Choose your rifle (Historic choice game... humor me please)

[Skofnung]

Hello all.

The year is 1895. You need to get yourself a new rifle. This rifle will be a general duty type gun, being used for target/hunting/self-defense. You can only pick one. There is no price limit.

Ok, fast forward to 1903. You can afford a new rifle. What will it be? The same rules apply.

Please include calibers for both of your choices.

Thanks for the imput!

 

[clint1911a1]

1895-The Model 1895 Winchester magazine rifle in .405 Win.

1903-Model '98 Mauser in 7mm or 8mm as the '03 Springfield is not available to civilian shooters yet.

:banghead:

 

[Devonai]

I'd go with a Winchester 1873.

In 1903 I'd upgrade to a Win 1894.

 

[Tamara]

For both questions:

 

[Skofnung]

Hey Tamara, just out of curiosity, about what would the 30-40 Krag cartridge equate to nowdays in terms of power?

That is a nice looking gun by the way.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Tough question. It would either be the 1895 Mauser in 7mm Mauser or the Swedish Mauser 94 in 6.5 mm and whichever one it is, I'd keep it for 1903 too. Why not the Mauser 98 in '03? I'm man enough to admit that my Mauser 98 with it's 28.9" barrel kicks like a mule (and I want a stock with a Pachmayr Decelerator.) Can I get it scoped? I'm claiming ADA and want for additional mass (less recoil) and so I can shoot bettah.

OK, I can handle the Springfield '03 with no problem but I'll sissy out and tell ya I prefer the aperture sights of the 03A3. If I go with the '03, can I have the Sporter version that Springfield Armory made? It's lighter and has a higher "cool" factor (kinda like my Sporterized Springfield with Griffin & Howe QD scope base & a M-82 Weaver).

 

[Dr.Rob]

1895: Marlin in .30WCF (30-30) Great all around game rifle.

1903: Winchester 1895 .405

I'm not sure when the SMLE was invented, or the Lee-Metford before it.. but that would be a great choice of rifle. 303 Is nothing to sneeze at.

In 1903 you certainly could have a Mauser model 98 bolt rifle. i also came really close to choosing a Colt Lightning 44-40 Slide action saddle ring carbine, but that caliber is a little light for mule deer, maybe in 38-55 or some other esoteric caliber?

 

[Mike Irwin]

In 1895, I'd pick an 1886 Winchester, likely in either .40-70 or .45-70.


Forward to 1903 and the chances of finding me with a Savage Model 1899 in my hands, in .303 Savage, would be MOST excellent.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Rob,

I don't think Marlin offered rifles chambered in .30-30 until 1898...

The Lee Metford Mark I was adopted in December 1888. The original .303 cartridge was a blackpowder round...

 

[Kaylee]

1895 ... what else but a Winchester 94 in that newfangled smokeless cartridge? Presuming I had the money, of course. Otherwise, an old Sharps some grizzled ol' timer was willing to sell for cheap so he could get the newfangled whizz-bang. Come to think, that might be the better idea after all.

1903... don't see as I'd change my mind any from eight years previous. Bolt guns are still a pretty new thing, and haven't really caught on for civilians yet. Certainly if I was used to a handy little .30-30 I don't know as I'd have much interest in a shiney new army M1903. Tam's Krag looks pretty sweet though..

Hey Tam -- is that a carbine as issued, or a nicely done aftermarket sporterizing job?


-K

 

[Brian Williams]

Win 1885 Hi wall in 38-55

 

[Tamara]

Hey Tam -- is that a carbine as issued, or a nicely done aftermarket sporterizing job?

It's a real carbine. Shannon's dad did the restoration as a hobby kind of thing...

 

[4v50 Gary]

Power. Can't tell you specifically but the U.S. troops fighting the Spainards in Cuba certainly felt the 7mm Mauser was a superior bullet to the 30-40 Krag.

 

[Mike Irwin]

"Hey Tamara, just out of curiosity, about what would the 30-40 Krag cartridge equate to nowdays in terms of power?"

It drops fairly neatly between the .30-30 and the .30-06...

 

[SMLE]

1895; Lee Enfield Cavalry Carbine.
1903; Short Lee Enfield MkI

IMHO the Lee Enfield was THE best bolt rifle made. Other rifles may be superior in one feature or another, but NONE combined as many good points as the LE in one package.

My 2 cents, YMMV

 

[MeekandMild]

1895- Trapdoor Springfield 1873 model in 45-70
1903-I'd have to go with Dr. Rob's first choice and get a Marlin 30-30

BTW, Dixie Gun Works still sells trapdoor rifles! http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=2519

 

[MatthewVanitas]

1895: Savage 1895 in .303 Savage
1903: Savage 1899 in .303 Savage

More rapid than a bolt-action, less bulky than a 1895 Winchester (though less powerful). Cartridge power better than a 30-30. Plus, since the rounds are held in a rotary (not tubular) magazine, I could use the then-new spitzer (sharp-nosed) bullets, which should provide a great ballistic improvement over the round-nosed competition.

I've got dibs on the first .45ACP Colt 1905 to be issued...

 

[Solinvictus70]

Mauser

Mauser M95 in 7X57 or a Swedish 6.5X55. Love the action and ballistics on both of these rifles.

 

[David4516]

Not sure. I'd probably go with the Krag, or the Winchester Model 94 in .30-30

Tamara, that is one nice looking Krag you've got there

 

[Skofnung]

Thank you all very much for your help.

Do any of you know if Mauser was turning out sporting rifles on the 98 action around the turn of the last century? If so, what calibers were available?

Also, was the shooting sling (the military type, not the Ching-Sling)used much around this time?

Thanks again.

 

[Crownvicman]

A lever-action carbine in .32-20. I like the 1894 Marlin, but there is nothing wrong with the 1892 Winchester. I would make the same choice in 1895 and 1903. Why .32-20? If I can only have one rifle, I want something that is small enough for small game but big enough to handle wild dogs. .32-20 may not be an ideal defensive or big game caliber, but will do in a pinch whitetails.

 

[Lawyerman]

1895- Two choices, Model 95 Winchester in 30-40 Krag or an 1895 Marlin in 45-90.

1903- Will assume the Springfield isn't readily available, got to go with a 98 Mauser in 8m/m. If I can't have a Mauser I will go the Lee Enfield route.