What rifle to buy

[M91/30]

I am currently looking at buying a ruger m77 mark 2 in 7.62x39 (300$)
Or a 1903 Springfield 30-06(350$) that has been converted into a target rifle.(Beautiful Bright shiny bore, really nice stock,perfect action,scope mount)
I am looking to use it for longer range target shooting around 500yds hopefully, and also for hunting. My only concerns are ammo price,the ballistics of the round, and accuracy. Love the 30-06 but the 7.62x39 has ubercheap ammo. Any thoughts?

 

[juk]

Yeah, the cheap ammo is great, but it probably won't group better than 2", won't have an ideal hunting bullet, and will arc like a rainbow at 500 yards. Make no mistake, with good ammo and proper bullet selection, the 7.62x39 will kill just about anything within reason, and can be quite accurate. But, quality 7.62x39 loads will run about as much per round as a 30-06. The 06 will definitely be a better choice for extended ranges, and will likely be more accurate.

After all of that, I must admit that I have a thing for bolt guns chambered in the 7.62x39. Like you said, ammo is cheap. It would make a fun plinker out to 250 yards or so. The challenge of mastering the drop would be a hoot. But for target/accuracy work, I think you would be better served with a different cartridge. 300 sounds like a good price for that rifle, though.

 

[M91/30]

Well I ended up buying the 1903, for 330$. It was made in 1929, the bore is shiney and strong, all in all its in perfect condition. I figure it wasn't too bad a deal. Have yet to shoot it but it looks like a real winner. The scope however is broken... the left "crosshair" is broken not sure if it will hold a zero
If anyone knows where i can get some cheap 30-06 till i reload this spring that would be cool, im also in need of a springfield 1903 safety.

excuse the poor pics im loaning my camera to a friend.
As always if you need different pics let me know.

 

[Liberty1776]

I've heard really good things about the DCM Greek 30-06 surplus ammo - accurate, non-corrosive and reloadable. Doesn't get any better than that...

 

[unwise11]

Springfield all the way, Not only does 30-06 have enough reach, but there is enough match ammo available, whereas 7.62x39 is a little underpowered for my tastes, there is very little if any match grade ammo available unless you roll your own..
Ditch the scope for now, get a new set of bases if they fit, and new rings and mount a Nikon Prostaff, Redfield revolution, or Burris fullfield II.
That should help scope wise, and as far as ammo goes, you will learn fast that you can shoot better than the junk ammo.
I shot a Garand once and one of the Greek surplus rounds exploded on the way to the target, making tiny little holes in it, but Hornady I believe offers match grade ammo loaded for 30-06.

 

[Sunray]

"...the left "crosshair" is broken..." The scope is toast. Replace it.

 

[M91/30]

Does anybody have a safety for the rifle that they are willing to sell?

 

[BrocLuno]

Looks like an old Weaver steel tube scope from the El Paso days? There are plenty to choose from on the 'Bay. Depending on how far out you want to reach, and assuming that you will be shooting daylight hours, an updated similar steel tube Weaver in say 6~8X should do well. If you decide to go that route and keep the blue scope on the classic rifle (nice ), I'd be looking for one with the "Micro-Trac" series motion components. They are very rugged and usually hold zero well while being able to take windage changes dialed in on the go and still come back to zero at the end of the day

 

[M91/30]

hehe brocluno, spot on its a weaver k4 indeed from el paso, As far as range anything from 100-500yd and maybe more when i get better and the scope/rifle allow. And I very strongly agree with you on a blue scope on a classic rifle, its beautiful with it. Ill be looking for one if anyone has one as well as a springfield 1903 safety.

 

[M91/30]

Well I have good news
I hit a local pawn shop and picked up a weaver marksman 3-9x40, It fit the rifles look perfectly.
Had it boresighted and bought a box of shells 180gr rem core-lokt(cheap for 06)
I hit the range and the rifle hit 7in to the right at 25yds guess he didn't do it right... But after i got it zeroed at 25 I moved out to 100 where I could consistenly hit a 2in shoot-n-see target(coulda been better but i was shakey(10 degrees and wasn't dressed for it . But for just shy of 400$ I now have a rifle for hunting any creature in the western hemisphere and a great shooter for range. Too bad the weaver k4 I have is apparently worthless (left crosshair broken) I am however looking to buy a nice leather sling to go with the classic rifle and also I need a safety that will work with my scope, pm if you got one for sale.