Boy, that is an understatement!

It seems the plot thickens somewhat.....here is the action rollmark:

According to your comments, this indicates a pre 1924 manufactured action. If so, this thing may have lain around the Steyr plant for many years before being put together and marketed. Or, maybe it was brought back into the plant, partially scrubbed, remarked, and rebuilt. Seems to be getting curiouser and curiouser.

Not that I am overly worried about it. This thing is dripping with cool factor, accurate beyond my expectations, and a pure joy to carry and shoot. I am looking forward to hunting season this Fall.

If I may, I wonder if any of you could give an opinion about the velocities I'm getting with it. My handloads all seem to be slower than what the limited load data indicates I should be getting. Top powder charges clock under 2100 fps with 160 gr RN and about 2150 fps +/- with 140 gr spire points. These velocities will certainly work on game and they are quite accurate in my rifle, but don't approach expected speeds.

Two weekends ago, I got quite a deal on a stash of Norma ammo from, I think, the 70s or so. The 156 gr RN clocked 2325 fps and the 139 gr pointed stuff did 2290 fps. The 156 gr was so high I asked Norma if they thought this ammo might have gone bad. The question was forwarded on to Sweden from Norma USA and the answer has not gotten back to me as yet. For those of you into such things, what sort of velocities are you getting? I have no intention of stressing this little gem, but do intend to hunt with it. A higher velocity would help trajectory to some degree.

Last question, is it proper to refer to this stutzen as a '1903' even if it is not so marked?