Hi Rothhammer1,

Thank you very much for your advice - I have certainly come to the right place! However, I don't know anyone else who owns a M-S; most hunters nowadays seem to prefer synthetic and stainless.

Just to clarify: the rifle is marked "M 1952" (as well as "Stalker" on the base of the magazine) and is a half-stock rifle with a straight comb and cheek-piece. Sadly, the front scope base covers much of the manufacturer's details.

Although I'd have preferred a rifle in .243 Win or .308 Win, beggars can't be choosers, and I've always wanted a M-S, but had never been able to afford the prices. This .30-06 M-S was affordable for me.

Still, there are low-recoil .30-06 loads firing a ca. 120 gr soft-point deer bullet at ca. 2600 fps, which seem ideal for hunting the smaller species of deer. Once I get hold of some, I'll take the rifle to the range and let you know how she shoots. I don't want to subject this fine old rifle - or my shoulder - to a sustained .30-06 150 gr, 3000 fps full-house bashing.

By the way, what sort of accuracy should I reasonably expect at 100m?

Just need to get that scope fixed now!

Thanks once again,

Spikey.