World War I/II Era Bolt Action Rifle- I want one, but which?

What about an M1?

Lots available still from CMP, even virtually new, unused condition or completely refurbished.

Springfield...The last one I would put on my wish list is a Mosin. While they are fun, I hardly find anything appealing about them other than the price....Bring on the flames.LOL.

mauser

I would suggest either an enfield, springfield, or swiss k31. The k31 will be ready to hunt with when you get it. They're super accurate

If you do not reload, the Springfield will give you the most ammunition options for hunting.

Otherwise, select the one that rings your bell. They all have their history and capabilities.

I think I would go with the K-31 also. I have at least one of all the rifles mentioned but for 400 yds with accuracy and power enough to hunt Elk sized game I would definitely go with the K-31. You may have to do some smithing in order to mount a scope but I think it would be worth the time.

The right Springfield can be pretty darn accurate. The ones to avoid are the ones that only had two grooves in the barrel.

I have a 1903 that shot this 5 shot 100 yard group just a few days ago.

My 2 grooved 1903A3 is pretty a accurate. I read there was no significant increase in accuracy between the 4 grooved vs the 2 grooved barrels. Some of the 03A4s where 2 grooved A3 that were pulled from the production lines to make A4s.

I agree with the suggestion for a K31 as they are extremely accurate at an affordable price. The only issue I see with the K31 is ammo is not readily available like 30-06. Sure surplus ammo is avail now but it will dry up so unless yous stock ul on ammo or load your own ammo could be an issue in the future.

If you do not have a 1903xx I suggest you get one and maybe a Eddystone P17 .

I agree the K-31 is one of the most accurate surplus rifles available. If you want to tinker, cut, maim, or otherwise sporterize, you will get far fewer dirty looks doing it to a Mosin. They can be very accurate with a little work, just ask the Finns or any of their targets.

My 2 grooved 1903A3 is pretty a accurate

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I agree. In fact, I'd say mine is very accurate. For the record, my vote would be either the o3a3 or a Finn M39.

buy another K98 Mauser

mauser

If it going to be for deer, paper, and plinking I would go with a 98k chambered in 6.5x55, or 7x57, due to less recoil and great bullet ballistic coefficients. You did say project gun right? Otherwise just a plain ol 98k in 8x57. All of these (ammo) are available at a good sporting goods store; but they really come to life when you reload. I reload for the 8x57 and 7x57, (2-Yugos, 1-German 98, & 2-Spanish). From the bench I can wring out my scoped Yugo 8mm pretty good, 1-1/4"@100yds and 3-1/2"@200 yds. That's a 60+ year old action & barrel !!
Those are 4" dots ; the high shots are from bore sighting to get on paper with a new scope, the 7 shot cluster is Nosler 180gr ballistic tips @ 100yards. not from a bench!

If you're not a fan of .30-06 maybe it's because you haven't shot one of these three:

M1903
M1903A3
M1917

Made in the USA, part of history, available, beautiful, accurate, fun to shoot, and when you do come around to loving it .30-06 will always be around.

Tinpig

If I were in the market those K31's are supposed to be fantastic rifles and the ammo is virtually target grade. Here's a link to a scoped K31 that does some fine shooting:

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu37.htm

Were I to set one up I think a 6x Super Sniper would be a superb scope to use and make for a very nice and useful overall package.

I understand they also use regular .308 bullets so if you reload it should be very easy to keep fed.

Mauser 98!

If you're looking at fitting a scope then few of these accept them in a clean manner. Oh sure, there's options for each. But to my eyes they all see rather kludgey.

I can't offer anything else as I've only shot a LE for one session and my own Mosins for a few more than that. And of the lot the Mosin seems to be the least easy one to effectively and easily fit with a scope.

I slightly prefer my swede over my k31, both great rifles with comparable accuracy but the swede is much lighter on the shoulder and the bullet has better balistics.

Oh, DrRob, I bet I can hit the RedBull can ath 200 metres with open sights

greetz

Peter

Ranges would be 200-400 yards, and this rifle would be doubling as a deer rifle as well as a plinker/paper puncher. Optics aside, I'm looking for the best start. Rifle cost is a bit objective. As is ammo.

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I think the K31 well fill your needs. GP11 surplus is near match grade and available, great for paper. There are several hunting loads available.

The K31 can be scoped with out drilling and tapping. D&T ruins the value of mil-surps. If your going to sporterize it then makes no difference.

SP no drill scope mount with a Weaver K4 steel tube gives me 400 yds with relative ease.



Since you don't want 30-06 that rules out the 03's and 1917. The Yugo 8mm Mauser's are affordable, lots of surplus around, can be spendy to scope.