Just inherited some rifles - which one for hunting?

[jam]

Thanks for the input, everyone! Well, as I'm getting to know these guns a bit, it appears that the only one that's not been sporterized is the Krag. It's also the best shape out of all of them. It sounds like I should use all of them!

I took the A3 out to a range this weekend and really, REALLY like the way it shoots. I was hitting the target out to 300 yds with the iron sights! (for me and my eyes, that was pretty exciting) I'm looking forward to getting more confident with my shots with that one. In fact, I think I'll spend some range time with all of them this summer and just see which one really speaks to me as a hunting rifle.

The Krag is the one that's putting me in a dilemma. On the one hand, I see it as an amazing piece of history and it's in really nice shape, so I'm thinking it would be good to preserve it. On the other hand, I don't see myself ever selling it, so I might as well use it. And it feels really good in my hands, so I'm itching to test it. Hmmm.... At least I don't have to decide right away.

Thanks again for all your opinions. You've all been very helpful.

[oramac]

Go with the No.4, the .303 has been used on big game in Africa, buff in Oz, moose in Canada and it was/is used here in Kiwiland for most game.

[smellie]

.303" loaded with a 150 just about perfectly equals the original specs for the .308W.

Around here, they bring down whitetail very nicely out to 300 or so; you can extend that with a scope and an S&Kmount.

With the 180, it is the best old Moose-dumper ever made, also works fine on Elk. I would recommend the 180 for Caribou as well: they are small enough to kill with a 150 but they are also so stupid that they don't know they've been hit,so you have to make the statement more emphatic.

Hope his helps.
.

[BGunther]

I'm with you on the Krag. They just feel right.
A solid 200-300 yard gun, and really...should any of us be shooting at game with irons further than 300 yds?
A twitch or a gust of wind and you've got a gutshot animal to track down and deal with.
I'd bet the krag equals less ruined meat too. Probably eat everything but the bullet hole.

[Rumpelhardt]

From a stand or blind at a dear that is relaxed and not moving? The Springfield. I absolutely love the 30-06 cartridge. it is what I have used on every dear I've shot except the first and I can tell you for certain that a well placed shot with an appropriately constructed bullet ruins very little meat. From all accounts the Springfield in good condition is a very accurate rifle.
Stalking or where a quick yet well placed shot might be needed? The No.4 Enfield. The No.4 just points so naturally for me that it looks like it would be excellent for close to medium range hunting with an aperture sight and the .303 is a very capable round that has taken many dear here in Maine.

[jrswanson1]

ANY of those rifles will work with appropriate ammo. I'm taking one of my No. 1 Mk IIIs out for deer this fall, and my Model of 1917 for Aoudad if I can get a spot in PA. I'm comfortable enough with open sights on game animals out to 100 yards, past that and I'll be needing a scope.

[Charlie]

Is it possible your friend was basicly right handed but shot left handed. I have a son that was ambidextrous as a child but as he grew older he settled on doing some things right and some things left. He writes right handed and shoots left handed.

[Gibbs505]

Sorry about that. I'll write the markings down and repost. New to this milsurp stuff. I was just going by what my friend had listed them as. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I have. This sure is different from buying a gun from walmart and reading the label, isn't it?

And sorry, NRA, I think I'll be hanging on to the Krag for a while. It's a beauty. Out of all of them, it's in the best condition.

Harlan, I suppose I'll be digging around for info about no-drilling-required scope mounts and "C" stocks. Interestingly, the sporter stock that's on it is a lefty, but my friend was right-handed. He had lots of left-handed holsters for the handguns, too. His family and I were trying to figure that out. There's still a lot we're learning about him.

Thanks guys for the suggestions so far. I'll be reposting the info about the .303s

It is not a matter of being left or right handed. It is a matter of eye dominance, is the right or left eye the one that you shoot with? That is the reason that some people are right handed but shoot left handed.