Other Surplus rifles ? Cheap and good ?
- Thread starter noea77
- Start date
Here's a list
K31 ($300-$350) caliber 7.5x55
Swedish mausers ($250-$300) caliber 6.5x55
Turkish mausers (paid $225 for mine) caliber 8x57 Mauser
Carcano ($100-$350) caliber 6.5x52
Lee enfield ($350+) caliber .303 British
Steyr m95 ($200-$275) caliber 8x56r
K31 ($300-$350) caliber 7.5x55
Swedish mausers ($250-$300) caliber 6.5x55
Turkish mausers (paid $225 for mine) caliber 8x57 Mauser
Carcano ($100-$350) caliber 6.5x52
Lee enfield ($350+) caliber .303 British
Steyr m95 ($200-$275) caliber 8x56r
Carcanos are VASTLY underrated.
SNIDERS are the ORIGINAL centrefire Milsurp rifle. They were the FIRST centrfire breechloading rifle and they served in Canada from 1866 through to the 1920s. At one time, half the WORLD used Sniders: British Empire, Denmark, Turkish Empire, Portugal, even France stole the design for their Tabatiere. Bubba'd Sniders seem to start, these days, about $200, going to $1000 for a super-nice completely-unmangled piece. EVERY collection NEEDS a Snider. And they are the most FUN that you can have legally, out of bed! HUGE clouds of smoke and flame and the bullet is slow enough that you can watch it go!
SNIDERS are the ORIGINAL centrefire Milsurp rifle. They were the FIRST centrfire breechloading rifle and they served in Canada from 1866 through to the 1920s. At one time, half the WORLD used Sniders: British Empire, Denmark, Turkish Empire, Portugal, even France stole the design for their Tabatiere. Bubba'd Sniders seem to start, these days, about $200, going to $1000 for a super-nice completely-unmangled piece. EVERY collection NEEDS a Snider. And they are the most FUN that you can have legally, out of bed! HUGE clouds of smoke and flame and the bullet is slow enough that you can watch it go!
Not sure a proper (uncut) Snider could be had for that money smellie....
And budget at least $300 to get set up to load for one
.
Yes, I am speaking from experience. I recommend the kal tool and die "paradox" mold and converted 24gauge brass.
And budget at least $300 to get set up to load for one
. Yes, I am speaking from experience. I recommend the kal tool and die "paradox" mold and converted 24gauge brass.
Not sure a proper (uncut) Snider could be had for that money smellie....
And budget at least $300 to get set up to load for one
Yes, I am speaking from experience. I recommend the kal tool and die "paradox" mold and converted 24gauge brass.
Smellie isn't out of line on that price Claven. If one is patient and a little lucky there's still Sniders to be had cheap. I just bought a complete 3 band, needs work but it was well within the budget listed by the op.
The Swedish m/96 Mauser in 6.5x55 can be had in the under $275 range. For under $350, you can buy some of the Swedish m/96 Mauser FSR target rifles, complete with diopter sights.
I have bought a Swiss IG-11 long rifle and a Swiss K-11 short rifle for under $300 each lately and the Swiss 96/11 conversions are about $275. Of course, the K-31 as mentioned.
The "sleepers" out there are the 6,5 mm Portugese 1904 rifles that were Arsenal converted to 8x57 Mauser. $275 got me a really nice one complete with bayonet. One of the slickest military bolt actions in the world, and a hinged floor plate to boot.
I have bought a Swiss IG-11 long rifle and a Swiss K-11 short rifle for under $300 each lately and the Swiss 96/11 conversions are about $275. Of course, the K-31 as mentioned.
The "sleepers" out there are the 6,5 mm Portugese 1904 rifles that were Arsenal converted to 8x57 Mauser. $275 got me a really nice one complete with bayonet. One of the slickest military bolt actions in the world, and a hinged floor plate to boot.
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Goddamnit!!!! Now I need a Snider too!! May have to wait a bit as I have gone FULL RETARD with my buying spree of late! Definately on my list of rifles though.
Ian
I feel your pain Ian!!
In the last couple months I've pretty much crossed everything off a long list!! Just bought my first snider a MkII** 3 band. Think I'm done for awhile!!
Forty4Forty
Regular
- Location
- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Don't forget to check ammunition availability and cost, some of these mentioned may be a challenge either now or later.
I keep trying to tell myself that, but something comes up that is a real bargan or something comes up that I didn't even have on my radar, but with a little research into them, I have to have it too!!!
Have to go and check my lottary ticket at lunch. Hopefully I can go home early this afternoon and can spend the rest of the day buying guns and truckloads of ammo!!!
That is a nice thought...
Good point!
For those of us that reload pretty much anything can be a shooter, but if you don't reload then ammo price/availability is an issue.
That being said collecting/shooting surplus military rifles and reloading go hand in hand. You pretty much can't do one without the other in my oppinion.
I think I'd stay away from the TT-33, unless you can find a source of firing pins. Mine broke after little more than 1000-1500 rounds. It's a doorstop at the moment. My brother's TT-33 shows the same heavy firing pin wipe on the primers and now he's afraid to shoot his very much.
I'm fairly certain that the SMG ammo on the market for them is entirely too hot
I'm fairly certain that the SMG ammo on the market for them is entirely too hot
