Most Accurate Vintage Rifle?

[G23/40]

Get well and get back to the range.

If I do my part...At 100yds,from a bench,open sites,I have achived groups that a dime would cover.
I do have witnesses.

G23/40

 

[guntech59]

I have a Swede M96/38 and a MN 1944 (bayonet removed) that that I can regularly shoot 2" at 100 yards.

I have no doubt that, a better shooter or me with better eyes, could improve on that.

The Swede is a 1905 CG. I sort of expected that kind of accuracy out of it.

The MN was made in 1944.....the accuracy is MUCH better that what I expected from it. Especially considering it's DOM.

I don't own and have never shot any Swiss rifles or a 1903. Maybe someday.

 

[SlimPickens67]

Here are the results from a recent service rifle 300m challenge (iron sights only) in Obernai in Alsace, and you'll see a lot of K31s:
Top score is a K31 with 169 points combined in the precision and speed event.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Amz0oB7QhvzgdE1vWGNGUzQzZmhXTXNJb0xFZmg3Qmc&hl=fr


As for the scoring, here's a picture of the type of target used for the 300m match with a score of 85 out of 100 (that picture wasn't taken at that particular match, it was shot by a Steyr AUG A1) :

If you read French you can check out their site here: http://apto.centerblog.net/rub-concours-.html

I've only had a chance to visit it once, but a truly great atmosphere and the only 300m range in eastern France as far as I know.

 

[Erik M]

1903 Springfield period.

For sure. Aim Surplus has them. Other places do to but be prepared, they carry a hefty price tag.

 

[HB]

Honestly, many SKS's aren't half bad. With a good shooter and good ammo you are looking at a 3" group. Now that they cost $400, its not worth it. If you are looking for a good shooter without much fuss, get a modern rifle. If you want a milsurp, buy it for its history and then appreciate the accuracy that you can squeeze out of it.

 

[CornCod]

Minute of Beer Can

This afternoon, I hit a beer can sitting on a birm at 100 yards with a short-barrelled M1944 Mosin-Nagant. I consider myself a lousy rifle shot.

 

[Hammerhead6814]

Lookup mag30th on youtube guys.

He'll show you all you'll ever need to see about accurate "Vintage Rifles".

EDIT: In case anyone thinks twice the puff of smoke you see below a target of his, after you hear a "ping", is the round bouncing off the metal plate. Hard targets beyond 300-400 yards do cause solid lead bullets to bounce. Especially when the cartridge was loaded for optimum accuracy and not velocity/penetration.

 

[theotherwaldo]

The MAS-36 isn't quite up to a K-31, but it's not too far behind.

-And much easier to find with a low round count... .

 

[R.W.Dale]

All the MAS 36'es Ive fired have indeed been astoundingly accurate. The sights are far superior to those on other Milsurps save the british No4 and American rifles

 

[gun addict]

uhh, the 1903 is a copy of the Mauser design, my K98k shoots 1.5 inches at 100 yards with portugeses 70s ammo.

Mauser mauser mauser......

 

[lopezni]

Certain Finnish M39's can be very accurate as well. If you disassemble the trigger and stone all the parts, it can be a pretty decent trigger for a surplus rifle. Someone said that 3MOA is typical for a surplus rifle? Is that statement including handloads or just surplus ammo? My father has a k31 with a perfect bore, next time I see him we'll go shoot it and I will post the results.

 

[Smith357]

Ballard

Sharps

Winchester 1885 High Wall

Remington Rolling Block

 

[Old Time Hunter]

My vote based on fifty six years of experience...'course these are generalizations of standard Mil rifles and no hot-rodding:

1. M96 Swede with 29.1" barrel and diopter sights
2. K31 Schmidt-Rubin Swiss w/diopter sights
3. Commission 88 w/.3215 "S" barrel (this rifle has a full floating barrel!)
4. M4 (Rem 700BDL) .300WM, with an optical enhancer (scope for the untrained)
5. Springfield Trapdoor...only Mil rifle to meet the 3200 yard test with open sights. (see Sandy Hook trials).

 

[bennadatto]

My K31 is spooky accurate!! On shots where I know I pulled the shot or flinched, when I look in my spotting scope there is a bullet hole exactly where I thought it would be, even if it is a miss.

Not to mention they are a breeze to disassemble and clean!!

 

[Rubber_Duck]

My picks for accurate mil-surps are the Finnish M39, the Swiss K31, and the Swedish M96.

On the other hand, I have two German Kar 98Ks that group under 2 inches using Yugo or Portuguese 70's ball or Yugo M75 "sniper" ammo.

 

[paducahrider]

Long Live the Swede!!

The model 1896 Swedish Mauser has been the longest lived battle rifle, in service with a regular army, in the world.
It served from 1896, until, in 1941, standard rifles were selected for accuracy, fitted with scopes and a bent bolt, designated as m/41 and m/41B sniper rifles. They served unchanged until 1955, when, rather than switch to a newer design, a few minor modifications were made (different scope, blued bolt, extra mounting screw, and a 'back-up', open sight), the designation was changed to SM-Sikte M/55 and it served until 1995, when the last sniper variants were removed from regular service from the Swedish infantry. That was three years short of one hundred years service, and the last fifty-four years it served only for its accuracy, as a sniper rifle.
During this period, there was not a time when it was not considered as a top(if not THE top) contender for accuracy, in both its military and target variants.
I have one, which I bought off the mil-surp rack at a local gun shop, for $149.99, in 2001.
I cleaned it up and ended up with a surplus rifle that shoots moa with two types of off-the-shelf ammo, and is beautiful, to boot.
There's really no need to say "LONG LIVE THE SWEDE!!!", because it's already outlived everything else.
Until someone proves otherwise (not just by sentimental attachment), I'll stick with the "SWEDE", and I don't have an ounce of Swedish blood in my body.
Thanks for your time.