Author Topic: 7.62X54R Range Results (Read 553 times)

Maryland Hunter · « **on:** November 20, 2005, 02:35:13 PM »

A quick background on the rifle. It's a Mosin Nagant M91/30 that I bought recently very cheap. The previous owner had dropped it into a synthetic stock, and turned the bolt down, along with putting a scope mount on it. I bought it just for a project gun, hoping to work on it here and there. After slugging the barrel and determining that .308 bullets may work, I loaded up some 150 grain Hornady SST's on top of a minimum charge of Varget.
I loaded up four, three round sets, each a half a grain heavier than the previous. I didn't have a long time to shoot today, so I wasn't able to go much higher towards max.
Long story short, the best three shot group of the day was .875", at 100 yards, and the worst was 1.25". to the say the least, I was more than pleased, especially since the previous owner had warned me that the gun wasn't very accurate. All this, and shooting off of a shakey card table and a rolled up blanket! It'll be a while, but I can't wait to work up some more loads and get it back out again, and see what it'll do off a sturdy bench.

MH

1911crazy · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2005, 03:34:53 PM »

Great shooting!!!!! Who was it who said that mosins weren't accurate? I hope my mosins shoot as good as yours does too.

I read that some expect there new expensive modern rifles to shoot at least 1 1/2" groups if that? Your shooting how tight for how much??($$) With the old military rifles we just have to figure out what to feed them.

Maryland Hunter · « **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2005, 04:04:29 PM »

D Man,

Thanks for the compliment! I think I lucked out and got the right combination on the first try. I actually got the whole thing for $125, that was gun, original stock, synthetic stock, scope, mount & rings, turned down bolt kit, spare bolt, and about 200 rounds of ammo.

I did do a little trigger work on it, and I cut down the barrel to 23". I know that the purists would lynch me for that, but I was looking to make a hunting rifle more than a collectors item. I also removed the rear sight, and I'm going to re-blue the whole thing.

Truth is, I'm a better bow shot than I am with a scoped rifle. I can shoot my iron-sighted guns pretty well, but I'm just getting used to the scopes. This gun, however, just holds so well, and recoil is minimal. It makes me wonder how well it would do in the hands of someone more proficient on the range. I've been happy with my Howa in 6.5X55 with 2" groups, but this Mosin shoots unreal.

MH

lostsniper308 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2005, 05:24:40 PM »

Can i use a caliper to get my rifle's bore diameter? Most accurate loads i've read use .311 or .312dia bullets but given the loose manufacturing tolerances .308 MNs are possible. in my opinion any MN can be accurate it just takes the right bullet dia and load (perhaps some barrel floating or reciver shimming/bedding.

Dalton Masterson · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2005, 05:59:03 PM »

I am a purist, but I cant curse ya for doing what ya did. To each his own. My M91 Mosin will shoot about an inch or so with iron sights. They are a highly underrated gun and do make great hunting rifles. Which dies are you using? I am looking to get a set for mine. DM

Maryland Hunter · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2005, 11:53:11 PM »

lostsniper308,
Here is a chart to help you find the groove diameter for your particular rifle: http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinSpec.htm
I slugged mine with a piece of lead, then measured the slug. It matched the .3095 spec on the chart for my gun. There is a link at the bottom of the first chart, showing how to do this.

Dalton Masterson,
I'm using Lee dies, I believe that they are the Pacesetter series. Be aware that the Lees have a .308 expander ball, but you can have a custom one made by them.

MH

lostsniper308 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2005, 04:21:06 PM »

Quote from: Maryland Hunter

lostsniper308,
Here is a chart to help you find the groove diameter for your particular rifle: http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinSpec.htm
I slugged mine with a piece of lead, then measured the slug. It matched the .3095 spec on the chart for my gun. There is a link at the bottom of the first chart, showing how to do this.

Dalton Masterson,
I'm using Lee dies, I believe that they are the Pacesetter series. Be aware that the Lees have a .308 expander ball, but you can have a custom one made by them.

MH

thanks for that, kinda figured .311

as for Dalton Masterson is that your real name cause it resembles mine, Derek Martenson, in an odd way

Dalton Masterson · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2005, 05:14:04 PM »

LOL. No sir. That is my SASS alias for Cowboy Action Shooting! Is a coincidence though! DM

lostsniper308 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2005, 02:29:52 AM »

CAS alias eh. i'd like to try CAS but i don't have the experience or firepower to go. That and i don't think any thing is held in Duluth, MN.

Dalton Masterson · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2005, 02:54:53 AM »

Lets see, MN,
Cokato, E Grand Forks, Morristown, New Ulm, and Virginia.
Those are SASS affiliated clubs in MN. Check out the SASS website and give it a try! Lots of fun, and experience dont matter much. Firepower can also be borrowed or loaned at a shoot. Take care. DM