I understand that Finn rifles are often regarded as masterpieces of workmanship, tackdrivers, etc. I think the quality of the rifles is often overstated; for every two or three people that extol them as such, I hear cases of people with M39's that can barely shoot 2-3 MOA.
Milsurp Bolt Action Rifle Choice
- Thread starter Lone wanderer
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Mr. Bojangles
Member
You can't go wrong with a Mosin Nagant. $100 for the rifle, and $80 for a tin of 440 rounds. Cheap and fun!
Another rifle to consider is a Yugo 24/47 Mauser. These can be had for about $200, and a tin of 340 runs about $90.
Both are fun to shoot and won't set you back too much.
Another rifle to consider is a Yugo 24/47 Mauser. These can be had for about $200, and a tin of 340 runs about $90.
Both are fun to shoot and won't set you back too much.
Ignition Override
Member
isc:
Even though a friend has a beautiful Czech VZ-24 Mauser, almost every other that I've seen on the Internet appears to have been on the Russian Front, or worse.
If you guys find decent VZ-24s you are fortunate.
With a B Square LER scope mount, no drilling or cutting is necessary.
The friend has this on his Czech, and the rifle looks wicked and appealing.
The bluing and reddish wood are excellent, so maybe the whole gun was refurbished in the US?
A German friend who tends to look down a bit on weapons from most other Euro countries Really Likes this other guy's gun and used it at the river. Mein Freund (aus Essen) seems to like it much more than his own classic Colt AR-15.
Kind of ironic, as the historic German Krupp Munitionen Fabrik is near his home town.
Even though a friend has a beautiful Czech VZ-24 Mauser, almost every other that I've seen on the Internet appears to have been on the Russian Front, or worse.
If you guys find decent VZ-24s you are fortunate.
With a B Square LER scope mount, no drilling or cutting is necessary.
The friend has this on his Czech, and the rifle looks wicked and appealing.
The bluing and reddish wood are excellent, so maybe the whole gun was refurbished in the US?
A German friend who tends to look down a bit on weapons from most other Euro countries Really Likes this other guy's gun and used it at the river. Mein Freund (aus Essen) seems to like it much more than his own classic Colt AR-15.
Kind of ironic, as the historic German Krupp Munitionen Fabrik is near his home town.
Cosmoline
Member
2-3 MOA isn't bad for a surplus rifle, but the ammunition choice can be critical with all Mosins. My current M39 will do pie plates with standard heavy ball, but with handloads drills in very nicely. Many will shine with D166 loads.
zfk55
Member
k31's clean up pretty nice and shoot better than most. (Minor predjudice) 
GunsBeerFreedom
Member
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zfk, that minor bias is well justified it would seem.
I've never shot my K31. Now that ammo is coming in at a reasonable price I might start.
My VZ 24 is OK, I think it has a 1940 date and waffenamps. I used to have one with the Czechoslavakian crest and a prewar date, but I sold it years ago. I regret that now...
My VZ 24 is OK, I think it has a 1940 date and waffenamps. I used to have one with the Czechoslavakian crest and a prewar date, but I sold it years ago. I regret that now...
Lone wanderer
Member
Definately considering a k-31, what are the sights and like on it and can it mount a scope easily?
Lone wanderer
Member
How's the price though, for the rifle and ammo? And are they easy to clean with that straight pull bolt?
zfk55
Member
Sunray
Member
"...SMLE, especially the Number 4..." Friggin' foreigners. A No. 4 Mk I is not an SMLE. Only the No. 1 Mk I to III and the Mk 2A is an SMLE.
7.62 x 54R ammo is likely easier and less expensive to get, Stateside. The supplies of good .303 British milsurp are gone too.
7.62 x 54R ammo is likely easier and less expensive to get, Stateside. The supplies of good .303 British milsurp are gone too.
Coax
member
All my Milsurps Hail from Mother Russia then some ended up in Finland. A M27, M44 and a all match Finn 91/30 That I Rebuilt the stock w/Pillars and bedding. Iv'e drilled the A** out of my share of Deer in the last 2 years. And I can work with 1-2 MOA all day long. Can't complain.
toivo
Member
I like my Finn M39's. I can't help it--it's Finnish chauvinism.
Here's the place for M39's:
http://www.gunsnammo.com/
There seem to be more collectible ones at high prices than there used to be, but there are still some "shooters" at around $300.
Also, the grapevine says that Finland has now sold off all their stockpiles of M39's, so the ones you're seeing on the market now are all there will ever be. Of course, the grapevine could be shilling for the milsurp dealers...
Here's the place for M39's:
http://www.gunsnammo.com/
There seem to be more collectible ones at high prices than there used to be, but there are still some "shooters" at around $300.
Also, the grapevine says that Finland has now sold off all their stockpiles of M39's, so the ones you're seeing on the market now are all there will ever be. Of course, the grapevine could be shilling for the milsurp dealers...
BrocLuno
Member
Yeah, but No4's can be "smelly"
XxWINxX94
Member
Great choices but the Mosin will run you cheaper in initial cost and ammo costs. SMLE will generally be more than a $99 Mosin and you won't find too many deals on .303 Brit. If ammo cost doesn't really bother you too much, I would choose the Enfield any day.
1903A3 ............... 30.06 cartridge is the standard by which all others are compared. Can be found anywhere in any incarnation you want at any price. Lends itself well to handloading. Accurate, powerful, very well made and totally reliable. What else needs to be said. But plan on dropping about $700 for a nice mil-spec example but it will last a lifetime and probably your kid's lifetime too.
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BrocLuno
Member
Re-reading the original post, the choice is between a Mosin and Lee-Enflied. I really like my Enfield, but even cheap ammo is around $13 a box for 20. I'm dead sure mine will group inside 2" at 100 yds under most field conditions and that's good enough for anything walking.
IF you can get a Mosin that will do that - then that equals your best bargain. Model 1903A3 and the rest are not in the running for cost of acquisition and cost of ammo. They may make a very nice second rifle. But bargain is the Mosin. Finding one in your market area that will shoot well is another matter?
IF you can get a Mosin that will do that - then that equals your best bargain. Model 1903A3 and the rest are not in the running for cost of acquisition and cost of ammo. They may make a very nice second rifle. But bargain is the Mosin. Finding one in your market area that will shoot well is another matter?
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