Smith Corona 1903A3

Linker · July 9, 2021, 01:45 PM

Recently acquired a 1944 Smith Corona. Barrel is marked 7-43. Figured to load it like I load for the M1 Garand since I figure that is what was used at the time. Plus the gun is almost 80 years old. Only planning to shoot at the range for now. Eyes have only worsened with age. Anyway any ideas on handloading. I am planning to use Lapua 30 06 brass. Have used it in M1 and it has really made a difference. Also planning to use 168 grain Sierra hpbt bullets. Any suggestions?

mikejonestkd · July 9, 2021, 05:04 PM

I have a 1944 Remington 1903A3, and load it with data that I use for my Garand. Enjoy, its a nifty rifle.

105kw · July 9, 2021, 05:28 PM

The 168 Matchking will work, but the one I had in the 80s seemed to be sighted with 150gr bullets.
I used a bunch of 150 M2 surplus and IMR4895, later 150 FMJBT Hornady, just load to about 2700fps.

polska · July 10, 2021, 06:14 AM

A lot depends on the condition of the barrel. If the rifle has a good crown boat tail bullets will shoot great but I have found, shooting a lot of milsurps, that for short range, being anything under 300 yds, a 150gr flat base bullet is the best. That's using any of the big name flat base hunting bullets with 48-49gr of imr4895. Plus they cost less also imr4064 will also work great. That's been my experience your mileage may vary.

HiBC · July 10, 2021, 06:50 AM

I have both a Garand and a 1903A4 replica.

You get to decide if you want to keep track of two different 30-06 loadings.

I can get great performance with 168 gr bullets and IMR4350 through my 1903A4gery but I will not shoot those in my Garand.

To keep life simpler, The Garand loads,whatever I use,will shoot fine in the bolt rifle.

So,for myself, its H-4895 and a 155 or 168 that will work in either rifle.

Bolt gun only, I prefer IMR4350 and 168 or 175 gr bullets. But I keep those away from the Garand.

You get to decide how you want to do things

Randy A · July 22, 2021, 07:39 PM

The NRA approved load for the Garand used to be 47gr IMR 4895 with the 168gr bullet. My favorite A3 shoots less than 1/2” @ 100yds with that load. A lot of people complain about the 4895 and insist there are a number of better powders for that use but when it puts them in the same hole I’m sticking with it.

Linker · July 26, 2021, 10:24 PM

Thanks much!

sfwusc · July 29, 2021, 10:57 AM

I use 47 grains of 4895 and 150 grain.

I use that in the garand, Remington 700, and 03a

July 9, 2021, 01:45 PM	#1
Linker Member Join Date: January 8, 2021 Location: Texas Posts: 52	Smith Corona 1903A3 Recently acquired a 1944 Smith Corona. Barrel is marked 7-43. Figured to load it like I load for the M1 Garand since I figure that is what was used at the time. Plus the gun is almost 80 years old. Only planning to shoot at the range for now. Eyes have only worsened with age. Anyway any ideas on handloading. I am planning to use Lapua 30 06 brass. Have used it in M1 and it has really made a difference. Also planning to use 168 grain Sierra hpbt bullets. Any suggestions?

July 9, 2021, 05:04 PM	#2
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	I have a 1944 Remington 1903A3, and load it with data that I use for my Garand. Enjoy, its a nifty rifle. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

July 10, 2021, 06:14 AM	#4
polska Member Join Date: February 3, 2010 Posts: 55	A lot depends on the condition of the barrel. If the rifle has a good crown boat tail bullets will shoot great but I have found, shooting a lot of milsurps, that for short range, being anything under 300 yds, a 150gr flat base bullet is the best. That's using any of the big name flat base hunting bullets with 48-49gr of imr4895. Plus they cost less also imr4064 will also work great. That's been my experience your mileage may vary. Last edited by polska; July 12, 2021 at 06:13 AM.

July 9, 2021, 05:28 PM	#3
105kw Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2017 Location: Columbia Basin Washington Posts: 414	The 168 Matchking will work, but the one I had in the 80s seemed to be sighted with 150gr bullets. I used a bunch of 150 M2 surplus and IMR4895, later 150 FMJBT Hornady, just load to about 2700fps.

July 10, 2021, 06:50 AM	#5
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,286	I have both a Garand and a 1903A4 replica. You get to decide if you want to keep track of two different 30-06 loadings. I can get great performance with 168 gr bullets and IMR4350 through my 1903A4gery but I will not shoot those in my Garand. To keep life simpler, The Garand loads,whatever I use,will shoot fine in the bolt rifle. So,for myself, its H-4895 and a 155 or 168 that will work in either rifle. Bolt gun only, I prefer IMR4350 and 168 or 175 gr bullets. But I keep those away from the Garand. You get to decide how you want to do things

July 22, 2021, 07:39 PM	#6
Randy A Member Join Date: January 14, 2012 Location: Montana Posts: 18	The NRA approved load for the Garand used to be 47gr IMR 4895 with the 168gr bullet. My favorite A3 shoots less than 1/2” @ 100yds with that load. A lot of people complain about the 4895 and insist there are a number of better powders for that use but when it puts them in the same hole I’m sticking with it.

July 26, 2021, 10:24 PM	#7
Linker Member Join Date: January 8, 2021 Location: Texas Posts: 52	Thanks much!

July 29, 2021, 10:57 AM	#8
sfwusc Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2013 Posts: 231	I use 47 grains of 4895 and 150 grain. I use that in the garand, Remington 700, and 03a