Best milsurp bolt-action under 200.00

[ArkansasFatboy]

Guys I want a "new" milsurp as in new to me. I was thinking of a K98 if I can find one under 200.00. My local range has a milsurp rifle shoot every month and the ammo for my m95 steyer is getting scarce. I also thought of a mosin-nagant or a schmidt ruben but just wanted your opinions on the best rifle based on accuracy and availability of ammo. I am open to any and all suggestions

 

[sadp40]

not technically a bolt gun

my best shots have come from a swiss k-31

good enough i put a steel st. marie no gunsmith mount

and a fixed weaver 6x scope on it.

the ammo isn't cheap but its all match grade GP-11

i can make 1 moa with the scope.

 

[gotime242]

MOSIN.

Spend rest of money on ammo.

 

[Oro]

I have done this equation myself recently, and am getting an Ishapore .308 (60's era SMLE properly chambered in .308, not a 303 conversion). 10 rd. detachable magazine, too.

 

[wnycollector]

I have noticed several finnish M39's on gunbroker recently go for less than $200...but after you include transfer and shipping, the OTD prices was ~$225. Aclose second is the ishapore .308...super accurate and 10 or 15 rounds of .308 will get the job done!

For less than $100...a hex reciever 91/30 is hard to beat.

 

[SaxonPig]

I have owned several different military bolt guns and while I am no expert on rifles or military collecting I think the 98 is the "best" bolt gun ever designed. Note how everything since is either a copy or at least influenced by the Mauser.

Yet the original 98 hasn't really been improved upon.

Having said that, most military bolt guns are rugged and great fun to shoot and collect. I had an SMLE and liked it. Had a 1903 Springfield and that's a classy rifle. Never had a Mosin but folks seem to rave about them.

Handle a couple of different guns and buy what strikes your fancy.

 

[545poison]

I found a sporterized Steyr k98 (bnz 43) for $125. Added a scout mount and a 4x NCstar long eye relief scope, now it's a very handy scout rifle. Jeff Cooper would be smiling

 

[Domino]

If you could get a K-31 for under $200 it would be by far the best milsurp bolt action out there.

 

[snakeman]

mauser 8mm or k31

 

[flyboy1788]

I have a '43 german mauser k98, a '42 Enfield No.4 Mk.1, an '09 mosin model 1891(same as 91/30, except with a longer barrel), and a '34 Arisaka type 38, and although I love all of my "children", I like my mauser the most, followed by the enfield, then the mosin, and the arisaka last. The mauser is just an outstanding weapon all the way around, from the strength and smooth handling characteristics of the bolt, to the crisp two stage trigger, to the ergonomics of it. There is nothing not to like. and the Czech Vz. 24s on AIM surplus have me wanting to add yet another bolt gun to the family.

 

[Smokehouse69]

They are all good and all have plusses and minuses. Strongest action, probably M1917 Enfield, smoothest action probably the SMLE. Mausers and Moisins are right up there too. I think it's whichever rifle you can find in the best condition with the best bore for the cheapest price. Then buy ammo for it.

 

[alemonkey]

If you look on www.gunsnammo.com they often have M39's in the $200 range.

 

[Hostile Amish]

Mauser rifles, SMLE's or Mosin-Nagant.

 

[.45Guy]

Hey Fly, I have the most immaculate type 38 carbine sans mum I've seen in ages, and a nice 1915 Peter the Great Mosin. Well two actually. The 38 is handier than the jungle carbine that just went on trade....

 

[manthegun]

Please tell me about the Peter the Great Mosin and why it is so named. Where was this manufactured?

 

[flyboy1788]

.45 GUY, I wish I could say my type 38 is immaculate, but it is a beat to snot original rifle that was sadly neglected over the years. I only paid 70 bucks for it at a flea market though. The bore is severely rusted out and the wood is dark. The bolt is in good condition and the outside metal is in fair condition. It does have four tally marks on the stock which is interesting. The mum is completely intact though. I hope to acquire another japanese rifle some day in shootable cond. The only reason I put it last on my list of guns is because of the length of the thing(it is not the carbine version) and the obscure cartridge it fires. perhaps you can post pictures of it, Also I would like to know what the peter the great mosin is as well.

 

[NickEllis]

What about the vaunted Enfields? I shot a buddy's, and I have to say its the fastest bolt gun I've ever shot.

 

[lamebums]

Get a Mosin and a spam can of ammo for it, 440 rounds should run you about 80 bucks. You'll have enough left over for a case of beer, too.

 

[sarduy]

Mosin Nagant M44 or 91/30

 

[.45Guy]

Here's a link to a pic of a PTG Mosin: http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/0110.jpg

 

[alemonkey]

What about the vaunted Enfields? I shot a buddy's, and I have to say its the fastest bolt gun I've ever shot.

I picked mine up with a mismatched bolt but otherwise in good shape for $180 about a year ago. I haven't seem them that cheap since, matching or otherwise. Mine is accurate on a level with my M39, and very fast.

 

[Mp7]

a K98 or an Ishapore2A i guess.

The Ish has .308.... which defintely is an advantage.

 

[Marine_wannabe]

Get a Mosin and ammo

 

[Gottahaveone]

I've got the 3 major flavors of Mosins. I have Enfields. What I would pick is the Spanish Mauser FR-8 (NOT the FR-7).
It's a short, handy carbine chambered in 7.62x51 and it is more accurate than I am. I recently paid $229 for one in as close to like new as you will ever see a milsurp be. Ammo is modern and ought to be available just about everywhere. As I'm becoming used to it, it is slowly replacing my Mosin M38 as my favorite bolt action toy. Unless I want a light show too. Then I shoot the Mosin

 

[Float Pilot]

I compete in what we call MAUSER MATCH up here. Usually I do very well with Swede Mausers since they are so darn accurate. However you will be hard pressed to find one under $200. Maybe a mismathced parts gun, and those will still win you a match....

The guys who come closest to my Swedes are usually shooting Swiss K-31s or the older M1893 or M-1895 Mausers in 7x57mm.

If you can find a nice M-1895 Mauser in 7mm (The rifle the Boers used against the Brits and the Spanish used against the US) You will find them to be a very good shooting rifle.


The other day I thought about takings a ringer to the next Mauser match since everyone expects me to show up with another Swede.

So I put a couple shims inside the stock of my $130 Ishapore Enfield and it now shoots 1.0 inch groups at 100 yards using M-80 7.62mm ammo I pulled from an M-60 MG belt.
The one problem may be that the 2A Ishapores are not technically a WWII era rifle. Well sort-of....

The guys shooting regular KAR 98s, Mosins and French Lebels do not seem to be able to score very high since those rifles generally will not shoot tight groups.