Newbie looking for suggestions for inexpensive first milsurp collectible

[kenk1966]

Sorry if this question is in the wrong forum or is just too basic to even ask...

I'm new to collecting vintage rifles and am looking for something very inexpensive to get my feet wet... a Mosin, Enfield, Mauser, SKS something like that, and had heard from some Appleseed people that some very usable rifles like Enfield No. 4s or SKSs can often be found very inexpensively (around $200?) if I knew where to look. I'm not sure if these prices are pretty out of date or not...

Can anyone tell me if expecting to find one of the above in the $200 price range (in reasonably safe condition) is unreasonable or a possibility? And if so, whether I might be able to find rifles like these in local shops (I'm in USA/Florida) or if I'm better off looking online?

Thanks and sorry again for the incredibly beginner-level question!

Information

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[vintage hunter]

You can get a Mosin Nagant 91/30 for around $100 and surplus ammo is cheap and readily available. They're accurate, strong and reliable and the current crop of arsenal rebuilds are in top condition. LE's, Mausers and SKS'S are getting hard to find for less than $350 and are usually at the lower end of the condition scale. It is possibly to find one cheaper in better than average shape but be prepared to do a lot of looking. Pawn shops are a good place to look and if you know the owner he may cut you a deal. Good deals are also found at flea markets and yard sales.

[Darkwolfe]

I'll second vintage hunter's remarks. To me, the Mosin/Nagant 91/30s are the single best place to start. They aren't expensive, have a crazy long history and enough variants to keep you busy for months if you get bit by the MN bug. PRVI Partizan makes a good commercial load that typically runs just under $20 for 20 shots. Those are made with good brass and boxer primers if you like to reload.

The surplus is pretty much all corrosive primer based, but that's fine so long as you clean up your rifle quickly once you are through shooting. Bulgarian has been available in my area and has been very good.

[jmoore]

Well within your price range, And has been quite enjoyable cleaning off all the dried up grease and oil. A model 1893 7mm Mauser made in Oviedo, Spain.

A couple of "before" pictures- still working on it, so no "after" shots yet:





You don't have to spend tons if you keep an open mind as to what's available.

[kenk1966]

Thanks for the info everybody, that's very helpful info!

@Jmoore, cleaning up that Mauser looks like fun -- is a collectible like that safe to shoot when you're done or is it for display/historical value?

[jmoore]

It'll be shot! Maybe not tons, but it'll get out from time to time- more often if it's accurate. I generally don't rebed or otherwise do much in the way of accuracy enhancements if it'll require modification to an otherwise stock rifle. For real "range rifles" I prefer to find things that have already been "monkeyed with" or are complete "mixmasters". The '93 Mauser isn't matching, but it'll remain as it is, just without the "crusties".

[rich v]

I myself within your budget would go for a mosin nagant 91/30 give the bore a GOOD SCRUBBING, soak the complete bolt in kerosene for a day, pat it dry and shoot the heck out of it using cheap surplus ammo always rembering to clean your bore from receiver end after each range session, heck my nephew killed a nice sized whitetail in it's tracks at 65yds using a surplus mosin 91/30 shooting 150gr WOLF AMMO

[onlycrimson]

91/30 for the win here. Fun to shoot after you get the sights dialed in. Surplus is cheap too.

[fn111557]

I’ll through my thoughts in also. The less expensive Mosin is a great place to start, but I jumped a step and started with the SKS. I have progressed to 2 IBM M1 carbines, and am leaning toward a leap at a Garand. Whatever your choice, have fun!

[TDH]

The first centerfire rifle I ever shot was a 91/30 when I was about 12 or 13 in the early 60's. My cousin still has it and hunts with it. He's 78.