New Mil-Surp Rifle

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The K-31 is the most accurate milsurp I've fired, and I've shot a lot of 'em. GP11 (7.5x55 swiss surplus) is expensive and commercial ammo is relatively rare and even more expensive, but Wolf will be offering brass, boxer primed 7.5x55 in a couple of months...always a good sign to see a new source of ammo for a milsurp.

M48 is a good choice and 8mm surplus ammo is dirt cheap, but the M48 has to have the tiniest, worst V-notch sights I've ever seen. You'd definitely want to replace them with Mojos or a scope.

You'll pay more for a decent Enfield or the '03. 03-A3's are generally in better shape since they were manufactured as a hedge during early WWII Garand production and little used in combat. 03-A3's also have peep sights but use some stamped parts (as do the M48A, M48B, M48BO, BTW)

There's a sharp drop off in ammunition performance between the first 6 rifles you listed and the SKS (7.62x39), so depending on what you plan to do with it, it's hard to know whether to recommend it. That said, Russian and Yugo SKS's are solidly built though the Yugo gas shutoff system can become problematic after much use (occassional shortstroking) so buy the best condition you can afford.
 
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the swedish mauser did spark my interest but a couple of things. 1. the ceapsest my freind has is $300 (its a beautiful rifle though probably worht it) and 2. i have never really seen any ammo for it in the stores i frequent. plus not to be overtly macho but i really prefer .30 caliber for just about everything. the m39 also peaked my interest but since i already have a russian 91/30 with original scope i dont think id want another just yet. maybe in the future though... anyways ive decided its either the k-31 or m48.
thanks so much your help has been invaluable.
 
Around here, about every decent sporting goods or gun shop has some sort of commercial 6.5 Swede ammo on the shelf. The Wally World in our little town has it, and you can't even use a cartridge rifle for deer in our state. Most US ammo manufacturers offer at least one loading for it. FWIW, it's famous for its inherent accuracy and lethality on medium game animals. Some Scandinavians swear by it for moose, which may be at least as much a function of "it's what they can get" as it is of the cartridge's demonstrated ability to drop them with a well-placed hit. Still, you can't argue much with success.

S&K, B-Square, and a couple of other aftermarket suppliers list no-permanent-alterations scope mounts for nearly any popular milsurp. Some give you the choice between a conventional receiver mount and a forward-mount "Scout' setup.

BTW, the same advice and approximately the same prices as 7.5 Swiss apply to .303 Brit for that No.4 SMLE. The 'majors' offer loaded ammo, brass, and bullets in the correct 0.311" for it, although bulk deals (over 100 pcs) on bullets seem to be a seldom thing.
 
ok ive made my decision....(drum roll) the m-48!
im going out right after i get done with school and getting it and about 100 rounds and heading out to the range. ill let ya'll know the results tomorrow. :D
 
Of those, I'd pick the Enfield.

But I chose this:
2005-03-19%20155457%20HSLC.jpg
 
Hey Redneck Revolver where you going to school?


Also SKS were going for $120 at dunhames last weekend don't know about right now though.

I have to fine time to clean my SKS yet. I really want to shoot it.
 
I am very opionuated, But I seldom give advice

That said K-31 by a huge margin. I've owned them all. There is more to shooting than the cost of cheap ammo. I sold both Springfields because they couldn't shoot with 2 of my 3 K-31's. If you dont handload yet bithe the bullet (pun intened ) and shoot GP-11 in the meantime. Sincerely Essex
 
Look forward to it, anyway you've got the rest of your life to buy mil-surps
Click to expand...

Yeah, but you still end up buying them up like you're gonna die tomorrow :uhoh:

The M48 is a great gun. Get yourself a case of Turk surplus, and you'll have ammo for a long time.
 
i know some people feel the ephasis was towards the k-31 and ill be honest while i said i had decided on the yugo i hadnt until i got to the store. but when i did i picked up the yugo and it just..felt right...like true love but with guns. anyways i had a wonderful time shooting last night. the 48 was a beautiful rifle, surpassed everyone of my expectations. and made a 3 1/4 group at 50 yards. i know lots of people here do better but thats fairly decent for me. oh and i already do have a beautiful 91/30 sniper that im sure i brag about waaaaayyyy too much. i go to school at southlake, why? do you know me?
 
OK, probably just mine. The gunsmith said the stock wasn't fit correct, and that was what was probably causing it. But, he wanted more to fix that the gun cost me.
 
A lot of gun ranges have banned FMJ, so make sure you have a place to actually shoot milsurp ammo.

You need to decide if you are a guy who likes to tinker, or a guy who is looking for the most trigger time for the buck.

I wish I had more time to tinker, but am basically the latter.

I also have a a desire to limit the no of calibers I have to deal with, which is contrary to the milsurp creed.

Many SMLE's will require some fix-up, both "leaded" and Ishapore. Will your bud let you shoot the rifle as a test, and let you exchange?
 
the range i usually go to is called top gun shooting range. they dont care about ammo really (or rapid fire :D ) all they care about is steel cored bullets. this is because they got complaints from shooters that they would get hit with shrapnel(sp) in other lanes so they check your ammo with a magnet. the guys know me pretty well and since im not the bigest steel core fan i usually dont get hasseled. awsome place too.
 
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