World War I/II Era Bolt Action Rifle- I want one, but which?

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I have several built on M98 actions. Turned out quite well indeed! Plenty of well worn and cobbled up 98 actions are available for customizing without 'destroying history'.

Springfields (03's and 03A3's) are much less so although they make fine firearms. I would not miss with an original though-too costly as is. They are wonderful for shooting as-is.
 
madcratebuilder said:
I think the K31 well fill your needs. GP11 surplus is near match grade and available, great for paper. There are several hunting loads available.

The K31 can be scoped with out drilling and tapping. D&T ruins the value of mil-surps. If your going to sporterize it then makes no difference.

SP no drill scope mount with a Weaver K4 steel tube gives me 400 yds with relative ease.

K2501.jpg

Since you don't want 30-06 that rules out the 03's and 1917. The Yugo 8mm Mauser's are affordable, lots of surplus around, can be spendy to scope.
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That is a gorgeous rifle! Best looking K31 I've seen! Is that straight pull?

I should have made it a poll, but it seems Mausers are out front.
 
When I was growing up, there was a saying that went something like, "...the Mauser was designed by hunters, the Enfield by the military and the Springfield by target shooters..." I have used Enfields and Mausers and find them perfectly adequate for hunting and plinking. A brother of mine likes the Springfields and uses them at Camp Perry.

Kind of a take your pick situation.
 
First a Mauser. Not a Yugo though, but any standard sized K98 type rifle if you intend any modifications. If you plan to leave it in it's mil-spec stock, the Yugo is ok. Still you'd be much better off finding a Czech VZ-24 from between the wars.

Then an Enfield.

Then something in 8mm Lebel. I'd prefer a Berthier over the original Lebel. The MAS 36 in 7.5x54 is an excellent rifle as well

Then a straight pull - K31 would do well enough though there are others of the type available.

Then, perhaps a M1903 or M1917. I'd lean towards the M1917. More interesting to me and much better sights.
 
I would probably go with the K98. If you are planning on making a bit of a project out of it I would try and find one that has already been sporterized to some extent. If you find one that has already been sporterized it is going to be cheaper and the C&R Gods won't smite you when you start modifying it.
 
I agree with madcrate and critter. Please dont butcher an original. I have a '43 K98 Mauser with no import mark and all markings intact. It would be worth a lot of money, but some @$$ drilled and tapped it for a scope.

The K31 is a good choice due to the No Tap scope mounting. I am very partial to Finn Mosin Nagants and 1903's. Another option is to just build what you want. AIM has 1903A3 actions for $130 if that floats your boat.
 
Why has everyone forgotten the M1917 Enfield?. It is a fine rifle, better sights than an 03, and shoots the 30-06.

Of the foreign rifles, you got to have a Swiss K31 and a Swedish Mauser. Get them before prices become unreasonable.

For cheap, cheap, cheap, the Mosin Nagant is the way to go. Clumsy, clunky, but it goes bang and shoots well.
 
When I was growing up, there was a saying that went something like, "...the Mauser was designed by hunters, the Enfield by the military and the Springfield by target shooters..." I have used Enfields and Mausers and find them perfectly adequate for hunting and plinking. A brother of mine likes the Springfields and uses them at Camp Perry.

Kind of a take your pick situation.
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IIRC the saying was (in reference to WW I rifles):

"The Germans brought a hunting rifle, the Americans brought a target rifle, and the British brought a battle rifle."

My preference, if you are ruling out the Springfield, would be a Lee-Enfield, but then again I am something of an Anglophile. Second choice would be a Mauser 98 in 7.92mm.
 
All of them in Military trim are heavier than most hunting rifles. And WW1 is a long way from sport hunting.

I'm still shocked Robert suggested a rifle that was NOT an Enfield.

The 1917 Eddystone is the basis for a lot of heavy duty sporters.. it's a very strong action. It's also a fine rifle 'as is,' don't cut it up if it's 'stock'. If it's already sporterized the price is high to me, sight unseen.

I'm sure some experts will chime in with specifics to watch for.
 
mainly a long range gun built around one of the four aforementioned rifles
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So, this will be a "sporterized" rifle that needn't look like a warhorse?

You can buy a modern Mauser fairly inexpensively. It'll be cheaper long-term than buying a WWI/II piece and modifying it. There are also very many Mausers that have been sporterized over the years- some of the nicest custom rifles you can find are sporterized Mausers. Be sure of what you're getting, though- quality can vary between absolute Bubba'd junk and very high-end customs.

You could also look for a P14 Centurion. I have two, one in 7mm Remington Magnum, and one in .300 WM. They were built by Century, and seem to be one of the few rifles Century couldn't find a way to screw up.

The Model 1917 is a terrific rifle, but the Eddystone is actually the least desirable to sporterize, due to the barrels being over-tightened into the receiver.

John
 
I am going to have to go with the Enfield, (BUT) not just the smooth as butter action, yes I am talking about the Ishapore 2A1 rifle yes I know it is not a WWI or II rifle but the action is ! Why ? Because of the 7.62 NATO/.308 Win. it is a more efficient round than others of that era save the 6.5x55 Swede.............
 
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I'm trying to talk the guy with the 1917 down to $500. He may bite.

That aside, I'm digging what I hear of the K31. I hate Wikipedia, so who knows the history?

Also, gun weight is a non issue. Here in the show me state, deer come to us:)
But for walking, I grab the Interarms mkx in .223 with 55 gr Barnes tsx. It drops em no prob.
I will be hunting in an elaborate home built blind this year, expecting 300 yard or better shots. But. Most importantly, I've been craving a warhorse.
 
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Go to the CMP forum to get a 1917 or a 1903 if you change your mind and go with a 06. You will get a good rifle from people who know 03s and 1917s. $500 for a 1917 isnt bad but you need to know what to look for since you can't handle the rifle. I have seen good 03A3 and 17s for less than $500 in the cmp forum.
 
I'm currently interested in the Enfield No. 4. 10-round capacity, loads with clips, peep sights, longer barrel, etc. If they were semi-automatic, I'd probably have several by now. I instead elected to get an M1 first and am now looking for a bolt gun. This is my favorite as far as features are concerned.
 
What is an 1891 Argentine Mauser, in damn near perfect condition, worth?

Also, I've never tried, but is Cabelas negotiable?
 
FreedomFreak said:
I'm currently interested in the Enfield No. 4. 10-round capacity, loads with clips, peep sights, longer barrel, etc. If they were semi-automatic, I'd probably have several by now. I instead elected to get an M1 first and am now looking for a bolt gun. This is my favorite as far as features are concerned.
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Thread jack much?
 
FreedomFreak said:
I'm currently interested in the Enfield No. 4. 10-round capacity, loads with clips, peep sights, longer barrel, etc. If they were semi-automatic, I'd probably have several by now. I instead elected to get an M1 first and am now looking for a bolt gun. This is my favorite as far as features are concerned.
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Sounds like someone talking out their
 
Currently I own a 1903, two 1903A3's and a 1917. They're all pretty accurate, but the 03A3's are by far the most accurate. I've owned a number of Mausers for years and they're accuracy is directly proportionate to the quality of the barrels; some OK, some not.
I've owned as many as 4 No.4 enfields and still have one. Accuracy is so-so.
I've owned over the years 6-8 Mosins. Accuracy is spotty, though generally acceptable. But the thing they have going for them is they're cheap...that's about it.
I own five K-31's and for very good reason: they're EXTREMELY accurate. Period. I've not fired any issue military rifle that comes close although I'm sure the Swedish Mausers are quite good.
IMHO the K31's have it over the Swede's simply because .30 caliber bullets are so popular and plentiful.
Like someone else said, snatch up a K-31 before the prices go out of sight...and they will. For $250 -$300 you can buy an issue K-31 that will easily outshoot a $700-$800 1903, 03A3 or 1917. Buy a clamp-on scope mount and a good scope, and you're all set!
35W
 
I own

a Lee-Enfield #4, one of the last "Irish" ones
1 sporterized 1903
2 sporterized P14s
2 bubba'd 1917s (one not bad, one crap)

The 03 is a terrific deer rifle, and I made my longest hit on a deer with it. (173 yards- not as long as you mention, but a decent distance.)

The P14 and 1917 make excellent, very tough platforms for rifles. In the past, they were the basis for some dangerous game rifles, because they are so sturdy, and have a nice large magazine (being built in the Pattern 14 original version to hold 5 of the rimmed .303 cartridges). The problem with using an Eddystone is removing the original barrel without damaging the receiver.

Some easy 1917 conversions:
.25-06
6.5-06
.270
.280 Remington
.35 Whelen

John
 
JShirley said:
I own

a Lee-Enfield #4, one of the last "Irish" ones
1 sporterized 1903
2 sporterized P14s
2 bubba'd 1917s (one not bad, one crap)

The 03 is a terrific deer rifle, and I made my longest hit on a deer with it. (173 yards- not as long as you mention, but a decent distance.)

The P14 and 1917 make excellent, very tough platforms for rifles. In the past, they were the basis for some dangerous game rifles, because they are so sturdy, and have a nice large magazine (being built in the Pattern 14 original version to hold 5 of the rimmed .303 cartridges). The problem with using an Eddystone is removing the original barrel without damaging the receiver.

Some easy 1917 conversions:
.25-06
6.5-06
.270
.280 Remington
.35 Whelen

John
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info on the Eddystone. I have read of the barrel removal woes elsewhere too.
 
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