I was thinking of picking up a military surplus bolt action rifle, such as the Mosin Nagant or the Lee Enfield.
I've handled the Mosin Nagant a few times, and while I do like most things about it, I don't really care for safety, or the big metal plate on the back of rifle that slams into your arm every time you fire. I've fired all three variations from the 91/30, M38 and M44 carbine. My dad owns all three and even said he'd be willing to sell either the M38 or M44 carbine for cheaper than I could get them already. M38 for something like around $60. Very, very hard to pass up on.
I've never handled a Lee Enfield but I love everything I've heard about them, their looks, and their history. Actually, both rifles have a very respectable history to them and if nothing else, would be nice to eventually own both of them for that very reason.
I don't really want to use corrosive ammo if I go the route of the Mosin Nagant, as I'd eventually like to reload (I'm just getting into reloading, not even sure if it'd be practical or not given how cheap the ammo is for it).
As far as Lee Enfields go, I know some are reloadable and some are not (I think the ones with Berdan primers are not reloadable). If I do go the route of the Lee Enfield I don't think that .303 British ammo is as common nor as cheap as the Mosin Nagant but I do believe that it may be easier to reload for.
Any suggestions either way? It's not a decision I'm going to strongly make before tax returns. I just want some general ideas and opinions.
I've handled the Mosin Nagant a few times, and while I do like most things about it, I don't really care for safety, or the big metal plate on the back of rifle that slams into your arm every time you fire. I've fired all three variations from the 91/30, M38 and M44 carbine. My dad owns all three and even said he'd be willing to sell either the M38 or M44 carbine for cheaper than I could get them already. M38 for something like around $60. Very, very hard to pass up on.
I've never handled a Lee Enfield but I love everything I've heard about them, their looks, and their history. Actually, both rifles have a very respectable history to them and if nothing else, would be nice to eventually own both of them for that very reason.
I don't really want to use corrosive ammo if I go the route of the Mosin Nagant, as I'd eventually like to reload (I'm just getting into reloading, not even sure if it'd be practical or not given how cheap the ammo is for it).
As far as Lee Enfields go, I know some are reloadable and some are not (I think the ones with Berdan primers are not reloadable). If I do go the route of the Lee Enfield I don't think that .303 British ammo is as common nor as cheap as the Mosin Nagant but I do believe that it may be easier to reload for.
Any suggestions either way? It's not a decision I'm going to strongly make before tax returns. I just want some general ideas and opinions.