Best surplus bolt action rifle?

[sprice]

What in your oppinions is the best surplus bolt action rifle? i like the krag, enfield, mosin nagant, 1903 springfield, 1917, mauser 98, swiss k31, and a few others; how 'bout you all?

 

[Red Eye Fred]

03 springfield or even the 98 mauser would be tops but I thoughly enjoy my sporterized Mosin with a turned down bolt and scope.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Best bang-for-the-buck: Mosin-Nagant.

 

[cracked butt]

Toss up between Swedish M96 and Swiss 1911s. Swiss K-31s come a close second.

Mauser 98s that are on the same tier as above are German made 1909 Argentine rifles and CZ-made Persian rifles.

 

[nbkky71]

The term 'best' is going to be pretty subjective as they all had their merits. Personally, I prefer the 1903 Springfield as well.

Don't forget the Arisaki rifle too.

 

[MMCSRET]

I really enjoy my 1891 Argentine carbine and my 1914 Enfield. I have others but those two are the most enjoyable.

 

[GTFord1]

If you're talking about accuracy, K-31 is hard to beat.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I'm a big fan of the Mauser M98.

 

[elkman06]

Price, Mosin
value, Springfield
elkman06

 

[theotherwaldo]

In addition to those mentioned above, I'm also partial to the MAS-36.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I own various Molsins, Enfields, Mausers, MAS 36, M95 Styer, K31s, etc, but the one that "feels" the best to me is my 1902 production M1898 Krag Rifle. Nothing comes close in terms of pointability and smooth bolt operation.

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

That isn't fair, I like 'em all. Well, not exactly true.

So, I will give my subjective opinions one by one:

Accuracy: Tie Swede M96/Swiss K31

Durability: Mosin Nagant

Fastest Action: Enfield (pretty much any of them)

Affordability: Mosin Nagant

Best for It's Time: Probably the Enfield

All that said, my personal fav is the K.31

And, you notice K.98 isn't on my list... that's because it's good at all of these criteria, it just isn't number 1 at any of them.

 

[9mmepiphany]

for accuracy it would be hard to beat the Swedish M-96

one i'd go into battle with, even today, would be the Enfield #4 Mk 1

my fantasy combat rifle would be an Enfield #4(T) chambered in 6.5x55mm...fast, accurate, reliable and light recoil

 

[Nugilum]

I must vote for the Mosin Nagant M44.

 

[elmerfudd]

The best value for your dollar is a K31. They're a superbly built rifle and a tack driver to boot and they're still available for $250 or less. What's more, you can easily scope them without using some obtusely high "scout mount".

Ammo might not be as cheap as 54R, but it is noncorrosive and practically match grade.

 

[SASD209]

I've got a #4MK2 that I love and a 1903A3 that is absolutely flawless...I also have a Nagant M44 that has a very pitted bore, not really happy about that.

 

[doctorxring]

Bolt Service Rifle

.

Best made and highest performing -- Swiss Model 1931 Short Rifle

 

[okespe04]

Mosin M44, cheap rifle, cheap ammo and a HUGE muzzle blast!

 

[Float Pilot]

While I still love a nice 1902 or 1903A3.

I have come to love a good Swede Mauser for accuracy, simplicity, workmanship....lack of a big muzzle blast and moderate recoil.

I also love Krags...

While I have a few M98 Mausers their accuracy has never impressed me much compared to the above.

 

[Ignition Override]

For a given ammo price, you can probably shoot a MN more often, or use more rounds than many of the others.
But I've never reloaded except to push five rounds into the magazine,
then blow part of a rotten tree branch twenty feet above the river.

 

[vector248]

i am amazed the M39 Finish Nagant hasn't come up here yet. has the action of the Nagant with a heavier barrel and better sights. Below are my 3 favorite surplus rifles.

6.5x55 Swede
7.5 Swiss (K-31)
M39 Finish Nagant

 

[JWF III]

No one has even listed any semi-autos.

Though I do love all my older mil-surps. I always get plenty of questions when I take my Garand, M1 Carbine, SVT-40, Ljundmann, and MAS 49 to the range.

So for the best? Hell I don't know. I just want them all. One of each will be a good start. Two of each will be a nice collection.

Wyman

BTW- Best bang for the buck has to go to the Mosin-Nagant right now. Just because of surplus ammo availability. The Hungarian Styer M95 runs a close second, but ammo is difficult, at best, to find.

ETA-I went back and noticed why no one said anything about semis. I guess they don't fit into the specification of "Best Surplus Bolt Action Rifle?". Well call me stupid if you want. I deserve it. But as my excuse it is 4:00 in the morning, and I couldn't sleep well.

 

[pgeleven]

+1 on the 1903

and just in case it ever becomes surplus (crossing fingers and shooting for the moon) i want first dibs on picking the IS M200

 

[Almond27]

Im gonna go with K31

 

[GTFord1]

I'd like to have one of those '03 Springfields...nice looking guns, anyway.