Help me decide: Mosin Nagant or Savage Mark II

[Ash]

A Mosin has the advantage of being able to do more than a .22. Personally, I like the Mossberg 320/340 series of bolt action rifles. They are well-made, accurate, and cheap - but you can only get them used. However, since all Mosins are used, why not?

Even so, every man needs a .22lr rifle.

 

[PJSprog]

I've had a MkII since before the AccuTrigger, and it's been a fine rifle. I also have a model 93 (essentially, a MkII in .22WMR) with AccuTrigger, and like it just as well.

I have, however, never owned or fired a Mosin. I do have an '03 Springfield and a '95 Mauser, and love the military bolt rifles. They are a lot of fun.

Since it seems, though, that your purchases are based on utility, it seems like the MkII is the better first option. You can hunt small game with a .22LR, and as already noted, they are much cheaper (even now) to shoot than pretty much anything.

 

[Swampman]

BigBL87
Unless you're pretty well grounded in basic rifle marksmanship, I'd recommend going with the Savage.

The Mosin has a lot of fine qualities, but "great first rifle", isn't one of them.
A good .22 will allow you to concentrate on sight alignment and trigger control without worrying about getting your shoulder bruised or your eardrums pulped.

The lessons learned and habits acquired will likely stick with you for a long time, a good .22 will help ensure that the lessons learned are the right ones.