Rem '03 barrel won't chamber 30.06 shell
I just acquired a project gun that has Remington '03 barrel mated to a Jap 99 receiver that came from the estate of a gunsmith. I cannot find any information that the '03 was ever chambered for anything except the 30.06. However, when I attempt to chamber a 30.06 shell, it stops about an inch from allowing the bolt to close. I have verifed that the case lip is not contacting anything, neither is the the shoulder. The bolt is not hitting anything since it closes fine without a cartridge. When it stops, it is very sudden and hard, but without any binding. I would expect some binding and gradual stoppage from a dirty or damaged chamber. However, there is none as the case is freely withdrawn by the bolt. It appears that the case is too large for the chamber at the point that it stops. If I put grease on the case, it shows that the chamber is too small for the remainder of the case.
What possible causes are there for the '06 case not chambering in this '03 barrel?
Thanks.
What possible causes are there for the '06 case not chambering in this '03 barrel?
Thanks.
0
-
Barrel "Sleeved" for .308. 
0 -
See if I understand this. A '03 barrel was fitted to a Jap action.??
If this is correct, one explanation is that the threads were cut off the barrel and then threaded to fit the Jap action. Then the chamber was not lengthened back to 30-06. ALso, the previous post of 308 could be correct. To be sure, make a chamber cast or visit a gunsmith.0 -
Another possibility is that a case separated the last time it was fired, leaving part of the case in the chamber. If you or someone else has tried repeatedly to chamber another round, it can make the broken off piece hard to see. I once found just the neck in a .308 cal. Win. model 88. It was really hard to remove because of the construction of the rifle. 0 -
Besides .308 another very popular post war chambering for these Type 99 Arisaka Rifles was .300 Savage as either the .308 or .300 savage will fit the Arasaka's magazine easily. I second BT99's suggestion about taking the rifle to a gun smith and have him determine the actual caliber. I URGE you not to attempt any sort of further experimentation in order to determine the rifles caliber. Getting a "project" gun like this is a crap shoot since there is no way on knowing what the previous owner had in mind unless he is on hand to fill in the information gaps.
"Nothing can ever be made 'idiot proof' because idiots are simply too clever"!
Mark T. Christian0 -
After the end of WWII there was no ammo available for either 7.7 or the 6.5 caliber rifles,therefore a number of these rifles were rebarreled useing various different surplus barrels. The most common surplus barrel was the one for the 1903 Springfield. Many of these barrels had the chamber section cut back so that they could be rechambered to some other cartridge then the .30-06. The most common caliber conversion of the Type 99 rifle was to set the .30-06 barrel back about a 1/2 inch,cut new threads on the outside,fit it to the action and then rechamber the barrel for the 300 Savage cartridge.
You said that you got the rifle from a gunsmith's estate and I wonder if this is not what has happened in this case.0 -
I agree it may be a project in progress . If it has been finish chambered it sounds like a .300 Savage.
Jap rifles reworked to 30-06 have had 1/4" or so ground from the feed ramp and the magazine box extended by the addition of a spot welded sheet metal "U" section to allow for the longer '06 cartridge.
If you take the bolt completely apart,removing ALL parts including the extractor, you can try a .300 Savage round. If the bolt closes with no force and no end play, you have a .300 Savage/ Jap.
In your shoes, I wouldnt have any plans for it other than that caliber.0 -
Thanks for the tips. I have a .300 Sav so I tried to chamber a shell. The bolt stops at the exact same place as the '06. I would assume the .308 would give the same result.
If I understand everyone's comments correctly, there's probably nothing wrong with the barrel or chamber. I assume that if someone could put a sleeve in for the .308, they could have put in a sleeve for a caliber with a slightly smaller case diameter. Being very ignorant about rechambering guns, I thought you could only change a chamber to a larger diameter size and/or longer length.
If all this is accurate, I just need to chamber case the barrel and determine the caliber.
If I am not on track here, I hope one or more of you can steer me straight.
Thanks.0 -
jh-- Could be that the chamber end of the barrel was cut off and re-threaded, the extractor cut made, but the job was never finished and there is an incomplete chamber in the barrel. Take it to a competent gunsmith.
Good luck,
OlaDuk[:)][:)]
"Disperse you Rebels; Damn you,throw down your arms and disperse!"
British Major John Pitcairn, April 19, 1775. He fell at Bunker Hill two months later.0 -
By all means, this is a job for a gunsmith.
"Stand your ground, men; don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here." Capt. John Parker, Lexington Militia, April 19, 17750 -
Jap rifles are safety breeched, meaning the front 1/2" or so of the bolt burys itself into the end of the barrel. The Springfield barrel hasn't this feature, meaning the gunsmith had to bring the barrel back at least 1/2" which will shorten the chamber considerably.
I doubt it was bushed.
You may need a chamber cast to see what you've got.
As I suggested it may have been a job in progress which sounds like a gunsmith with a 300 Sav. reamer can finish the chamber.
There were also some wildcat rounds like the .308x1-1/2" which it might be if it's a finished gun.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
10 comments