03A3 No D&T Scope Mount Options?

[kmad2001]

Hello, I am interested in scoping an 03A3 (Smith Corona in a CStock). Other than hitting a 12” gong at 100 , 200 (and rarely 300) yds I can’t really hit much else or put meaningful groups together because my eyes are getting worse and worse. So I mainly shoot scoped milsurp type stuff. Unfortunately the Springfield usually stays at home when I go to the range and I have a crap tone of 30-06. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to acquire some scoped wartime bolt rifles such as a few PU Snipers, I cloned up a Balkan War era M48 wi ZRAK ONM76 scope with period correct swing mounts (tack driver!!!) and some other things. I did try a no D&T S&K Insta mount on a 1965 7.62NATO Ishapore Enfield but it groups like a shotgun. I don’t know if it’s the mount or the bore.

I’m certainly not trying to clone an 03A4 or make a permanent “bubba” mod to her. Anyway I’d like to try one of these mounts and wonder if anyone has any experience with em or has another option for a no D&T mount option.

[navyrifleman]

Yes. I used an S&K mount on a Remington 03A3 receiver which has a 6mm Remington barrel. It works great. There is no drilling or tapping required. The back of the mount fits the rear sight dovetail on the receiver, and the front is a ring that goes in place of the handguard ring at the front of the receiver.

You might need to do a small amount of wood inletting at the bottom of the receiver to get the front ring of the mount to fit. This is inside the stock and does not show. And you might need to get a different handguard which does not go under that ring. My rifle has a custom sporter stock, so that was not a problem.

The S&K mount will take almost any modern type scope with compatible rings. You do not need a bent bolt handle for this, as the issue bolt will clear. Best of luck and good shooting!

[bruce]

Hope this helps. Sincerely. bruce.

http://scopemounts.com/index.html?main.html

https://www.thecountryshed.com/SK-19...uded_p_31.html

[GM1MAN]

I have had an SK mount on a sporterized 03-A3 for a very long time and it has worked well for me. The newer model has changed from the older and now allows for the use of Weaver style rings to attach the scope.

As navyrifleman stated, you will most likely have to shave off some wood at the front of the receiver to get the front mounting ring to fit properly. That being said, I have never lost zero with the SK mount in place.

[kmad2001]

Okay, I'm feeling a bit better about trying one on my Springfield. The Enfield version was a bit dodgy because there was no dovetail rear sight to anchor into. It just has a tab of metal that hangs over the back arch and over time the first one I had literally bent and cracked. I tried another and seems to be holding firm but, I swear, that rifle groups six plus inches at a hundred yards - awful.



Scoping the M48 was a dramatic surprise. Now i'm really curious to see what's the springfield could do at range with glass.