Mosin Nagant rifles are an excellent bargain. As Cosmoline mentioned, M91's are getting fewer and farther between, but there are many other models. If you are looking for and excellent inexpensive 'out of the box' deer rifle, the M38 is a great choice. 20" barrel, no bayonet to remove and have the lugs sticking out. The M44 is also short, less $$$, and that bayonet
does come off easily. The M91/30 is a bit longer, but usually more accurate, and are still inexpensive. The M91/59, which is a 'carbinized' M91/30 done by the Russian arsenals after WWII, is the best of both worlds. Handy carbine length, and the inherent accuracy of the M91/30's heavier barrel. The 91/59's were also the 'pick of the litter' the arsenals sifted through the 91/30's and picked the best for 91/59's.
Many non-pemanantly altering options are available for these rifles. Drop-in aftermarket synthetic stocks, (hang on to that issue stock!) 'scout' scope mounts that do not require drilling and tapping or changing the bolt handle, some shooters like to add a slip-on reciol pad to their Mosin (I recommend the Limb Saver small slip-on) , There is even a drop in adjustable trigger for them.
Surplus ammo for these rifles (Cal. 7.62x54R) is widely available and inexpensive. Hunting ammo is also available, and while much more expensive than the FMJ surplus, is still less than comparable hunting ammo for calbers such as .30-06, .308 Win. , which also happen to be the cartridges that it closely resembles ballistically.
Here is a link to an article written by a friend, about hunting bear with his Chinese-made Type 53 carbine, a Chinese version of the M44. Ron has graciously allowed it to be posted on
www.russian-mosin-nagant.com , as has BobW, owner of RMNP. I hope Oleg doesn't mind the link here.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/huntingwithmosin/index.asp