Are they even making the alloy version? I don't see it listed on their website anymore.

I really don't find the M03 to be what I consider a "heavy" rifle. Maybe I'm just fooled by the balance, but with a ~24-inch .30-'06 barrel it doesn't feel as heavy as my .30-'06 Empire 98 TD (also with a 24-inch barrel).

The price of the scope mount is definitely outrageous...if you needed an extra one to go with another barrel you'd be better off buying a complete rifle on the second-hand market. I got a serious steal on my M03 because the dealer was closing out their entire rifle inventory; at $1,995 + tax I could probably part it out and make money.