Finest bolt action milsurp

[Titan6]

SMLE

Maybe the finest of the basic issue bolt guns of WWII. Built like a tank you won't mind taking out into the woods, you can still find them everywhere (although not as cheap as the used to be), accurate. Not as much recoil as the 8MM or 7.62X54R but the SP round will drop a deer in it's tracks. I like it. YMMV.

 

[CU74]

K-31

Let's see - accurate, reliable, tough; $500 with enough left over for ammo. Looks like a Swiss K-31 to me .

 

[byf43]

K98k Mauser.

IF you ever want to convert/change the caliber, the K98k can handle any of our popular (similar sized) cartridges with a barrel change and headspacing (.308, .30-'06, .243, .270, .338 Federal, etc.)

 

[Loanshark]

I have several more expensive rifles in various calibres. The K-31 is my favorite one to shoot.

 

[mukluk]

For myself, the ergonomics of the rifle coupled with the 60 degree throw and cock on close design of the bolt makes the Enfield the finest bolt action milsurp. They're tough as nails, shoulder nicely, don't beat the snot out of you when fired, and are just plain fun to shoot. That being said, their main downfall is a lack of availability of cheap, quality surplus ammo. Generally speaking you are limited to commercial ammo at $10+ per box or handloading your own ammo (which is a fun and rewarding hobby in and of itself).

In my opinion, the best bang for the buck in the milsurp world would be a Mosin 91/30. Like new arsenal refurbed examples can be had for less than $100 and cheap, quality surplus ammo is plentiful. My primary complaints about Mosins are a stock design that seems to focus shooting recoil rather than distribute it and their single-stage trigger tends to have a long and heavy pull.

 

[jame]

Has EVERYONE forgotten about the VZ24 'cept me?

 

[longhorngunman]

With $500 to throw around you can get a very nice K31 and a bunch of ammo, and maybe a mount and scope. A Springer 03A3 or M1 Garand would be wonderful as well but they will cost all your money or more and then you still have ammo to get. The Swedes are excellent and can still be found under $400 if you shop wise. I have a Persian Mauser and it is indeed a superb example of old world craftsmanship. It's your money, research and go with the one that calls to you the most . One little piece of advice though, don't be in a rush to get a Mosin Nagant, they are well worth their cheap price and more but the others will start to dry up soon if they are not already, the Commies made jillions of Mosins, they will still be selling cheap for a good while.

 

[Cosmoline]

Has EVERYONE forgotten about the VZ24 'cept me?

I love them, but so many were abused during the war or after. The best bet at the high expression of Czech military Mauser engineering is probably the Persian long rifles. They were all made by VZ/CZ and got to sit out the war under the safety of the Peacock Throne. You better believe those guards wore white gloves!

 

[silverlance]

Finnish M39

First of all, listen to Cosmoline. He knwos what he's talking about.

That said, for a guy starting off like you, the M39 is a very good choice. Sure, the stock might not be freefloated with a little sleeve or bushing like the m28s were, but they are amazing accurate as is and can be easily floated with some shims at home.

The Swedes are very nice, but ammo isn't cheap. where are you going to find surplus 6.5x55? you can always handload, but Century has a crate of 800 for 80 bucks. you just can't beat that. very good quality ammo, a very good quality gun - and all for about 350. that's for a vg+ condition m39 and 800 rounds of ammo for it.

They are also going to increase in value - already the days of $100 m39s is long past and it is not uncommon to find people paying up to $450 for an M39.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

FYI...CMP doesn't have any 1903's...they have a few hundred parade/drill rifles that have no rifling left from being shot with blanks and put away without cleaning hundreds of times. no shooters...you'll have to look for an '03 elsewhere

 

[Trebor]

I think the Swede Mauser Model 96 or Model 38 is the finest mil-surp bolt action available. The rifles are extremely well made, well cared for, and very accurate. The 6.5x55 is a great round as well. Surplus and comercial loads are available.

The K-31 or a good 8mm Mauser would be a toss up for second choice.

The Mosin Nagant would be fourth, after the K-31's or Mausers. The design is just a bit more awkward then the Mauser action. The Finnish Mosins are the best of the Mosin Nagant family though.

 

[Squidward]

IMHO

K31-
Easy to work on
Fairly inexpensive
Accurate
Fun to shoot- meaning not much recoil

 

[Ian Sean]

Used to swear by the Mauser, I have a real sweet 98 and an even sweeter VZ-24 that was in un-issued condition and a real tack driver.

UNTIL......

I fired my friends K-31.... one of the best in my opinion.

 

[silverlance]

a good m39 will beat the pants off of any 8mm mauser.

a good 8mm mauser will beat the pants off of any non-finnish nagant.

a good k31 firing gp11 will probably trump them both.

a good swede will cost as much as all of the other 3 combined.