I am looking to purchase a springfield rifle to add to my collection,but I am unsure which one to buy.
I will be shooting the rifle and I also reload.What features do I want to look for .Since Ionly want  to buy one ,want to get it right.
springfield armory 1903
03a3  ???

         For myself (also wanted a shooter,not a wall hanger ) the rear mounted peep style sight of the later gun made it a no brainer . I am not a fan of foward mounted reiciever sights .
         An importaint thing to look at is bore condition, if you are going to shoot this piece you might as well take the time to hunt down a gun that has a good bore .
          I lucked out in finding a beat looking a3/03 that a guy built to shoot cast bullet competions with .
This guy hunted down a brand new (likely 50 yr old ) military barrel and replaced the old nasty one , He then lapped the heck out of it after doing a bang up job of fitting this barrel . The only part that is a little painfull is that he notched out the upper handguard to mount target scope blocks. I need to hunt down a replacement handguard .
           It is crazy how accurate this gun is , with cast bullet handloads and a good solid bench I can shoot 100 yard five shot groups that look like a lumpy quarter . Someday I need to get on something longer than my clubs 100 yd range . ( this is with my old time 24x redfield target scope) .

I prefer the 03. It has style.