1) It's my understanding that some of these rifles come drilled and tapped for scope mounts. Are any of the ones for sale at Epps or TradeEx or Frontier set up like this, or is this simply for the higher priced "sniper" models?
2) What are your scoping options with the milsurp scope mounts? Will they accept modern scopes?
3) Is cleaning difficult or easy after shooting corrosive ammo?
4) I want a shooter, not a collector. I don't care if it doesn't have the original sling mounts or whatever, or if it was import marked, or anything. I want a gun that will shoot deer and moose and bear. Is there anywhere I should look for a gun like this, or should I just look at milsurps?
If I read correctly, what you're looking for is a milsurp caliber semi auto, correct?
Things to take note of are: fluting in the chamber which gives you maybe 2-5 reloads on brass at best.
Some reports of a weak wrist that split. I believe this was solved in later versions with the heavier stock.
"OK" accuracy. Personally I find mine fine, but it isn't a sub MOA shooter.
1) As previously stated, they all had tracks for scope mounting. The original also required a notch in the top of reciever which was only present on sniper models. Modifying yours to accept an old style scope base would be bubba'ing of course. That and the russians eventually gave up on the svt as a sniper because they just couldn't get the base to stay put and centered.
2) As rattus showed - the new scope base will do all you wish, but seems from his experience that it's also a PITA to remove, which with corrosive ammo, you'll be doing every range trip.
3) It's a little complicated, but you get used to it. Unless I really just wanted to go to town I'd shoot regular ammo though.... I dislike what corrosive ammo can do when it manages to stay on some unwashed or missed part of the gun.
4) You definitely could. It's a good sized cartridge. Your choice in SVT's is basically the globco abortions from the 70's that are more likely to kill you than your target ( That's of course a joke, but I've heard nothing but horror stories about them, so avoid them anyways), or a present day milsurp svt. There's of course the off chance that someone has one that's missing it's muzzle brake or something, but that's not common. Aftermarket stuff for them isn't that common either, and spare mags are pricey.
To be 100% honest, if you're looking for a good durable bush gun in a good caliber, I'd go with an m305 or m14 style gun..... It's got all the same to offer, except has cheaper and more available spare parts, additional parts, options, ammo, and is *about* the same price, especially if you were going to try to buy anything aftermarket for the SVT.
So to wrap up, the svt is great, but as a hunting gun the M305 may be a better choice, as if you run into problems with the svt, it's possible you're on your own.
Then again, you could post a pic of you, your svt, and a deceased massive bull moose and prove me wrong
