O.K. what would you recomend for hunting rather it would be a military round and newer rifle, or with a military rifle. I'm asking this ? for somebody. He wants something he don't want to spend too much money on. Myself gots 8mm Bruno and 765 09. I bought em both for 175. I couldn't resist.

You'll find 8x57 Mausers cheaper then you will 7x57 Chilean. Even the 7x57 Brazilians have climbed in price. You can get all these rifle that aren't antique with a C&R license, which is pretty easy to obtain. Another very capable caliber is the Russian 7.62x54R These are even cheaper yet and many of them are arsenal refinished to very nice condition. They are super cheap too. The M44 are nice handling little carbines. All the Argentines are going to be expensive too. Might be able to find a Mark III SMLE in 308.

The M 44 goes around 70 bucks or so. I suggested the M44 also, but never owned or shot one. Every time I go to the city, the stores I check at always has em in. Scope mounts are easy to get? 7.62x54 is comparible to what U.S. round. Maybe the 308?

quote:

Originally posted by kennedy:
The M 44 goes around 70 bucks or so. I suggested the M44 also, but never owned or shot one. Every time I go to the city, the stores I check at always has em in. Scope mounts are easy to get? 7.62x54 is comparible to what U.S. round. Maybe the 308?

Very comparable to the 308.

M44 is a crap shoot. 7.62x54r is in the same class as a 30.06. For an accurate hunter you can get a 91/30 rifle in 7.62x54r that would work much better. Samco Global has some great 24/47 8x57 Mausers for $139.00. I bought 2. W/ a MOJO sight system it would be a killer. BTW, Buy Prvi, Igman, or S&B ammo. U.S. made stuff sucks.

I would prefer the 8mm mauser also, cause I already have the dies and brass. I will check out samco global.

1896 Mauser 6.5 X 55
Go look up sectional density and BC on it! No wonder it's so popular in Europe.

I have used my K-31 before with a scout mount, but I would also use one of my 91/38's or 91/59's with a scout scope.

Another vote for a Swedish Mauser the way they shoot and function hard to beat

I hunt with an original 7.5x55 Swiss K31 with a scout scope. Have also hunted with an 8mm Vz-24 Czech Mauser - Its since been rebarreled to a 9.3x62. Also, like the suggestion above on the 6.5 Swedish Mauser - I've been look to get one for myself. Any of the these would be a good rifle for deer, hogs, etc.

I need a scope so the Swiss K31 fits best if you want to keep it original as a scout mount can be added to the rear rifle sight and removed if I wanted to put it back to all original. The original trigger on the K31 is good.

Both the M98 and M96 Mausers would need a bent bolt and drilled+tapped for a scope mount plus trigger work for hunting (i.e. Sporterized) so for me they would not remain original.

Hope this helps

quote:

Originally posted by RVL III:
1896 Mauser 6.5 X 55
Go look up sectional density and BC on it! No wonder it's so popular in Europe.

I agree. Great rifle/cartridge combination.The ay generally accurate and can handle bullets from 100 to 160 grains, depending on your needs.

...except that 96 Swedes aren't exactly cheap. You can buy a new Savage Stevens at Walmart (with scope on them at some stores) for around the $300 mark. Most the Swedes I see going today top that unless you happen into one.

It's getting tough to find cheap anything that still maintains some quality. Most any of the surplus Mausers would be a good choice. I like the looks of the Huskies. Myself I was able to aquire an '03 Springfield 30-06 that someone removed the rear sight and installed a scope and replaced military stock with bolt on Fajan stock. Great shooter and good value as these mods significantly reduced the collector value and make rifles like this affordable. Rodney.

Everything said so far is good advice. The Moisin would be cheapest all around and the only thing I have to say against them is that I, personally find them ugly. The cheapest out there right now which I like, and which has a good chance of being a good shooter are the Yugo mausers in 8x57. everyone of them i have seen lately had a good bore.

Papapaul, I think the guy I'm asking for is going to get the Moison this coming tuesday. Thats if any stores have em in the city,they usually do. I'd prefer mauser also. If he don't pick one up, I guess the Mauser it is. Hopefully I could go with him. Will let you know what happens then.

Springfield M1A in 308 winchester.

Well he found a M44 so he got it, it was only 113 bucks with the background check. Now he can't wait to shoot it.

Kennedy: Tell him to tighten his ear plugs before touching off his 44, as they are loud. But they can be accurate. Accuracy may change with and without the bayonet, too. If your friend is a reloader, urge him to invest in some good Lapua brass.

Wasn't able to go with him out. He sure does like it though. More then likely I'll be loading it up for him, thats when he gets the dies and such. I thought I saw a 762x54r post on AR but did not see it. I was looking for load data.

quote:

Originally posted by kennedy:
Wasn't able to go with him out. He sure does like it though. More then likely I'll be loading it up for him, thats when he gets the dies and such. I thought I saw a 762x54r post on AR but did not see it. I was looking for load data.

Most reloading books should have data for it. You can go online with Hodgdon's loading data.
Thing with the Mosins is that the neck area of the chamber is large and dies like Lee size down the neck too far. That coupled with a greatly expanded neck because of the large neck area in the chamber and working it down, ends up with split necks in short order. You can polish the sizer die neck area out. I believe the Lee's come with two expander stems one for .308 bullets and one .310 for bullets that size if you happen upon any surplus. Just so you know.

It would be a good idea to slug the bore of your friends M44. Many, including mine, are oversized (mine slugs at .316"). Good bullets to use for hunting with decent accuracy are Hornady's .312" 150gr and .312" 174 grain. Others have bullets in the .311" range. You'll find them listed for the 7.7 Jap and .303. Enfield.

Any ammo you buy commercially will be loaded with .310" bullets. You'll want to try different brands and loading to see what the gun may like.

BTW, the sights of the M44 are regulated to be fired with the bayonet extended. It may not be legal to hunt with a bayonet mounted on the gun, so you may want to remove it and re-sight the gun in by adjusting the front sight.

tom

I will mention about gettin the rifle slugged. Havent got no dies yet.

At the squad level, engagements are within 200 yards.

For 100 years, the military was oblivious to this reality, and made 100 million great hunting rifles, that were over built for squad level battle. Battle with open sights while crawling while being shot a another squad that is crawling is close range.

But deer hunting is more like sniper work.

quote:

Originally posted by kennedy:
O.K. what would you recomend for hunting rather it would be a military round and newer rifle, or with a military rifle. I'm asking this ? for somebody. He wants something he don't want to spend too much money on. Myself gots 8mm Bruno and 765 09. I bought em both for 175. I couldn't resist.

Venezuelan M1924 FN Mauser in 7X57mm, or a 1903 Springfield in .30/'06.

I've got an old Springfield in 30-40 Krag that I've always had a soft spot for. A lot of deer and elk have fallen to this rifle in the hnads of both my father and myself.

The old rounds still work and with a 220 gr rond nose bullet, the Krag will untrack whatever you want to shoot at in North America. It may not be flashy or modern, but it sure works.

I use fmjs in my cz that carry all the time in my truck for everything from hares to hogs but i killed several buffalos with it too.Many friends and guides here carry Argentine mausers rechambered to 308 ,and anothers caryy FALS here and in Africa among them our colaborator DON HEATH that even recommend the fal for injured leopards.Juan

I recently picked up an M95 Steyr. I've obtained brass, bullets, and dies to load for it. So far I've had good results with 205gr jacketed bullets. I just got some 150gr jacketed bullets and will work on some loads for them.

This gun would be a nice woods deer or black bear huntin' iron.

tom

The gunsmith that does write ups for Shotgun news sporterized a MN 91-30 in a series last year and if I am not mistaken ended up shooting groups of around 1" if I am not mistaken. When I got my first of four MN carbines I took it out to a 600m range, and with S&B 174 grain match started shooting rams off a piece of railroad track. After finding where to set the battle sights, I either knocked off the ram or hit the track a large majority of the time. It shoots well enough that a coyote would not be safe a 600m, let alone a deer. Yes they are fugly, but they actually feel really natural to shoot if that makes any sense.

quote:

Originally posted by machine shop tom:
I recently picked up an M95 Steyr. I've obtained brass, bullets, and dies to load for it. So far I've had good results with 205gr jacketed bullets. I just got some 150gr jacketed bullets and will work on some loads for them.

This gun would be a nice woods deer or black bear huntin' iron.

tom

+1 I use my sporterized mod. 95 for hog hunting. I put a red dot sight on it and it is one of my favorite guns. It is a real shooter with a good trigger and barrel. It does get your attention when it goes off.

Decisions, decisions...I like my O3A3. 180gr Sierra Gameking, CCI Large rifle standard, Win case, 52 grains of 4350, ctg overall length 3.33 inches, NO CRIMP. This is my target load it is about 2400-2500 fps, very accurate in several 30-06 rifles and lethal.

Happy Hunting!

Andy B

My first rifle was a sporterized M1895 Chilean Navy 7x57mm in 1965, and it shot like a champ. The 7x57mm takes any deer class game in North America, in fact I took two deer this past November with a 7x57mm Mauser. You also cannot beat a M1896 Mauser in 6.5x55mm, a well cared for KAR-98 in 8x57mm, an English .303 Enfield, or a 7.65x54mm Russian either. Down here the 6.5x55mm seems to get the nod a lot.

LLS

Springfield M1A with a 5 round mag, coyotes hate it.

Something .308, like an FN-FAL or an M1A...

First choice would be 1903A3 Springfield. Great peep sights and the ones I have owned have been very accurate. Factory ammo available up to 220 grains. If you reload, you can go from 110 grains to 250 grs.
Second choice would be a Mk 4 Enfield. Again, a very nice peep sight in the rear, and the 303 is no slouch as a cartridge. Very smooth and fast action for follow up shots. Easy to find cheap military ammo, although the cheap stuff is corrosive..no problem if you clean your rifle right after shooting.

8mm Turkish 1938 under $100
FMJ 8mm ammo 10 cents rd.
grinding wheel to make dum-dums
priceless

I have started packing a Spanish FR7 Mauser.
18 1/2" barrel, chambered in 7.62 NATO. I load it down to .300 Savage levels and get a 150 Nosler solid Base at about 2600 fps.

My primary hunting rifle is a sporterized Remington Enfield in 30-06.

I still believe the 30-06 is the best all around cartridge for everything in North America.

Last year I purchased a K31. My hornady ammunition says it will push its 150 grain bullet a 2900 fps. Not too shabby in my book...

If you can find a K31 for $270 or less they're an excellent value and will be for years. I used to think they were ugly as sin but they grow on you...

I'm doing load development for the K31 for my brother for an antelope hunt. I think it will do just fine with a scope or without.

quote:

Originally posted by buckeyeshooter:
Springfield M1A in 308 winchester.

My thought exactly!


Tim

+2 for congomike.

My first hunting rifle was a roughly sporterized 1903. Still have it, but it's been seriously upgraded since I bought it for $50 in 1974. Had a No.4 mkII Enfield for a while that was in fine shape and a good shooter. It will certainly do for most big game hunting in snotty weather, at least that's what the nephew who bought it from me is thinking.

95Lb He 175mm with a VT fuse for air burst. Nothing like pulling the rope on about 65lbs of powder.