I dont think u can go wrong with a mauser or mosin. The 8 mauser round is comparible to 30-06 and easy to find commercial or surplus ammo for it. I have a mauser and 2 mosins that i use for hunting. A K-31 shmidt rubin on the other hand is the most accurate surplus rifle i have shot. They can be a little more expensive than mosins and some mausers but worth it. It shoots 7.5x55. Its alittle harder to find ammo wise but there is commercial stuff out there. Hornady makes some good ammo for it and wolf gold makes decent ammo.

All I can find local are 91/30s, is there a difference with those as far as where theyre made? How do I tell if its one of the ones your talking about?

All the 91/30s you see now for $100 are coming out of the Ukraine. They were refurbished by the military around the 1950's or so during the Cold War and stored away until now. They were made at two arsenals, Izhevsk and Tula. Less were made at Tula so they're a little more collectable and rumored to be better quality.

Get one, you can't go wrong. But I'm warning you, it's hard to stop with just one.

mosinnagant.net will tell u everything u want to know about them and how to identify what aresenal they come from and depending on the age, what type of 91/30 it is. But as stated, u cant go wrong with them. Best bang for the buck for sure. Well built and very strong and reliable. some are more accurate than others. but once u shoot it enough you can see how to adjust ur shots to be more accurate.

If you're gonna go with a Mosin, I'd spend a few extra bucks and get a M39. Widely acceptted as the most accurate Mosin ever made.

i just got the 91/30 today, looks new i really like it.

i saw a mauser there for 350 or so... but i see more mil surps in my future...

here it is, if you know anything about it feel free to fill me in

ok u have a very common war time Izhevsk Arsenal gun. Obviously made in 1943. The triangle with the 1 in it means - DDR Property mark. The BC 1228 (i think that the right number from the picture) is the serial number. Look at ur bolt, mag well floor plate to see if they match the reciever number. Most likely this is a factory refurb. To make sure look at the buttstock, if there is a square with a diagonal line in it, that is the reasenal proof mark. Looks like a good gun though. Have fun with, it will make u want another one.

Congrats! Have fun!

And don't forget to clean it good if you shoot surplus ammo.

I already want a finnish one and a 38...and a mauser... What is your advise on making these a "better" hunting rifle?

I was thinking
ati stock
scope
and just fir fun choppin 6in off the barrel and having it threaded for a break to make it a more comfortable rifle to shoot...

Anything else... Im going to take it out and let it beat me at the range so I appreciate the mods more....

Don't do anything to it. That's the fun of old military rifles. It's a piece of history.

Here's what they'll do to a deer with modern soft point ammo. I believe the brand was S&B.

Damn... Whats the word on the bear (brown, silver, etc...) Soft points? If I can find those thats what I'm tryin to use...

Call me crazy, but I leave these old warriors alone. I LOVE the "wth is that?" I get from hunting buddies! And then I show them up when they say I can't shoot it.

Its just really long and I have to look down the sights really low and uncomfortably, also the buttstock is short and well uncomfortable...

It does however make me appreciate what the soldiers went through in ww2

But it would be cool to out shoot my buddies with it.

Big 5 has the M91/30 on sale this weekend for $99. Still a little high.

I agree with the above, dont change the rifle, it is what it is for a reason. Finnish carbines are definately nice. If you want something shorter go with the russian M44 or M38. Just carbine versions of the 91/30. but be prepared for the awesome fireball and report it gives out the buisness end. i have a 91/30 and M44 in orginal configuration. Wouldnt chagne them. But it is always awesome to be asked if i was shooting a cannon when i bring the M44 out to play.

You and me both, brother!! I love the shock factor when all you get when they first see it is "you aren't gonna hit anything with that." Love to see the reactions afterwards.

Except for changes to the length of the barrel and a cross bolt in the stock, the working parts of the Mosin remained unchanged from 1891 to 1955. Dozens of other Countries have used it and they liked it just as it was even though they made cosmetic changes; probably more out of ego than neccesity. The Finns are the only ones to make a big change and that was that they rebarreled the M39s with "match grade" barrels. But the Finns must have hated the Russians because they changed everything they could and still keep the receiver/action. I know...some are hex and some are round. Some have different rear sights. I'm talking about functional changes. It is an amazing rifle and permanent modifications it won't make it any better. If the stock doesn't fit, go with another stock but keep the original or you won't be able to give it away if you decide to sell it.

Just my

Ill keep everything but a lighter more comfortable rifle (stock or butt pad) with a scope, maybe some trigger work seems like all id want, but ill shoot it a while b4 I change anything