What is the best surplus rifle for hunting?
It sounds like you are trying to save costs, so here are three inexpensive surplus rifles that still see a LOT of service. The Mauser, Mosin-Nagant and the Enfield are all good quality rifles. Each has their own distinct ammunition, and you can find quality, non-corrosive rounds at most any good sporting goods store. Any of those rounds will take most North American game – remember, placement is more important than quantity! The least expensive will be the Mosin-Nagant, at under $100 for a nice rifle. Practice with fifteen cent corrosive surplus rounds that do NOT have a lacquer coating or you will suffer from the dreaded “sticky bolt syndrome”, with all brands you would then fine tune your sights with the newly made, non corrosive hunting cartridges for about 75 cents a round. Next up is the Enfield. You can get a .303 or a .308 for under $200 and they have actions that are usually quite smooth. Last, the 8mm Mauser. Most modern bolt actions were fathered by this type of action, and t
