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Posted: 8/12/2016 10:49:01 AM EDT
I'm interested in a bolt action military surplus rifle. There seems to be an overwhelming amount of models to choose from, so I need suggestions. What are the best options that fit the following criteria?

Just want a good shooter that is fun to shoot paper and water bottles with.

- Under $400

- Cheap to shoot (under 40 cents per round max...the cheaper, the better)

- Capable of 2" groups at 100 yards with iron sights

- Smooth bolt action

- Easy to find (does not require a hunt just to purchase)
Link Posted: 8/12/2016 11:24:24 AM EDT
[#1]
Yougo M48, Fin M39. US 03A3 or 1917 but not for $400.00
Link Posted: 8/12/2016 11:26:41 AM EDT
[#2]
The M48 and the M39 mentioned above will do exactly what you want. The M39 with some hand loading, will/can exceed that. Great rifles.
Link Posted: 8/12/2016 11:31:09 AM EDT
[#3]
Lee enfield. Which can shoot ak bullets which are .311.
Best sights. Best trigger. Since it is rear locking. Very smooth action.
Only need to neck size brass and brass will last atleast 20 firings.
Link Posted: 8/12/2016 11:42:41 AM EDT
[#4]
K98
Link Posted: 8/12/2016 11:48:58 AM EDT
[#5]
I like my Yugo Mausers for the reasons you mention.  Maybe look at a M24, M24/47, or M48.
Link Posted: 8/12/2016 12:22:00 PM EDT
[#6]
2 inches at 100 yards will be a challenge for most mil-surps.  Most are capable of it but the sights really don't lend themselves to that kind of accuracy.  

Cheap ammo is pretty much 7.62 x 54 Russian and not much else.  There may be some 8mm still out there but there won't be a lot.  Forget 303 Brit.  Hasn't been any decent cheap ammo for that in decades.
Link Posted: 8/12/2016 2:48:31 PM EDT
[#7]
Ishapor 7.62X51 Lee Enfield..........
Link Posted: 8/12/2016 6:22:17 PM EDT
[#8]
For cheap ammo 7.62x54r is going to be the only game in town. I would recommend the Yugo Mausers in the different flavors, 24/47, M48, M48A etc. in 8mm Mauser but the days of cheap 8mm are long gone.
My Yugo 24/47 is the most accurate mil-surp bolt action I have (sold my Swiss K31 years ago) so if you reload, a Yugo and handloads are the cats meow.

The Mosin (Finnish) M39 is going to be the most accurate rifle shooting 7.62x54r, but the ammo isn't known for it's match grade quality.
Link Posted: 8/12/2016 6:43:41 PM EDT
[#9]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Cheap ammo is pretty much 7.62 x 54 Russian and not much else.  There may be some 8mm still out there but there won't be a lot.  Forget 303 Brit.  Hasn't been any decent cheap ammo for that in decades.
View Quote


What is cheap 54R nowadays? I can't find anything that doesn't feel like rape.
Link Posted: 8/13/2016 12:32:21 AM EDT
[#10]
lately i havent been able to find 7.62x54r for any cheaper than 8mm.

mil surp in both calibers are easily  available, but are fetching around $0.35 per round.

as opposed to 30-06 which is costing me around $0.55 per round.

while 308 for contrast is at about $0.35 for wolf and $0.50 for brass cased fmj.

i have noticed 7.62x54r and 8mm go back and forth at different times, i never know whats gonna be on sale or not.


and IMO

the Mosin was great when it was $50 bucks, other than for a wall hanger to round out a collection, i wouldnt pay today's prices for what you are getting performance wise.

Mauser is the better rifle choice. most accurate, strong action ect...

for the record, the enfield is an ok rifle (smoother faster action), and its very accurate as well.

but i have always felt my mauser is more solid a weapon than my SMLE, and 303brit is like $0.70 per round, and I have never been a big fan of the 303 calibers ballistics when compared to other WWII long action calibers.
Link Posted: 8/13/2016 11:28:12 AM EDT
[#11]
A K31 will shoot. GP11 is available, it will make the rest of the mil surps feel like junk.
Link Posted: 8/13/2016 11:33:37 PM EDT
[#12]
Rifle length, K31 with GP11 ammo. Carbine length, FR-8 with Port surplus.

The FR-8 is my idea of a great truck gun. The combo of a good K31 and GP11 ammo can do good things to confidence. The Swiss gunmakers of the time were top tier craftsmen. If I had to choose, my K31 would win, better trigger.
Link Posted: 8/14/2016 3:39:18 PM EDT
[#13]
Modelo 1912 Chilean Mauser - re-barreled in the early 60's for 7.62x51 nato.
Link Posted: 9/16/2016 12:08:12 AM EDT
[#14]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Lee Enfield. Which can shoot AK bullets which are .311.
Best sights. Best trigger. Since it is rear locking. Very smooth action.
Only need to neck size brass and brass will last at least 20 firings.
View Quote


This right here! See if you can find a later model No4 Mk II. I have one marked 1950(F) that looks nearly unissued. Shoots great. I paid $135 with a spike bayonet, but that was a long time ago!

EDIT- Corrected to MkII (didn't first notice I held the key down too long! )
Link Posted: 9/16/2016 11:07:07 AM EDT
[#15]
Just looking at prices, and you can get a new TC Compass with a 5R rifled barrel for about $400.  They're bragging MOA accuracy out of the box with good ammo.

I've been seeing used Ruger Americans at gun shops for under $400 too.  Either way it's a modern. reliable rifle at surplus gun prices.
Link Posted: 9/17/2016 7:00:29 PM EDT
[#16]
I missed the $199 ruger Americans at Walmart recently. So I drug out the Israeli K98. It was one of the Centrury 3/$100 rifles that had bent barrel, busted stock, rusted and pitted everything. Built three rifles out of that batch. A 30/06 hunter, a .416 ruger O call the Hebrew Hammer, and one that still had all its marks intact got a complete rebuild back to original condition. NOS Osraeli wood, a new norweigan 7.62x51 K98 barrel, and repo sling. Had to get a new front sight blank as it shot about 2 feet high at 100!! Have it installed and some tools in the bag to set the zero tomorrow at the range. That's going to be my new take anywhere rifle. Less than $100 in the whole thing, and it preserved some history.
Link Posted: 9/18/2016 11:45:13 AM EDT
[#17]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Lee enfield. Which can shoot ak bullets which are .311.
Best sights. Best trigger. Since it is rear locking. Very smooth action.
Only need to neck size brass and brass will last atleast 20 firings.
View Quote




+1
Link Posted: 9/18/2016 4:09:43 PM EDT
[#18]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
A K31 will shoot. GP11 is available, it will make the rest of the mil surps feel like junk.
View Quote


K11 also a great carbine, love mine
Link Posted: 9/18/2016 6:26:45 PM EDT
[#19]
I like my 1917 Enfield. Winchester built, in .30-06. Nicely accurate. Only things wrong, it needs a cheek riser on the butt and the rear sight isn't adjustable for windage.
Link Posted: 9/19/2016 7:17:07 PM EDT
[#20]
~2 moa is going to be rifle specific. Some mil-surps have inherent accuracy and require very little to bring it out. Others (even of the same model) will never settle down in accuracy.

My $0.02; find a gun that appeals to you from an historical perspective or just looks badass. Then shoot it and start addressing accuracy issues. Enjoy chasing tighter groups but don't expect to be amazed. I have a Turk Mauser that was a '54 rebuild of a WW1 '98gew. I paid $25 for it from Century. It started out shooting 72" groups at 100yards. After a lot of work, some money and experimentation, I have it down to about 5-6 inches at 100 yards consistently. Nothing to impress your friends and neighbors.

ETA- Enjoy milsurps for what they are; hands on history and relics from a different time. Appreciate them for the materials and methods used to manufacture them and how they and the soldiers that carried them affected World history.
Link Posted: 9/20/2016 7:41:34 AM EDT
[#21]
Type 99 arisaka. Expensive ammo but fun to shoot.
Next maybe an m48 mauser
Link Posted: 9/20/2016 12:25:20 PM EDT
[#22]
As far as a readily available caliber with unlimited bullet choices go, I would go for something in 7.62x51,

The only affordable option in your price range would be the Ishapor 7.62X51 Lee Enfield. If the Indians would have used the No4 Mk I receiver as opposed to the No 1 Mk III, it would be the perfect surplus rifle.

I'd personally choose the FR8 first for its compactness and receiver mounted aperture sights but, they are neither plentiful or affordable now unless you stumble into a good deal. Next would be an Israeli K98 but, most are dogs condition wise or, nice examples are significantly above your proposed budget.

Wpns Man
Link Posted: 9/20/2016 1:04:23 PM EDT
[#23]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Ishapor 7.62X51 Lee Enfield..........
View Quote



Ishapore 2A or 2A1

Excellent steel, good sights, trigger and mag capacity.

You can find one for under $375 easily and ammo is easy to find and easy to reload.

Link Posted: 9/20/2016 1:56:41 PM EDT
[#24]
Swede Mauser -  M96, M96/38 or M38

Finnish Mosin of whatever flavour you prefer

French MAS

Swiss K31
Link Posted: 9/20/2016 3:20:56 PM EDT
[#25]
Link Posted: 9/22/2016 7:28:36 PM EDT
[#26]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Lee enfield. Which can shoot ak bullets which are .311.
Best sights. Best trigger. Since it is rear locking. Very smooth action.
Only need to neck size brass and brass will last atleast 20 firings.
View Quote

This. To me, bolt action + military surplus is always going to = SMLE.
Link Posted: 9/25/2016 2:30:09 AM EDT
[#27]
K31 is probably the only rifle that fits all your criteria (Mosins and Russian capture K98's just won't shoot 2 MOA)

A Finnish Mosin might IF you can find one for under 400 bucks.

K31's will have pristine barrels since they never shot corrosive ammo through them, they weren't used and abused in war, they have a great straight-pull bolt design which can be manipulated faster than a traditional bolt action, and they are super cheap right now for the quality you get.

That being said if you want to spend a little more on the rifle and the ammo, I find the Swedish Mausers to be the most enjoyable surplus bolt-action to shoot.

Edit: Did not realize how much the prices have shot up on K31. A year and a half ago they were selling for 350 bucks!
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