Bubba Really Got To This 03

Augie · Aug 7, 2014

and in a good way.
I have had my eye out for a custom 03 sporting rifle for some time, most are poorly done and beat to hell. Spied a Gunbroker auction from Pasedena Gun and Pawn that looked to be exactly what I was looking for.
Drove down today to take a look and ended up buying it. Supposed to have been built in the 80's and really is top notch quality wise. Beautiful walnut with perfect sharp checkering, perfect bluing, upgraded safety and Timney trigger.
1980's McGowen barrel in 35 Whelen Improved, should be a real thumper. Will have to get dies and fire form the cases.
Receiver dates to 1918 and is a high number so good to go.Fits in well with my original 03 and 03a3 and is a very nice example of what could be done with a military surplus action.

BradMacc82 · Aug 7, 2014

Definitely some of Bubba's better work there.

Abulg1972 · Aug 7, 2014

It could be way worse. At least it's kind of tasteful, and fine craftsmanship.

llkoolkeg · Aug 7, 2014

BradMacc82 said:
Definitely some of Bubba's better work there.

True that; where are the vice-grip marks, dremel mods and duct-tape gore?

He seems to have upped his game since coming out with his new blade.

Alphabrew · Aug 7, 2014

Nice!

tkd4life · Aug 7, 2014

I've got to meet this guy Bubba. This rifle looks great. One of the best sporter jobs I've seen. As soon as you get the loading going let's see how she shoots.

trickg · Aug 7, 2014

Holy guacamole! That rifle is a beaut!

Thinking back on a couple of 03 sporters my Dad had, (his were pretty basic - still had the original barrel and front sight) and thinking about how accurate people always claimed them to be, I wondered why there weren't more sporter rifle builds, and even tactical rifle builds on the action. I looked it up, but the general consensus was that these days, there are better platforms to use.

Whatever. I don't care what anyone says, that's a rifle to be coveted right there! (Is there a commandment about "thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's hunting rifle"?)

BossmanPJ · Aug 7, 2014

Very nice. At least it was done tastefully and not the way most are.

Drmsparks · Aug 7, 2014

That's absolutely beautiful amazing checkering. I would have bought that in a heartbeat. I've started collecting smith corona sporters myself. The age of the (well done) sporter is part of the history of these arms as well.

BlackBart · Aug 7, 2014

Abulg1972 said:
It could be way worse. At least it's kind of tasteful, and fine craftsmanship.

"Kind of"

its beautiful. Class A looking job, VERY tastefully done.

Machodoc · Aug 7, 2014

Genuine craftsmanship can be appreciated in many forms ... some of them where you wouldn't expect it. At that level, it's artwork. I was prepared for something like this ...

iH8DemLibz · Aug 7, 2014

Bubba dun did good on at in.

Jradack · Aug 7, 2014

That rifle can't fall under the bubba category. It looks beautifully done and with good taste.

BlackBart · Aug 7, 2014

Machodoc said:
Genuine craftsmanship can be appreciated in many forms ... some of them where you wouldn't expect it. At that level, it's artwork. I was prepared for something like this ...

You will be hearing from my lawyer!

28Shooter · Aug 7, 2014

Nice one Augie - Congratulations!

Abulg1972 · Aug 7, 2014

Augie said:
and in a good way.

I have had my eye out for a custom 03 sporting rifle for some time, most are poorly done and beat to hell. Spied a Gunbroker auction from Pasedena Gun and Pawn that looked to be exactly what I was looking for.

Drove down today to take a look and ended up buying it. Supposed to have been built in the 80's and really is top notch quality wise. Beautiful walnut with perfect sharp checkering, perfect bluing, upgraded safety and Timney trigger.

1980's McGowen barrel in 35 Whelen Improved, should be a real thumper. Will have to get dies and fire form the cases.

Receiver dates to 1918 and is a high number so good to go.Fits in well with my original 03 and 03a3 and is a very nice example of what could be done with a military surplus action.

I have a very similar Redfield scope (3-9x40 widefield accu-trac lo-pro) that is from the late 70s or early 80s). I used it on my .280 rem until I replaced it with a new Leopold and moved it to my son's Tikka .243. I've killed several pigs using that scope and find it to have excellent optics. The only reason I swapped it out is that I wanted something with a little more magnification. They are great scopes.

Augie · Aug 8, 2014

Drmsparks said:
That's absolutely beautiful amazing checkering. I would have bought that in a heartbeat. I've started collecting smith corona sporters myself. The age of the (well done) sporter is part of the history of these arms as well.

Yup, the golden age of the 03, Krag and 1917 sporters was between the wars, some pretty incredible rifles were built by master smiths. A collector and author, Michael Petrov, who unfortunately recently passed, has 2 books out, Custom Gunmakers Of The 20th Century Volume 1 and 2. Incredible rifles that are highly collectable in their own right, I always have my eye out for one but so far no luck finding one I can afford.
I think the stock on my rifle started out as a rough Richards Micro Fit stock that was expertly finished by the woodsmith. Finishing and checkering do not come cheap,probably 400.00 in checkering and another 400.00 in finishing, paid 700.00 for the whole rifle so it looks like a real good deal.
A negative for a lot of shooters would be the caliber, 35 Whelen Improved,basically a Wildcat of a Wildcat,dates from the 20's and 30's,luckily standard 35 Whelen can be fired in the rifle and will fireform the case to the Improved.

Augie · Aug 8, 2014

Abulg1972 said:
I have a very similar Redfield scope (3-9x40 widefield accu-trac lo-pro) that is from the late 70s or early 80s). I used it on my .280 rem until I replaced it with a new Leopold and moved it to my son's Tikka .243. I've killed several pigs using that scope and find it to have excellent optics. The only reason I swapped it out is that I wanted something with a little more magnification. They are great scopes.

The scope is super clear and as brand new, seems to be very well made.

trickg · Aug 8, 2014

I wouldn't consider the caliber to be a detractor. Maybe to some, but I'm a hand loader, and since the case is a necked-up 30-06, getting usable brass would be pretty easy. To me, I see the 35 Whelen Improved to be a major plus - a great cartridge for just about anything on the North American continent. Maybe not for grizzly, but then, I'm not sure I'm planning a grizzly hunt any time soon.

Do you suppose that's the original bolt handle, just polished up, or do you think someone had a new bolt handle put on it?

Augie · Aug 8, 2014

trickg said:
I wouldn't consider the caliber to be a detractor. Maybe to some, but I'm a hand loader, and since the case is a necked-up 30-06, getting usable brass would be pretty easy. To me, I see the 35 Whelen Improved to be a major plus - a great cartridge for just about anything on the North American continent. Maybe not for grizzly, but then, I'm not sure I'm planning a grizzly hunt any time soon.

Do you suppose that's the original bolt handle, just polished up, or do you think someone had a new bolt handle put on it?

Bolt has been heavily worked, I think bolt handle is original,just bent,contoured and polished, safety has been converted to low scope thumb safety. Does not look like any corners were cut building this rifle.

Bubba Really Got To This 03

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