thinking about Christmas---Finn M39 or Swede sporter

[bluebayou]

No real intended use, just for occassional hunting.  I have always liked the Finnish rifles and SOG has some around $300.  The Swede Husqavarna seem to be prone to stock cracks by reading descriptions on different websites. 

Does anyone have experience with either?  The other, cheaper, alternative is the Yugo 24/47, but that is really a different style altogether.

[Mikey]

I would go with the Swede Husquavarna in whatever caliber you can get.  I know the 98 actions come in 8mm and 9.2x57 and 63 I believe and the Husky 96 actions come in both 6.5 Swede and 8mm. 

As far as the stocks cracking - that's how mine was on my 98 - 8mm when I got it and would ya believe that after I bedded the action I didn't have any problems at all.

I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I believe one reason the Germans put the cross bolt (er, whatever ya call it) in the stock of the K98s was to keep the stock from spliiting.  The Swedes forgot that when they made their 98s into hunting rifles and never bedded the actions, so you had stock splits.  I mean, these are really minor splits, just little cracks, not stock defiling main grain breaks.  If you can bed the action, or have it bedded, that will cure the problem for you.  Just for the hay of it I would also throw in a Bold Trigger with safety and a bolt block to replace the wing safety - lets you mount a scope much easier and really seemed to tighten up my action.  My trigger is verrrry sweet.  JMTCW.  Mikey.

[saltydog]

Both are good choices - a good Finn wii be easier to find and less expensive to shoot. However if you do not like recoil in the 30'06 level then go with the 6.5. 

[bluebayou]

I have to load everything down.  I can't take more than 18 pounds or so of recoil, less is better.  I would like to get the 9.3x57 Swede from Sarco or wherever, but I figure that recoil is a bear with a 285gr bullet in bottleneck cartridge.

That is a good point about the crossbolt.  All of the K98 types have bolts, even my long action Win M70 has them. 

Glad to hear that the cracks are little too. 

Both are good looking rifles.

[woodchukhntr]

M39's are great rifles, but a bit hefty for carrying around at 10 lb. I have one, but will use a #4 Mk. 1 sporter .303 because of the weight.  There is also the safety question.  The safety on the Mosin's are not very user-friendly.  I never knew that the knob on the back of the bolt was actually a safety until recently.  I thought that it was just a cocking piece for a second whack at the primer in case of a misfire.  Of course, you can carry it without a round in the chamber since cocking the bolt is probably faster than disengaging the safety.

[1911crazy]

If your talking about a swede 6,5 mm mauser i believe that numrich still has stocks for these too.  I wonder if samco still has any decent barreled actions?

The last ljungman stock i purchased from numrich was brand new.

Hmm  thinking christmas present already great idea i got to get thinking too.  I been thinking of another round of mosins while there still affordable and some models are available again too before they disappear.  I think a russian mosin in 91/30 hex, a 91/30 laminated stock,  an 91/59, an m38 and maybe an m44 laminated stock would be a great christmas present to me from me........were still around $500.
Now i just have to sneak them in the house and get the credit card bill before she does...but the BBT always comes when she is home he's always late.

BTW;  Don't pass up that czech cz82 in 9mm mak too....

[SneakyPete]

You just can't beat a Swede. But then there is a guy up in Alaska that posts on other boards and he uses an M39 for a lot of his hunting and loves it.

[chiefs50]

I have a "B" Barrel, M39 and a CG M96B Swedish Mauser in 6.5 X 55.  The M39 with it's improved sights, heavy barrel and decent trigger is a vast improvement over the Russian MNs.  It is very accurate and a hoot to shoot.  The Swede is elegant and accurate - one of the finest Mausers ever made.  Either woudl make a fine Christmas acquisition.  I would go with the best deal you can find.  You can't go wrong whichever way you decide.

[bluebayou]

It kills me to hear about people finding $60 Finns or $100 Finns mismarked in pawnshops.  I don't see surplus rifles in pawnshops here.  Ah, maybe one day.........

What I see every month is the $250 Finn from SOG and I think of valid reasons why I can't afford one.  Tax season might see some money though.

Until then, a Mosin is looking pretty good for $69 from AIM.

[1911crazy]

I can remember the first finnish m39's i seen for sale were only $89 at SOG a few years back.  Before that i found a finn m39 VKT in a local gun shop for $89 in near mint condition.

Look at the finnish 91/30's that samco had a few years back that no one wanted them for $79. And they were in excellent condition too.

I think your ok with the prices of today because just wait a few years and see were the prices will be when most stuff dries up for good.  There are still some great deals out there right now too.