Bang Shootie conversation

#2,135
#2,135
@Orangeslice13

Need some help. Willing to drive down and buy or pick up. But, you are the guy for this.

My son said he wants an old rifle for his b-day. Early Savage or early military. But, has to be functionally sound. He'd prefer one that shoots and is in more than safe condition. I know the sporterized 6.5x55 swedes are pretty good set ups. But, I'm not super versed in the early 1900 rifles. I've always read some early Savages on into the 1950's were superb.

I need some recommendations, and some help finding a proper and operaqtional set-up.

It's ok if he has to invest some elbow grease into the wood. But, I want the mechanisms to be right.
 
#2,136
#2,136
GVF said:
@Orangeslice13

Need some help. Willing to drive down and buy or pick up. But, you are the guy for this.

My son said he wants an old rifle for his b-day. Early Savage or early military. But, has to be functionally sound. He'd prefer one that shoots and is in more than safe condition. I know the sporterized 6.5x55 swedes are pretty good set ups. But, I'm not super versed in the early 1900 rifles. I've always read some early Savages on into the 1950's were superb.

I need some recommendations, and some help finding a proper and operaqtional set-up.

It's ok if he has to invest some elbow grease into the wood. But, I want the mechanisms to be right.
Click to expand...
budget?
Remind me where you are
 
#2,138
#2,138
My mom has a hammerless .38 I've been trying to get from her. She bought her something else, and is going to let me buy it from her. Nice little gun, I like it.
 
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#2,142
#2,142
GVF said:
@Orangeslice13

Need some help. Willing to drive down and buy or pick up. But, you are the guy for this.

My son said he wants an old rifle for his b-day. Early Savage or early military. But, has to be functionally sound. He'd prefer one that shoots and is in more than safe condition. I know the sporterized 6.5x55 swedes are pretty good set ups. But, I'm not super versed in the early 1900 rifles. I've always read some early Savages on into the 1950's were superb.

I need some recommendations, and some help finding a proper and operaqtional set-up.

It's ok if he has to invest some elbow grease into the wood. But, I want the mechanisms to be right.
Click to expand...

Where are you located? If you don't mind me asking.
 
#2,146
#2,146
GVF said:
@Orangeslice13

Need some help. Willing to drive down and buy or pick up. But, you are the guy for this.

My son said he wants an old rifle for his b-day. Early Savage or early military. But, has to be functionally sound. He'd prefer one that shoots and is in more than safe condition. I know the sporterized 6.5x55 swedes are pretty good set ups. But, I'm not super versed in the early 1900 rifles. I've always read some early Savages on into the 1950's were superb.

I need some recommendations, and some help finding a proper and operaqtional set-up.

It's ok if he has to invest some elbow grease into the wood. But, I want the mechanisms to be right.
Click to expand...

Just gonna add my nickel...

I dunno if your near Chattanooga area, but North Ga Guntraders just across the line in Ringold Ga almost always has some classic military rifle for sale, and the owner keeps prices extremely reasonable. Outside of that of course. I'd just check to see what's on "Armlist" web site in your area. The main thing I would look for is something with reasonable ammo prices. A lot of early 1900's military rifles can have specialized ammo that is hard to come by. It's almost to check on ammo first and that buy the rifle to match the ammo deal you found.

I'm of an opinion in SA you can't go wrong with a M1 garand, or M1 Carbine. Garands can be pricey though. The M1 carbine is perhaps the most fun plinking rifle ever made. Still relatively cheap to find though, but this is smaller caliber just barely past pistol caliber. If you're wanting a bolt, a No4 Enfield in 303 or better yet 308 or sporterized is perhaps the best bolt action ever made for smooth action. You can absolutely rock that thing keeping iron sites on target while quickly working the bolt. One that is overlooked I think is the Russian Mosin-Nagants that are criminally underrated bolt actions. They are usually cheap, and ammo isn't usually too bad. Also at one point there was a ton of old 8mm german mausers that came out that were never fired. They were produced in one of the baltic states right next to Germany (Yugoslavia) at the end of ww2 and most had just been sitting in cosmoline. Because they got the Yugo stamps on em they're not as collectable, however they are pristine shooters, and you can still find them 3-400. I do not know as much about the Savage rifles, but I know the model 110 is extremely popular and considering it's still made and hasn't changed for 60 years that's saying something. An older vintage model 110 can be had for 500 or so, and kinda pairs well with a Garande for 30-06.

If you want to get into more snobby stuff I like the swiss bolt rifles. The K31's are really nice, and stand out as a unique feel. That's the one On my wish list.

Most of these large calibers battle rifles are gonna run you 1.50 a round and up, and specialty ammo like the 7.5 swiss stuff can be hard to find at times, but if you go with the Mosin in 7.62 Russian, or say a Enfield in 308 (as opposed to normal 303) you can save some money on ammo which runs more in the 0.80+ ranger per round. Never shot the swedish rifles, but I can tell you the 6.5x55 ammo isn't too hard to find and runs about 1.30 right now a round.

Also one last one I suggest keeping an eye out for is a vintage Marlin Camp Carbine in 45, It uses the same mag as a 1911 pistol and is so much fun to shoot, and nigh indestructible. When you can find them they're usually affordable, but not as numerous as they once were.

Lastly I really like 243 caliber vintage rifles. My reach out and touch (NOT vintage) for long range shooting is in this caliber based on a 700 and Mcmillian A4 stock. It functions very similar to 6.5 creedmore, in it has a smaller bullet necked down with lots of powder and shoots flat. It's excellent for hunting or target shooting. Ammo is getting easier to find again (it got difficult for a little while) The vintage rifles in this caliber civilian wise are too numerous to name. Sako, H&K, ruger, savage, remington, marlin etc....everyone made one for this caliber. In modern rifles 6.5 Creedmore is kinda replacing it, but it's very similar, and lots of great deals to be found.
 
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#2,147
#2,147
The big thing on these vintage rifles is check the bore. You can have a superb model rifle with a sh**y bore....many have been shot like hell or maybe were mistreated after corrosive ammo etc. Look on youtube for some videos on what to watch out for there. Replacing a barrel is not a small thing on an older rifle, and i'd rather have a nice barrel on a lesser rifle, than a better rifle with a crappy used up barrel.

Also lastly when in doubt you can always check here on just about everything rifle related. Alot of great minds here, and knowledge. Just also alot of Big Dick waving, and trash talking much like an SEC forum too.

Forum list | Sniper's Hide Forum
 
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#2,149
#2,149
Well Speaking of Enfields they just imported a bunch of French Resistance Enfields, and let's face it being that they come from France they likely haven't been fired much (as in not a lot of civilian shooting there) , as long as they were stored properly these probably have some life in them, but they're gonna cost ya more then the pawn shop.

Old Western Scrounger LLC | Enfield #4's

If I currently had buy another rifle money I am very tempted.
 
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