7.62 x 54 or 700 vtr

[Fat Boy]

I am considering buying a rifle. This would be my only larger caliber rifle (I have a .22 rifle now). I can purchase from a local gun shop a Mosin/Nagant chambered in 7.62 x 54, or a Remington 700 VTR in .223.

I like the Mosin because it is inexpensive, however I wonder how long ammunition will be available (I am not a reloader). I know this gun will be heavier/bulkier? than the other-

On the Remington side, the .223 seems like a good round, and will likely continue to be available. However this gun will run quite a bit more in price.

I would plan to use this gun for larger game hunting- up to and including deer- I am aware I would need to practice quite a bit before actual hunting begins, since my prior experience in hunting has been shotgunning for birds.

I would appreciate your thoughts!

Thanks!

 

[matt_s07]

Just my .02, but I love my Mosin!

 

[Marcus5aurelius]

+1 Mosin, ammo isn't all that expensive just ordered 880 rounds for $200. Compared to other calibers that's not all that bad

 

[jester_s1]

.223 is small for deer, so I wouldn't pick it. If price is the biggest concern, you might check the Marlin XL7. It's a Savage clone available in the common deer calibers for a touch over $300. You'll still need glass though. Minimum budget there is around $150 for something you can trust.

 

[Ruodo]

Mosins are great rifles, especially for the price. You can buy some inexpensive surplus ammo for it and for a couple of hundred dollars be totally set up for a while.

 

[sharkhunter2018]

I like my Mosins. A cheap rifle thats cheap to feed.

Generally Mosins will be heavier than the VTR, but that depends on the model you get. The lightest would be the carbine versions with the M38 being the lightest (M44: folding bayonet, M38: no bayonet). The M38 comes in at around 7 pounds and is actually pretty well balanced due to it not having the permanent bayonet up front like the M44.

If you are hunting, state laws may dictate what you get since many states have a minimum size in caliber. .243 seems to be the most common as far as caliber size. Besides, .223 is too small for deer.

In ammo cost, the Mosin wins. Commercial 54R isn't all that expensive either depending on the brand you pick.

 

[Flea]

Surplus is readily available, and I don't see that changing any time soon. The x54R has excellent intrinsic accuracy, even if the rifle needs some massaging to achieve its full potential.

Also, I would imagine if legislation barred the import of further surplus x54, some of the major manufacturers would begin to offer some bottom-shelf target ammo to take up the slack. There are a lot of Mosin owners in the US! Hunting ammo is pretty reasonable, with most soft points at $1.00 or less per round.

+1 to .223 being too small for deer. It really isn't even in the same class as the x54. I would step up on the OTS rifle to a .243 or .308 at least -- still cheap to shoot with may commercial offerings and ammo just about anywhere (but only when it's in stock!).

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

For your purposes, I suggest a larger caliber VTR. I love my Mosin, but I would definitely not want it as my only "larger caliber" rifle.