Most accurate out of WWI/II bolts?

[janus408]

Out of all of the C&Rs you've owned or shot from these eras, which did you find the most accurate? Which did you enjoy shooting the most? Which has the easiest/hardest ammo to find?

I am looking at getting 2-3 C&Rs from around this era (Looking at Mosins obviously, M95s, K98, Enfield, etc) for myself and my brothers.

Any personal insights to this dilemma would be great!

[kris smith]

Mosins are great there cheap and ammo is cheap and plentiful the enfeild I haven't seen much ammo for it but I know it's an accurate gun I would like to have one if I could stop have mosins follow me home

[rojocorsa]

K-31s, G-1911s,

Finn Mosins

Swede Mausers

[Nitro Express!]

1. M1917 Enfield. I can hit everything with it and all day to boot. Pretty comfortable to shoot.
2. No.1 Mk III SMLE. I can get pretty good groups with it. Can't go wrong with it, fast and very smooth bolt.

[Vita Brevis]

Enfield No. 4 Mk I's are awesome and a ton of fun to shoot (the .303 has a pretty distinctive report too, at least to my ears), but I wouldn't exactly call them tack drivers- of course, then again, I'm not sure I'd know what to do with a super accurate rifle. It doesn't take much to outshoot me. I can definitely advise against an M95 carbine if you're looking for accuracy. Of the two I've owned, they averaged about 6 inch groups at 50 yds. As I said, I'm not a great shot, but I tend to do a little better than that. M95's are great for getting attention at the range, though, with a lot of bang for your buck, so to speak.

Also, don't forget the Carcano Model 91/38. It was accurate enough to change the course of world events in the early 60's.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

For WWI, I would say that the Canadian Ross is the most accurate. The Ross was basically a target rifle. It sucked in the trenches, but it's predecessor was so accurate that the NRA banned it from competition.

For WWII, I would say that the Carcano is the most accurate. Only because the Ross was pulled from service. The problem is that the sights on the Carcano are goofy to most people. And they have been used with the wrong sized bullets here in the US until recently. So people think that they are inaccurate. In good condition, with the correct sized bullets, they can run with the Swiss rifles all day long.

-Mb

[chknlyps2]

K31 and Swedish Mauser gets my vote.

[caldude]

My M24/47 is my most accurate. The barrel looks practically new. The K31 is a close second.

[SKSer45]

Well you looking for ones that actually saw combat or just made during the era??? very big big big difference. If so...Duethland Uber alles!

hehe ok now serious.

As for battle rifles that actually saw action.

1. Einfield
2. 98k Mauser/1903 Springfield
3. Finn Mosins

That would be my top three pick.

[eighteenninetytwo]

I think the fact that until relatively recently (1970s) they were still using lee enfield No.1 rifles for 1000 yard shooting service (A and B) rifle comps says a lot. Can't remember which but one was with target sights and one with as issued. Have to say though that I got my best groups ever with a beat up P14 though at the shorter distance of 100 yards.

[Howie44]

What Rojo said is the correct answer. The M39 will be the cheapest to feed.

[SKSer45]

What Rojo said is the correct answer. The M39 will be the cheapest to feed.

yea +1 on that.

Mauser are the own unique little things. More expensive yet, but so much fun to shoot and bolt is butter. 8mm surplus is still around and its about .20-.30 cents around for the surplus.

Tell me that's not pretty? fairly accurate too.

[rojocorsa]

FWIW, my VKT has an insane trigger. I am honestly amazed at how light and almost "out of the way" the trigger pull feels like.

[Beetle Bailey]

This really is a YMMV type of thing. I've found that with a good barrel and decent ammo, these old guns can shoot respectable groups. I used to have a RC K98 and a Yugo M48 and both were 2 MOA or better with Yugo surplus ammo. The K98 really was a joy to shoot and operate and I actually miss it. I stupidly sold them both when cheap non-magnetic surplus ran out. Now that I handload, I want that K98 back. . .

Also, as Rojo and Howie said, most people believe the top three are the K-31, Finn M39, and Swedish Mauser. Well, I heard the same things so I got an example of each so I could see for myself. Shooting surplus and factory ammo, the best for my rifles is M39, then K-31, and finally my Swedish M38.

But, I finally got dies for 6.5x55 and shooting a 140 grain Amax and a modest charge of RL22, I actually shot two sub-MOA groups with one of the loads during load development. Yes, I have witnesses - a couple of Calgunners and one of the RSO's . I've never shot MOA or better with a centerfire and iron sights before, not even with my National Match AR15. So I'd have to say for the examples I have, it's my Swedish Mauser. But who knows? I'm still working on a load for the 7.5x55 so maybe I'll find something even better (never been allowed to shoot GP11 at the range so dunno how well that ammo shoots on paper).

I really think the fun part is getting these rifles and finding out for yourself. Firsthand experience is far more interesting. Oh, and get some reloading dies

[janus408]

I did some quick research after reading these amazing posts, I am leaning towards the Finn M39. I see they go for 300-450 on Calguns, and I have found ammo for a very cheap $145 per 880 can.

All around this could work out great... I was looking at the K31, I knew about their accuarcy and interesting design (straight pull is pretty cool) but after seeing the price of ammo (4x the M39) I am shying away from it.

I really like the look of the Enfield, always have, and the .303 is an interesting round, but again the near triple cost of ammo is a turnoff.

This thing is going to be shot a lot, often, so do you all think I should just take the plunge with the M39? 400-500 as a start price for a rifle and 880 rounds does not sound bad!