The thread on Mosin Nagants has me got me thinking. I like the old mauser cartridges, I really wish the would be helped out by some modern marketing. I love the mauser actions. And I like old guns. What does all this mean? This means that I was honest when in stated in that thread that I plan on getting an old used mauser this summer "when I have more dough to throw around". So what can people tell me about what to look for, which are usually regarded as best. The 98 is what most moderns are based off of, correct? The bore needs to be in good shape, not just the wood, surface metal. The Finns and Swedes made the best? There's so much to learn...and search engines fail miserabley because of all the mauser "stuff" out there. Also, as a side note, I'd like to handload...are manuals written with the old guns in mind? I know factory ammunition is.

I'm not looking for a pretty gun. I'm looking for a gun that I can put through slop, clean and give to my grandkids. and 3MOA isn't too much to ask, is it?