303 or 7,62X 54R?
- Thread starter Pesce
- Start date
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Either would be all right for hunting. However, my choice would be .303 for the availability of ammunition and the more compactness of the rifle.
The Lee-Enfield system also has a better and faster bolt operation in case a second shot is needed. The 10 round capacity of the magazine is not really a factor in hunting over the 5 round Mosin-Nagant, as usually the first or second shot is needed to down an animal.
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Either would be all right for hunting. However, my choice would be .303 for the availability of ammunition and the more compactness of the rifle.
The Lee-Enfield system also has a better and faster bolt operation in case a second shot is needed. The 10 round capacity of the magazine is not really a factor in hunting over the 5 round Mosin-Nagant, as usually the first or second shot is needed to down an animal.
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M38/44 is pretty compact too...
Mind you 303's have taken a crap load of elephants too...
In addition to better availablity of .303 ammo, the safety on the Mosin Nagant is also bugger to operate smoothly. If you're getting ready to line up a shot on game, you don't want to be struggling with the safety.
Though I have a LE hunting rifle as well, I went with P14, which seems a bit more rugged (though heavier).
Though I have a LE hunting rifle as well, I went with P14, which seems a bit more rugged (though heavier).
Mosin? What about the SVT safety, very simple...
oops I guess not very compact though that SVT...
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Enfield all the way. Reasons:
Lots of already sportered rifles for you to choose from
Shorter, lighter (assuming sporter)
Easier safety operation
Ability to take out mag for easy transportation between hunting sights
if you use irons, the enfields (no4mk2) are superior
Turned down bolt handle (although you can get one for the mosin 91/30 too at extra cost)
Ammo is more readily availiable, especially for hunting.
Smoother operation
All these add up to the lee enfield being the superior hunting rifle of the two.
IF you need to get one for hunting and with a scope mount, GET A SPORTER that already has the modification (holes in reciever). They are easy to find and cheap. Dont do it to an unmolested rifle. Buy what suits your needs, please dont make more work for yourself, pay more, and ruin another peice of history.
Lots of already sportered rifles for you to choose from
Shorter, lighter (assuming sporter)
Easier safety operation
Ability to take out mag for easy transportation between hunting sights
if you use irons, the enfields (no4mk2) are superior
Turned down bolt handle (although you can get one for the mosin 91/30 too at extra cost)
Ammo is more readily availiable, especially for hunting.
Smoother operation
All these add up to the lee enfield being the superior hunting rifle of the two.
IF you need to get one for hunting and with a scope mount, GET A SPORTER that already has the modification (holes in reciever). They are easy to find and cheap. Dont do it to an unmolested rifle. Buy what suits your needs, please dont make more work for yourself, pay more, and ruin another peice of history.
dgradinaru
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- British Columbia
Even though i really like Mosin Nagants , i would go with a lee enfield sporter with the apature battle sights. Through my gun expirence i found that the lee enfield was always more accurate and lighter to use, faster action. and the nice detachable mag. Prices on them is equal, But most mosins i shot were always shooting 5 inch groupings and up. With my last enfield i can get under 1 inch at 50 yards and 1.5-2 inch at 100 yards with the open sights. Ammo on both are pretty cheap, but you can find 303 in Walmart or Canadain tire for a fair price. for the mosin you will have to order ammo online or go to Whole sale sports or cabelas. And a most places dont have none of those shops.
If the LE is a Number 4 or 5 Rifle, the S&K Insta-mount scope mount is just great. Expensive, but extremely rugged..... and you can switch it back and forth between rifles in a few minutes.
GAIRLOCHIAN, on this forum, also makes a no-drill/no-gsmith mount for the Number 4. It costs about a third the price of the S&K but you have to add your own bases, which is no great trouble.
S&K also make a mount for the Rifle Number 1 (SMLE) which takes just a small bit of fitting and is very solid.
They also have a mount for the Rifle Number 3 (Pattern '14) which fits much the same as the Number 4 mount and is just as solid. Number 3 and Number 4 mounts require removal (and safe storage!!!!!) of the rear sight.
B-Square also makes mounts for all three types, but I prefer the S&K.
As far as I know, there is no longer a mount available for the Mark III Ross, the old ones being long out of production.
BTW, no point in removing the mag from any LE rifle. They were not designed to be put on and taken off all the time: damages the feed-lips. Best is to leave the mag attached and load with Chargers: 5 rounds as fast as you can say it.
I really don't understand the reason for this thread unless it is, as stated, simply to get us all screaming at each other. The two cartridges use the same primers, same powders, same bullets and are very nearly identical in velocity and muzzle energy. There is a SMALL advantage on the side of the Russian cartridge, but it is small enough so as to be almost completely insignificant. Hit a deer or a moose with either one, they fall down. Hit them with both at the same time and I'll betcha a go-to-church jug of Screech that they won't be able to tell which round put which hole into them.
Hope this helps.
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GAIRLOCHIAN, on this forum, also makes a no-drill/no-gsmith mount for the Number 4. It costs about a third the price of the S&K but you have to add your own bases, which is no great trouble.
S&K also make a mount for the Rifle Number 1 (SMLE) which takes just a small bit of fitting and is very solid.
They also have a mount for the Rifle Number 3 (Pattern '14) which fits much the same as the Number 4 mount and is just as solid. Number 3 and Number 4 mounts require removal (and safe storage!!!!!) of the rear sight.
B-Square also makes mounts for all three types, but I prefer the S&K.
As far as I know, there is no longer a mount available for the Mark III Ross, the old ones being long out of production.
BTW, no point in removing the mag from any LE rifle. They were not designed to be put on and taken off all the time: damages the feed-lips. Best is to leave the mag attached and load with Chargers: 5 rounds as fast as you can say it.
I really don't understand the reason for this thread unless it is, as stated, simply to get us all screaming at each other. The two cartridges use the same primers, same powders, same bullets and are very nearly identical in velocity and muzzle energy. There is a SMALL advantage on the side of the Russian cartridge, but it is small enough so as to be almost completely insignificant. Hit a deer or a moose with either one, they fall down. Hit them with both at the same time and I'll betcha a go-to-church jug of Screech that they won't be able to tell which round put which hole into them.
Hope this helps.
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- Location
- Beaverlodge, Alberta
Here's a pic of my No4 sporter with the no drill mount on it.
There are a few out there with a drill and tap style mount on them that are really nice. I know where there is one that if I wanted another sporter I'd be on it, nice rifle and scope combo. Let me know and I can point you towards it!
There are a few out there with a drill and tap style mount on them that are really nice. I know where there is one that if I wanted another sporter I'd be on it, nice rifle and scope combo. Let me know and I can point you towards it!
- Location
- Ottawa origanally Muskoka
M38/44 is pretty compact too...
Mind you 303's have taken a crap load of elephants too...
True but the M44 is heavier than its 91/30 counterpart.
The Lee Enfeild has a faster bolt and is slightly more scope friendly than the M-N.
The M-N is stronger and more easily maintained.
The Lee's safety is a big advantage when hunting though.
But Timney makes an adjustable 1-3 1/2lb trigger for the M-N that has a safety built into it...for $98.99
When it comes to reloading the two cartridges use the same components for bullets and casting molds.
The 7.62x54R has more case capacity than the 303 so edge on the 7.62 for reloading.
The 303 can be bought at Canadian Tire however making commercial ammo more available.
The real factor is choice. Both are mil-surps with their own set of disadvantages and advantages. Personally I'm looking forward to bear hunting with my Polish M44. I view the permanently affixed bayonet as a good safety margin between the bear and the muzzle when I poke him to see if he needs another dose of leadacilin.
- Location
- Ottawa origanally Muskoka
Here's a pic of my No4 sporter with the no drill mount on it.
There are a few out there with a drill and tap style mount on them that are really nice. I know where there is one that if I wanted another sporter I'd be on it, nice rifle and scope combo. Let me know and I can point you towards it!
Nice looking sporter.
I think so too. I love Lee Enfields, even sporterized. Nice pictures.
I do have 7,62x54R available at my gun store (SP and for some times they had case of Milsup also)
The point is Latulippe presently have a sportorized LE at 85$+tx. Too tempting!
I love the look of the Mosin, but I will go for the Canadian stuff (maybe a Ross in the future...). Already have an SKS, so the Soviet in already in the house.
HAaarrrggg! The gun fever got me....
The point is Latulippe presently have a sportorized LE at 85$+tx. Too tempting!
I love the look of the Mosin, but I will go for the Canadian stuff (maybe a Ross in the future...). Already have an SKS, so the Soviet in already in the house.
HAaarrrggg! The gun fever got me....
I concur on the Ross being a bit of a beast to carry. I find the wrist to be a bit thick too.
But as a practical choice; LE all the way. And I've packed M/N's and taken deer with them too. A tad unwieldy to say the least ( might do it again too; but practical...umm no)
