Your favorite military surplus caliber?

[Badger]

I have collected military rifles since 1958 and am still collecting. I found the WWI and WWII rifles from around the world generally make good deer rifles and many make fine target arms. I especially like the 6.5mm Swed, the 7x57mm Mauser, the 7.65x53mm, the 8x57mm, the .303 British and, of course, the .30-06 and .308. Happily, there are many models of arms to accomodate these calibers.

Who else has a favorite military surplus caliber?

Badger

[Altjaeger]

I missed your individual favorite.

Guess mine is the .30-06. I have used it since I started deer hunting in 1965. Last few years I have made good use of the 7x57 and 8x57 as well.

[GMWW]

For sheer plinking I like the 30 carbine.

[Bill Gunn]

My favorite...
I bought a sporterized Mod 94 6.5X55 back in 1964 for $65.00.
They were very common then. I got 3 deer with it, and the farthest one went was 20 feet.
Great and handy hunting rifle.

[Badger]

Altjaeger,

LOL! Yes, my individual favorite would be hard to pick out because of the various arms associated with the calibers I listed. I like the .30-06 because of my grandad's (Liberated after WWI, I suppose) Mark I Springfield that shoots better than I can hold. In 1965 I bought an M1 Garand that I used to shoot my way onto the NH high Power rifle team twice and took to Camp Perry. I like the 8x57MM due to the war trophy 98k my uncle brought back from WWII that shoots better than an issue Mauser should with good handloads. The list goes on. I could be happy with any of the calibers listed, and am.

Badger

[Smokey]

For hunting most of the time I go with the 30.06. But, I do like the 7x57 a lot. I believe it is a very under rated caliber. I have never had to chase an animal after hitting it with the 7x57. However all of those shots were relative easy shots at standing relaxed animals.

[Badger]

Smokey,

I have always liked the 7x57mm. My first was a Rolling Block from Ye Olde Hunter in 1961 for $9.67. After that I bought M1893 and M1916 Short Rifles and they are excellent deer guns.

Badger

[Smokey]

Badger.

I could easily triple your money on that rolling block.

I have a Model 70 Featherweight in 7x57 and love it. I have been looking for a military rifle in that caliber but have yet to run into one in decent shape. But that is ok because we all need to have at least one gun that we are looking for.

[Don Wald]

My two favorites are two sporterized Swedish M94 carbines, one with it's original short 6.5x55mm barrel and one I had rebarreled to .257 Rbts. using an Adams and Bennett barrel.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/DWald_photos/MauserM9465x55mm.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/DWald_photos/MauserM94257Rbts.jpg

[Gil Martin]

Thanks for sharing. All the best...
Gil

[Marty]

I'm a big fan of the '06 for the bigger stuff, and the 6.5x55 for the littler stuff. That said I am also a fan of the .303. Actually more a fan of the fast Lee Enfield action combined with a 10 round magazine. Dynamite on a mob of pigs of gaggle (is that the term...?) of donkeys...

[Bushman]

Marty, you had better get something started up in the Australia and New Zealand forum or Swamp will make it go away. You shoot donkeys down there? All I saw was sheep when I was there.

[Marty]

......yeah your right. I better post something.

[T2133]

I would rate my favorite surplus rifle by the memory of any particular day that I shot the heck out of it. 7.62 X 54R and Brit .303 are a tie in my mind. If anyone can master these two old work horses, they get the job done every time.

[howdydoit]

ill stick to the 06 and the 6.5x55 of course im fond of the 7x57 too.:rolleyes:

[President Obanana]

7.62 x 51 = good for deer, pigs, people, etc. accurate

[Hi Ball]

My very first military rifle was the 30-40 Krag, then the .98 German Mauser, 303 British Jungle Carbine and along came the 7 x 57 Mauser. However my pride and joy is the M1-Garand and the FAL . :cool: ;) :)