Winchester 1895 in 30-03 Rechambered?

dbuffington · February 27, 2011, 07:56 PM

Hi Folks!

I have Winchester 1895 (serial 66800, made in 1912) with "30 U.S.MOD. 1903" stamped on the barrel.

Presumably, it was originally chambered in 30-03 Springfield, and there's no obvious indication that it has been rechambered in 30-06.

How can I check to see what it is chambered for?

Thanks!
Dave

Jim Watson · February 27, 2011, 08:02 PM

It is very much likely that it is still chambered for .30-03.
You cannot "rechamber" a .30-03 to .30-06 unless you set the barrel back a turn like the Army did on 1903 Springfields. Unlikely to have been done on an 1895 considering you could just load it with .30-06 if that was all you had.

If you just must know, the only route is a chamber cast.

dbuffington · February 27, 2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

It is very much likely that it is still chambered for .30-03.
You cannot "rechamber" a .30-03 to .30-06 unless you set the barrel back a turn like the Army did on 1903 Springfields. Unlikely to have been done on an 1895 considering you could just load it with .30-06 if that was all you had.

That makes perfect sense.

Quote:

If you just must know, the only route is a chamber cast.

I've never done that, but I've been itching to try. Stay tuned

**Mike Irwin** · February 28, 2011, 09:36 AM

A lot of people over the years have reported rather poor accuracy using .30-06 in Winchester 95s chambered in .30-03.

As far as I know, .30-03 brass isn't available, and hasn't been for a long time.

But there is an easy solution...

Necking up .270 Winchester brass.

The .270 Winchester case is the exact same length as the .30-03 cartridge, and in fact it appears that the .30-03 was the base case used in developing the .270.

dbuffington · February 28, 2011, 10:08 AM

Ah, 270 brass! Now, do you have any idea where I could find 30-03 dies? Thanks!

**Mike Irwin** · February 28, 2011, 10:19 AM

Uhm...

Mr. Buffington...

You asked this very question, apparently about this very gun, back in 2006.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225782

In fact, Redding even told you that there was no need for .30-03 dies...

Getting forgetful in your old age?

dbuffington · February 28, 2011, 10:38 AM

Uh, we're having a good laugh in the office about that right now

The kids here -- at a weekly newspaper in central Pennsylvania -- always joke about my "goldfish memory" and this isn't helping me at all.

The only saving grace is that this has nothing to do with old age. I've always been this way

Thanks for your patience!
Dave

**Mike Irwin** · February 28, 2011, 10:44 AM

Where at in Central Pennsylvania?

I grew up in Marysville and went to school in Carlisle before moving to Virginia.

dbuffington · February 28, 2011, 10:47 AM

Cool! We're in Hummelstown... www.thesunontheweb.com

**Mike Irwin** · February 28, 2011, 10:49 AM

Yep, I know Hummelstown. Haven't been there in years, though.

What's the gunshop situation like there these days?

dbuffington · February 28, 2011, 11:30 AM

There are no gunshops in Hummelstown, but plenty in the area. Of course, there are the chains (e.g., Bass Pro, Gander Mtn) and there are relatively large local shops (e.g., Kinseys and Trop). Plus, there are a pile of small speciality shops, my favorite being Lanco Tactical in Elizabethtown.

Even better, there are a LOT of great ranges. I go to Hummelstown Shooting Association, Middletown Field & Stream and Palmyra Sportsman's.

jericho27 · March 12, 2011, 04:29 PM

buffalo arms in idaho carries new formed brass from cylindrical 35 Whelen cases and carries both CH4D reloading dies and new loaded ammo for the 30-03

dbuffington · March 12, 2011, 07:32 PM

Cool! Thanks!
Dave

February 27, 2011, 07:56 PM	#1
dbuffington Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Posts: 157	Winchester 1895 in 30-03 Rechambered? Hi Folks! I have Winchester 1895 (serial 66800, made in 1912) with "30 U.S.MOD. 1903" stamped on the barrel. Presumably, it was originally chambered in 30-03 Springfield, and there's no obvious indication that it has been rechambered in 30-06. How can I check to see what it is chambered for? Thanks! Dave

February 28, 2011, 09:36 AM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	A lot of people over the years have reported rather poor accuracy using .30-06 in Winchester 95s chambered in .30-03. As far as I know, .30-03 brass isn't available, and hasn't been for a long time. But there is an easy solution... Necking up .270 Winchester brass. The .270 Winchester case is the exact same length as the .30-03 cartridge, and in fact it appears that the .30-03 was the base case used in developing the .270. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 28, 2011, 10:19 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	Uhm... Mr. Buffington... You asked this very question, apparently about this very gun, back in 2006. http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225782 In fact, Redding even told you that there was no need for .30-03 dies... Getting forgetful in your old age? __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 28, 2011, 10:44 AM	#8
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	Where at in Central Pennsylvania? I grew up in Marysville and went to school in Carlisle before moving to Virginia. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 28, 2011, 10:49 AM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	Yep, I know Hummelstown. Haven't been there in years, though. What's the gunshop situation like there these days? __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 27, 2011, 08:02 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,537	It is very much likely that it is still chambered for .30-03. You cannot "rechamber" a .30-03 to .30-06 unless you set the barrel back a turn like the Army did on 1903 Springfields. Unlikely to have been done on an 1895 considering you could just load it with .30-06 if that was all you had. If you just must know, the only route is a chamber cast.

February 28, 2011, 10:08 AM	#5
dbuffington Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Posts: 157	Ah, 270 brass! Now, do you have any idea where I could find 30-03 dies? Thanks!

February 28, 2011, 10:38 AM	#7
dbuffington Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Posts: 157	Uh, we're having a good laugh in the office about that right now The kids here -- at a weekly newspaper in central Pennsylvania -- always joke about my "goldfish memory" and this isn't helping me at all. The only saving grace is that this has nothing to do with old age. I've always been this way Thanks for your patience! Dave

February 28, 2011, 10:47 AM	#9
dbuffington Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Posts: 157	Cool! We're in Hummelstown... www.thesunontheweb.com

February 28, 2011, 11:30 AM	#11
dbuffington Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Posts: 157	There are no gunshops in Hummelstown, but plenty in the area. Of course, there are the chains (e.g., Bass Pro, Gander Mtn) and there are relatively large local shops (e.g., Kinseys and Trop). Plus, there are a pile of small speciality shops, my favorite being Lanco Tactical in Elizabethtown. Even better, there are a LOT of great ranges. I go to Hummelstown Shooting Association, Middletown Field & Stream and Palmyra Sportsman's.

March 12, 2011, 04:29 PM	#12
jericho27 Junior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Posts: 1	buffalo arms in idaho carries new formed brass from cylindrical 35 Whelen cases and carries both CH4D reloading dies and new loaded ammo for the 30-03

March 12, 2011, 07:32 PM	#13
dbuffington Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Posts: 157	Cool! Thanks! Dave