Author Topic: Bolt Action Military Rifles (Read 2234 times)

Hangtime · « **on:** October 18, 2005, 11:10:49 AM »

Been having such a blast at the range lately.. thinking on joining the winter leauge. They have a military bolt action group and I've been eyeballing various inexpensive but accurate former military pieces that are available for less than 200 bucks in decent shape.

Note, I'm not looking for a 'match grade shooter' or a varmit gun..

Qualifiers would be inexpensive easy to aquire ammo (i don't have reload equipment) and low cost in the door.

On the list so far is:

Springfield 1903 (sporter, NRA version)
KA-95/98 Mauser
Enfield

Any others I should be looking at?

Makarov9 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2005, 11:30:33 AM »

Hangtime, look into the Mosin Nagant line of Russian rifles. I picked up an MN 91/30 for $70 and ammo is cheap. Accurate rifle and I like the historical aspects also. The one I have was made in 1943.

Many good sites with info out there, here's one:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/russianmosin189130/index.asp

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 18, 2005, 12:32:51 PM »

No, the 91/30 is cheap, but until you actually get yours out to the range you won't know how accuratte it is. That's not something you want to just drop down 70-100 dollars per gun on the off chance that it'll be accurate. Ontop of that, you'd have to handload to be somewhat accurate.

Next, I wouldn't buy a Sporterized rifle if you held a gun to my head. You can get a standard 1903 from CMP for about 400 bucks. You'll have to clean it up, but it will be a tack driver. You can buy one from not CMP for roughly 600-1000. The upside of this is it's easy to buy quality loads.

A mauser would be a good choice for accuracy, but you will have to do some shopping to actually get a K98k for under 200 bucks in good condition. Ontop of this, you will have to either hand load or buy quality loads to be sort of competitive.

The enfield is another good choice, but has the same problems and advantages that the mauser has. You can find some decent loads, but they'll be a little more expensive.

storch · « **Reply #3 on:** October 18, 2005, 12:47:57 PM »

smle in .308

Hangtime · « **Reply #4 on:** October 18, 2005, 12:53:01 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by storch
smle in .308

smle?

storch · « **Reply #5 on:** October 18, 2005, 12:56:09 PM »

short magazine lee- enfield

Hangtime · « **Reply #6 on:** October 18, 2005, 01:01:22 PM »

I've got a friend that has a Jungle Carbine Enfield. Will be shooting it this weekend, it's on my list. Wanna check out the action.. if I like it, a full length model at the right price would be under consideration

storch · « **Reply #7 on:** October 18, 2005, 01:06:13 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hangtime
I've got a friend that has a Jungle Carbine Enfield. Will be shooting it this weekend, it's on my list. Wanna check out the action.. if I like it, a full length model at the right price would be under consideration

it has a silky smooth action. the ones rechambered to .308 have been available for a few years now. I believe your friend's may be a .308 I think they are marketed as jungle carbines. I forgot to mention the .30-40 krag-jorgensson, these also have a very smooth bolt and are very much fun to shoot. also the 6.5mm swedish mauser may well be worth a look.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2005, 01:09:05 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by lasersailor184
No, the 91/30 is cheap, but until you actually get yours out to the range you won't know how accuratte it is. That's not something you want to just drop down 70-100 dollars per gun on the off chance that it'll be accurate. Ontop of that, you'd have to handload to be somewhat accurate.

I own 4 of these, 3 M44's and a M38, all of which were very accurate with nothing but a good cleaning. The 38 is my favorite, being shorter and lighter, and not having the built-in bayonet lug. The 91/30 is the same rifle, just a little longer and it has much better sights.

As for the ammo, thats BS. Stay away from the surplus stuff and buy good quality factory loads from Federal. I use one of these deer hunting, and the Federal loads work great. With just iron sights the M44 I have mounted on the synthetic stock of my deer rifle will post 2.5 inch groups at 100 yards. I'm not arguing against handloading for this rifle, by all means do so. Makes the ammo MUCH cheaper. Again, you stay away from the surplus stuff as it is not reloadable. Buy commercial brass and load all you want. But to say you HAVE to use handloads to be competitive with this rifle is just silly.

TPIguy · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2005, 01:12:26 PM »

Finnish Mosin nagant

Much better quality than the russian versions. Better sights, more accurate. Much more compfortable stock (to me.)

Ammo is cheap as hell and readily available.

Only down side is a good one might run a bit more than $200.

Might as that question over here too...

http://www.gunboards.com

Makarov9 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 18, 2005, 01:18:07 PM »

Yes, read many times that the M39 "Finnish Mosin Nagant" is a bit more accurate than the Russian Mosins. I find my 91/30 very accurate though and even using military ammo (currently Albanian stuff) it is still accurate. Of course if I would shoot competition I would use better factory ammo.

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 18, 2005, 01:18:33 PM »

There's a difference between Accurate enough and good accuraccy.

We're talking about competition shooting here. The accuraccy of the two 91/30's I own varies greatly. One is decent, one is not good. While they are fun to shoot, I'd never take one into a competition.

However, my 1903a3 is incredibly accurate with even standard econo loads.

Hangtime · « **Reply #12 on:** October 18, 2005, 01:43:58 PM »

I am gonna be hard pressed to decide for sure. Fired a Nagant last week.. was ok, decent group. Already have a couple of SKS's.. wasn't seriously considering another commie in the inventory. Had a guy let me put a few downrange with a 1903 that had an upgraded sporter stock and a scope.. had the Nagant whipped six ways from sunday.

All comes down to price for me.. I have cadillac tastes and a chevy budget for this.

I'm not looking to set up a collection of military arms, I'm looking for the best shooter for the least money. I really don't care if the weapon has been 'bubbafied' and I don't expect to 'win' a competition, just enjoy the format and the folks that bring these pieces down to the range. Love learning new stuff, and most of these folks are happy to share info and history.. great way to spend an afternoon with decent people.

Keep the suggestions and observations coming guys.. enjoy it immensely.

Yeager · « **Reply #13 on:** October 18, 2005, 02:02:58 PM »

Dang Hang...while your at it grab a M1 Garand and a M1 Carbine just for fun

Charon · « **Reply #14 on:** October 18, 2005, 02:06:19 PM »

Just got back from a 5-hour drive (round trip) to pick up a nice 1917 SMLE (Lee Enfield) I bought at a gun show on Sunday. Good appearance, bore is sharp and bright, and you get that “Over the top lads!” vibe. It balances better than the no. 4 mk1, and even though it’s supposed to be a bit heavier it feels lighter. I have a new favorite rifle, until I buy the next one. Paid $150, about what I could have got one for from AIM (WW1 dates/British Mfg) a few months back if you add in shipping and transfer fees. The gas was a bit of a kicker though. BTW, The No. 5 is going to kick a lot more than a full sized battle rifle.

Enfields are about my favorite bolt action so far, but Mosin Nagants and 8mm Mausers are cheaper to shoot. Anything in 7.62 is pretty cheap to shoot but more expensive to buy, except the Ishapore Enfields. You can get a field grade Garand from CMP for under $400... next on my list.

Charon