Milsurp Opinions
- Thread starter Hardchargers
- Start date
Yeah, I was kinda leaning this way as I still have some 303 Brit ammo left over from one of those "lenders".
Just wanted to put it to the masses for more thoughts/opinions
Given our location, the various models of Lee Enfield are almost certainly the most popular due to so many being available at reasonable prices for so long. That said, all of the Enfields (.303), Mausers (8x57), Swedish Mausers (6.5x55), Springfields (30-06), P14/17 (.303/30-06) and Mosins (7.62x54) are fine for most big game in NA.
Bigger questions are whether you reload (or plan to) and what type of game and where you hunt. Some of the above calibers are not easily available in hunting ammo at any price and all are some version of expensive in commercial ammo.
Edit - I forgot to include the M1 Garand in my list.
Mark
Bigger questions are whether you reload (or plan to) and what type of game and where you hunt. Some of the above calibers are not easily available in hunting ammo at any price and all are some version of expensive in commercial ammo.
Edit - I forgot to include the M1 Garand in my list.
Mark
Not planning on the reloading route right yet. Only hunt deer in Eastern Ontario
Then buy a SPORTERIZED Enfield. They are cheap and plentiful. A full wood military version is not something to bang around in the woods with or cut up to lighten. For 150 bones you could get a sported Lee Enfield and go get the ammo anywhere. Most other milsurps have ammo that is either FMJ surplus and therefore no good for hunting or only really available in reloading your own.
While Recce21 is probably right, I would say that an M38 Swede Mauser in 6.5x55 would be a sweet bush rifle. It is light and handy, the calibre is extremely effective on medium game, recoil is about 1/2-2/3 of the .303 and you can find several different brands of ammo. Ammo isn't as cheap as .303, however, and you won't find it at your local CT or Wal Mart. Just a thought if you wanted to be different and still use a milsurp for your hunting.
OP, are you planning on using iron sights or scoping it?
Mark
OP, are you planning on using iron sights or scoping it?
Mark
There have been many trainloads of big game shot with various incarnations of Lee Enfields over the years. they are still plentiful, comparatively cheap, and lend themselves to scope mounting if one wishes. Another big plus is that you can find .303 ammo just about anywhere.
Go with a chopped No4 LE with a sound barrel, put on a bolt-on scope mount and a lace-on cheekpiece and you are good.
Go with a chopped No4 LE with a sound barrel, put on a bolt-on scope mount and a lace-on cheekpiece and you are good.
probably enfield
There are a least 1 million lee enfields in Canada as we speak. They are an excellant rifle. the .303 british has a well earned reputation for lethality. I read once that more moose have been killed by .303 than all other calibers put together. Stick with 180 gr bullets and you will be a happy shooter. That being said I have a great love of the mosin nagant 91-30. Only downside is ammo is limited to more specialised stores. the 6,5 x55 in a swede mauser is also very lethal. happy hunting.
There are a least 1 million lee enfields in Canada as we speak. They are an excellant rifle. the .303 british has a well earned reputation for lethality. I read once that more moose have been killed by .303 than all other calibers put together. Stick with 180 gr bullets and you will be a happy shooter. That being said I have a great love of the mosin nagant 91-30. Only downside is ammo is limited to more specialised stores. the 6,5 x55 in a swede mauser is also very lethal. happy hunting.
A good old ".303" is as good as it gets. While I love all the old classic military rifles and cartridges, the .303 is by far the most common. Take a look at the Equipment exchange in both Hunting and Sporting Arms and Military Surplus. You can have your pick of all kinds of nice old sportered .303's, some with some nice stocks and all with "character". Don't worry about having the latest, greatest, most expensive super duper bazooka caliber. For $100-$200, you can have a "real" rifle and enjoy it too!!
Welcome to the board. Let us know what you end up with.
Welcome to the board. Let us know what you end up with.
A scope would be nice at some point, mainly to take advantage of low light conditions as most of the areas we hunt do not lend themselves to "hundreds of yards" kinda shots.
Mark
Apart from it's light gathering properties a scope is a much better way to resolve one's sight picture as it lets you shoot at a selected spot on the animal, rather than just at the animal. For a hunting rifle you should always plan to spend at least as much on the scope as the rifle. I've seen a few hunts spoiled by cheap optics which failed when the time came. I've arrived at a point where I shoot most of my animals from a hide @ less than 100 yds towards last light. A good quality 4x or 6x wide angle scope is excellent in these circumstances.
