i want a milsurp for my first rifle, but i don't know which

[Suther]

Not quite true, It depends on the scope and ring set up. Anything under a 40mm scope with low or med rings on something like a magwedge rail gives you a nice cheek weld on an sks, I’ve had a few different scopes on one of mine. The sks is a 100-200 yrd shooter at best when hunting and a 2-7x32mm is plenty of scope to shoot deer out to 200y. Is it better than a bolt action milsurp, usually not. The 3-9x40 I have on one currently with high rings gives me something in between a chin and a cheek weld. Plenty comfortable and stable.

I've got a red dot on my magwedge rail, and it's pretty high in my opinion. I like a really good cheek weld though, and even my hunting rifle stocks are a bit low for me.

On my savage MK ii I built up a cheek rest with an old closed cell foam camping pad and a roll of electrical tape. (the stock in these rifles are designed for using iron sights) Put a shell holder sleeve over it to stop the edges of the tape from peeling and it works pretty darn good. I like electrical tape for this because it stretches and that really helps hold the cheek pad in place.

Any mauser in 30/06 or 308 .....

Mosquefal , israeli mauser....

Easy to fine ammo and easy to upgrade if you reload tour ammo to fins best recipe

This is certainly an option, I see Isreali mausers in 308 on the EE for about $500 somewhat regularly. You'd still have to figure out a scope mount though, so it would be cheaper to buy a modern rifle in the long run.

 

[rifleman762]

When you are in Edmonton be sure to visit Leduc Canadian Tire; I bought a $200 Mosin for one of my brothers from there; they also had some K98 Mausers. Also visit P&D Enterprises in downtown for a good selection of used guns. Windermere Canadian Tire has lots of new guns and is near the south Cabelas.

 

[Butcherbill]

I've got a red dot on my magwedge rail, and it's pretty high in my opinion. I like a really good cheek weld though, and even my hunting rifle stocks are a bit low for me.

Everyone is different that’s for sure, I just set up a magwedge rail and a trs-25 for my wife’s uncle and helped him sight it in last week. I had the perfect cheek weld on it and was able to mash my cheek right down low, I have a big square kraut head though lol.

I started to make a riser out of closed cell foam but it’s too much of a pain in the ass to build and have it look good, I think I’ve finally found a cheap one on amazon that will work and fit the rifle. It’ll be easy to add foam to if the pad is too soft as is.

 

[Suther]

Everyone is different that’s for sure, I just set up a magwedge rail and a trs-25 for my wife’s uncle and helped him sight it in last week. I had the perfect cheek weld on it and was able to mash my cheek right down low, I have a big square kraut head though lol.

I started to make a riser out of closed cell foam but it’s too much of a pain in the ass to build and have it look good, I think I’ve finally found a cheap one on amazon that will work and fit the rifle. It’ll be easy to add foam to if the pad is too soft as is.

Thats why I put a slip on ammo holder over mine, I didn't like the look (or feel) of the electrical tape. The electrical tape holds it in place really nicely though, and the stretchy nature compresses the foam so it's not as soft and squishy as you might expect. Pretty darn hard to beat the price too! Lol

 

[nenz676]

Any of those should be fine firearms to learn on, although you might want to stick with the milder cartridges (.303 and 7.63x39). By starting on a rough beater, you'll learn to get the most out of the rifle which will force you to have good form. Also, it'll teach you to appreciate the more accurate modern rifles. Just my $0.02.

 

[philhut]

For a good Shooter if your OK with 8mm a Yugoslavian M48 bolt action would take you miles for about $500
Accurate, lighter than some mausers and solid as can be. Cant fo wrong there

Otherwise
Mosin
SKS
enfield
Mausers
M44 or M38 mosin carbine (dont get first but the fireball it shoot is worth it)

Have fun, I chose milsurps too I got a bunch of SKS/Mosins and Mausers when I first got my license. I think I cleaned cosmoline and set up 7 or 8 rifles before ever shooting any of then. Gave me the opportunity to become completely familiar with the platforms before I ever tried to use them.. i recommend getting a rifle covered in cosmoline to clean yourself. Something like building your own lightsaber.......

 

[CODFan]

the l42a1 varient...

The L42A1 will set you back a few bucks.

 

[shredder]

The L42A1 will set you back a few bucks.

Yeah, about 8 to 10 thousand of them........

 

[Tinman204]

I say get whatever gun you want and practice with it..

The guys who shoot tight groups with any rifle are also always the guys who shoot the most. Those also tend to be the guys who need the extra accuracy of a Swede or k31. Most milsurps in good shape will be more then accurate enough to put meat on the table. It worked for our grandfathers so why wouldn't they work now.

Most normal people are the limiting factor of their rifle so like I said practice makes perfect!

 

[Butcherbill]

I say get whatever gun you want and practice with it..

The guys who shoot tight groups with any rifle are also always the guys who shoot the most. Those also tend to be the guys who need the extra accuracy of a Swede or k31. Most milsurps in good shape will be more then accurate enough to put meat on the table. It worked for our grandfathers so why wouldn't they work now.

Most normal people are the limiting factor of their rifle so like I said practice makes perfect!

You hit the nail on the head.

 

[Tinman204]

You hit the nail on the head.

I just calls it like I sees it!!

 

[Magellann]

If you get yourself a Mosin sniper, it will be scoped, and you should be able to shoot quarter sized groups or better at 100 yards with surplus ammo. I wouldn't take a non scoped surplus rifle nowadays and scope it unless it could be totally reversible. If you think you want to collect a few different ones, get the one that are more expensive or getting harder to find first.

 

[polaris]

If you get yourself a Mosin sniper, it will be scoped, and you should be able to shoot quarter sized groups or better at 100 yards with surplus ammo. I wouldn't take a non scoped surplus rifle nowadays and scope it unless it could be totally reversible. If you think you want to collect a few different ones, get the one that are more expensive or getting harder to find first.

I would love to see that, very much so...

 

[Tinman204]

I would love to see that, very much so...

Me to.

My mosin sniper wont hold 1" on it's best day with handloads. 1.5"-2" is the norm.

 

[Mr. Dynamite]

Basically get what your heart desires haha because at the end of the day, you’ll end up owning them all eventually

This is the most accurate bit of advice. Just start looking for a G/K43

 

[CobraGT]

SKS is the best 'bang for your buck' around. Every Canadian should own one. I'd start there.

 

[philhut]

I would love to see that, very much so...

I will have to take my sniper to the range again soon. With Barnaul FMJ and MFS SP it would shoot 1 inch groups. Put some PRC Military FMJ and OMFG it shoots 1/2 inch groups or less if I do my part (with the occasional 1-2 inch flyer day 1:10 shots. I am still in shock but it is true.

 

[Mark87]

Is it off topic to ask a (related) question on a thread? Very much a newbie.

I am looking for a LE 303 in original (already have a sporter). Any idea where I should be looking? Not just where to find one, but all about the makes & models, how they work and so on. All the best.

 

[polaris]

I will have to take my sniper to the range again soon. With Barnaul FMJ and MFS SP it would shoot 1 inch groups. Put some PRC Military FMJ and OMFG it shoots 1/2 inch groups or less if I do my part (with the occasional 1-2 inch flyer day 1:10 shots. I am still in shock but it is true.

OK, I am in when and where do we meet?

 

[Robbs]

I am looking for a LE 303 in original (already have a sporter). Any idea where I should be looking? Not just where to find one, but all about the makes & models, how they work and so on. All the best.

One good reference book is entitled "The Lee Enfield Story" by Ian Skennerton. All the info about makes and models are described in detail. As for how they work, well, you say you already have a sporter, a full wood military configuration will work the same. Check EE and go to gunshows to look for Lee Enfields for sale. Original, non de-sporterized are not as cheap or plentiful as they used to be. There is a reason people are trying to turn sporterized enfields back into military configuration.