Hunting with Mil-Surp's

[sumpnz]

Here's my question. I have a Turkish Mauser (8x57JS) and a Carl Gustaf Swedish Mauser (6.5x55mm). Would either of these rifles, once a scout scope has been fitted to them, be at all appropriate for hunting Arizona whitetails, mule deer, and elk? I know, with appropriate loads, each is fully capable of killing those animals assuming correct shot placement, range, etc. My question is more along the lines of "Would I look like a complete dumb-a** lugging a heavy, 29.5" barreled WWII infantry rifle" as opposed to whether the animal would die.

Thanks for all input!

Part of the main reason for asking is I can more easily convince my wife to spend the money on the mounts and scopes for both mil-surps than on buying a new rifle plus mount and scope.

Also, what inexpensive (not "cheap") scopes would you all recommend?

 

[critter]

People hunt with semi autos, bolt guns, lever guns, single shots, shotguns, handguns, muzzleloaders, bows and arrows, spear guns, crossbows (in some states), AND, YES, MILSURPS. You won't look any more like a dumbXXX than any of the rest of us!

I particularly enjoy hunting with different firearms-of all kinds, including milsurps on occasion. Go for it and have fun!

 

[Swamprabbit]

Well, you can always bayonet the wounded while the others can't .

Seriously, if you get the setup you like to hunt with, I'd go ahead and do it. I enjoy hunting with my 03A3 Springfield and I know lots of good ole boys who hunt with chopped up Enfields and the like. Here in KY, we're just weird anyway so nobody notices. Besides, I thought one hunted for the joy of it - not peer pressure.

 

[Crownvicman]

My "serious use" hunting rifle is an unmodified No4Mk1 Enfield. Of course, the Enfield has better open sights than most milsurp rifles and I hunt in heavily wooded country. If you like one of these rifles and are you can take game cleanly with it, why not?

 

[ShootAndHunt]

A Bushnell elite 3200 rifle scope is a good one, it is really bright, and has rainguard and firefly reticle for hunting. You could get one about $200.

 

[fix]

I know several guys who hunt with Garands.

 

[Gewehr98]

I hunt with my 1903A4.

And my No5Mk1 Jungle Carbine.

Never caught any flak for it, either.

 

[GD]

I have been hunting for 9 years now. Each year I use a different milsurp. So far I have used the following at least once: M1 Garand, Enfield #4 MkI, Finn M39 B-barrel, Russian SKS, and Czech VZ-24. Each one brought the deer down even if the shot wasn't perfect. Of the above, the one I felt most comfortable with was the Finn M39. The deer that I shot with the Finn was running at about 50 yards away and I got him right where I was supposed to. I really like the sight picture on that rifle.

 

[rust collector]

The 6.5 swede works great on deer. I suspect the 8x57 would also work well, but I'd rather shoot and would be more likely to hit with the lighter round. Mine has been made into a little mannlicher type carbine with 2-7 scope, and it's gotten the job done when I have done my part.

 

[Mulliga]

The Burris Fullfield II series, the Weaver Grand Slams, the Bushnell Elite line, the Leupold VX line - most of the scopes made today are quite good. Shop around for the best price and don't be too wedded to a brand.

Best to get 2-7 variable IMHO. I've got a 3-9 myself, but the rifle's a .30-06 .

 

[sumpnz]

Thanks for all the input guys

This should make it a bit easier to convice my wife that the mil-surps are OK for hunting, espically since I should be able to scope both for under $300 each ($74 for mount and rings from http://www.scopemounts.com/index.html plus maybe $200+- for the scope).

If any of you know of a better deal than from the site above on no-gunsmithing scope mounts for the mil-surps let me know, but they look pretty good from what can be seen on their website at least.

I was figuring I'd take both rifles on any hunts I get drawn for. If it's for deer, the Swede will be my primary with 120gr softpoints, and the Turk with 150gr SP will be the backup weapon. For elk it'll be the Turk with 200gr SP as the primary, and the Swede with 160gr RN as the backup.