Mr Oni
Military history nut
Which one do you think you can find ammo for the easiest.
what is the most usuable 19th century rifle to buy.
- Thread starter Mr Oni
- Start date
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whistlersmother
Peace through strength
to start, check out this thread:
https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=191550
Make your own ammo...
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=191550
Make your own ammo...
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
somd_mustangs
-----
- Jul 1, 2012
- 5,733
Yeah, but it took him several threads and a lot of fabrication ingenuity to get that running right 
That's a pretty broad topic...
Readily available black powder and lead will cover a Harper's Ferry rifle through your choice of Civil War era muskets, with some Hawkens thrown in the middle.
If you want cartridge, a Trapdoor Springfield, Sharps, or Marlin 1895 in .45-70 might be your best bet.
If you're after smokeless, maybe Krag or a variety of .30-30 lever actions.
What you want to do with the rifle may help narrow down your options.
somd_mustangs
-----
- Jul 1, 2012
- 5,733
... as will how much you're willing to spend
iH8DemLibz
When All Else Fails.
If you want a rifle with the slickest bolt action ever, look at the .30-40 Krag.
You can still find ammo for them too. Or load your own.
You can still find ammo for them too. Or load your own.
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,170
This is a two part question , with both " most usable RIFLE " , and also ammo availability. Sidesteps cost in the abstract, or relative value . Or authenticity vs having been sporterized back in the day.
AND , how literally are we defining 19th Century ? The specific rifle having been mfg before 1/1/1899 ? Or 19th century DESIGN , mfg into the 20th century , but still C&R ? Current Era reproduction of 19th cen design ?
But to kick things rolling, here's a sampling of ctgs introduced in 19th Cen still currently in use , in vaguely sort of descending order :
.30-30
8x57
.45-70
7x57
.303Brit
7.62x54R
6.5x55
Mfg , but less commonly found
.38-55
.25-35
.44-40, .38-40, .32-20,.25-20
( Several Europaen 6.5mm mil cals)
( Several Europaen & Latin American 7.65mm mil ctgs )
Rifles ? Going with common , and pre-1899 production by s/n , the obvious choices :
Various Mosin Nagant
Various M93 & M98 Mauser in 7x57.
Various M88 & M98 Mauser in 8x57
Those used to be available dirt cheap. Still around, still comparably affordable. Of those , I'd pick a 7x57 , because I like the ctg , even loaded down to 1893 pressures.
I would be tickled to have a pre-1899 Winchester M1895, but for the $$ , I could adequately channel the spirit of a pre-64 .
AND , how literally are we defining 19th Century ? The specific rifle having been mfg before 1/1/1899 ? Or 19th century DESIGN , mfg into the 20th century , but still C&R ? Current Era reproduction of 19th cen design ?
But to kick things rolling, here's a sampling of ctgs introduced in 19th Cen still currently in use , in vaguely sort of descending order :
.30-30
8x57
.45-70
7x57
.303Brit
7.62x54R
6.5x55
Mfg , but less commonly found
.38-55
.25-35
.44-40, .38-40, .32-20,.25-20
( Several Europaen 6.5mm mil cals)
( Several Europaen & Latin American 7.65mm mil ctgs )
Rifles ? Going with common , and pre-1899 production by s/n , the obvious choices :
Various Mosin Nagant
Various M93 & M98 Mauser in 7x57.
Various M88 & M98 Mauser in 8x57
Those used to be available dirt cheap. Still around, still comparably affordable. Of those , I'd pick a 7x57 , because I like the ctg , even loaded down to 1893 pressures.
I would be tickled to have a pre-1899 Winchester M1895, but for the $$ , I could adequately channel the spirit of a pre-64 .
mawkie
C&R Whisperer
Hey, don't forget the 8mm Lebel, the round that started the smokless revolution. I've got a 1886/93 arriving on Monday. Ammo still being produced for them too.
mawkie
C&R Whisperer
Like the idea of a Krag rifle. You can go sporterized if your budget is tight and you just want a range rifle. No lack of those about. Or go big and find a nice original survivor. But be prepared to open the wallet quite a bit wider in that case.
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,170
Let's see how the OP further expands on his priorities.
By my WAG of OP's intentions, the Krag and Lebel would be too rare, too expensive, and ammo availability too spotty compared to the obvious choices I listed . But I could be guessing wrong , and the OP thinking like Mawkie .
By my WAG of OP's intentions, the Krag and Lebel would be too rare, too expensive, and ammo availability too spotty compared to the obvious choices I listed . But I could be guessing wrong , and the OP thinking like Mawkie .
If ammo availability is the main concern, hasn't .22lr been around since the 1800's? It's usually pretty available 
Swedish Mauser
Definition is way too broad. Many of the gun platforms we use today were developed in the late 1800s through early 1900s. Technically this would include many Mosins and Mausers. Then you have the Winchesters and commercial rifles.
If you want something military I would say you cant go wrong with a Krag or a Trapdoor.
If you want something military I would say you cant go wrong with a Krag or a Trapdoor.
What do you want it for? This is the most important question.
An occasional range shooter? Target competition? Do you want to shoot black powder or equivalent mild smokeless? Do you want to shoot an original, or is a modern reproduction available?
As has been pointed out, most of our guns are 19th Century designs, and many of our cartridges have been around since then also. It was also mentioned that .22 rimfire has been around since the 1850s, before the Civil War. (.22 Short anyway.)
But if you want an old-timey cartridge rifle that is readily available and uses easy-to-find ammo, then I suggest something in .45-70. A Trapdoor Springfield makes a great shooter. There are also Remington Rolling Blocks, Sharps, Ballards, Winchester Hi Wall and Low Wall... Many other single shot breechloaders were chambered in .45-70. There were also some magazine rifles made in that caliber:the Winchester 1886 lever action of course, but also the Winchester Hotchkiss and the Remington Lee bolt actions.
But if you want an Old Timey rifle with a LOT of history, easy to find, that uses readily available off-the-shelf ammunition, then you should take a long hard look at the Trapdoor Springfields.
An occasional range shooter? Target competition? Do you want to shoot black powder or equivalent mild smokeless? Do you want to shoot an original, or is a modern reproduction available?
As has been pointed out, most of our guns are 19th Century designs, and many of our cartridges have been around since then also. It was also mentioned that .22 rimfire has been around since the 1850s, before the Civil War. (.22 Short anyway.)
But if you want an old-timey cartridge rifle that is readily available and uses easy-to-find ammo, then I suggest something in .45-70. A Trapdoor Springfield makes a great shooter. There are also Remington Rolling Blocks, Sharps, Ballards, Winchester Hi Wall and Low Wall... Many other single shot breechloaders were chambered in .45-70. There were also some magazine rifles made in that caliber:the Winchester 1886 lever action of course, but also the Winchester Hotchkiss and the Remington Lee bolt actions.
But if you want an Old Timey rifle with a LOT of history, easy to find, that uses readily available off-the-shelf ammunition, then you should take a long hard look at the Trapdoor Springfields.
j_h_smith
Ultimate Member
- Jul 28, 2007
- 28,516
My guess is this would be used to circumvent the NICS. I could be wrong, but when I hear people talking about pre 1899 rifles out of the blue, this gets my attention.
Only interested in a good gun with available ammo. No mention of collectability. Only interest is available ammo.
Interesting, interesting indeed.
Only interested in a good gun with available ammo. No mention of collectability. Only interest is available ammo.
Interesting, interesting indeed.
Sirex
Powered by natural gas
Most useable 19th Century rifle? I would throw in antique Mosins, either M91 or the better M39s. Tons of parts availability, you cans till find ammo relatively easily, although not as cheap, pretty rugged, easy to service, fairly reliable the M39s are accurate with good sights.
iH8DemLibz
When All Else Fails.
I see nothing nefarious in the OP's quest for 19th century firearms. L-O-T-S of people buy Antique firearms as an extremely legal way of bypassing the NICS system. The ATF has deemed Pre-1899 firearms as Non-firearms. Folks will happily and unapologetically take advantage of that government generosity.
I hope the generousity continues. Especially with Sessions asking the ATF and FBI to look at current policy. I would hate to see any tax deals that involve the restructuring of our gun laws. Lots of Democrats see Pre-1899 purchases, with no background checks, as a gun buying loophole. And would like nothing more than to close it. As gun owners, we shouldn't be playing into their fears or help them with their destructive plans.
And it only makes sense that the OP would want ammunition for those antique rifles too. Cuzz guns are for shooting. I applaud the him for being interested in antique firearms and the history that comes with them. Not only are they a hoot to shoot, there is money to be made in them too.
j_h_smith
Ultimate Member
- Jul 28, 2007
- 28,516
Never worked in a gun store have ya? We had a guy that would always come in wanting the strangest BP pistols. Little tiny things, many shingle shot. Why? He told me on the sly that he was prohibited and used these for protection. Both in and out of the home. We also had a few customers who were turned away after an NICS check but came back only to buy a pre 1899 rifle in a popular caliber.
BTW, ATF nor FBI ever came in to investigate these individuals.
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