Mosin Nagant Results

[Skip Sackett]

Son #2 got a Mosin Nagant M91/30 for a whopping $90 right out of the crate and we made some modifications then began to load for it.

This has really been fun!

Not only spending time with the offspring but working up some loads and working through the upgrading of some of it's parts.

Our goal was to shoot MOA with this rifle and I can tell you today that we achieved that goal!

We are using a Sierra 150gr Spitzer and BLC-(2) powder which gives us right at 3030fps. Not to shabby!

This is the first time I have ever done any "gun smithing" and I am pretty happy with the results.

He purchased a synthetic stock, scope mount and a bolt on bolt handle, and I used the Bridgeport at work to get them fitted and installed.

Here is a picture of the rifle now:
(The bolt handle is turned up)

In the mill getting drilled and tapped for the scope mount:

Finished bolt:

Didn't have a tape measure but I think you can see that this group is under an inch. Shot with the bypod employed @ 100 yards.

Later, when we were near a tape, the group came to right at 3/4", center to center!

All of that from a rifle that was designed in 1891 (sure there were some changes later on but)and cost under $100!

We both think that is cool!

 

[Rule3]

Nice work!. They are selling like hotcakes. Best buy for a rifle under $100. The sniper versions are pretty much the same gun with a bracketed scope. Darn accurate considering how old they are.

 

[chingachkook]

Nice goin Skip, looks like a pretty neat set-up to me and I'm sure son #2 appreciates all of Pops hard work on this project.

 

[GypsmJim]

Mosins have always been unappreciated, but lately they have been catching on. Glad you found out how good they can be.

Back in 1997 I got my first 03-FFL and the Mosins were the best deal around. They sold for $39 delivered, and usually had a dark bore. After buying a few and finding that with the right load they were quite accurate, I got a "U-Fixem-Special" for the huge sum of $16 delivered to my house. It was in that category because it was missing some part. Turned out the be the rear sight. The odd news was that the bore was bright!

I did the same upgrade as you did with the scope mount and the turn down bolt. I elected to keep the oem stock, just cut it off and refinished it. I also shortened the BBL by 3" since it had a bad crown.

Its a tack driver! My favorite load is 26.7 grains of XMP5744 pushing a Lee 155 gr. Lead Spitzer with GC.

Back then I also got several spam cans of Russian military for about $35. 440 rounds, corrosive, but they work well too. Just have to use ammonia when you clean it.

Obviously, the demand has driven the prices up, but they are still a bargain!

 

[Skip Sackett]

Thanks all!

This rifle has a bright bore. It does like the .312" bullets though. In the lighter weight bullets the flat based spitzers seem to work better.

At the local gun show today, they had 2 boxes of Privi Partisan 182gr ammo. It is boxer primed and @ $15/20 it came home with us!

$30 for 40 pieces of brass is a bunch better than $100/100 for new Lapua brass.

When we get that ammo and the gun to the range on the same day, we will find out if it likes the heavier, longer bullets. Then, I may get some of those weight bullets in .308" and see how they work.

At any rate, we are having fun working out the kinks in this old girl. Amazing how accurate this over 100 year old design is, utterly amazing!

 

[GypsmJim]

You don't show the barrel markings, so its not clear where it came from. Most are Russian and they will not run on 0.308 bullets. 0.312 work well in most Russian refurbs. In my case, for the particular gun I spoke about, I get away fine with 0.311 lead bullets, but only on reduced loads with the powder I mentioned.

Now, if by luck you might have stumbled upon a Russian gun refurbed by the Finns, they rebarreled all of theirs and they work outstanding with 0.308s.

 

[David LaPell]

My nephew has a Nagant rifle and he loves it. I had one years ago but I could never get that one to shoot right. My biggest thing was that I hated the safety. I was thinking about getting another one depending on how things go with my arm and if I even will be able to shoot out annual D-Day match. I know they are tough as nails and are quite respectable when you consider the price versus Mausers, Springfields and Garands.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Sounds great Skip, especially the part about spending time with your son.

 

[Skip Sackett]

True!

Sounds great Skip, especially the part about spending time with your son.

You would have to know the whole story, really, of the last three years to understand just how true of a statement that is.

Strained relationship doesn't even begin to cover it, honestly. Mostly his fault, and he will admit to that, coupled with some stupidity by me and it all made the last 3 years some of the worst of my entire life.

Now, my shooting/hunting/clone is back and we are having a time!

He is a great young man but the thing I hate worse than anything is that at 23..................he shoots better than I do!

WAZZUPWITDAT?

His firearms instructor at his last job tried to get a famous gun person to shoot against him once. Seemed reputation kept that fellow from doing so though. Or rather, the fear of losing it! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Skip, where did you get that bolt handle?

 

[Skip Sackett]

AA,
They can be had a bunch of places. The stock, the scope mount and the handle all came from ATI, Advance Technology Inc. They can be had a bunch of places, even Cabela's. Personally, if I do another one, I am going to use this system:
Bolt Body Bent 91/30 PU Sniper Mosin Nagant Rifle Bolt Body Bent 91/30 PU Sniper Mosin Nagant Rifle Products Model: P-MN-6A Price: $69.00 [P-MN-6A] - $69.99 : Buymilsurp.com, Your source for military surplus.
Or this one:
Mosin Nagant

There are a lot of folks that make after market parts for these old work horses. If I get one, I am going to get a really nice wood stock from here:
Sporterized Ria Mosin Nagant
They have some really neat looking laminate stocks. I think they would be really cool looking!

At any rate, son #2 bought the parts so I'm not sure where he got them. The bolt handle is a bit of a pain to install. If you don't have access to a Bridgeport, it is going to be really difficult to get it finished off right. Of course, I am a bit OCD too. Something else Roy and I have in common!

The barrel is 26" long and the rate of twist is 1:9". Heavier bullets should be really good in it. We will have to see!

 

[Skip Sackett]

I was thinking about getting another one depending on how things go with my arm

Dave,
I hope everything turns out OK with your arm. Not sure just what the problem is but, hope it gets better soon!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree heavy bullets do shoot well in the Mosin Nagant with the longer barrel of the 91/30. I have a 1932 Hex Receiver 91/30 that shoots very well with 182gr bullets they sell as Heavy Ball Surplus. It's much more accurate with those over the 147gr bullet ammo. I've never tried the 203gr ammo but I just night this summer. (not that I think I really need anything heavier than a 180gr bullet.

 

[CTSixshot]

Currently "Sold Out", but keep checking back every once in a while...
7.62 x 54/.303 182 grain tips larger view

 

[acl864]

Hey Skip,
If you get a hankering to try some lead in your Mosin-Nagant shoot me a PM. My friend Ronnie bought this mold: .312 TL 160 gr. 2 Ogive Radius. He has gotten some really good results with this bullet in his Mosin-Nagant. I just finished a fresh batch using water-dropped wheel weight alloy with a JPW tumble lube and gas check. I'll be glad to send you some to try out.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Hey Skip,
If you get a hankering to try some lead in your Mosin-Nagant shoot me a PM. My friend Ronnie bought this mold: .312 TL 160 gr. 2 Ogive Radius. He has gotten some really good results with this bullet in his Mosin-Nagant. I just finished a fresh batch using water-dropped wheel weight alloy with a JPW tumble lube and gas check. I'll be glad to send you some to try out.

Andy, If this was my rifle, I'd be on that like ugly on a monkey!

My son has an "aversion" to lead in his firearms though. Doesn't like to clean them!

If I get one of my own, brother, I will gladly take you up on it! What a forum!

Sixshot, thanks for the link. Gotta get to the range to test the heavier bullets out before I commit!

Thanks, AA.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have a feeling a Mosin Nagant will be coming home with Skip in the near future. BTW, the M38 is just like the M44 Carbine but without the attached bayonet. You might want to hunt for one of those if you want to do the conversion without the extra long barrel.
[whisper] do it -- do it [/whisper]

 

[Skip Sackett]

I have a feeling a Mosin Nagant will be coming home with Skip in the near future. BTW, the M38 is just like the M44 Carbine but without the attached bayonet. You might want to hunt for one of those if you want to do the conversion without the extra long barrel.
[whisper] do it -- do it [/whisper]

WAIT, am I getting subliminal messages?

Have to see what is in store in the future. No crystal ball!

 

[acl864]

I have a feeling a Mosin Nagant will be coming home with Skip in the near future...

That wouldn't surprise me either. For that matter one may find it's way to my house as well. They are cool guns and fun to reload for and shoot. Either way the offer stands, these bullets are a "stock item" for me now since they work well in my Russian SKS's. Let me know if you get ready to try some lead in a x54r.

 

[Forester]

My nephew has a Nagant rifle and he loves it. I had one years ago but I could never get that one to shoot right. My biggest thing was that I hated the safety. I was thinking about getting another one depending on how things go with my arm and if I even will be able to shoot out annual D-Day match. I know they are tough as nails and are quite respectable when you consider the price versus Mausers, Springfields and Garands.

David, Timney makes an aftermarket trigger that has a safety. Only problem is the trigger is nearly as expensive as the rifle.

Skip, great job. I let a 91/30 get away from me a couple of years ago. Shouldn't have done it and will have to rectify it soon as I've been thinking about doing the same project you just completed.

Did you have to re-crown the barrel? Is it counterbored?

Don't feel too bad for me, though. I still have a M44 with a scout mounted scope.