Milsurp rifles for hunting?

Status
Not open for further replies.
H

HBK

member
Joined
Apr 21, 2003
Messages
1,430
Location
A liberal hellhole: Olympia, WA.
Are there any Military surplus rifles that could be counted on as a hunting rifle? I just got my C & R and if I could use it to get a rifle used for hunting, that would be sweet. Less expensive to buy one rifle for two purposes or just use one of my military rifles to hunt with. ( I don't have any yet, but maybe I'll have the money by the end of May.)
 
Well, a Mosin Nagant would serve well, given you have the correct, legal ammunition for hunting.

I have a 308 FR8 that I'm going to use as a pack gun this hunting season.
 
What would the correct/legal ammo for hunting with it?
Click to expand...

Some kind of softpoint I would imagine. I think I've seen people talk about winchester and wolf making some. I'm sure there are more.
 
I thought of a Garand too, but I'm not sure where to get one yet and they are definately more expensive. I wanted something I could use for deer, cougar, and bear. I had thought of buying one of the cheaper Mosins that I wouldn't mind banging up, but a Garand...that would be cool too.
 
Any of the 7mm, 8mm or .308 bolt actions would do just fine. For most, a bit of cleanup on the trigger wouldn't hurt, and that little chore is no big deal.

The "mainest" thing is learning how well you can hit with the sights you have. Most military sights aren't exactly precision instruments.

Factory loads for the 7mm are limited to some 40,000 psi because of the single-lug bolts on some rifles. However, it's still flatter shooting than the .30-40 Krag, and has more punch than a .30-30.

Art
 
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned either the SMLE in .303 or the Springfield 1903 in 30.06.

Both are capable calibres with commercial hunting ammunition readily available.

For a long time in this country milsurp rifles were de rigeur ... it was pretty much all that a young man could afford in the 50s and 60s. Many a government deer culler filled his quota with a "sporterised" SMLE .... and many of the recreational hunters carried SMLEs or 1903s. They even used milsurp ammo which some of the enterprising cullers modified into hollowpoints by filing off the tips of the bullets. I should add that modifying milsurp ammunition in this manner is a seriously UNSAFE thing to do and should NEVER be attempted by anyone.

If you're considering a Mod 1903 I'd suggest an 03A3 ..... principally because of its better rear sight.

Spinner
 
I could have taken any big game animal I ever shot with any of the mil-surp rifles I own just like they came from the box.
Sweedes, Enfields, Mausers, Moisins, Schmit-Rubins, M39s, 03s, 1917s, Garands, Hakims ................... All have plenty of accuracy and power for every shot I have ever taken in the field. And the sights are more than up to the task.
This is providing you are using good comercial ammunition intended for hunting and not some grungy, 75 year old military surplus ammo. And also providing your own shooting skill is up to snuff.
 
Spinner, priced any original Springfield '03s, lately? I'd assumed that an inexpensive '03 has already been sporterized or partially so, and doesn't really fit his category...

You're right about the Enfield .303.

:), Art
 
Sorry Art, my pricing won't relate to yours I'm afraid. In New Zealand a new Remington 870 Express will set you back about $1200.

Haven't priced any milsurp rifles lately but have Dad's sporterised 1903 sitting in my safe.

Spinner
 
:what: :what: :what:

$1200 US Dollars ? I hope not. That would cost you about $300 US Dollars here.
Most of the rifles mentioned in this thread would cost between $100 and $200 USD although I bought most of mine for around $100 USD. An '03 would be more like $700 and up.
 
ooops, my mistake .... a Remington 870 isn't $1200.

Just checked prices from one of the bigger local gun stores:

870 Express $875
870 Express magnum $1099
870 Wingmaster LC $1750
870 Marine Magnum $1650

Of course this is New Zealand dollars (NZ$1 = US$0.65 roughly)

So taking the exchange rate into account, these guns are $568, $714, $1137 and $1072 US dollars.

Gee, do ya think that maybe we get ripped off for shipping and importation duties?? Nah!!!! :banghead: :fire:

Spinner
 
SKS's are cool for hunting smaller critters and even some larger ones of you get up close. There are even some good hunting rounds available to 7.62x39. If I had to pick a sub $500.00 surplus rifle for hunting, I would be hard pressed to decide between a 98k or a SKS.
 
Most guys up here started with some kind of milsurp. Usually a No 4 Lee-Enfield. One guy I know still uses nothing else. Says it works why buy a new rifle? Most WW II battle rifles are chambered in a calibre capable of taking any game in North America. Soft point ammo is readily available for most of 'em too.
The CMP is the place to buy a Garand or a 1903A3, when you're ready. Mind you, it is kind of heavy to lug around hunting. www.odcmp.com
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

tahunua001
  • Locked
hunting pics with your military surplus rifles?
Replies
18
Views
2K
soloban
S
P
  • Locked
Hunting with Milsurps
2
Replies
44
Views
3K
gunner69
G
B
  • Locked
Newbie Question about Using WWII rifles
Replies
7
Views
551
.45Guy
4
K
  • Locked
Elk Rifle
2 3
Replies
56
Views
5K
H&Hhunter
H&Hhunter
B
  • Locked
miltary arms for hunting??
2 3
Replies
59
Views
3K
MD_Willington
M
Back
Top