Best military rifle for hunting....as is!

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

Great thread. I would point out that the Krag and M1884 Springfield have very fine sights, ladder sights ahead of the receiver, finer than, say, the M38 Swed 6.5 or my 98k. My favorite woods rifle is the M38 Swede with muzzlebrake/flash hider. The sights are large and easy to pick up. My second favorite woods rifle is a M1894 26-inch barrel .30/30 made in 1919.

In the late 1950s, many PA deer hunters retired their small game shotgun and "pumpkin balls" for deer for an "Army Rifle" and a box of huntin' loads. Back then a M1903A3 went for $25 and the M1903 for $29.00. A P-17 was about $25.00 and my first rifle, a M1938 7.35mm Carcano was $13.88. All my neighbors acquired "Army Rifles" and enjoyed more deer hunting success. Unfortunately, far too many of those folks "sporterized" (butchered) those old army guns. Rare is the "as issued" rifle in their gun racks today.

Adam