Re: matching number on mosin nagant
If you want one to "collect" look for a Tula Hex or an ex-sniper with all the goodies and shoot it or put it away. They are still available online
http://www.aimsurplus.com/catalog.aspx?groupid=254&name=Curio+&+Relic+Firearms
http://www.classicarms.us/firearms.htm
If you are over 21 you can apply for your C&R license, for $35 bucks you can then order the older rifles (50Y) and have them delivered to your door. Also you get dealer discounts at Midway and Grafs and sons.
If you are going to make a sporter and restock it you wont need the barrel band, bayo or cleaning rod.
As for the magazine, I just purchased a complete mag and floorplate from the bay, did some cutting and grinding, had to do some welding, but it works fine. Just that it is shorter so only 3 rounds will fit. I can always put the older mag in with 2 screws, but if I havent dropped the animal after the 3rd shot, its probably gone anyway.
The 7.62x54r is a stout round, it lays between the 308 and the 30-06. With an 180 it is capable of 2690 fps and 2896ftlbs, but my one of my accuracy loads is 2550 fps and 2598 ftlbs which is about 2259 ft lbs out to 100Y. 54r can also be loaded to get way out to 100Y, although it is a lob fest, nothing that accurate.
I have an excellent remmy 700 BDL in 30-06, but just like the 54R for the sport of it. Not all rifles need to cost $1k+ to harvest animals. Just be carful that the budget doesnt go past the cost of a new Remmy, then the point is negated.
Since you are down in Hog country, you may like this video, guy takes a pig at 350Y with a fresh stock MN. The MN are sighted in at about 300m, so if you use your irons at 100 it will shoot high, but that is a discussion for later.
http://youtu.be/xCSDWM0J-L8