[prairie state pete]

i have a 30-03 that was made in the mid 1930s by the serial number, was checked for head space and blessed by a gunsmith. can it handle modern 180gr ammo? is there an optimum load for these guns? come to think of it, what was the govt issue ammo for these rifles?

thanks

 

[mwt]

This is a commercial rifle? Pretty sure no military 30-03 s made in the 30's. This was the original chambering of the US Springfield 1903 - it was a round nose bullet. Chambering was altered within a few years- 1906 ish to a spritzer bullet 30-06. Most 30-03 rifles were converted to the newer round.

If you have a Springfield 1903 - is highly likely chambered in 30-06.

 

[prairie state pete]

I'll bet I called it wrong. It says Springfield armory model 1903 and has a serial number north of 1and a half million. Years ago I reme.Ber shooting 150gr. I don't know much about store bought ammo in this gun other than those dozen or so 150s.

This is a commercial rifle? Pretty sure no military 30-03 s made in the 30's. This was the original chambering of the US Springfield 1903 - it was a round nose bullet. Chambering was altered within a few years- 1906 ish to a spritzer bullet 30-06. Most 30-03 rifles were converted to the newer round.

If you have a Springfield 1903 - is highly likely chambered in 30-06.

 

[Tuna]

Your 1903 can handle 180 gr. 30-06 with no problems at all. In fact it might really like them for accuracy.