[FIDDLEHEADSTEW]

That's a sharp rifle, nice stock.

[jpattersonnh]

Originally Posted by FIDDLEHEADSTEW

That's a sharp rifle, nice stock.

That is very sharp!! Lets see a fantastic plastic Savage compete, never happen! BTW I own 1 Savage, the stock even looks like a 2x4. It is very accurate, but compared to that Mosin Nagant, butt ugly. top in pic

[HH54r]

Originally Posted by Model70

I've looked into the yugo m48 a little myself. I'd like to find a good 98 Mauser to build a 416 Ruger on, or a good Winchester Model 70 action. From what I've heard the yugo Mauser wasn't heat treated right, so some care has to be taken when building high pressure rifles cartridges with them.

I'm no expert on them by any means, I just saw some for sale and did some looking into before I decided against them.

I wouldn't waste your time with Mosin Nagants. Lots of quality inexpensive rifles out there that shoot modern cartridges very well.

I beg to differ. I own three Mosins and two of them will outshoot most modern rifles. Cheap does not equal poor quality.

There were several Russian and Finnish snipers who would also argue this point...

HH54r

[HH54r]

Originally Posted by jpattersonnh

That is very sharp!! Lets see a fantastic plastic Savage compete, never happen! BTW I own 1 Savage, the stock even looks like a 2x4. It is very accurate, but compared to that Mosin Nagant, butt ugly. top in pic

See this post, nothing wrong with Savage when done correctly.

http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f66/savage-12fvss-63840/

HH54r

[budman46]

trez complains about the safety on mosins...russians don't sweat small stuff, look at their tt33 pistols with nothing but a half-cock! they reputedly fielded troops without weapons, expecting the second wave to pick up those from the fallen first wave. the french weren't too worried about safeties either...none at all on the mas m36.

mosins triggers are easily improved by a competent hobbyist. finnish m39s (bebarreled/reworked mosins) have very good triggers and excellent barrels. i read that they had to group 3 rounds into 1.3" or less at 100 meters to be accepted...this with iron sights.

i agree on the lack of leverage afforded by mosin's stubby bolts, but ww2 brass-cased ammo doesn't present the problem of more modern, lacquered steel cases.

[jpattersonnh]

Originally Posted by HH54r

See this post, nothing wrong with Savage when done correctly.

http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f66/savage-12fvss-63840/

HH54r

Why would I want a fugly and shiny hunter?? It is a Sierra lite, intended for high mountian hunting. I beleive that pick has my HB.

[therewolf]

Originally Posted by FIDDLEHEADSTEW

I've been doing some research on these surplus rifles they've been selling and would like to get one but I would like to know from someone who owns one already as what to look for and what to beware of. I don't want to get a rifle just to throw it im my gun cabinet and let it collect dust, I want to use it. The 8mm round is a very good round and would be good for hunting and for the range. The Mosin Nagant is also a good rifle and the 7.62 x 54R is a good round too. So, are these rifles they are currently selling worth buying? And what about the Yugoslavian SKS, from what research I've been doing on the internet it seems the Russian and Romainian seem to be the more sought after, they certainly are more expensive. I've fired the Chinese version of the SKS and it was a fun rifle to shoot with plenty of aftermarket accessories to trick it out, can this be done with the Yugo and Romainian SKS's?.

Where to begin.(why I re-posted your OP)

Any Mauser, IMO, is a great rifle. Ammo's expensive.

The Mosin Nagant is very good, but not a Mauser, obviously.

Very sturdy, bulk ammo's cheaper, but not as acurate. These rifles

shine when you get better ammo. I really like the M44s. It's fairly easy

to get a lightly used one in good shape.

The SKS is nice, solidly made, but unlike the bolt-actions, fires an

"intermediate round". (the M43-7.62x39, same as the AK)

The Russians are nice, great balance. Yugos

are front-heavy, because of the grenade launcher, but that puts the

sights back on target, like a counterweight, IME.


In any event, the guns are better, and hold value more, if all the

serial#s match. Avoid electro-penciling, or "force-matched" serial #s.

Serial #s are stamped at the factory. Clean barrels with good rifling

aren't hard to find, if you look for them. Don't be afraid to shine

a light down the bore, and avoid pitting or corroded barrels.

[FIDDLEHEADSTEW]

Thank you for your replies guys and keep them coming.

[FIDDLEHEADSTEW]

When I find a surplus rifle I like and buy it, if it has a particularly nice stock how do I clean it. I remember when I got my Norinco SKS I used mineral spirits on all the metal and I just rubbed all the cosmoline off the stock with a rag.

[therewolf]

Field strip the barrel and all metal from the stock.

VERY hot water on all the metal parts gets grease, dirt, and a majority

of the more waxy cosmoline.

I'd use furniture polish on the wood stock. Old terry-cloth

towels do a fine job, without requvartting the finish.


When I got my first Mosin M44, I hadn't realized it had never

been fired. I took a swab, soaked it in Hoppes,

and ran it down the barrel. (from the muzzle, DAH me)


The breech erupted into a waterfall of thick cosmoline and

cleaner. Upside, of course, was that the barrel was pristine.