I recently posted asking about how hard it would be to find 8mm ammo since I'm looking to get myself a milsurp bolt action; and after trying things out in person at the local cabelas and chatting with the clerks like a couple of old church ladies for about 2 hours I came back knowing I don't like the Mauser. The couple they had in stock were some odd balls (1 Turksih, pre-1900 carbine, and a heck of a lot of sporterized Yugos) so I wouldn't judge the platform by those bolts specifically (though they were kinda rough) but I kinda hate Mauser sights so I'm moving on.
The other rifle I saw that I fell in love with immediately was a Springfield 1903, until I saw the price tag; maybe some day but not today.
Other than that what was on offer was a Lee Enfield Mk. 1 (US property if that makes any difference) and a heck of a lot of Mosins including a hex receiver. Between the two I could tell I would way prefer the Enfield, it was a little pricier (500~) but then again the Mosins were pricey for what I would want to pay for a Mosin (350 for your pick off the rack) but then the clerk showed me the price on .303 which was a pretty significant turn off.
So here's where I'm at right now, not sure what to do. Could buy the Lee Enfield Mk.1 and invest in some handloading gear down the line but not really shoot the gun much until then, I could just settle for a Mosin, or I could continue my hunt for an Ishapore which I saw once last time I was in but since then someone else jumped on it sadly. The Ishapore would be my ideal set up but it's not in stock, and I'm not really smart enough to find it online; not sure if it's just impractical to hold out looking for but I'll admit I'm not really the most knowledgeable about buying guns online. Any advice?
The other rifle I saw that I fell in love with immediately was a Springfield 1903, until I saw the price tag; maybe some day but not today.
Other than that what was on offer was a Lee Enfield Mk. 1 (US property if that makes any difference) and a heck of a lot of Mosins including a hex receiver. Between the two I could tell I would way prefer the Enfield, it was a little pricier (500~) but then again the Mosins were pricey for what I would want to pay for a Mosin (350 for your pick off the rack) but then the clerk showed me the price on .303 which was a pretty significant turn off.
So here's where I'm at right now, not sure what to do. Could buy the Lee Enfield Mk.1 and invest in some handloading gear down the line but not really shoot the gun much until then, I could just settle for a Mosin, or I could continue my hunt for an Ishapore which I saw once last time I was in but since then someone else jumped on it sadly. The Ishapore would be my ideal set up but it's not in stock, and I'm not really smart enough to find it online; not sure if it's just impractical to hold out looking for but I'll admit I'm not really the most knowledgeable about buying guns online. Any advice?