Thinking of finding something different than my .303, 7.62x54 rifles

wd113

wd113

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Good morning, I'm having an itch to get another rifle. Which would you recomend? And can ammunition be still store bought for the 6.5x52 or 7.5x55? I really dont know anything about them. Give me some opinions, Thanks...


Italian Carcano Model 1941 Rifle caliber 6.5x52 mm Carcano

VZ. 24

Schmidt Rubin Model 1911 Carbine

Swiss K31 Rifle in 7.5x55.
 
wd113 said:
Good morning, I'm having an itch to get another rifle. Which would you recomend? And can ammunition be still store bought for the 6.5x52 or 7.5x55? I really dont know anything about them. Give me some opinions, Thanks...


Italian Carcano Model 1941 Rifle caliber 6.5x52 mm Carcano

VZ. 24

Schmidt Rubin Model 1911 Carbine

Swiss K31 Rifle in 7.5x55.
Click to expand...

Really you can't go wrong with any of the guns on your wish list. I just bought a model 38 carcano, I've only shot it once but at this point I'm very impressed with the 6.5x52 cartridge. It literally has little to no kick making it a good range gun that could be shot all day. The only problem is ammo is only available in a couple places, so unless you handload a carcano may only be an accessional shooter.

My brother just bought a schmit ruben model 89 so it's quite similar to the models 11 and 31. I haven't shot it yet but from what others have told me Swiss rifles are like Swiss watches, they are VERY accurate and well made, but again ammo will have to be ordered or handloaded.

Then there's the vz24. I'd say if ammo supply is a concern then this is the gun for you. Even my local crappy tire has 8x57 ammo sometimes, and if not I can always go to cabela's if I need.

I handload so I'm not ever worried about feeding any of my rifles. If I buy a gun in a new caliber then I just research the round it shoots and figure out what would be a good load. Then I buy dies, brass and powder and away I go. It's fun working up a load and the benefits are soon apparent when your groups start to get smaller and smaller.

If shooting surplus rifles is your main interest id say get into hand loading if you aren't doing that already.

Hope this helps.
 
You can always go with the versatile and ever popular .30-06. Look for an M1 Garand, M1917 Enfield, or a M1903 Springfield, the original home of the .30-06. These are all a bit more pricey than your initial list though.
 
If you are serious about shooting your milsurps on a regular basis then handloading is the way to go. Once you are set up then adding a set of dies when you acquire a rifle (or pistol) in a new caliber will put you on the range. Even reloading is not "cheap' these days. I was a little shocked when I worked out the cost of 100 rds of 3006 for my M1 at current gun shop prices for components.- 70 cents a round (taxes included). Cast bullets( a whole new hobby) is really the way to go. Gets your costs down to less than a quarter a pop.

If you are looking for something a little bit different (and affordable) I would suggest a M38 Swede. These rifles are very well made, shoot well and factory ammo is available-although you won't find it on sale at most CTC's. My first milsurp was a M38 and I still have it.

Probably one of the best values for your money available right now.
 
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Ok, after some reading I've narrowed it down to the vz24 or the k31..... I know the 8x57 will be much easier to get , but the k31 just looks so different...(In a good way...).... I am still getting the nerve up to start loading my own. But Im not too worried, I know I'll be doing it sooner or later....

Edit.... wait.... Thinking about a 6.5x55 round. That is under .270 I could actually use that around here other than the range here in SW ON.... Hmm, off to read about the swedish stuff now...lol....
 
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K31 is very nice. Trade Ex has surplus ammo in stock for the K31.

Handloading is the only way to go if You want to get into different calibers. The Carcano Uses a a .267 diameter bullet that Hornady makes. Have to handload to use it, most of the commercial ammo runs .264 . So your Rifle may shoot ok with the .264 or may be all over the place. Handloading can make a big difference. This is one example of why to look into reloading.
 
K31 is a must have and they will be harder to find in the future.
Swede M96 after that.
So many interesting ones out there.
Get a decent single stage press and reloadinfg tools and a whole new world awaits you.
One day I loaded some 6.5x58Portugues, 7x57, 7.5x55 and 9.3x57
 
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