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

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.

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.

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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...

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.

Surplus Rifle

Ww2 Surplus

The SMLE would be a fine pick, as would a Model 1917 Enfield (if you can find one) or a Mauser 98 like the Yugo. Of course, it's a lot easier to pick up 30-06 loads for deer than either 303 British or 8x57 JS, but neither is terribly hard to find. The big problem is that American loads for 8x57 JS are loaded down, in fear of some idiot stuffing that .323" bullet into a .318" J-bore, so you have to go for imports, for the most part. And Lana has a very good point: the Swedish Mausers are fine for hunting, and generally not shot out or used hard.

If you want to collect WW2 guns - go collect them.

If you want to go deer hunting - go buy a nice deer rifle.

But when you mix the two together - you are going to get into trouble. If I was going to start a new hobby - I would not start by looking at equipment that was worn out, tired, and over 70 years old. I say something similar to guys who want to pistol hunt deer - pistols and old rifles are a real handicap - I you already had a dozen deer under your belt and were looking for some challenge - I could see it. But just starting out? No. And remember - you hit that deer and only hurt it - and it runs off - the state, fish and game, police, troopers all expect you to right behind it. If it takes you two days to track it and 7 days to pack all the meat out of what ever nasty place it ran to - so be it. To not do this - is a crime - with a $35,000 fine and jail time in my state. Hunting with a less than adequate rifle - is basically putting your life, your family, and your finances at risk.

For not much money you can get a nice stainless bolt action Ruger rifles with a laminated stock that can take a real beating. Deer - are most active on wet, nasty, rainy days - not the kind of place you want to bring an old steel gun with a regular wood stock. Ruger's come with integral scope mounts - so you can put a nice scope on instantly........ not so with many of the old WW2 guns.

You need to do the right thing. I am sure lots of guys are gonna say to do it - but - I doubt many are going to say they have 'done it'. And the guys who have 'done it' - probably grew up around guns and using an older model is no biggie. You are new to guns, you are new to hunting - you do not have the luxury of such a back ground........ so be smart and do the right thing.

Lee Enfield No. 5 Jungle Carbine. Sized right, round works, fast action....

Yes, you use softpoint for hunting. Many firms make loads for it. Hornady in particular.

Mausers? Try a Swedish Mauser over the M48. The 1896 & M38's are very accurate & have not been beaten up by war use. The 6.5x55mm will take any deer mule or white. Many loads available. If lucky? A 1894 carbine would be a nice with a barrel just under 18" to carry.

In WW Two they were still using Springfields from WW One. So any 1903 would work. They were also using the 1917 Springfield in 30-06, also left over from WW One. There was a newer version of the Springfield called the 1903A1 that would work too. The German Mausers are good guns if you can find one that has not been shot to pieces. You can even find Russian bolt actions around. Personally, I would go with a Springfield or Enfield in 30-06.