SKS or Mosin Nagant
- Thread starter Mr.GoodGuy
- Start date
You can get a Mosin for $100 - $150...
So just based on price, that's got my vote. Can easily take a deer down (and bigger things no doubt); ok if you're the guy not going for the 400 yards hit. Plus you don't mind going in the rough with it.
Ammo - yup, not cheap, just a great reason to get into reloading
Of course, when (eventually) I get my two SKS (someday) (I hope) (maybe), I may change my mind!
Lou
So just based on price, that's got my vote. Can easily take a deer down (and bigger things no doubt); ok if you're the guy not going for the 400 yards hit. Plus you don't mind going in the rough with it.
Ammo - yup, not cheap, just a great reason to get into reloading
Of course, when (eventually) I get my two SKS (someday) (I hope) (maybe), I may change my mind!
Lou
Try to get prices on ammo for either gun. I think you will discover that 7.62x54 is almost unavailable. SKS is available. That might help in your decision.
Also look in the EE in this forum. I think that $400 will get you a more modern hunting rifle. Something that use easily found ammo.
No use in buying a classic gun that you can't use due to lack of ammo.
Mayby try getting a Norinco M305 (M14 clone). Shoots .308 ammo and still keeps you in a milsurp. Might have to spend more than $400.
Also look in the EE in this forum. I think that $400 will get you a more modern hunting rifle. Something that use easily found ammo.
No use in buying a classic gun that you can't use due to lack of ammo.
Mayby try getting a Norinco M305 (M14 clone). Shoots .308 ammo and still keeps you in a milsurp. Might have to spend more than $400.
A few questions to help out:
1) Why choose these two to start with? Cost of the rifle, because it's a milsurp, because it has history, because ammo is available?
2) Do you intend to reload or buy factory ammo for hunting? Keep in mind, for hunting you can't use the milsurp stuff, so you'll have to be practicing with the kind of ammo you'll be hunting with. If you're reloading, ammo basically costs the same, so would buying the cheaper rifle allow you to spend the remainder on a beginners reloading set?
3) Do you soley intend to hunt deer? Are you on the prairies where a deer can watch to get up in the morning, eat breakfast, then drive four hours to get within rifle range of it? Or are you in the West coast rain forests where a long rifle is about as much of a pain in the a$$ as, well, a pain in the a$$.
4) Of the rifles you've shot, what do you enjoy the most? Do you mind cleaning a semi auto of corrosive ammo, or is it worth it? Do you love cycling the bolt action or is it a waste of time between shots?
5) I vote go with the Mosin Nagant. You can get them for $130 shipped if it's your first gun. Spent the remaining money on reloading equiptment and some ammo and go out and enjoy yourself! My nagant is the only rifle in my collection that I KNOW will 100% take any abuse I throw at it and still perform. If you want something shorter, pick up an M44 carbine (short 91/30 with attached bayonet)- they're available in As New condition for $200 shipped if you look.
1) Why choose these two to start with? Cost of the rifle, because it's a milsurp, because it has history, because ammo is available?
2) Do you intend to reload or buy factory ammo for hunting? Keep in mind, for hunting you can't use the milsurp stuff, so you'll have to be practicing with the kind of ammo you'll be hunting with. If you're reloading, ammo basically costs the same, so would buying the cheaper rifle allow you to spend the remainder on a beginners reloading set?
3) Do you soley intend to hunt deer? Are you on the prairies where a deer can watch to get up in the morning, eat breakfast, then drive four hours to get within rifle range of it? Or are you in the West coast rain forests where a long rifle is about as much of a pain in the a$$ as, well, a pain in the a$$.
4) Of the rifles you've shot, what do you enjoy the most? Do you mind cleaning a semi auto of corrosive ammo, or is it worth it? Do you love cycling the bolt action or is it a waste of time between shots?
5) I vote go with the Mosin Nagant. You can get them for $130 shipped if it's your first gun. Spent the remaining money on reloading equiptment and some ammo and go out and enjoy yourself! My nagant is the only rifle in my collection that I KNOW will 100% take any abuse I throw at it and still perform. If you want something shorter, pick up an M44 carbine (short 91/30 with attached bayonet)- they're available in As New condition for $200 shipped if you look.
I have a soft spot for a good SKS, but if you plan to hunt anything bigger than deer, you should opt for the Mosin. Given that the round it fires is on a par with 303 or 3006 it'll allow you to take anything in North America given good placement and proper ammo. The SKS is more fun though.
Jamie Frost
Regular
- Location
- Calgary AB
get both. i did. for just going out and blowing away clays or something the sks will be much easier on the wallet, the mosin ammo is a bit harder to come by. for hunting, I think the mosin would be the better choice. it is a bit heavy though so unless you cut the stock down.... wait what the hell am i saying 
I have a Mosin M90/31, which happens to be why I'm here. 
First of all, I'm trying to get a few guys and gals together to do Red Army WWII re-enacting, so this is part of the reason I bought this rifle. Ammo is a bit tight at the moment, so I haven't had a chance to sight it in or anything, although that problem should be lifted by the end of this month.
I have shot my cousin's Mosin M-38, and I enjoyed it very much, so I'm sure I'll like my Mosin when I can actually shoot the bugger.
I've never been a hunter, but what the hey. Deer are running all over the highways around here lately; I might be doing the right thing to put one or two in my freezer.
First of all, I'm trying to get a few guys and gals together to do Red Army WWII re-enacting, so this is part of the reason I bought this rifle. Ammo is a bit tight at the moment, so I haven't had a chance to sight it in or anything, although that problem should be lifted by the end of this month.
I have shot my cousin's Mosin M-38, and I enjoyed it very much, so I'm sure I'll like my Mosin when I can actually shoot the bugger.
I've never been a hunter, but what the hey. Deer are running all over the highways around here lately; I might be doing the right thing to put one or two in my freezer.
Congratulations new member! You've resurrected a 16-year old thread! That's a record for CGN, I guess.
MrGoodguy: If you're new to shooting then definitely start out with a good Mosin and learn a bit about marksmanship and gun-handling from a rifle that will actually group. One of my most accurate rifles is a refurb 91/30 (actually 1927 upgraded Dragoon) that cost me all of $225. With appropriate ammo it would make a fine hunting rifle. There are many out there to choose from- look for a great bore and smooth cycling action.
milsurpo
milsurpo
LOL. That was 16 years ago. I wonder if he’s still trying to decide?
I have both. I love both. I’d recommend owning both if you can. BUT……
The Mosin I think would be the better option for a hunting rifle more versatile for larger game and longer ranges ect.
The Sks is just a fun rifle to bring out and shoot. Ammo is more plentiful more varied loads available and ammo is cheaper.
End of the day both are nice to have but for hunting you could Probly do better with a cheap basic modern bolt gun like a savage axis or Ruger American. Both run new around cost or less than that of a good condition Mosin or SKS
The Mosin I think would be the better option for a hunting rifle more versatile for larger game and longer ranges ect.
The Sks is just a fun rifle to bring out and shoot. Ammo is more plentiful more varied loads available and ammo is cheaper.
End of the day both are nice to have but for hunting you could Probly do better with a cheap basic modern bolt gun like a savage axis or Ruger American. Both run new around cost or less than that of a good condition Mosin or SKS
