03A3 Barrels

2.5K Views
Last Post 24 August 2009

Standard Member

CB posted this 13 August 2009

Guys help me out here. One my shooting buds found two 03A3 barrels circa 1944 still wrapped in the paper. These were his deceased brothers barrels, a project never completed. He says they are new never handled and greasy. He's trying to get his grub money out of me for his Colorado hunt by selling me the barrels. I only want one barrel he wants to sell both. Have no idea what they are worth. I want to put a 30 barrel on my Springfield action for 30 cast.

What do you guys feel is a fair price for both barrels. Give me the low bid too if you could. Remember he's a friend and I have already financed his hunting trip this year with my blood money buying from him several guns, brass, bullets, and magazines I have bought from him. I also bought my 311410 mold from him, casts nice now that I added more heat to the pot. Thanks for the heating advice somebody gave me.

Stephen Perry

Angeles BR:fire

Attached Files

14 Comments

Order By: Standard | Newest | Votes

CBA Member

tturner53 posted this 13 August 2009

No eyed deer.

Attached Files

CBA Member

RicinYakima posted this 14 August 2009

Stephen,

HS X-44 four groove, $100 - $175 RA X-44 two groove, $75 - $150 SC X-44 Four groove, $135 - $200

HTH, Ric

Attached Files

Standard Member

CB posted this 14 August 2009

Thanks Ric

As I said earler I have a thousand or so 30 cast from 9 Ideal/Lyman molds cast and ready to load. As of now my my only 30 is a Win Model 70 XTR. Nice gun but I also have a Springfield action HV gun in 6mm Rem. Looking for a 30 cal barrel that I could headspace and screw on. I have all the equipment to switch barrels done the barrel switching thing hundreds of times with my BR guns. Might not be as easy as lubing threads and screwing on but we will see. Thanks again Ric.

Stephen Perry

Angeles BR:fire

Attached Files

CBA Member

Ed Harris posted this 14 August 2009

If you want just a reliable cast bullet banger, go for the 2-groove Remington, these shoot cast great. Try #311299 cast of wheelweights, sized .311 with 26 grs. of 4895 or Varget, 24 grs. of RL-7 or 22 grs. of 4198.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

Attached Files

Standard Member

CB posted this 14 August 2009

Thanks. I don't have 311299 but would 311284 work well too in an 03A3 barrel.

Stephen Perry

Angeles BR:fire

Attached Files

CBA Member

RicinYakima posted this 14 August 2009

Stephen,

The 311284 is probably a better choice for an unused WWII barrel of 1944. The throat dimention was lengthen 0.100” in 1942, so the '284 seems to have a better fit in the throat. However, those two wide lands do allow the bore riding nose of the '299 a lot of support for centering.

Ric p.s. Doc Nelson beat me at the Nationals this year with the '299 while I shot the '284, both in 03A3's. However, he is a better shooter than I am.

Attached Files

CBA Board

Wally Enga posted this 14 August 2009

RicinYakima wrote: Ric p.s. Doc Nelson beat me at the Nationals this year with the '299 while I shot the '284, both in 03A3's. However, he is a better shooter than I am.

I don't think I would quite use the term “beat” in this case --- more accurate to say squeaked by. This years Issue Class Natl Champion match was determined by both the 5 Shot and 10 Shot Grand Aggs that were only a few thousandths difference separating them. It could not have been closer.

Wally

Attached Files

Standard Member

CB posted this 14 August 2009

Guys

I talked to my bud with the 03A3 barrels today. He still won't give me a price. We always seem to go through this game when he has something he wants to sell. I want to give him $100 for both barrels but I haven't told him that. My only concern here is checking the headspace. I figure if it is within .005 hope it's short and not long that I can make this up in fireforming what do you guys think of that. One of my smiths has the gauge to it right I'll to find out who.

Stephen Perry

Angeles BR:fire

Attached Files

CBA Member

JetMech posted this 15 August 2009

If they are NOS, they'll have to be finish reamed anyway.

Attached Files

Standard Member

CB posted this 15 August 2009

That's Cool Dollar

Definately hundred dollar both barrels then. One of my shooting buds has to have a 30-06 finish reamer. Only problem Dollar most barrels are cut with 1 reamer with the finish reamer being a second reamer but the need for headspacing would be a reason to run a reamer in the chamber again. I have a Logan, be a good project for me.

Stephen Perry

Angeles BR:fire

Attached Files

Standard Member

72coupe posted this 15 August 2009

The barrel for my 03A3 came from SARCO and it cost $40.00. It was a good Remington 42. The bore dimensions are correct 308/300.

It does have the some tight spots and loose spots with a tight patch though.

It was short chambered.

Attached Files

Standard Member

cityboy posted this 15 August 2009

I have two 2-groove 03 barrels. One headspaced OK, and the other was short chambered. I took it to a local 'smith to run a finishing reamer into it. I paid $90 for it at a gunshow and was brand new.

Attached Files

Standard Member

CB posted this 16 August 2009

Thanks guys

You guys have filled in allot of gaps in my knowledge on 03A3 barrels. If I get the 2 barrels I'll let you guys know if I get them on my Springfield action.

Stephen Perry

Angeles BR:fire