Help me choose a rifle......

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Soooo many rifles, so little time! I see you live in Springfield, OR. Have you ever visited the ARPC twice-a-year gun show held at the Linn Co. Fairgrounds? Huge show--you might find something there. I think the next one is in March or April. Much larger and better show than the one periodically held at the vet's hall on MLK Blvd. in Eugene.

I'd hesitate to make a hard and fast recommendation. I've enjoyed many of them. I guess my current favorite is the Czech VZ-24. Like so many have already said, the Swiss K-31 is a good one. Did anyone mention the Lee Enfield No.4? The Turk Mausers are good, but long, about 6 inches longer than the others mentioned. Krags, 1903 Springfields, 1914 and 1917 Enfields, all great fun. Most Mausers, no matter where made, tend to shoot well if in good condition. It's going to depend on a combination things--what you happen to run across that has appeal for you, cost, condition, etc. Check the bore for condition, muzzle crown for nicks, stock for cracks, headspace if possible. I'll bet that after you get your first military rifle more will follow.

Hard to say what you can get for $300. That's probably a good middle-of-the-road figure. Some of these might run a little more, up to about $450 for a nice one, but you should be able to get a Turk Mauser or an Arisaka for less. I hope you'll revisit the thread and tell us what you settled on, what it cost, and how it works out for you. There's always the unexpected bargain.

DG

[skeettx]

Sight, sights, yes as we get OLDER sights are important
Peep sights (03-A3, etc) are great for older eyes
Mike

[Jack Stanley]

A six hundred dollar Garand will probably function .... shoot well may be another story though . If the barrel is toast you'll be out north of a couple hundred bucks to replace it . Bedding and other things you can do yourself .

I'd say a Mosin with a good crown and decent bore would be a good choice for less than three "C" notes .

Jack

[sghart3578]

Waco,

Do you have a preference in caliber selection?

[maxreloader]

6.5 Jorgensen. I saw a few arsenal refinshed rifles that were in pretty darn good for around $250 a few weeks ago.

[kawasakifreak77]

Swiss K31!

[longbow]

I have pretty limited collection ~ one Mauser that was converted to .308 and 5 Lee Enfields. I used to really like the Mausers but after getting the Lee Enfields I like them better now. Not quite sure why but I do.

Partly being Canadian I guess the history has an appeal but I do like the guns and actions. Mine are all No. 4's and No. 5's. I really like the No. 4's. brass is easy to get and .303 Brit is not that far behind .30-06.

So, you said to help you choose... my vote goes to No. 4 Lee Enfield.

[nemesisenforcer]

Another vote for a Schmidt Rubin or surplus Mauser.

[Ken in Iowa]

I have a couple of Mosins that would fit the bill, a 91/30 Tula and a SAKO M39. Brass and a mould too.

Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

[waco]

So who is the Mod on this thread? Why did you delete a few of the posts?

[runfiverun]

I'm not seeing any deleted posts.
if they were removed they got wiped out of existence.

[waco]

Sorry. Me getting my posts mixed up. My apologies.

[Kegcaissy]

If i have to pick ONLY one, for components availability in the US, i would choose a mauser in .308... If you are able to find 303 british brass in your area, that would be an enfield no4 or 5, the cheaper the better but check the headspace before shooting it!

[RugerFan]

In the $300 range you can get a Swiss 96/11 with a good bore pretty easily. British Enfields can be found around that price as well. Also keep an eye out for a French MAS 36. I've seen very good specimens sell pretty reasonably.

[WILCO]

You can pick up good surplus rifles at any LGS for under $400.00.
Failing something along the American lines, I'd go with anything in 8mm Mauser.
Next would be something in Mosin-Nagant or Chinese copy for 7.62x54R.
Don't turn away from bubba rifles, as they're cheaper and need love too.

[WILCO]

If i have to pick ONLY one, for components availability in the US, i would choose a mauser in .308...

http://classic.gunauction.com/search...temnum=7057138

[Texas by God]

Plus one for the K31 and Finn Mosin. My nephew got a Yugoslav 48 Mauser and it's as issued accurate. 2"@ 100yds with Yugoslav corrosive. I'm trying to get it from him. As posted earlier Bubba is your friend when you're looking for a shooter. Best, Thomas.
Global Warming Alert It's Nine Degrees in North Texas.

[Eddie Southgate]

Without a doubt I would vote for the M39 Finnish Nagant . Don't waste your money on the Russian . The fins took the basic Mosin action and reworked the lock work to be faster and smoother with a much better trigger . Then they gave it a better barrel and a set of sights that you can actually adjust . It is the only military that I own that will shoot poa/ poi at 100 yds . The rest shoot from 4" - 8" high at 100 and usually are on at 300 . The front sight is screw adjustable for windage . Mine like jacketed / cast bullets in the 180 - 200 gr range . I have K31 ,91 Argentine , 1909 Argentine , 96 Swede's , Vz 24 , Spanish 92 Mauser, Swiss 1911 , and several others . The Finnish rifles are easier to get to shoot small groups than any of the others ......for me .

Eddie

[6.5 mike]

One thing to watch with mil-sup 7 m/m is to bbl specs are larger then what is now common. Mine is 0.285/0.290, & takes a 0.293 boollit to fill the case neck. I did notice NOE has some moulds that will fit. Bout any off the cz/vz's are good. And any swede, lol.
A bubbaed 03/03a3 isn't hard to return to as issued .

[perotter]

Japanese Type 99 with a chrome lined bore. Sporterized ones go for $75-$150 and $150-$300 for non-sporterized.