Looking for a good shooting milsurp
- Thread starter ArmedGinger
- Start date
Among the types I have collected, the one that has had the highest probability of an individual rifle being accurate has been the Mosin/Finn Mosin. And that's among basic models not overpriced fad rifles like the M39. I have PUs, Finn M91s, and even basic post-war refurbed 91/30s that will shoot very close to MOA with surplus and even better with handloads. The type with the lowest probability of an individual rifle being accurate has been (for me) the Lee Enfield (No. 1 or No. 4). But, you can make a full hobby out of trying to make one shoot well. However, a $1,500 PU will easily shoot as well as a $10,000 No. 4T. And, while the odds may be better with one type than another, with any surplus it boils down to finding a good example.
milsurpo
milsurpo
Even though I don't have one (YET!) I would echo the Swedish 6.5x55 series of rifles. Relatively inexpensive but I've read and seen great things about them. Ammo is available at most stores as it's still a fairly common round since you aren't currently reloading. I know you said you didn't want to look at 7.5x55, but yesterday I had my K11 (K31's older, cheaper brother) out to 400 yards. 100-300 was easy, 350 and 400 was tougher with no front rest and just cheap CamPro 147g reloads
I had a K31 and with the GP11 ammo I was easily ringing the small gong at 400.
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
With your caliber restrictions the best ones I can recommend would be the P14 or M1917 Both will suit your needs, nice aperture sights, tend to be fairly reasonably priced and as long as the bore is in good condition will shoot very well.
Others I would possibly consider if you chose to broaden your caliber restrictions would be a Swedish Mauser of M96 or M38 variety, a Swiss rifle of any sort (most immediately say K31 but the other rifle variants like the G1911 or G96/11 will shoot just as well for less), or any Mosin Nagant with a great bore.
I haven’t had a Mosin Nagant which shot poorly yet and I have had over a dozen of a few different models, mainly Soviet variants (M91 infantry, M91 dragoon, M91/30s, M38, M44). Usually the limitation with them is the cheap surplus ammo, not the rifle itself. Once fed good quality ammo the groups tighten right up.
Others I would possibly consider if you chose to broaden your caliber restrictions would be a Swedish Mauser of M96 or M38 variety, a Swiss rifle of any sort (most immediately say K31 but the other rifle variants like the G1911 or G96/11 will shoot just as well for less), or any Mosin Nagant with a great bore.
I haven’t had a Mosin Nagant which shot poorly yet and I have had over a dozen of a few different models, mainly Soviet variants (M91 infantry, M91 dragoon, M91/30s, M38, M44). Usually the limitation with them is the cheap surplus ammo, not the rifle itself. Once fed good quality ammo the groups tighten right up.
Butcherbill
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
If it were me I would look for an Israeli K98, interesting history. They were re barreled to 7.62 nato/.308 so they generally have great bores and are accurate from what I always read.
Now THAT sound like a fun gun!
They are acceptably accurate for military use, and many exceed that minimum, while some fall under the "tack driver" category, depending on where the barrels came from. The Israeli's made many of their own barrels, but most of them came from out of country.
I've had them with maximum dimension chambers, overspec bores, and very rough bores. A lot of those rifles came into International Firearms that were in battlefield pick up condition. I went through several hundred of them, and most were in Good Only, condition. Later, Israel surplussed several thousand rifles which hadn't seen field duty and many were fresh from an FTR.
Some of them were even built on post WWII, newly made receivers in I believe Belgium.
There are some very nice specimens out there.
For what you're looking for, you can't beat the M1 Garand in either 30-06 or 7.62X51. It's accurate and has the best sights IMHO. The peep sight is adjustable for both elevation and windage. Second choice would be M1917/P14 Enfield or the No 4 Mk1.
Considerations:
Ammunition availability. Less of an issue if you handload, if cases are available.
Sights. Open, aperture or optic.
Condition. If it is to be a shooter, the bore has got to be decent and the rifle sound. Beware desporterized rifles. Collector value will be affected. Unless the work has been well done, it may or may not be serviceable. Or may need additional work.
Cost. Prices have been climbing steadily. I paid $65 for my 91/41 Carcano, which is in nice condition with a fine bore. $400 will now get you a trod upon carbine.
Ammunition availability. Less of an issue if you handload, if cases are available.
Sights. Open, aperture or optic.
Condition. If it is to be a shooter, the bore has got to be decent and the rifle sound. Beware desporterized rifles. Collector value will be affected. Unless the work has been well done, it may or may not be serviceable. Or may need additional work.
Cost. Prices have been climbing steadily. I paid $65 for my 91/41 Carcano, which is in nice condition with a fine bore. $400 will now get you a trod upon carbine.
