Had a Russian kind of range experience

[Robert Nicholson]

Went shooting at the range up in the hills where there was four inches of snow and -5C, got stuck going up the range
lane way, so I backed down onto the road and parked there. Decided to take one SKS and my Mosin and just the
bare minimum of gear the half mile walk up to the range. Using a sling to carry the SKS across my back, with one hand
holding the range bag and one hand holding the Mosin in a shoulder carry, I marched away thru the snow.

The goal for the day was to "get two birds stoned at once" that is: Find out what size of group my completely un-modified
Mosin can get at 300m from sand bag bench rest and shoot a group of seven, standing, off hand, 100m. The SKS was
just along for some fun shooting. However, I can only handle the Mosin's recoil for about 20 shots so that is all I brought.
Unfortunately, I haven't done any shooting with my Mosin in a couple of months and don't have a really good handle on
it's point of impact for various distances and had never tried it at 300m. Cutting to the end of the story: no birds got
stoned today, only one bullet made it onto the 300m target and only five bullets made it onto the 100m target.

On the bright side, three other people showed up with SKS' only and we had a fast and furious good time blazing away
a few hundred rounds.

 

[6MT]

I've had the non-superhuman range days too. I feel for 'ya.

 

[Jerry Champagne]

I always learn more when I shoot poorly. As long as a good time was had it was a successful range trip IMO

 

[300Spartans]

Why is there no mention of vodka in this thread?

 

[Robert Nicholson]

Thanks for the comradery and humour, fellows.

 

[bp2626]

I remember the feeling I had the first time I fired a Mosin-Nagant in freezing conditions in the snow!

This recoil pad in small size, while not pretty is a perfect fit for a Mosin, will increase LOP and you can shoot all day:

amazon.ca/gp/product/B003C6VTZY

 

[mbogo3]

You don't need any recoil pad on a Mosin unless it's to increase LOP.

 

[EL34/6L6]

Hear that? You don't need a recoil pad. This guy said so. ↑↑↑

 

[marc_j]

First few times out with a Mosin, a recoil pad isn't a bad idea. After some practice you will get better control over the recoil and you probably won't need need the recoil pad unless you fire a lot of rounds wearing a T shirt. The rubber ones you see on EBAY may or may not fit your rifle stock correctly (there are several variations of attachment screw position). A better investment is one of the shoulder pads with straps. These are much more effective, can be used with any firearm, and are great when you have new shooters at the range with you.

Shooting is an enjoyable activity; no point in making yourself miserable to prove to the internet warriors that you are a "he man"