ok i want a hunting rifle in a .308 or close inexpensive and must use inexpensive ammo. so i want a mossin like this one. i have heard of issues with worn out barrels. and bullets tumbling. so lets hear about issues from owners and are they worth sportsterizing? also if they are all the same who has the cheapest? including shipping, etc.? thanks, Phillip http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/...odel_91_30_7.62x54R_Mosin_Nagant_Package.html
Just remove the bolt and look down the barrel, if it is worn out or coroded you will see. Alot of the ammo made for those use corosive primers. After you shoot them, clean like you would if they are black powder guns, plenty of hot soapy water.
MNs are fun, I have 2, one carbine and one rifle. The price is right, more or less, for the one you linked to. BUT, going that route puts you at the mercy of the seller. I'd recommend getting one at a gun show where you can look it over yourself, and completely dodge the shipping issue. See also 7.63x54r.net for more lowdown on MNs in general, and a lot of specifics, well worth the reading ahead of buying one. They are NOT all the same, some are re-arsenaled, and some not, some are shot out, some are not. Sporterizing is in the eye of the beholder, to my mind. If you wind up with a really good bore and action with truly lousy wood, it might be worthwhile. My own personal feeling is that to make a fine hunting gun from an MN is probably going to cost you as much as buying a decent hunting arm to start with. "Cheap" ammo usually translates to corrosive, if not the powder, then the primer at least. Even non corrosive labels are to be doubted. It is easy enough to handle with a squirt of windex and wiping out thoroughly (emphasis on the bolt face as well as the bore) then cleaning as you would any other rifle.
Shot 'em, Liked 'em. Like SC said, pick one up at a gunshow, so you can inspect it. btw.... If you get the carbine version, your shoulder will not like you.
Not yet, but want to some day. But I'll max out on 20 rounds with a Krag carbine and take a full day to do it.
While I love my Mosins (I have five, of different 'flavors') I would NOT use one for hunting. 1) Surplus ammo is FMJ - illegal in most places for hunting, as it'll simply shoot thru the deer, not making an ethical kill. 2) Scoping the rifle properly is expensive and ruins it's 'collectible value' - you either add the bent bolt handle and D&T, or use the scout mount on the rear sight base - I have been having trouble getting the scout mount to remain solid. 3) The Mosin action is not the smoothest and fastest. A fast second shot could be difficult. M44 carbines DO kick more - any short-barreled rifle does. But a good slip-on recoil pad cures that. Some good synthetic stocks are available too. If you do want to hunt with a Mosin-Nagant, there is some 204 grain JSP ammo available, and you can reload for it - the reloadable brass is now available. .310 to .312 bullets needed - the true bore diameter varies, best to slug it and see what it really measures. A lot of hunters do use the M-N, but there are better rifles for that purpose.
My "sporterised" MN. I love it. Less than $300 in the whole package. soft point ammo and it is plenty accurate for deer out to 300 yds.
The 3 I bought had one bad one, it was returned and they sent me a "hand select" where they actually inspected the rifle, and the guy that signed the tag really works there...I was up there this last weekend. The other 2 were inspected by one of the owners, I have come to know now. When ammo was "cheaper" lastyear, I bought 500 rounds of JSP. I did discover a difference in the surplus FMJ and the better JHP's. The recoil was harder due to the JSP's heavier bullets, and the FMJ impacted higher, about 1 inch at 100 yds. But, I'd set the sights for the JSP rounds. I bought a bore light and check all bores, and even have a local guy that slugs the barrels to check for bore dia. and if they are shot out. Bill
I really like mine, and I find that the recoil is overstated, they don't kick that bad. I actually think my Rem. Model 700 in .270 kicks worse. They are handy little carbines and rifles.
Gander Mtn flyer today; "hot buy" a MN 91/30 ,bayonet,sling,ammo pouch cleaning kit/oil bottle$129.95, probablydo better looking through shotgun news(?)
J&G sales in Prescott, Az! Std. $79.00 Hand Select: $99.00 I got the best they had and they show it! Bill
I just inherited one from my dad. It has the PU scope, but a synth stock, and a cool bi-pod. But, it only came with 4 rounds, WTH. I ordered a tin of 440 for it. How hard is it to zero that scope? I have never had to before.
I had a arsenal refinished one. It was spot on in the accuracy department. Would hold just above 1 MOA. The sights are the limiting factor. Try some Mojo sights or some Tech Sights maybe? Some sort of peep sight would greatly enhance the accuracy. Ammo is plentiful. Just clean well after shooting corrosive ammo. Don't let it set long. I would also heavily oil barrel between shootings. That way if you miss something, it doesn't turn into a nightmare. Mine did have trouble extracting some rounds. Mainly the surplus laquered rounds (most common). There are many fixes online. Mostly revolve around lightly polishing the chamber (usually a little rough after the arsenal refinishing). I just saw 2x 91/30s for sale in my local gunshop here in AZ for $129. They are a great deal.
Love my M44. Was actually thinking of answering the "favorite way to light fires" thread with: my Mosin M44...fire it prone over a well gassed log pile that's been breathing for 10 min or so... Nevermind that your eye brows are gone! The fire is at least lit... The 2 ft flame it shoots out is awesome. My fav time to shoot it is just at sunset after cleaning up the range before heading home. Byte My dad has a 91/30 and it's just too long. Wieldability is nil. Need a period scope for it though.
