Flip a coin... might be great, but maybe not. Modern guns like the Savage Axis II's come with super accurate barrels and of the dozen I've bought the last 8 years-- they ALL shoot 3/4 MOA or better (proven on a lead sled). For the money I'd go with something modern if your looking for accuracy out of the box.
Just realize the technology of the day for 70 year old+ guns was limited. Mil-spec for the original M16 (military verson of the AR-15) was FOUR (4) MOA! That was in 1964 mind you. But if you buy one and shoot it, then you know if it's "ethical" to hunt with at a given range - again it's 50/50. That said, there are a lot or northern hunters (eskimos) who use mil-surp to this day-- effectively!
I do all my Shotgun hunting with a Baker Batavia Special 1915.I hunt quail and pheasant with a 1912 Baker Batavia double barrel- twin full choke barrels/twin triggers (originally a goose gun). LOVE old guns, but if they don't shoot straight- I sell em' off. Problem is mil-surp is (like everything today) overpriced for what you may (or may not) get.
I know a couple of guys that take pride in h7nting some old military bolt guns and what not. To each their own. As mentioned above you can get more performance for less money with a modern gun but if you want to go blast deer with a mosin nagant, go for it. Pay attention to where semi auto rifles are legal or not if you go that route.
My grandfather killed every deer he ever took with an arisaka type 99. Not sure if that counts as “surplus” though… but still
It has a nice metal buttplate to distribute recoil directly into your soul.
what specific rifles are you talking about?The issue with most surplus rifles is they usually aren't as accurate as hunting rifles. Most hunting rifles will shoot around 1.5 to 2.0 MOA. Also if you plan on shooting MIL surplus ammo you could be off as much as 6" on a 100 yard shot. Doesn't sound like much but it's enough to cause a miss or even worse a bad shoot on an animal that doesn't kill it.