First Surplus Rifle
- Thread starter sbj123
- Start date
- Location
- Delta B.C.
Stick with cheap ammo for a range gun. Ammo is getting very pricey... 30-06 270win 308win unless you reload. There really is no wrong choice. Get something you think is attractive. Check out Intersurplus one of the sponsors. Cheers
Depending on the depth you want to get into, new starts around $250 for just basic tools to load one cartridge. Check out Hornady's Hand Press, Lee dies, Lee powder scoops. All of this will fit into a box, the size a pair of work boots comes in.
You can sometimes find "used" equipment for sale at the same price, but you need to know what you're looking for and they usuall require a sturdy bench of some type for permanent mounting. If space constraints are an issue?????
Then a pound of powder around $100, package of primers $30, 1 box of 100 fmj bullets $65 on average. Cartridge cases $75/50, maybe more.
OP, the SKS is not an especially good rifle for a newbie to start out with. It's a very decent firearm, and I like/respect it a lot, but it's not something you should attempt without some hands on instruction, from someone who knows what they're doing. It was designed to be free of issues when being used by illiterate troops, with "minimal" training. That doesn't mean you just hand it to someone and let them fly at it.
If I may suggest, you need to decide what you want or like.
There are several good milsurps available, which are much easier to learn on, and are readily available in popular, off the shelf commercial cartridge chamberings. When you're using non corrosive ammunition in the SKS, it's not any cheaper to feed than other cartridges, but being semi automatic, it's very easy to shoot off a lot of expensive ammunition quickly. The SKS, because of it's gas system is not noted for being particularly accurate. An SKS that shoots under 4 inches, or 8cm at 100 yards is pretty much normal.
No1 and No4 Lee Enfields, that have been commercially sporterized are relatively cheap, but ammunition is expensive and components, such as bullets are quite limited. Still, not a bad place to start.
Unmodified, as issued Lee Enfields are much more expensive.
You might want to look for a martial Martini Enfield/Henry, chambered for the 303Brit. The run around $1000, for a Very Good specimen, and are single shot only. They are usually very accurate.
The other good "starting milsurp" would be a Mauser. There are several different types, but many are chambered in popular cartridges, such as 6.5x55 swede, 30-06, 7.62Nato (308 Winchester)
I would readily suggest a Swede M38, M96, or 38/96 chambered for the 6.5x55, as a decent starter, under $1000, for a Very Good rifle, inside and out. Very easy to reload, easy on cartridge cases, lots of different manufacturers make a wide variety of components.
Next would be a 98 Mauser, chambered for 7.62 Nato, or 30-06. They are usually much more expensive, and will be post war manufactured.
The drawback is they produce more felt recoil, than the Swede Mausers.
The Mosin Nagants, M91, and M91/30, have gotten to be about the same price as the Swede Mausers, depending on rarity of the version, more.
Off the shelf ammunition, in small quantities, can be difficult to obtain, but some outlets still sell bulk crates, around a buck per round, not easily reloadable and corrosive priming. Components can be difficult to acquire.
The cheapest and easiest milsurps to find either at the local gunshop, or online, will be "Sporterized" No1 and No4 Lee Enfields in several variants, you need to be very careful about exterior and bore conditions.
Lots of different Mausers out there. You will have to cruise the internet to see what's available.
The banner supporters at the top of the page are good places to start.
Intersurplus, Marstar, Bullseye North, Frontier Outfitters are a couple of good places to start. The others don't have as many but might have some hidden gems, then there is the EE on this site.
You will want to stay away from firearms that require "enbloc" type cartridge holders, which hold the cartridges in place in the magazines, then drop out the bottom when empty. They can be extremely difficult and expensive to source, as is the ammunition.
One such rifle is the Carcano and its variants. Fine rifles, but not for a beginner.
Well, thanks to all those who replied. I'll probably should go the economical route and go for a .22 after further consideration, but there is probably some Swiss rifle in my near-ish future. The K31's or Mausers are most appealing to me. I love the look of the Lee Enfield's, the SMLE being the reason I got into surplus, but they are expensive for any example in half decent condition. We'll see, will have to think more. All the comments and feedback have been appreciated.
