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TheHighlander · March 8, 2009, 11:18 PM

As the title implies, I'm in a little bit of trouble. I have long been shooting .22, but ever since turning 18 last year (yeah, I know, I'm still quite a youngster) I have been feeling the urge to buy myself my very own real rifle. And nothing screams "REAL RIFLE!" like an 80 year old rifle that was last shot by someone 70 years ago and then packed into crates of cosmo.

I made the decision to buy one, but then came the real question. Mosin Nagant 91/30 or Mauser??

What do you think would be best for someone who is an experienced shooter, but has little experience with more powerful cartridges? My price rage is anywhere from $1 to $300 (preferably on the somewhat lower to midrange level). I would like one with some historical value, but that would also be at least somewhat accurate and a consistent shooter. Things like counterboring aren't really an issue for me as long as she shoots straight.

Are there any significant differences between 7.62x54r and 8mm mauser? Is surplus drying up? What about the commercial prices for each? And what about ease of reloading for once surplus does dry up and for keeping costs low?

If mauser, which one? Turkish? RC Kar98k? Gew 98? Spanish? Czech? Brazilian? Other?

I would most likely not refinish the stock unless I had to for either one and I have no problem doing so, but would rather not just to preserve the history caked on in layers of crud.

I'm a bit of a history person, haha. Also, I have no problem with cosmoline. In fact, I look forward to purchasing a rifle covered in the stuff. I actually enjoy spiffing things up with quite a lot of work required.

Finally, when making your decisions, keep in mind that I reside in the wonderful utopia of NJ; the proverbial rancid lunchmeat between the gun-hating sandwich of Philly-NJ-NYC. This means that in order to buy online with a C&R, I would have to have a class 1 FFL. Not class 3 like every other sane state, which makes it not even worth it to go through a local FFL and pay a handling fee because for the same price i could hand pick one at a gun show. (I will be going to one next weekend at valley forge, PA btw)

Phew, sorry that was long, but i hope you all can help me pick out my first real rifle! Thanks!

ps- and as long as that ordering onine thing goes, I cant order ammo online either due to nj laws

March 8, 2009, 11:18 PM	#1
TheHighlander Junior Member Join Date: March 8, 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3	My First Real Rifle! But Which One!? As the title implies, I'm in a little bit of trouble. I have long been shooting .22, but ever since turning 18 last year (yeah, I know, I'm still quite a youngster) I have been feeling the urge to buy myself my very own real rifle. And nothing screams "REAL RIFLE!" like an 80 year old rifle that was last shot by someone 70 years ago and then packed into crates of cosmo. I made the decision to buy one, but then came the real question. Mosin Nagant 91/30 or Mauser?? What do you think would be best for someone who is an experienced shooter, but has little experience with more powerful cartridges? My price rage is anywhere from $1 to $300 (preferably on the somewhat lower to midrange level). I would like one with some historical value, but that would also be at least somewhat accurate and a consistent shooter. Things like counterboring aren't really an issue for me as long as she shoots straight. Are there any significant differences between 7.62x54r and 8mm mauser? Is surplus drying up? What about the commercial prices for each? And what about ease of reloading for once surplus does dry up and for keeping costs low? If mauser, which one? Turkish? RC Kar98k? Gew 98? Spanish? Czech? Brazilian? Other? I would most likely not refinish the stock unless I had to for either one and I have no problem doing so, but would rather not just to preserve the history caked on in layers of crud. I'm a bit of a history person, haha. Also, I have no problem with cosmoline. In fact, I look forward to purchasing a rifle covered in the stuff. I actually enjoy spiffing things up with quite a lot of work required. Finally, when making your decisions, keep in mind that I reside in the wonderful utopia of NJ; the proverbial rancid lunchmeat between the gun-hating sandwich of Philly-NJ-NYC. This means that in order to buy online with a C&R, I would have to have a class 1 FFL. Not class 3 like every other sane state, which makes it not even worth it to go through a local FFL and pay a handling fee because for the same price i could hand pick one at a gun show. (I will be going to one next weekend at valley forge, PA btw) Phew, sorry that was long, but i hope you all can help me pick out my first real rifle! Thanks! ps- and as long as that ordering onine thing goes, I cant order ammo online either due to nj laws __________________ Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.