I want a "nice" hunting rifle, but "need" a decent one so while im saving...

i was wondering how many of you have hunted with an old mosin or mauser? i was thinking Kar98k or m38 if i could find one, maybe the 91/30

and ive been wanting a wwII type bolt rifle for a while

i was thinking of picking up a mosin since they are about $100, recoil less, and ammo is really cheap and easier to find... maybe throw on a scout scope in place of rear sight...

what do you think?

recoil less? have you shot a mosin kicks about the same as a 30-06 with 3x the muzzle blast. I love mine (have a few one for sale on here) and a few mausers i prefer the mauser also another great option is the 303 british much easier to find ammo for as well.

I think the odds of a Mauser shooting more accurately than a Mosin Nagant are good. The M44, short Mosins are a fire belching, shoulder pounding dragon. The longer version will be a bit better, probably, but Mauser should shoot better than either, IMO.

Right now a Mosin is the best bang for your buck, and it is a piece of history that will last you long enough to pass down to your grandchildren.

It's heavy and loud and does pack a pretty good kick, and an M44 carbine will shoot a flame like a flamethrower so you don't want to be hunting around a lot of dry grass.

There are also other options since there are a lot of sales on low priced entry level rifles that are pretty plain, but most of them shoot well especially if you change out the optics rather than use the one they come with.

There are some single shots out there that are compact and light weight, and you can put some good optics on them, and they can be tack drivers and fun to shoot, and won't break the bank.

by kicks less i meant kicks less than the mauser,

ive seen some mosins but no k98ks local, how much do they usually go for?

I think Yugo Mausers are the best for the money! You can get a Yugo M-24/47 in 8x57 for $200 pretty easy and they are in excellent shape. The two of mine are like new and shoot 1 inch groups at 100 meters...can't ask for much better. Here are some pics of their effectiveness at 125 yards with 200 gr. Speer reloads and that is two different rams WITH ONE SHOT:





Here's a link where you can get one: https://www.samcoglobal.com/1-M24-47.html

I also hunt with a 1891 Argentine Mauser and a FN-24/30 Venezuelan Mauser....love them all!

Cabela's keeps several on the racks. If you want a nice K98, condition wise a Mitchell's Mauser

http://mauser.org/

I gave a Mosin Nagant 91/30 to my brother and made up a couple hundred rounds using Sierra 2300 bullets. He's shot a couple of deer with it in South Dakota and a Buffalo. So they'll work, it all depends on how good you can shoot open sights. Still I'd recommend getting something a little more mordern. Simply for off the shelf bullet selection. Unless you have the ability to reload for it. Academy has in the past had some good deals on stevens rifles in .270 or 7mm-08 for less than $200. You'll see guys selling them NIB box for $250 on here trying to make a little cash.

I would also consider a Swiss K31. They are insanely accurate, my dad has one and its his favorite gun. Real neat and fast bolt system as well.

I have a k98 and love it, seems more refined than my mosins. Although both are effective.

I've hunted with my Brit .303's, Mosins, Mausers, Springfields, M39, and am going to try my Pattern 17 this season. +1 on the K31, good round and very unique action. I enjoy my Mausers the most.. there's just something about that 8mm. I hand load for all of my rifles, and out of all of the milsurps I have the 8mm has the best bullet selection and most readily available brass. Not a thing wrong with any of them. Also +1 on the 24/47's (and M48's) as being about the sweetest milsurp deal out there, I have a pile of them. Perfect candidates for sporterizing as well. As mentioned, Samco Global is the place to go for a 24/47.

well i plan on getting a nice 270/7mm 08 in the future but for $100 and some brown bear soft points id have a decent historical hunting rifle,

but if i spend more than $300 i might as well get a nicer rifle,

and ive also wanted a scout rifle, the k98k and m44/m38 would fit the bill quite well and if i get a good deal on a 91/30 i could convert it later on...

i dont need a tac driver, just out to 200ish yrds with consistant accuracy

and there is nothing saying i wont get the other later, i like them both alot but am just looking for a cheap quick fix that i wont look to get rid of when i get a nicer rifle.

You might check, but I think the twist is different from the M44 to the 91/30. Mosin is great for the price. If yoiu look around you can find a M44 for around $100. If you dont already have a scope for your build check out the H&R combos at Dicks. There going for $199. Good Luck and post pics when your done.

I see a mauser in my future but i think the mosin suits my needs best now,

i hope i can find a 38 or 59, if not i could have a 91/30 cut down 6 inches and even threaded for a break, but thats all fancy extras i dont need right now... the 44 is just so ugly (imo) with the stabber and just as ugly when its cut off (from what ive seen)

and with the ATI stock, modern long eye relief scope, and good bore... for the money from what all ive read, that seems hard to beat for smaller than elk size game inside 250 yrds. am i right?

With military rifles, you have to be carefull with how much you spend on conversion and accessories. A $100 rifle, plus a $50 scope mount, plus a $100 trigger, plus $60 sock. You see where I'm going. It adds up. I have a yugo mauser that has taken a lot of animals but to duplicate the gun now, I would easily spend more than a base 700 adl or Stevens 200. The 60+ yr old mauser bolt sure is slick slickity compared to a modern rifle though.

I would take a 98 over a nagant anyday if I could only have one. Both are very cool rifles to have in the safe though.

If your looking to collect Id go the K98.

If you looking for a hunting rifle you can add a scope to Id get a Savage stevens or other cheap deer rifle.

If you wanting the cheapest high powered rifle you can shoot a deer with get a 91/30

The Mosin Nagant 91/30 is the best bang for your buck. And I own just about every milsurp out there. I'm a Mauser man all the way, but for $100 bucks or less, it's the best deal hands down.

I put an S&K mount with a LER scope on one of my Mosins that's my hunting set up. (S&K mounts are removable and don't alter the rifle)

Surplus ammo is cheap and plentiful. And yes, it does kick a little less than the 8mm. As far as accuracy, I would put it up against anything.

Here's a video of us shooting a $75 Mosin refurb from Classic Arms. The jugs are a little over 200 yards. Iron sights.
Mosin Nagant jug shoot

If you're interested I have a 91/30 in the classifieds or can tell you what Ive found out on them and my views on them. Just PM me and I'll try to help

I've got a .270 built from an FM Mauser action and a .25-06 built from an O3A3 Springfield action. I love both of them.

I have a Mosin sitting around here somewhere. If I'm lucky, someone stole it. I put one round in it at the range, fired, and the bolt is now stuck. I cant even lift the bolt handle on it. Tried the ol boot-kick trick to no avail. Beat the hell outa that thing trying to get it to release. If i remember correctly I just threw it into the storage shed and said to hell with it.

My mausers on the other hand are GREAT rifles. Picked another one up on the cheap not too long ago because it's got a lil rust in the barrel. She's gonna b my next build.

LOL. My first reaction was also "recoil less"? My Mosins are model 1891s made between 1894 and 1916. They make the recoil of the M44 seem tame; full powder burn with nothing but smoke leaving the barrel. As I told the guy beside me at the range one day, the only way I'd shoot one of these more than 10 times is if someone was shooting at me! But they're still fun to shoot.

You can pick up nice Swedish Mausers in 6.5x55 for reasonable prices. That or a Swiss G11 or K31 would be my choices. Or a turn of the century Mosin. Or a nice Argentine Mauser.

I'm gonna go after some pigs this year with my Garand, might even shoot the Enfield at one or two as well.

x2 but do you mean a 1891 or 1909?

I LOVE my Loewe 1891. It's fit, finish, and feel are superb. Loewe manufactured 1891's require no FFL transfer (made before 1898) and can be found for $400-500 in great condition. DWM 1891's require a FFL for transfer, fyi.

I was thinking the 1909 but you've piqued my curiosity about the 1891. I'll have to look into that one.