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Model 1903 Question and caliber Info request

zmurph
Receiver marked Springfield Armory 1007463, bolt marked NS
Barrel marked RA with date code 8-44, P on underside of barrel.
Stock is Walnut checkered monte carlo style,cheekpiece, with brass buttplate
Lyman type receiver sight (deer running in target stamping on sight)
Missing front sight, looks like it had a globe front sight.
I realize the gun has been built up and is obviously not original.

My problem is chambering a round. There are no markings of any kind distinguishing the caliber. I just assumed it was a 30.06. I have tried 30.06, 308, 270 and the only round that will chamber is a 7x57.
How can this US military barrel be a 7mm mauser? Did Remington sell barrel blanks back in the surplus days?
How can I be sure of the caliber? Any tools or methods of finding the correct caliber without a gunsmith?

I appreciate any help.
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Comments

3 comments

Date Votes
  • 11b6r
    Murph- there is a product called Cerro-Safe- available from gunsmith supply stores (try brownells) You plug barrel, heat Cerro-Safe until it melts, pour into the chamber, let cool, push out with a rod, and you will have a perfect casting of the chamber. Cerro-safe melts at a fairly low temp, will not hurt your rifle. You will then need a micrometer to measure the casting, and compare to dimensions of known cartridges. Most smiths will do this fairly cehaply, if you have a micrometer, you can do yourself.
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  • rufe-snow
    Unless the barrel has been relined, the only cartridge that comes to mind is the .300 Savage. It was quite a popular cartridge after war, until the .308 came out in 54. Either that or some wildcat? Only way you will really no, is to go the chamber cast route.
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  • nononsense
    zmurph,

    Welcome to the Gunbroker Forums!

    The first thing I'd like to know is if you are feeding from the magazine or are you just pushing the cartridge into the chamber and then trying to close the bolt?

    This rifle uses a claw extractor and the cartridges need to be fed from the magazine. You may be trying to close the bolt on the cartridge and the claw extractor is preventing this.

    If you are feeding from the magazine and the rim of the cartridge is fitting under the extractor and against the bolt face then I suggest that you cast the chamber and measure the cast.

    Best.
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