absolute newb question re: ww2 milsurp guns

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Goozyman

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I would like to purchase a non restricted WW2 rifle for Deer Hunting.

Is this a realistic thing to do?

I really like the style of older WW2 rifles like the Mosin , Garand and Arisaka.

Is ammo hard to get for these guns?

Is there any restrictions on using these guns for Deer?

How much would a sniper-kitted [scoped] version of one of the above [does not in any way need to be mint, just in good working shape] cost?

thanks in advance.
 
In my opinion, it's quite easy to find an already-scoped Lee Enfield for a cheap price. Ammo (.303 Br) isn't cheap, but if you don't shoot all the time, factory ammo is still available at your local Canadian Tire.

And going for deer or moose with a sporterized Lee Enfield, it's been done thousands of times in Canada!

Lou
 
It is very realistic, many people can and do hunt with milsurps. No more restrictions than any other non restricted. As for ammo, that depends on the rifle. You can find hunting ammo for a lee-enfield or garand pretty much anywhere (.303 British and .30-06 respectivly). A genuine sniper version of WW II rifles are usually very expensive. If you want to hunt WW II style why not just use iron sights? And if you do pick up a nice milsurp for the love of god don't mangle it by drilling and tapping for scope mounts.
 
cam1936 said:
It is very realistic, many people can and do hunt with milsurps. No more restrictions than any other non restricted. As for ammo, that depends on the rifle. You can find hunting ammo for a lee-enfield or garand pretty much anywhere (.303 British and .30-06 respectivly). A genuine sniper version of WW II rifles are usually very expensive. If you want to hunt WW II style why not just use iron sights? And if you do pick up a nice milsurp for the love of god don't mangle it by drilling and tapping for scope mounts.
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Good call on using Iron Sights.
I just like the look [and benefits] of the WW2 oldschool sniper scopes.
 
Goozyman said:
I would like to purchase a non restricted WW2 rifle for Deer Hunting.

Is this a realistic thing to do?

I really like the style of older WW2 rifles like the Mosin , Garand and Arisaka.

Is ammo hard to get for these guns?

Is there any restrictions on using these guns for Deer?

How much would a sniper-kitted [scoped] version of one of the above [does not in any way need to be mint, just in good working shape] cost?

thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

yes, it is realistic. 303 british, 30-06, 8mm mauser, 7mm mauser, 6.5x55 are very commonly available. 7.62x54R softpoint ammo is available, most bigger shops will have it, mom and pop places probably won't. 6.5 and 7.7 japanese are hard to find and expensive (norma makes it) when you do find it. reloading opens up another world with things like the french and austrian cartridges.

the only restrictions on milsurp bolt actions for hunting would be local (ie shotgun or bow only areas) and of course the use of softpoint ammo.

my advice to you would be to find one of:

swede M38 6.5x55
german k98k 8x57
canadian LE# 303 british
soviet M38 7.62x54R
 
303 Brit has probably been used to take as many game animals as any other cartridge - a sporterised Enfield would be perfect but please don't bubba a full wood version as there are many sporters already available. Only caution would be re the magazines as huntin regs may preclude use of standard 10 round mags.
 
Mosin-Nagants, Arisakas, Mauser K98s, Lee-Enfields, Springfields, and Garands are all not restricted and were all originally chambered for calibres that are suitable for deer, elk, and moose when loaded with the proper bullets. Hunting ammo is manufactured and widely available in .303 British and of course in .30-06 so that favours the Enfield, Springfield, and Garand. If the others aren't provided for by commercial manufacture, it isn't too difficult to get into reloading for those calibres.

Depending on the hunting regulations in your province, you may have to pin or block a magazine to comply with capacity requirements, e.g. if I remember correctly Ontario limits semi-autos to five rounds when hunting, so a Garand would need a five-round en-bloc clip instead of the standard eight round.

Although it almost certainly won't match the accuracy of a real No.4T, a No.4 with the full wood and a replica sniper cheekpiece and a 2.5x scope like an old Weaver K2.5 will mean that as far as lugging it around and what you can see of your target, your experience will have some similarity to that of a British or Canadian sniper of WWII. With a reasonable amount of practice and the ballistic performance of commercial hunting ammo most hunters should be able to make ethically humane shots on deer out to 200 yards.
You could probably come up with similar replicas of the sniper variants of the other service rifles.
 
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A gun show will have a half dozen Lee Enfield sporters to chose from. I have a #1 spoeter with a scope on it that is a super handy and even good looking rifle. It is my "loaner' and I have lost track of how many deer and moose it has taken.

If you like iron sights, the #4 with a peep is an excellent choice. Zero it withthe big battle sight. This will proibably mena changing the front sight balde to a taller one.

And, of course, the #5 "Jungle carbine" is ready to go without any modification.

A "as issued" rifle is usually kind of big and heavy for hunting. The Moisin M44, the Mauser FR7 or 8 and the LE #5 would be my choice, if a non-sporter is to be used.

As for the sniper versions, most are 3 grand or more.

P9130223.jpg
 
Goozyman, as others have said, get a sporterised scoped Lee-Enfield. Or, get a full stocked No. 4 rifle and just use the irons.

The No. 4 rifle for me would be the choice. They are simply great rifles on carry. They balance well, fit the hand perfectly, arn't too long, or too heavy.

The rear sight is a great design too for both short, or longer ranges.

A very, very close second.....is a Ferrari.......er, umm, oops (I was thinking about Colonel Frank Slade)...... I mean an '03.

An '03.....well, before I head off into '03 dreambabble, I'll say I think they might be too expensive for your purposes. If you can find a solid one though that is affordable however, another great choice....:cheers:
 
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