2nd hand M03 or New M12

[Antonyweeks]

I have the option of buying either of these in .308 as a synthetic stalking rifle. I use a wooden stocked 30-06 M03 and love it. Allegedly the M03 has a very good bore and hardly any use. M03 is a bit more expensive but not by a huge amount.
The advantage with the M03 is that I can switch scopes, mods etc and even barrels between wooden stock and synthetic stock and the M12 is a fixed barrel. The barrel switching though, isn't really crucial as I was set on a M12 (impact black) before the M03 came up.
I just wondered if there was any build quality difference between the two and anything I might have overlooked? I think the M12 will be lighter too.

 

[cohannon]

Having just gone through the soul searching required to recently part with my wooden stocked M03 and it's barrels I can't believe any M03 lover would have to think twice if money wasn't an issue. If weight is a factor and long distance shooting is not, consider reducing the barrel length to 18" and buying a good titanium over the barrel moderator for stalking comfort and acceptable field accuracy. Do ensure the M03 comes with it's Mauser QD mount as they are like hen's teeth to come by.

 

[Rutland lad]

MO3 build quality seems better than M12 which was ‘built to a price’ imho.
Also MO3 safety is better as I think the M12 safety isn’t the decocker that the MO3 has.
MO3 every time !

 

[Jagare]

I have the M03 extreme. Great build quality, but a heavy rifle that may not lend itself to being lugged over the hills of Scotland. Its very accurate even after the barrel getting very hot when shooting the running moose range many times. I have three scopes for it with their own Mauser mounts. As said in a previous post ,Mauser mounts are as rare as hens teeth now as are bolt heads and magazines if you want to change calibre. The action is one size fits all and I've had a few miss feeds due to not pulling the bolt all the way back in the heat of the moment.
Would I change it for another rifle? No. The M12 I know nothing about.

 

[308rws]

I'm fairly sure that the M12 has the cocking safety catch mechanism, it's an impressive little rifle for the money.

 

[Dalua]

I'm fairly sure that the M12 has the cocking safety catch mechanism.

I think that's now an option. My M12 just has an ordinary 3-position safety.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

These two rifles shouldnt be in the same sentence….

Drop me a line if interested, we have a very clean MO3 Africa for sale in the classifieds