I decided I had become a collector of these old bolt action rifles after I got a nearly new 1915 Swedish Mauser for $60 a couple years ago at garage sale, and had to reconfigure my gun safe to fit it in. Using just the iron sites and surplus ammo, I can hit a 300 yard gong 2 of 5 times with my 1934 Mosin Nagant, 03 Mark 1 Springfield, 1891 Argentine Mauser, 98 Mauser, etc. My Mosin Nagant has an especially smooth trigger pull, rivaling my M1A. I have a WW I era infantry manual that says the FMJ bullet from the 03 Springfield will penetrate a three foot oak plank at 200 yards. Trying to close with a company armed with a lot of these “old” rifles should not be a pleasant experience.
I am so sorry for your loss fso301. I can still see with my minds eye the picture of the Winchester M-1 carbine covered in factory wrapping and in its original box that the seller wanted $325 for. I try not to think of the many items on which I spent $325 or more on and are now in our city’s landfill.
That 6.5 x 55 might be the ultimate deer round. And the ultimate anti-personnel round, for that matter. Relatively low pressure and low recoil, and can reach way out there.
I really regret parting company with that Lee Enfield. As I recall, the serial number was in the 4,000 range. My younger brother and I bought it for $30 at a neighbors garage sale. Bore looked like brand new. A couple of years later, I bought out my brothers interest in it for $15. Years later, I gave it to my older brother. Recently I wondered if I might get it back so, I contacted him but he said he had given it away years ago.