I am lucky enough to own military rifles

1898 Krag, 30/40 Krag

1917 Enfield 30/06

several CZ' model 98s.. 8 x57

a Turkish Mauser 8 x 57
a Swedish Mauser...6.5 x 55

I wish deer season was abundant enough for me to take a deer with each one each season...

springfield 30-06 greatest battle rifle ever made.

quote:

Originally posted by 30-06 hunter:
springfield 30-06 greatest battle rifle ever made.

???? You meen the 03 Springfield? Before WWI The U.S. paid a tax to Germany to build the Mauser action 1903 Springfield. Although not an exact copy, it is still a Modified 98 action.
8x57 loaded to original spec beats the 30.06 cartridge in every catagory. In WW2 M2 ball 30.06 150gr had a MV of 2700fps. It's German counterpart in 196gr was 2700fps, 147gr Ss8x57 is 2900fps.
I load 175gr .323 Sierra hunters at 2700fps and they are great.

6.5x55 is for some reason way beyond (I know about BC) other military calibers. Great hunting caliber.
7x57 is another under rated round.
7.5x55 out of a k31 is hands down one of the most accurate rounds I have ever shot w/ open sights.
If you reload it does use .308 bullets(Europeans measure the lands, we the gooves), 165gr seem to work best.
Basicly to clarify a few things, Military rounds that are the original modern cartridges w/ Spitzer bullets and all in the same class:
.30-06 1906 2700fps 150gr bullet
7.62x54r 1899? 2500fps 180gr bullet
8x57 1898 2700fps 196gr bullet
.303 1901 2500fps 174gr bullet
6.5x55 1894 2600fps 156gr bullet

The .30-06 was slated to be replaced by the .276 Pederson before WW2 by the U.S. The M1 Garand was originally a 10 shot Rifle.
The Brits also had a .270 caliber set to replace the .303.
Any of these original calibers or their children will serve you well.

Lots of good choices here. I just got, OK, maybe it's been a little while, a nice condition 1908 Brazilian 7x57 from J&G in AZ for > $200.

I also like the Mosin 1891/59 WITH the nice extended rubber butt pad I got from something Hobby. Designed to be used without a bayonet and they're arsenal refurbished to 100%. Still just a little over $100 for the most part.

quote:

Originally posted by ace:
Another vote for a Swedish Mauser the way they shoot and function hard to beat

I have an M38 Swede "Husky" in 6.5x55 that I've actually used.

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quote:

Originally posted by congomike:
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.

Congomike is right on the game, a 1903A3 has peep sights and 24" barrel sounds like a sporting rifle in military disguise, next I would pick the Lee Enfield No5 peep sights again and short barrel, I prefer rifles with peeps but most have long barrels (P14, M1917, No4 etc) but I have used a Lithgow No1 MKIII* .303 mostly but prefer peep sights now..........My old Lithgow L1A1 7.62mm was pretty good also

8 X 57 Mauser.

In European or "adult" relaods it will equal the performance of the new 338 Federal that everyone seems to be so ga-ga about.

I v used 30-06 308win and 6.5x55. I stick to my swede now. but its been gone for the last year at the gun smith getting it customised. I only did it for the fact that someone cut it up before I got my hands on it. Otherwise I would have just refinished the stock with linseed oil, just like my 31carbine, m1grand, mosin 90/91, toukoliov, and 1903a3 springfield....

Let's see, I've used the following to kill deer:

8mm
7mm
7.5
.45/70
.303
.30/40
.30/06
.308

I guess that's all, hunting with surplus firearms is something I've been doing for almost 45 yrs now.

.30-06 in a Garand. My uncle hunted a lot of Germans with one 'bout 65 years ago. Took a lot of 'em, too...

8x57 or the 7x57 mauser any type.Good Luck

Hunt what ???

You want to hunt jerks at close range the AK-47 or 12 gauge shotgun w/ 00 Buck is hard to beat.

5.56mm works for varmints.

8mm Mauser works for medium game.

God carries a 30-06 Spfd. Moses packs a .308 Win. Jesus likes the 1911.

quote:

Originally posted by Wm.S.Ladd:
Hunt what ???

You want to hunt jerks at close range the AK-47 or 12 gauge shotgun w/ 00 Buck is hard to beat.

5.56mm works for varmints.

8mm Mauser works for medium game.

God carries a 30-06 Spfd. Moses packs a .308 Win. Jesus likes the 1911.