloading for the .30-06 and am hoarding all the brass I can currently.
I would really like to see what this beauty can do with some precision copycat loads of the US .30 Cal M1 Cartridge designed for the 1903.
It's far too expensive of a round and far too fun to shoot to be able to afford the habit buying commercial rounds lol.
And now for those who stuck around long enough some more gun ####
Next to my 2007 Norinco M14 with M1A rear sight and Boyds M1A Walnut stock.
