[PatriotPoke]

I'm currently trying to decide on a MBR. Initially .308 was the only caliber I considered, and from there it was the typical M1A, FAL, PTR, Saiga debate. Now I'm backtracking a bit and wondering if 7.62x54R might offer some more options. My initial budget is limited to $1000, and I had been looking pretty hard at the PTR-91 GI. Obviously, magazine and ammo availability/cost are important factors, as well as ballistic comparison to the .308. Any advice on whether or not this is worth looking into?

 

[12vman]

I use 7.62 x 54r soft points for hogs......WOW does it make a mess

 

[Tenfeathers]

Go the 7.62x54 route plenty of cheap ammo out there,
I have a Mosin Nagant I like a lot, and PSL.
The Mosin is very accurate out to 400 yrds
The PSL is accurate on first two shots then they kinda get wide but puts a lot of bullets down range in a hurry.

I also have SVT40 7.62x54 but that's over your budget unless you get lucky and find one then get it.

 

[SCPigpen]

I don't know of any MBR's that come in 762x54r.

 

[Tenfeathers]

I don't know of any MBR's that come in 762x54r.

Tokarev SVT40 was a main battle rifle.

 

[DaveinCT]

A used Armalite AR10 would be my choice. Very accurate and no worry s with the barrel slag like like the PSL which I owned as well as the AR10 and there is no comparison with accuracy and lead down range between the to. Hell, I'd take my Sagia 308 over a PSL..

 

[13FoxTrot10]

7.62x51, for the win.

 

[KCChimneyman]

If you are looking for a MBR for SHTF or whatever, Find a .308/7.62x51. 7.62x54 is cheap and Mosins are great guns, but to have a .308 or even .223 is a more practical option since you will be able to pickup ammo anywhere off every dead guy.

 

[ashhoe]

If you are looking for a MBR for SHTF or whatever, Find a .308/7.62x51. 7.62x54 is cheap and Mosins are great guns, but to have a .308 or even .223 is a more practical option since you will be able to pickup ammo anywhere off every dead guy.

Whoa! Who were we invaded by? And why are there dead guys laying all around, with ammo? Do they have coins on them I can collect too?

 

[TinmanIA]

If you are looking for a MBR for SHTF or whatever, Find a .308/7.62x51. 7.62x54 is cheap and Mosins are great guns, but to have a .308 or even .223 is a more practical option since you will be able to pickup ammo anywhere off every dead guy.

If they still have ammo on them, odds are the gun it goes with will be there to.

Get what ever you like, if your down to scavenging ammo, you've either done something very right, or very wrong.

 

[paramilusmc]

7.62x51mm for the reason that it is more plentiful and readily available at your local gun shop, Wally world, outdoors store and so on and so forth. Ya you can order the x54mm online and all, but doesn't make for a quick buy at the last moment if that's what the situation calls for.

 

[xm193]

look buy a decent barreled mosin and 2 tins of ammo (880) with stripper clips and spend the 800 left over for food and supplies

 

[Survivalguy72]

Neither......

 

[fragout]

In short...... Both.

However,with a budget of $1000 to cover rifle, ammo, and everything else in between, The Mosin in 7.62x54R, along with your 22lr rifle of choice, plus ammo would not be a bad combination at all.


Good luck with your decision.

11B

 

[arnoldrew]

I don't know of any MBR's that come in 762x54r.

The Mosin Nagant is the most common one.

 

[Seraph035]

*shrug* I've got both, and plenty of spares. If all you can budget for your rifle is $1000 (is that including ammo?) you are going to have to settle for a Romanian PSL 54-C, 2 or three spam cans of 147gr light ball, a replacement trigger (Red Star Arms has one for under $80) and a burlap sack to wrap your barrel with. Keep the sack wet, and you can sustain a higher rate of fire without suffering barrel warp.
If your $1000 does not include ammo, Look into a Saiga .308. .308 ammo is potentially more available in a post shtf situation, but the cost will certainly cut into your gun budget.
Tenfeathers, I have a case of gun envy, you lucky, lucky dog, you

 

[Brettboat]

Tokarev SVT40 was a main battle rifle.

Yea and it sucked, damn thing jams all the time... I will amit though, the gas system does absorb that recoil good... Regardless, stay away from SVT38s/40s.... They're only good for collectors.

 

[joshiedoom]

Every walmart carries 308(No its not nato, but it functions).. not so much with the 7.62x 54R

 

[MH12194]

What this should have been is 30-06 vs 7.62x54R as 30-06 is closer to the 7.62x54R than the .308

 

[PatriotPoke]

I should have stipulated that I'm looking for a semi-automatic rifle. I have a BLR 81 in .308 that would do in a pinch, but would like to have the ability to put more shots downrange a little faster. I may still pick up a Mosin in the future, though. All the posts and videos regarding the Mosin have piqued my curiosity.