I am in the process of restoring a 1903a3 Rifle that was previously sporterised. What is the difference in accuracy if any, between a 4 grove and a 2 grove barrel? Is there any at all? Should I just go with the two groove barrel since it's cheaper to find NOS? Any input is appreciated, thanks!
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Re: 4 grove vs 2 grove barrel for 1903a3 Springfield rifle?
2Two groove NOS.
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Re: 4 grove vs 2 grove barrel for 1903a3 Springfield rifle?
3I don't have any first-hand info, but that sent me to my reference library...
I found this, referring to WWII Remington '03 production -
From Phillip Sharpe's "The Rifle In America " (3rd. Ed., 1953, p. 550):
"...experiments were conducted with unusually wide 2-groove barrels. These barrels were approved by Ordnance as optional, and more than 100,000 were manufactured and placed into service. It was found that accuracy and useful life of the 2-groove barrels compared favorably with the conventional 4-groove types."
I found this, referring to WWII Remington '03 production -
From Phillip Sharpe's "The Rifle In America " (3rd. Ed., 1953, p. 550):
"...experiments were conducted with unusually wide 2-groove barrels. These barrels were approved by Ordnance as optional, and more than 100,000 were manufactured and placed into service. It was found that accuracy and useful life of the 2-groove barrels compared favorably with the conventional 4-groove types."
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Re: 4 grove vs 2 grove barrel for 1903a3 Springfield rifle?
4a 1903 springfield aficionado I know replaced a 2 groove barrel with a 4 groove barrel.. and found the 2-groove more accurate.
If you are going for a period accurate barrel, you could look up the serial number of the receiver and relate the production date of the barrel to it.
My seat of the pants guess is along the lines of: "In 1942, armorers put whatever new barrel was at hand on any given receiver as long as it killed the enemy."
I would say go for the 2 groove if you can get it NOS.
fwiw
If you are going for a period accurate barrel, you could look up the serial number of the receiver and relate the production date of the barrel to it.
My seat of the pants guess is along the lines of: "In 1942, armorers put whatever new barrel was at hand on any given receiver as long as it killed the enemy."
I would say go for the 2 groove if you can get it NOS.
fwiw
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Re: 4 grove vs 2 grove barrel for 1903a3 Springfield rifle?
5I did an article back in 1966 comparing 2 Springfields with 2 groove barrels and 2 with 4. There was no measurable difference.
Re: 4 grove vs 2 grove barrel for 1903a3 Springfield rifle?
6I now have a 1903A3 NO im working on. Any place you recommend for parts? I'm looking for a stock and trigger for right now, would prefer aftermarket/performance to factory og.
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