Which boltie action milsurp?

Yes they do wander, most of them anyway, the few i had over the years would start to wander 4"-5" after seven or eight rounds, But for hunting big game in the bush that wouldn't matter
 
OK, here we go. :D

1.
Bruise, you want a .308/7.62x51 NATO, check out AIM surplus' Ishapore 2A Lee-Enfields.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/

They were selling em' like hotcakes to C&R holders; Steve Poll and I both got one.

Long debate on .308 Winchester vs. 7.62x51 NATO. Basically, 7.62x51 NATO takes up to 47,000 CUP; .308 Winchester is same casing but can take up to 62,000 CUP.

These rifles ($169) are 7.62x51 NATO, and should shoot just that. I'm going to use .308 brass to reload milder range loads. Milsurp ammo in 7.62x51 NATO is cheap and avialble.

Some thrillseekers shoot .308 out of these with no ill effects but I have enough excitement in my life without going there.
___
2.

If you wanted a Mosin-Nagant, also another good call, M-39's are the best ones in my humble opinion.

INCREDIBLY HOT TIP FOUND NOWHERE ELSE ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.milstuff.com/collection912.htm

The best M-39's were sold by Wholesale Guns & Ammo in New York; the guy had license issues and (it seems) is selling them as a "personal" collection. If this is the same dude, I got 2 from him that were a great deal, great shipping, perfect guns.

http://www.gunsnammo.com/

Web site sure looks the same.
___

3.

Now... we're talking Mausers. :D These just make me happy. Check out a Nazi, a Turk and a Yugo.


Top: $69 Turk Mauser from SOG- has been "red oak" stained and Tru-Oiled. Sling is the SMLE new one from Sarco.

Middle: Nazi (1938) made K98, Russian capture in near-perfect shape, from Dennis at Empire Arms. Finish is whatever the Russkis put on it; NOT the original stock- a cupped laminate- original stock broken by Russian artillery or possibly a T-34 ran over it (maybe). Sling is by Sarco- their K98 slings are much better than IMA's.

Bottom: Shooter-grade Yugo 24/47, valueless 5-cent ammo shooter. Bubba <ahem> painted the forend black when the wood could NOT match; sling is... just a sling. Finish is ONE coat of Tru-Oil just to seal.

2vq4.jpg


 
Until Himalayan Imports starts making bayonets, you'll have to make do. Get the right one for your rifle.




And seriously, you're lucky to have Marstar as a resource. They've gotta be the best dealer in the Great White North. <eh?> <sorry, eh. :foot:>

Now tell me which Mauser you want and I'll name some dealers. Kis was right- I AM an addict, but I am NOT an expert, just an enthisiastic collector.

Steve P. has a million resources as well- I bet he'll share some.
 
Just remember Bruise, The buying isn't over until all the militaria is acquired.

Thats often as expensive as the weapon.
 
Pro's:
Super accurate
Bores usually very good or better
Low recoil
Best fit and finish of any milsurp

Con's:
Milsurp ammo is rare and expensive(think about loading your own)
Not quite as strong as the '98 action
Pricier than most.
you may be strung up and left for the vultures if you attempt to sporterize one!

Swede's tend to be in very good shape because of Sweden's use of clean propellants and non mercuric primers during their service lives. To this day their bores are usually good and they have a brass disc in the buttstock that indicates bore diameter the last time the armorers went over them.
 
I've never heard the 308 Win takes 62ooo cup.
I think you must mean 52ooo and change.

I've never thought any of the rear lug locking Enfields were set up correctly for a hot round like the 308

If I had an Enfield, I'd feel better in .303
The Enfields have the fastest cyclic rate of fire; that does not make them neccesarily stronger or more accurate, which they are not, compared to a Mauser 98


munk




munk
 
wayne37 said:
You can't go wrong with a mauser or an enfield, But if you opt for the lee
try to stay away fom the #1 they are the oldest and the weakest action. The # 4 was the last design ( have owned 4 in my lifetime) If you can get
a #4 jungle carbine all the better, I know our Canadian Tire always has One this time of year. But always Get headspace checked on any lee mainly because of rear lock-up on bolt.
Click to expand...

http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/RiflesLeeEnfield.html

Isn't the Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine a number 5? I have the bayonet for one and it has the large flash hider.
 
I've been shooting an Enfield # 4 mk 2 marked 1955 since '96. In .303 British. Not as common and cheap as it was some years back, however, IMHO it is a great round matched with a great rifle.:thumbup: :thumbup: The very last of a long pedigreed line. A wonderful range rifle. A bit hefty for the field, but quit yer bitchin if your only out for the day. Although I wouldn't be my favorite to carry it in real mountains, at real altitudes.:rolleyes: Out here on the coast, not so bad on a day hike. .303 hits hard. A great swooshing report. Here. Here. Quite. Eh wot?:D
 
Enfields have some issues, depending on the year and model. Milsurp ammunition is nearly nonexistant and will only get scarcer. New production is expensive. There are issues with brass life that can be partially corrected by a knowledgeable handloader.

Russian M-N's have hit-or-miss build quality to start with and many of the ones coming into this country are randomly assembled parts guns, which makes things even worse. There are also some model-specific issues. Most are inexpensive enough that you can get a M-N in addition to something else. Milsurp ammunition is plentiful and inexpensive, and generally not very good; new production ammunition is inexpensive and decent (Russian) or expensive and good. (Everyone else's.) Watch out for wrecked bores...even when they were cleaned properly, they were not cleaned properly. (And they were not always cleaned properly in the first place.)

Finnish M-N's solve most of the above issues. Not surprisingly, they also cost more.

Mausers? One can go on and on. M48's seem to be what the market's currently flooded with and demand the lowest prices. They never saw any serious warfare and tend to be in good condition. Most like them. Mine exploded, but that was probably not the rifle's fault.

Protip: K31's are bolt actions. Don't be hating on the Swiss, Bruise. ;)
 
There is just one "best" milsurp bolt action: this is the US Model 1917 Rifle. In final form, it is incredibly strong and accurate.

And it was used by one of America's most famous- and skilled- riflemen, Alvin York. It ain't a target rifle with delicate windage sights, but a sure-'nuff battle implement, a worthy companion for a man who likes kukuris.


Fortunately, there are many good MBAs! :)

In order of preference:

1) 1917
2) Lee-Enfield # 4
2) German 98K Mauser, 1903 Springfield
3) (only due to ammo supply) Swedish M-38

M-Ns tend to be sturdy, but have the most miserable excuse for a safety imaginable.

John
 
John proves knowledgable gunnies have diverse opinions. I'd not thought of the 1917, but many gunsmiths have customized these due to their great strength.

I'm surprised the Mauser is slipping in the standings...must be due to availability.


munk
 
I might have been too literal, when Bruise wrote
"Which would you recommend and why?

Lee Enfield (which #?)
Mauser
Moisin Nagant"

I figured he meant which one out of those three...

All have pros and cons.... Still I would pick the Mauser, but with the assumption one already has an SKS, K31, Garand and AK. :D


Mike
 
Well, the Mauser is a great hunting rifle...like the 1903, and its fine balance and smooth action make it the equal of the faster to operate and higher capacity but cruder #4.

I suppose it all depends on what one really wants a rifle to do. John like gun strong like rock. John smash! :D

A Mauser (or my sporterized 03- don't hang me in effigy, it was probably sporterized before I was born) makes an ideal companion to prowl the woods looking for deer or elk. The #4 still makes a great truck rifle or home defence piece.

For the best bolt-action battle implement, though, I'd go for the 1917 everytime. The reasons it made such a great battle rifle are also why it makes a great heavy, too.
 
John, is there anyway I can email you in your present location?

>>>>>>>>>>

Almost all bolts are based on the Mauser. Without the Enfield, we're actually talking about different forms of the same gun.

Hey- John, can the #4 be made from other Enfields? Or is it's action truly stronger?


munk
 
Yes Andrew.. The jungle carbine was tagged a #5 ( but was still a #4 Action)
Sorry.. my bad.
 
I am pretty sure this came up in another thread in the not too distant past, but where is the best place to look into the requirements for a C&R license? Thanks in advance.

Eric
 
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