Shooting Military rifles

Gil Martin · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:01 pm Post subject: Shooting Military rifles

I have an assortment of surplus rifles in origional condition and others that have been sporterized. I spend many pleasant hours banging away at the local gun club. Some of these old war horses are impressive and others are just fun to shoot. Anyone else shooting military surplus arms? All the best...
Gil

calsibley · Super Member Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 317

Hello Gil,

I have an old M98 in 7.92x57, an SMLE in .303 and a few Swedish M96s which I love dearly. I've restored all of them to pretty good condition. Each year I take one weekend and head for the range with only my military rifles. It's my favorite trip, and I have a ball with them. I'd love to get them out more often, but we have such a dreadfully short summer it's difficult. The M98 saw action in both wars and it's pretty well used up. The .303 shoots fairly well, and the M96s are a pure joy. Honestly, all three shoot as well as what you might buy new today. They're from 1900,
1907 and 1917. Which ones are you shootiing? Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Knifeboy · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 2:37 pm Post subject: Re: Shooting Military rifles

[quote="calsibley"]Hello Gil,

I'd love to get them out more often, but we have such a dreadfully short summer it's difficult.

Sounds like you need to move out here to Arizona where the summer doesnt ever end. Very Happy

LOL.
My Uncle has an old 30 carbin that is sure a lot of fun to shoot. About two weeks ago we went out to a sand wash and shot it into the dirt bank, then went digging to see if we could find the rounds. Luck has it that we found a couple of them, and one of them mushroomed perfectly, not even breaking the jacket. I will have to post a picture for all to see here in the next couple of days.

Knifeboy

Gil Martin · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:01 pm Post subject: Shooting Military rifles

Cal,
Good to hear from you. I started collecting military surplus rifles back in 1958 and never stopped. The number on hand is daunting, but I have my favorites. It seems that over the years I went through phases and ended up with samples of most of the surplus rifles available at the time. I like the British Enfields, U.S. Enfields, Springfields, Mausers, Krags, Swedes, Yugoslavs, Russians and Garands. Well, you get the idea. All the best...
Gil