Alright, an improved Mauser. But Springfield designers never really concealed their debt to Peter Paul. After all, it was the US Army’s acknowledgement of the superiority of the Mauser Model 95 to the Krag during the Span-Am War that led (quickly) to the ’03.
Yep, totally agree, and thanks again to Teddy Roosevelt who (among many others) saw the advantages of the 1895 Mauser and 7×57 cartridge over the Krag and was in a position to support the upgrade in service rifles to the 1903. Despite my poking fun above, it is one of my favorite bolt-action center-fire rifles. The Winchester Model 70 being the other (which of course is also based on the Mauser design).
A Sedgley or G&H built 1903 sporting rifle is an awesome thing to behold.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Bert, et al,
Sorry for digressing from the title subject. It is discussions like those above that have made this forum so diverse and well-attended.
I am looking forward to the next 100,000 comments. Thanks to all that have made this platform great!
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
JWA said The Winchester Model 70 being the other (which of course is also based on the Mauser design).
A Sedgley or G&H built 1903 sporting rifle is an awesome thing to behold.
The Model 70 is more of an improved ’03 than a direct Mauser descendant; that coned-breech of the ’03 was unique.
Tedk said
Happy to be a member
Me too. I’ve learned a lot here. I wish the knowledgeable members here would pour their guts out more often though! I listen more than talk. And shooting, I’d like to hear more about shooting experiences with the old “obsolete” cartridges. Of course I might contribute to that more myself…..
Brooksy said And shooting, I’d like to hear more about shooting experiences with the old “obsolete” cartridges. Of course I might contribute to that more myself…..
You need not wait, if you read Ken Waters’ Pet Loads or any of Paul Mathews’ books. Could name others, but I knew both of them personally, & they were tireless in helping anyone with a desire to learn; both “gone but not forgotten.”
clarence said
After all, it was the US Army’s acknowledgement of the superiority of the Mauser Model 95 to the Krag during the Span-Am War that led (quickly) to the ’03.
At the same time the Navy/Marines were using the 6 mm Lee Navy. Finally both branches were made to use the same caliber.
clarence said
Brooksy said And shooting, I’d like to hear more about shooting experiences with the old “obsolete” cartridges. Of course I might contribute to that more myself…..
You need not wait, if you read Ken Waters’ Pet Loads or any of Paul Mathews’ books. Could name others, but I knew both of them personally, & they were tireless in helping anyone with a desire to learn; both “gone but not forgotten.”
I don’t have either of those books. Do they have any relevant lever gun info? I have been referring to Venturino’s book on lever guns and Williamson’s “THE WINCHESTER LEVER LEGACY” which has all the super-hot loads that I feel shorten the life span of old lever guns. I load down all of his load information to something near original velocities.
Brooksy said
I don’t have either of those books. Do they have any relevant lever gun info? I have been referring to Venturino’s book on lever guns and Williamson’s “THE WINCHESTER LEVER LEGACY” which has all the super-hot loads that I feel shorten the life span of old lever guns. I load down all of his load information to something near original velocities.
Pet Loads is my indispensable reloading guide, & when a cartridge might be used in actions of diff strength, like ’73 vs ’92, or Trapdoor vs ’86, Ken provides loadings appropriate for each. Mathews mainly discusses BP loadings; he was a leading BP competitor well into his 70s.
Pet loads covers the 25-20, 30-30, 32-20, 32-40, 32 spl, 348, 35 WCF, 38-40, 38-55, 405, 44-40, 45-70, and 45-90 for the lever guns. Start low and work up. This book has over 1000 pages of info that is at least 20 some years old.
I would also recommend Cartridges of the World by Frank Barnes and The Handloader’s Manual of Cartridge Conversions by John Donnelly. These two are not necessarily loading manuals but give a huge amount of loading data. Especially calibers that Waters and Venturino didn’t test.
clarence said
mrcvs said
That’s what I was guessing. Exponential growth. Before you know it, there will be a million posts.
Might have been a million by now, were this not a “pay to play” site; only one I’ve ever encountered, as a matter of fact. That is what makes the 100,000 tally remarkable. “Guest” privilege? Not the same thing at all, though better than exclusion. Even such experts as John Kort & Brad Bell remained “guests,” because to many, $50 is not lunch-money. (Incredible, yes, I know.)
Why did you join then? just asking
I became a paid member of WACA this past winter thanks to Mark Douglas and his YouTube channel “Cinnabar”. I have not regretted the investment one bit. This organization and forum is by far the best source of information on Winchesters firearms and I have really enjoyed being here albeit mostly in a “listening and learning” capacity.
Thanks to all who put in the hours for this forum and organization as a whole. It’s always a happy day when my magazine is in the mailbox. Matter of fact, I used the resources here to prove to a friend that there were in fact a scant few Winchester 71s that left the factory chambered in 45-70 ?
November 7, 2015

oldcrankyyankee said
clarence said
mrcvs said
That’s what I was guessing. Exponential growth. Before you know it, there will be a million posts.
Might have been a million by now, were this not a “pay to play” site; only one I’ve ever encountered, as a matter of fact. That is what makes the 100,000 tally remarkable. “Guest” privilege? Not the same thing at all, though better than exclusion. Even such experts as John Kort & Brad Bell remained “guests,” because to many, $50 is not lunch-money. (Incredible, yes, I know.)
Why did you join then? just asking
I’m glad he’s here! Clarence is an asset to this forum with a wealth of varied knowledge and experience. He’s a bit cranky now and then but so am I.
Mike
TXGunNut said
oldcrankyyankee said
clarence said
mrcvs said
That’s what I was guessing. Exponential growth. Before you know it, there will be a million posts.
Might have been a million by now, were this not a “pay to play” site; only one I’ve ever encountered, as a matter of fact. That is what makes the 100,000 tally remarkable. “Guest” privilege? Not the same thing at all, though better than exclusion. Even such experts as John Kort & Brad Bell remained “guests,” because to many, $50 is not lunch-money. (Incredible, yes, I know.)
Why did you join then? just asking
I’m glad he’s here! Clarence is an asset to this forum with a wealth of varied knowledge and experience. He’s a bit cranky now and then but so am I.
Mike
Yup, he is. But notice my screen name.
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