I've fired a Springfield 03 rifle and have to admit it is a very powerful rifle. However I am only a teenager and haven't fired any other rifles. I was just wondering if there is anyone out there who fired this rifle who would be willing to share their experience with this fine weapon.
I carried one in the military, and I was able to buy it as surplus (they were phasing it out) when I was leaving the service. Anyway, I have an amusing story concerning the .03 I had fired it countless times, never considering the power of the rifle. Once when I was home on leave (I was in a spec ops unit) I had it with me. I took my younger brother shooting. He is a body builder and twice my size. I let him fire it. His shoulder rocked back and I saw flame come out of the barrel. His face scrunched up and he handed it back to me saying:"I'm done".
Furthering a thought by SWPacVet-the .03 has that metal butt plate-never bothered me much, but let's say you're going to fire it for score at a range. First, go to a military surplus store and look for a marine shooting jacket (it has sewn in pads in the shoulder and elbows). Second, hold it perpendicular to the ground so that you are looking at the top of the weapon. Unhook the bottom of the sling. Twist it one half loop to the left. Open the bottom of the loop so that it fits over your left arm. Slide it up to your left bicep. Tighten the loop and adjust the sling so that your left hand fits snug (gloved) into the top of the sling-between the sling and the rifle. Place the butt up to your right shoulder. Adjust the sling again if you need to (to be tight). You should have a perfect triangle. This is the basic position of the Marine marksman. This position should increase your accuracy significantly.
Hey guys, thanks for the advice. Whenever, I go to the firing range, I go with my uncle, who is a retired firefighter and an Navy vet from the Vietnam era where he was a mechnic in Hawaii. It's his weapon, I fire. He also gave a lot of WWII items, like a Marine Corps helmet, bayonet, belt, ammo belt and blanket. Interesting enough, his uncle, for whom he was named after, was killed in the Battle of the Coral Sea, when his plane ditched between 20-30 miles from the Lady Lex. Even though a destroyer went out to pick up the men, there were no survivors. Anyway, thanks for the advice and I'll remeber it when I go next because last time I went, I ended up cheating and puting a pillow over my right shoulder, so it dodn't hurt as much. Still I think it's a beautiful weapon and my personal favorite.
