My new 91/30 tested and passed

[wralyn]

I picked up my Mosin Nagant 91/30 (1939 Tula) from my FFL a couple of weeks ago and finally had a chance to take it out for a test run. Armed with my freshly de-Cosmolined friend and a box of Academy's finest Monarch 185gr FMJ ammunition, I headed to my shooting spot to see what she could do.

After 10 rounds, I can say that she has well surpassed all of my expectations. My initial shooting was at 50 yards using a folding table with a plastic bucket and shooting bag to get me to a comfortable position...high-tech, I know! The three shot group came in at 2.25" at 7" high and 1" right. At 100 yards with similar setup my three shots grew to a 7" group only because I flinched on one of the shots. Otherwise, I am sure it would have been in the 3-4" range. 16" high and a little right. Content with that, I moved back to 50 yards standing, propped against a tree, and fired off 4 rounds without pause. Without the bench, I still had a 3" group.

I know they aren't stellar numbers, but given my inexperience with rifles larger than a .22LR, my makeshift bench, and my right eye that almost failed the driving exam...I think it's pretty good. I'm looking forward to getting her scoped and trying some "quality" ammo to see what difference if any it will make.

[geartow]

Shoot it with the bayanette attached it help you to shoot point of aim at 100

[Mikey]

I will add to what geartow said with:  get some mil-surp ammo and get to know the rifle, you may be pleasantly surprised as to how well she handles and how easy it is to shoot those things.  I would also opt for Sellier and Bellot ammo in either the 180 or 205 gn for hunting, or the Silver Bear/Golden Bear ammo, or Wolf ammo as all shoot well in those rifles and they are loaded to original specs.  PRVI is also good ammo. 
If this is your first centerfire rifle, you got a good one.  The great thing about the mil-surps is that you can get very good with them just as they were issued if you don't mind putting yourself through a bit of the sort of shooting practices those rifles were built to take.  Then scope it.  jmtcw.

[wralyn]

If this is your first centerfire rifle, you got a good one.  The great thing about the mil-surps is that you can get very good with them just as they were issued if you don't mind putting yourself through a bit of the sort of shooting practices those rifles were built to take.  Then scope it.  jmtcw.

Not my first, but my Marlin 30-30 was only brought out once a year, dusted off, shot a couple of times to assure accuracy for deer season, then placed back in the cabinet...never really seeing deer season since I'm more of a shooter than a hunter.

Until now, I have always had limited places to shoot that were usually 50 yards or less. It's been perfect for handguns and 22 plinking, but not really worth it for larger rifles. Now that I've got 100 yards all to myself, I'm working on building my rifle collection. The 91/30 is so cheap, everyone should have one (most do...don't they?).

[1911crazy]

I'd benchrest it down solid  with some sellier & bellot ammo,  some russian surplus ammo and some czech silver tipped 7,62x54r ammo too.  I would grab a box of what ever manufacturer you could find to test fire it benchrested.  You might want to try the light ball and heavy ball surplus ammo too.  I think the more you shoot it the better it will group.