Hunting with a surplus rifle requires more thought than just reaching into your gun cabinet and grabbing whatever rifle from your surplus collection. Several considerations must be taken before taking a field with a fifty plus year old rifle. I have taken a field eight different surplus rifles and each one has its own shortcomings and plusses. Hunting in general has its own demands that are not only put on the hunter but their equipment. These demands, if not met, could make the difference if your hunt is successful or unsuccessful. Worse yet you could put yourself in danger or make a non lethal shot.

Hunting with a piece of you collection can be very enjoyable. Despite shooting several bucks over the years I only have two hanging on my wall. One is my first buck shot with a 1903A3, the second I shot with a Krag-Jorgesen 30-40Krag. This past season I have hunted with three different surplus rifles, a No4Mk2 Enfield, M96 Swedish Mauser and a Swiss K31, the Enfield and Swedish both bagged a deer. All again had there own unique qualities that had to be considered before taking a field. Here is a rundown of what I feel should be considered before strapping your favorite surplus rifle on your shoulder and going hunting.

Does the round have enough power for the game you wish to hunt?

This question can be a tricky one. The best thing to do here is to find accurate ballistics of the caliber and compare it to a similar hunting round. Knowing the velocity and the energy will help you calculate bullet path and effectiveness of the round you plan on using.  If you believe in old school, it takes 1000fp of energy to kill a whitetail deer.

Is there hunting ammunition available?

I have yet to talk to a surplus rifle collector that does not look for the cheapest ammo that goes boom. Some will even settle for a couples duds if it is cheep. Loose this thought when trying to find a hunting round. You are after quality not quantity. The goal is to make one shot count not spend hours at the range; spend the extra for the sake of the animal you are hunting. I have found a hunting round for a good majority of the calibers used in the first two world wars. The problem is that that there may be only one loading. If you reload the variety of bullets expand greatly. While it had been done, taking a FMJ and cutting the tip off does not make an effective hunting round.

Does the rifle have a functional and easily usable safety?

This is a by model and by gun thing. First some models of surplus don’t have an easily usable safety. That’s right for you mosin fans, but don’t think I’m excluding them for hunting. The Mosin Nagant has a rough safety; to be able to use it effectively some practice will be required. If after playing with you feel comfortable then go hunting. By far, in my opinion, the Enfeild have the best safety, it can be turned to safe to fire with a flick of the thumb. Second would be the Styer M95 and some Mausers. Second the safety should work, if it does not consider fixing or not using (see next). 

Does the rifle function properly?

These rifles were built to last a world war, 60 years ago. Some I’ve seen look as if they seen every battle of the world wars. For a rifle to go in the “whitetail slayer” section of my gun cabinet it must function in perfect order. A lot to ask for a 60 year old rifle but I will not wound a deer or miss a wall hanger from my gun failed to function. I view accuracy as a function, keyholes in the target or 10” groups at 100yrds worry me. Feeding and ejecting is also included. Much can be done and should to ensure proper function in the field. Personally I feel that more range time is required to prepare a surplus rifle to hunt than a conventional rifle.

Other minor points to consider.

Length

A rifle with a 29” barrel is very cumbersome in a deer blind; the shorter version may be handier

Weight

If a lot of walking is in store picking the lightest one in the collection could come in handy, or replacing the stock with a synthetic. 

Magazine capacity

Check you local game laws, most apply to semi-autos (SKS) but some may have restrictions on bolt actions.

Bayonets

Same as above, check local game laws, some states may not allow. 

Sights

It may come down to what rifle has the best sights. If it comes down to this the rifle that you are most accurate with should get the nod.

The last thing to do is to go out and have fun. You will  have a lot of fun breathing new life in these old war horses.