Classic military rifles for hunting

[CP]

Back in the day, you could get a “sporterized” 1903 for $20.  Many companies bought warehouses of mil surplus rifles and cut the stocks and barrels and sold them to the hunting public.  Very common and effective rifle.

[WSU]

Looking at photos, the action was certainly a 1903.  The barrel and stock were totally different than original.  My dad's equipment was largely old and cheap, so I would imagine it was one of the $20 varieties you mention.  I didn't know the difference and neither did the deer.

[DOUBLELUNG]

When I worked for Wyoming Game and Fish, I was issued a "new" (still in the original Cosmoline, manufactured in 1969) Springfield Armory M-14 that had been modified to semiauto only for surplus to state agencies.  It was my go-to truck gun for years, a joy to shoot and extremely accurate.  I also have a small ring Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55 sporterized by Kimber of America, and a sporterized Lee Enfield No 4 Mk 1 in .303 British that belonged to my father-in-law and will one day go to my son.  Haven't fired the last one, but know that he took many animals with it in Wyoming before upgrading to Weatherby .25-06; the former two have killed numerous deer and antelope.

[tlbradford]

I shot a single deer with a friends 6.5 swede on a mauser action.  That was a great rifle.  I don't remember the make, or model, but it was military surplus made in the 40's.  It was my go to rifle when I needed to borrow one for an impromptu coyote hunt.

[CP]

I wish I could use my M1 Carbine out here for our close range hunting.

What is stopping you?

[WSU]

I'm surprised how spendy they are on gunbroker.  What's a normal price for a run of the mill 1903?

[Bill W]

normal "as issue" 1903 starts around $500.  Remember 03 and 03-A3 are different.

[Okanagan]

I shot a single deer with a friends 6.5 swede on a mauser action.  That was a great rifle.  I don't remember the make, or model, but it was military surplus made in the 40's.  It was my go to rifle when I needed to borrow one for an impromptu coyote hunt.

Great little rifle and IMO the perfect bore for deer.  I bought a very nice WWII era military surplus made by Husqvarna and bought a stock, safety, reloading dies and even a batch of 129 grain Hornady bullets... and then procrastinated till I never finished the project.  I finally sold the whole works cheap to a friend who finished it into a sporter and loved it.

I shot one black bear with it, right after I bought it.  It was a nuisance bear that had been hanging around the kids' bus stop and following them home.  Every dad in the rural community was keeping an eye out for it.  I was on my way home after first test shooting the rifle and checking the zero of the open military sights, when the bear stepped out on a side grassy lane 60 yards from me and 300 yards from the bus stop.  Bear season was open and I had a tag but was annoyed to have to use it that way.

Anyway, 6.5 Swede is a delightful rifle and cartridge.

[jmscon]

Used my dad's 1891 Argentine Mauser for a couple of years. He bought it in the '60's at a surplus store in Seattle and sporterized it.
I didn't like to use it because I couldn't adjust the sights and, because of the bolt, I couldn't put a scope on it. Also, the only ammo I could find was Norma and it was $45 a box in the late '90's early 2000's. Keep thinking of using it for a brush gun though.

Still has the 2000 meter sight on it!

[Pathfinder101]

I think I'd have to try out that 2,000 yard sight...  Have you?

[tlbradford]

I shot a single deer with a friends 6.5 swede on a mauser action.  That was a great rifle.  I don't remember the make, or model, but it was military surplus made in the 40's.  It was my go to rifle when I needed to borrow one for an impromptu coyote hunt.

Great little rifle and IMO the perfect bore for deer.  I bought a very nice WWII era military surplus made by Husqvarna and bought a stock, safety, reloading dies and even a batch of 129 grain Hornady bullets... and then procrastinated till I never finished the project.  I finally sold the whole works cheap to a friend who finished it into a sporter and loved it.

I shot one black bear with it, right after I bought it.  It was a nuisance bear that had been hanging around the kids' bus stop and following them home.  Every dad in the rural community was keeping an eye out for it.  I was on my way home after first test shooting the rifle and checking the zero of the open military sights, when the bear stepped out on a side grassy lane 60 yards from me and 300 yards from the bus stop.  Bear season was open and I had a tag but was annoyed to have to use it that way.

Anyway, 6.5 Swede is a delightful rifle and cartridge.

Great story.  I loved that little rifle.  It changed hands one to many times, that I am not sure which of his grandkids ended up with it.  I keep quizzing the family members so I can try to buy it.  Same with his old Panther Bowie.  My dad tried to buy that knife off of him for years.  I just want either one as a keepsake to use and honor his memory.

[jmscon]

I think I'd have to try out that 2,000 yard sight...  Have you?

Haven't tried it out. The thing is the sights are off by 6 moa, so at 2000 yards that would be 120" off! I guess with the naked eye at 2000 yards you wouldn't be able to aim at a small target very well anyway. 

Bolt action spray and pray!

[JimmyHoffa]

I think I'd have to try out that 2,000 yard sight...  Have you?

Haven't tried it out. The thing is the sights are off by 6 moa, so at 2000 yards that would be 120" off! I guess with the naked eye at 2000 yards you wouldn't be able to aim at a small target very well anyway. 

Bolt action spray and pray!

It's for volley fire in trench warfare.

[quadrafire]

I still occasionally pack a sporterized 8mm mauser. I've thought about using is as a build but probably never will get to it.
It shoots great even with the 4 x Jason scope with a broken reticle.

[lokidog]

I wish I could use my M1 Carbine out here for our close range hunting.

What is stopping you?

We are firearm restricted, never mind that the muzzle energy is way less than a .454 Casull revolver which is legal here....