IMO M38-M44 even over SKS everybody needs one!

Got mine 2 years ago. Never shot it. Tried my buddy's M44 and decided I was too wimpy to shoot the 38 and sold it.
I shoot 30-06, .308 and 7mm but with the metal buttplate, I call uncle with the x54R!

I do think the carbine Mosins look waaay better than the 91/30s though.

Get one of those cheap crappy tire slip on pads. Takes the buttplate bite right out.
 
I quite enjoy shooting and hunting with my M38, and while its not a tack driver it has no problem to drop a deer up to 150 with iron sights. As with any Mosin, war time production has left a lot to be desired for consistent bore dimensions. Almost everything I load for x54R shoots better with a .312 diameter bullet over surplus ammunition. However I've had good results with 205gr MFS and LVE soft points for hunting. Going for the bonus of a short little carbine that is reliable and indestructible has some take on accuracy, but as said above it makes a great little bush gun in forested areas where you almost never get a shot over 150 yards.
 
Figured i would bring back this thread since i decided to put the m44 stock in my car to bleed out the cosmo. It was too hot so the shelac bubbled. That prompted me to strip it with circa 1850 then stain it with minwax gunstock which is very red then finish it with circa danish furniture oil which requires a long dry time. Ive updated the pic. Quite a process to finish the arctic beech wood for sure!

Still have to say M44 way over SKS!!!!!!
 
Dont get the wrong idea about me, sks is a reliable target/hunting carbine but when i got used the recoil i got tired of the steam and clean so i moved up a caliber. Fyi you cant cook marshmallows on the bayo they just get blown off!
 
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If I were to buy a Mosin it would be an M38.

Seems like an ideal truck gun to me.

What's the average accuracy using surplus with an M38 ?
 
If I were to buy a Mosin it would be an M38.

Seems like an ideal truck gun to me.

What's the average accuracy using surplus with an M38 ?

I think typically you can expect 2-6" @ 100m depending on condition and without mods. A little love (trigger job and accurizing shims) on a good shiney bore version and it's possible to get one to shoot 1.5 with the right surplus. Hand loads would make it that much easier to get the accuracy up as well.
 
I think typically you can expect 2-6" @ 100m depending on condition and without mods. A little love (trigger job and accurizing shims) on a good shiney bore version and it's possible to get one to shoot 1.5 with the right surplus. Hand loads would make it that much easier to get the accuracy up as well.

Thanks for the info MuthaFunk but I'll pass.

Main reason I'd be interested in one is abundant cheap ammo and rugged rifle.

If I need to put that much work into it would rather stick with a good bolt action .308.

I can see the reasons for interest however.
 
Thanks for the info MuthaFunk but I'll pass.

Main reason I'd be interested in one is abundant cheap ammo and rugged rifle.

If I need to put that much work into it would rather stick with a good bolt action .308.

I can see the reasons for interest however.

Indeed they are not target rifles in their stock state.

But if you truely are looking for cheap ammo and a rugged rifle as you say, the M38 and M44 are just that.

You won't find .308 ammo for $0.30 / rd.

Also, if your looking to best the M38 you may find it's hard to find a .308 that shoots 1 MOA for $350-$400.
 
Wish m38's were easier to come by. I got two m44's, one m38. 2/3 are corwin imports.
2d0ngpj.jpg
 
The only thing better is a laminate sks done in minwax cherry as I did to a Russian sks 20 years ago when they first started showing up--Dieseldog!
Photos? I think the only one I would refinish is the m44 on the bottom of my photo, it is my "shooter", and could use a facelift. That laminate m44 is so accurate and close to my heart, I don't think I could modify or fire it ever again.
 
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