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Posted: 9/22/2005 7:08:09 PM EST
Ive been trying to decide on a nice surplus bolt action.
I only have about $200 to spend. What I plan on using it for is mostly long range. I know someone has experience with the K98 German Mauser,as that is what ive been eyeing up. I would like some other options/suggetions. |
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the K98 sounds nice
a friend of mine's is nice --smooth bolt action moving you can check out the russian mossant nangat (spelling error)--kicks noticible, and huge blast, but cool |
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I love my M48. A must for any bolt action is that it must be a Mauser.
One of the greatest Mausers ever built IMO is the Czechoslavakian VZ24 with the official crest(the ones made in the '20s). They're not really in your price range for all orignal with crest(crest makes HUGE difference in value, the crestless ones aren't worth crap[WWII era]). It's a more original mauser chambered in the 8x57. You won't find many differences between(actually hardly any is more like it) the M48 and k98 except for price. The k98 is more pricy because of their role in WWII. Also, you can find more m48's in better condition than you can the k98. So I wouldn't waste the extra money on the k98 when you can get more gun for the buck with the m48 since the M48 and 98k are almost exactly the same. |
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+1
I just bought my first K98 and I love it. Probably going to buy another two. Like previously mentioned, you can get nicer Yugo M48s for the same price. You can also check out the Enfield .303. I have no personal experience with them but I hear they are very nice bolt actions, as well. The only issue you'll probably have when purchasing any of these bolt actions is watching out for complete crap weapons. They are WWII vintage, after all. |
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Not sure if id feel right buying an M48 in place of a real K98 only because of the K98's historical value.
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How about a Lee-Enfield either a #1Mk3 or a Mk.4?? Good shooters and they can be had for Under $200 if you look around.
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Ive considered one |
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Swiss k31. $100 or so and touted to be quite accurate. When I find one with a good stock I'm going to do the deal.
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Mauser of some variety. That way, when some asshat comes to the silly hat only area, and is wearing an un-sily hat, you can use the mauser instead of a blunt object.
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Mosin's are only $100.00 and they are like new condition. Get two!!!
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Add another vote for the K31. I have 3 and am trying to figure out where I can put more of them. The ammo is more expensive that surplus 8mm, but still cheaper than commercial stuff. All three of mine are very accurate and 2 of them had tags with the name, unit and hometown of the person they were issued to.
John |
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The Yugo M48 rifles are nice, also the Mosin Nagant 91/30 rifles are a good value.
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I'm not a Yugo M48 fan. Sorry.
Stick with a full size large ring Mauser. A Czech VZ24 or 98/29 (I think that is the number...). Or a Persian Mauser, which was made for Iran but by the Czechs. Great rifle. I have a Turkish Mauser I bought for $100 bucks, someone else had already done the reblueing and the stock looked great. Or try a K31 or one of the Enfields. Ammo costs are higher for these though. An M48 would be down my list... |
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M24/47 Mauser.............I have one and it's pretty accurate
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i have both yugo k98 and m48. i like the more slender stock on the k98, but like the sights and bolt handle on the m48 better.
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$200 = like new M48, the cost of your C+R license (so you can buy this and other C&R rifle wholesale without paying for transfer fees), and a case of surplus 8MM ammo.
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Speaking of C & R, where do I get the paperwork to apply for a C & R?
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No4 Mk1 Enfield. I have 2 and wouldn't be without them. They are tough as nails and accurate. I have a bunch of S&B 174g ammo for them.
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The K31 is a great gun! More accurate than I will ever be and a joy to shoot... BUT I got to say that by favorite bolty to drag to the range is one of the FR8s. Its just a great little rifle. Very pointable...short... but without the kick of the Mosins... I cant stop buying the damn things!
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Nice rifle. You won't find a better turn-bolt than a Mauser! |
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A big +1 The Persian Mausers and M-39 Finn Mosin are super accurate and ammo is dirt cheap. I would lean towards the M39 because they are handier. K-31 Swiss and Swede Mauser are accurate too,but the ammo is expensive. |
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There are Yugo 98k Mausers as well as the M48s.
After the war Yugoslavia was awarded war reparations. Part of this was one of the factories making Mauser rifles as well as some rifles themselves. The Yugos reworked the rifles in their arsenal, scrubbed the Nazi markings and stamped the receivers with the yugo crest. I have one with a laminated stock and bent bolt that I paid $175.00 for about 2 years ago. The prices are a little cheaper for a plain stock. Jim |
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p223.ezboard.com/fcurioandrelicfirearmsforumfrm23.showMessage?topicID=3.topic |
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You said that M44's were out,however what about other mosin nagants?After seeing enemy at the gates,I went on a tear buying mosins,IMHO one of the best deals out there is a refurb 91/30 rifle.My second choise would be one of the yugo M48 mausers.Dont have one as of yet,but hopefully soon
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1. With $200 for a German K98 you're only going to get a Russian capture, which most likely means, a frosted bore, mis-matching parts. Not the best long range shooter. 2... Trust me on this: Swiss K-31! The K-31 is arguably the most accurate bolt action service rifle of the WWII/post-WWII period. You'll have some come on here and debate that, but I have most WWII era bolt actions and my Swiss rifles outdo every single one in accuracy. You can expect groups of 1"-2" at 100 yards, possibly better if you get one scoped. Right now they're everywhere, and the great thing about the swiss rifle is they were never shot with corrosive ammo, so you're almost guaranteed to get a pristine bore. Ammo at the moment is pricey, it's around .50 cents a round for Swiss surplus GP11. But notice, the GP11 is MATCH GRADE non-corrosive ammo. So you're paying for quality, super-accurate stuff. Wolf is supposedly some time this year going to roll out it's own line of 7.5x55 swiss, in the meantime stick with the GP11. right now the K-31s are going for a little under $100! That's an amazing deal, for the quality of rifle that you get. They're also very easy to scope. Brownells sells a great clamp on scope mount that a few members in the C&R forum have, and it's given them great results. These rifles can definately win matches, and the 7.5x55 swiss caliber can do anything a .308 or 8mm can do. just my 2 cents, and yes I am a mauser lover, so take that for what it's worth. -mark |
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MauserMark is right- the K31 is one of the most accurate rifles period. Not just milsurp. The Swdish Mausers are as accurate but more expensive. If you tend to like the Mosin Nagant rifles the Finn M39 is definately the way to go. It is as accurate as the Swiss and Swede rifles and is under $200.00.
You will find that other than milsurp ammo fedding the K31 is tough. Commercial ammo is scarce and expensive. Swede ammo can be found a lot easier. I haven't run into and commercial ammo for the Mosin Nagants, but I haven't looked too hard either. If you handload it gets much easier to feed these rifles. It will be very difficult to beat the accuracy of the Swiss GP11 milsurp ammo though. Jim |
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Here's my preferances.
#1. Enfield #2. Mauser 98 #3. Anything else but a Nagant |
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AIM
Holy crap the K31 is a hell of a deal and ammo isnt bad either...I have to do it Now all I need is to replenish the funds and give my FFL a call Hmm... +$10 for walnut stock +$10 for hand pick You think these are desirable extra expenses? |
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i bought my #1mk3 for $150 with 100 rounds of milsurp ammo in charging strips and 2 bandolier at a gun show. mine is indian manufacture from the early 50s and is not in great shape. but the bolt is still excellent and i would buy a better enfield in a heartbeat. i ran some rounds through a yugo m48 and did not like the bolt at all. it did not have the smooth feel of the enfield. the guy who had bought it that day and i believe it was from mitchels mausers.
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FR-8 as a first choice,followed by an .308 Ishapore Enfield.If you want a PRACTICAL combat bolt gun on the cheap these 2 are the best.
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Most of the Mausers mentioned could be eventually re-barreled into .30-'06 or the even cheaper 7.62 NATO. Other type rifles may not be so easy to modify.
8mm is cheap right now, but who knows what the future may bring? It's no longer a standard Mil round, whereas the 7.62 NATO is and will be for the forseeable future. Just something to think about for the future. |
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I vote for a No4 mkII Enfield with micro sight. Mine was a "shooter special". It's fugly, but a tack-driver! My Ishapore Enfield 308 is nice, but I don't care for the sights.
I also love the Mosin/nagant 91/30. With the right round(they all seem to like different ammo), they can be tack drivers. Mega cheap, too. FR8 looks bad-ass(flash suppressor!) and many people say they shoot well, but mine shoots a pattern at 50 yards. I havn't been able to make a group yet. I also hate the rear sight. YMMV |
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If you buy a Mauser to turn into a sporter the general guideline is that the Mauser action is strong enough to safely shoot any caliber that will fit in the magazine. I have friends who have made .223, 22-250, 257 Roberts, .308, etc. up to one with a .458 Win Mag.
You can't use a milsurp 98k Mauser action to build a true magnum length caliber- the magazine isn't long enough. Jim |
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After I cleaned it up, my $150 M48 looks brand-freaking new. K31's are great too, but dang the ammo is high and the stocks are usually chewed up.
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