Hunting With Milsurp Weapons- 2010 Edition

[TonyBen]

I don't know if this counts since there are no milsurp M14's, but I went hunting this year for the first time in 20 years. I used my standard M1A with mostly GI parts and a Bassett scope mount with a Zeiss Conquest 3x-9x X 50. It would be a bit heavy for some but I'm a big guy and it was not really a problem for me.

I wanted to hunt with irons only but I was persuaded by someone that I should have a scope for positive identification and to avoid shooting a doe or a deer without a fork so I installed the scope.

I carried it around for 3 days. Some of it was walking through the woods and some was sitting on the edge of a clear-cut watching for movement.

I don't know if I'll use it next year or not. I have a Savage 110 project to work on this winter.

Also, I took along a leather hunting sling just in case the GI nylon sling would not work. It was a good decision. After hiking witht the rifle over my shoulder and adjusting it, the GI sling keeper would pop open due to rubing on my backpack straps but I caught it every time. I canged it out after the first day. I would like to try a biothane M1907 style sling for next year if I decide to take it again.

[jmoore]

Slings are hateful things in my mind. At least until AFTER the shot has been taken, and the work begins.

That said, I was on a hike back to the truck w/ a bl**dy huge and heavy M85 (a real one, not just a post P-H put together), so I utilized the push button QD sling that came with it. Apparently one of the swivels was a bit flogged and it did it's "QD" thing all by itself about 1/2 mile down the trail. Had there not been a muzzle protector installed, it would have been a bad day!


BTW, missing a perfectly grand day of hunting right now as there's a building being demolished next door to my friend's store. He's got LE training scheduled, so I get to hang about waiting for disasters...PHOOEY!

[chainsaw]

Packed my M1917 around the first day of deer season,all I can say is,Doughboys were tough sob's.

[mike16]

Yea, I do love the m1917.

[jmoore]

The M1917 is the first rifle I used for deer hunting. Never shot one whilst fielding it, though! I just wish I hadn't sportered ("Bubba'd") a really nice spare US$15 (early 1980's $s) stock for it. Could have put it to better use, and the results were less than optimal. (I was MAYBE 18 at the time.) The upside is that I kept all the bits, so it's now been long back to full military configuration. Shoots better that way, BTW. Not a spectacular rifle condition-wise, but it's "goodness" led to several more that are way prettier (and cost way too much)!

[jmoore]

Gonna hog up some more of this thread, be glad I haven't been able to get out more this year so far! (still no meat for the table): Take a camera on your next hunt and show off your goodies! Dead criiters are NOT required, but feel free to add 'em if you get 'em.

Here's some photos from Monday (1 November 2010):


At least the upper is real Milsurp! And yes, I often find the stock to be hugely useful when shortened that much in actual field use. (Just not whilst standing.) The Mag-Pul CTR stock is very nice in that wiggle can be eliminated by using the clamp at the lower front, if desired. Quiet adjustments are easy as well.


A bit more open area, but VERY downhill!


OLD 3x scope.


Cruddy photo, but it shows the reticle. It's actually a very clear scope w/ very good resolution.


Inner tube rain guard for ocular and (forward a bit) exposed barrel under handguard- the rear portion is protected by the internal heat shield.
It's a bit of a shock even to me, but this ugly old thing is becoming my favorite deer rig. Terminal performance has been outstanding to date!


More Type 99 hunting today (5 November 2010), at least until I felt some moisture. Unlike the all-weather AR, I'm NOT going to soak that 7,7mm bit of scarcity.








Note the yellow thread tied to the "cleaning rod". Wind was quite variable all day. Makes me nuts!

This rifle is really growing on me. I'm rethinking my opinion on the bolt handle- It's really kind of an early "Tactical" speed handle set-up much like the oversized and extended handles popular in certain circles today I just wish the iron sights had a 100yd setting. The rear band and front swivel doubled as a grasping point early on today when the cool weather made the foreend kind of slippery w/ the "easy on the finish" non-textured gloves worn.

[Bill Hollinger]

I have taken 23 deer, 18 antelope, two bear, two elk and countless coyotes with my 3X9 Leupold mounted S/A M1A. I can do no wrong with that rifle!!!

[Mohawk]

I have hunted all 32 seasons I have been hunting with either a 1917 SMLE, Type 99, or 190303. I have been well fed by all of them. Next year I will have the honor of hauling a P14 along with me. I would have used it this year, except I scored it on the weekend after elk season. I am blown away by its accuracy with 180 grn Privi soft points. All the previous stated rifles have killed deer, elk, and bear. I have hunted in 12 states and 3 European countries. Folks look at me weird for what I carry, but look amazed when they see what I harvest....

[vintage hunter]

I started Deer hunting in 1979 at age 11. Got my first one Jan.1 1980 with a shotgun. Started hunting with milsurps in 1986 when i became old enough to buy them myself. First one was a jap. t99. Took lots of Deer and Hogs over the years witha wide asortment of old militays rifles, including an 1884 Trapdoor. My trade is Millwright/Welder and doing that for close to 25 years has taken it's toll on my eyes so i have had to retire most of my milsurps cause i can't see the open sights anymore. Inow use a 1936 dated M1903 NM that BUBBA had hold of. Restored it as close to original spec as i could w/ original parts but went the extra mile and outfitted it as a 1903A1 sniper. Was already drilled/tapped for unertl blocks. The other is a replica/repro no.4 mk1T i made up using repro parts. It gets lots of use. Took a Deer this p.m. with it at 233 yds according to rangefinder. Too bad my eyes gave out, have quite a few more i never got to fire a shot in hunger.

[jmoore]

Guess what happens when you cook deer ribs for 20hrs in this contraption:





Folk that won't eat deer jump all over it!:


I'd show you who's hand it was but I didn't get a suitably flattering photo of her! Don't need that kind of trouble.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much left by the time the camera came out. Knife not required...

Christmas fun.


Esp. for the young 'uns!