What would be a good WW2 era bolt action surplus rifle for deer hunting?

I'm planning on trying deer hunting for the first time in the fall, but i've never been hunting before and I do not own my own rifle. I have fire rifles before, and I am 18 and can legally own a rifle. I also have a real interest in the history of WW1 and WW2 (more on WW2 though). I know there are some rifles on the surplus market that I can get pretty cheap, so I was thinking about getting a WW2 bolt-action rifle for deer hunting.

The one I would really like to get is a Lee Enfield No.4 Mk1. I've seen them go for $250-350, but my dad brought up he doesn't know how common or rare .303 British ammo is. I read from multiple sources that soft tip ammo is better for deer, so is it possible to find .303 British ammo at a local gun store? I know Mosin Nagants are cheap but reliable too, so would it be better to get a 91/30 Mosin since they are more common and the ammo is cheaper? My second choice was actually an M48 Yugo Mauser. I know they are from after WW2, but I still think they are cool and well built rifles. But is the 8mm Mauser hard to find as well? If you have any additional suggestions, I would like a WW2 era rifle that is generally under $500 and that ammo is common to find in any gun shop. And help is much appreciated.

2014-05-08T20:08:55Z

I WOULD get a 1903 Springfield actually, the problem is price. Most are over $1000 and even near $2000, and that's way out of my price range. Like I said, i'd rather not spend more than $500. Although if someone could find an actual Springfield 1903 for $500 or less, that'd be much appreciated.

lostupnorth7152014-05-09T12:54:15Z

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If you want a WWII rifle go with the Lee Enfield No4 Mk1. 303 British Ammo is fairly common because there were truck loads of these rifles bought up after the war and they're still out there. Even in a small town like mine you can get it at the local hardware store and the little gun shop. Wal-Mart probably doesn't carry it but places like Gander Mountain and Cabela's certainly would.

Oh and for what it's worth, I hunted with an older guy who used an Enfield and shot many many deer with it. The gun will certainly kill deer. That being said there are far better deer rifles that are lighter, easier to maintain, easier to get accessories for, etc.

The Freak Show2014-05-09T12:23:16Z

Everything that made a rifle a good infantry weapon will make it an acceptable hunting rifle. There isn't a WWII battle rifle that won't go hunting in a pinch. That being said, some are better than others. A Mosin Nagant 91/30 is LONG and heavy. They are plenty accurate for most deer shots though, and nothing comes cheaper. This year, we all discussed having a "Mauser Day" this year at deer camp since all of us have at least one. We have a productive section of our hunting property that borders a swamp. None of the shots are longer than 100 yards, so the iron sights are perfect. If a Winchester '94 can take a deer, a Mauser shouldn't be an issue.

A modern scoped rifle will be superior in nearly every way, but the deer isn't going to know what killed it, and if your budget only allows for a surplus rifle, then get one and get out in the woods.

?2015-08-18T17:50:55Z

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RE:
What would be a good WW2 era bolt action surplus rifle for deer hunting?
I'm planning on trying deer hunting for the first time in the fall, but i've never been hunting before and I do not own my own rifle. I have fire rifles before, and I am 18 and can legally own a rifle. I also have a real interest in the history of WW1 and WW2 (more on WW2 though). I know...

august2014-05-09T02:59:01Z

With all due respect, my advice is that you forget about a surplus rifle for hunting. Buy yourself a Savage Axis for hunting, and then buy a surplus rifle for shooting at the range. If you buy an Axis chambered for .30-06 Springfield, and then you later buy something like an M1903 Springfield or M1917 Enfield, you'll be able to use the same ammunition.

And the Axis is an inexpensive but excellent firearm that is lighter in weight and will be just as accurate... if not more accurate. The M1903 Springfield weighed close to 9 pounds. The Savage Axis weighs in at 6.5 pounds. Two and a half pounds is a big deal when you're hunting, trust me.

I applaud your interest in historical rifles, but modern hunting rifles are simply superior in just about every way. What's more, if you damage your surplus rifle while hunting, you've destroyed a piece of history. If you damage your modern hunting rifle, you're just out the money.

?2016-12-16T18:39:50Z

Surplus Rifle

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