I've got an already-sporterized Springfield 1903 of my great-granddad's. I'm not gonna talk about serial numbers or some other sh*t.

The stock of mine is a bit worn, has a barrel band, etc. and I'm looking to get a nice wood sporter stock (Boyds has them). I'm thinking of rebarreling it into a 25-06, just to have something more enjoyable for my young son and myself to shoot deer and targets with. Looks like McGowen and Douglas both offer pre-fit 1903 barrels.

I'd love to hear if anyone else has a sporterized version or different chamberings than 30-06.

Thanks for any thoughts/ideas as I'm just thinking this all through.

Give the gunsmiths at the CMP custom shop a call and talk to them. They work on 03's all the time and would know the in's and outs. They can't work on a sporterized rifle, but they can talk you through the process.

I have nothing to add other than I like well done sporterized Springfields.

Shot my first deer with a sporterized '03!

I'm guessing you already know which serial numbers are considered "safe"?

Mine has the old Buehler low profile safety. Works fine. They don't make them any more, but you can often find one on eBay, if the gun hasn't already been converted to a "scope friendly" safety.

I'd say 25-06 is a great choice. Will do anything you'd ever want, in Texas, and a little more "kid-friendly" in the recoil department.

Boyds makes decent stocks. Considering the '03 action is already a little "heavy", I'd avoid any of their laminate options, if the gun is going to get carried around much. If simply a "deer stand" gun, well, the extra weight of the laminated stock might be a benefit in the recoil reduction department for your son...

I have an 03-A3 that was my dads. I still have the paperwork from when it was purchased from the CMP in 1958. I had it rebarreled by E.R. Shaw in the early 1990s.