MN sniper incredible accuracy

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My buddy and I were up at the Burke mountain range today shooting a variety of milsurps. A fellow a couple of benches over had a nice scoped MN. PU scope and nicely done. I asked to look at it as I have never sighted down one of these. He saw we were shooting a couple of Mosins ourself. My M44 and my buddies Finn, so he said go ahead and shoot it. He said he had just mounted it and had only lasered the scope in. I asked if we could do the honours of zeroing it in. "Go for it" he says.
There was a bunch of clays on the 200 yard back stop so I told my buddy to spot for me. First shot was 6' high and 4' right. In just 9 shots I hit the clay. HOLY CRAP!
I handed it to my buddy and he took 2 shots, 2 clays, at 200 yards. My beautifull #4 scoped Parker Hale has never done that.
We thanked the owner for the experience and it sure as hell made a good day at the range even better.
I really need to set up one of my Mosins with a scope.
 
I recently purchased a refurb sniper and I have been pleasantly surprised by its accuracy. I have consistantly shot sub 1" groups at 100yds. The best 5 shot group is .77" and my best 3 shot group so far is .65" Now if I could just get that group centred on the milsurp challenge target I would be happy. Zeroing is proving to be a bit of a challenge. Muzzle Flash invited me out to EESA yesterday to take a crack at the milsurp online shoot and I burned through my ammo trying to get centred and ended up with nothing to show for it. Looks like Muzzle Flash had a much more success than I did. Good shooting.
 
Yes many underestimate their potential. Feed them a good load and they will shoot very well. I find that keeping eye relief and canting of the rifle consistent will improve your shooting as there is some parallax issues with these scopes. I do have a problem with catching the scope between the peeprs though. And yes you will bleed!
 
Very good thread! I've often wondered the potential of these guns, I've been thinking of buying one, which is funny cause I ONLY shoot with iron sights! Now I want one even more!!
 
The rifle and the shooter are 2 variables which affect accuracy. The other is the quality of ammunition that is used. Its hard to locate MILSURP ammo which is capable of better than 1.5 - 2 MOA. Most folks can develop handloads that will shoot to 1 MOA or better by using quality bullets and consistent loading techniques incl segregation of cases by firing history and weight, neck sizing, primer pocket uniforming, flash hole deburring, trimming to uniform length, establishing optimum bullet seating depth and neck sizing.
 
Here are a couple of groups. I'm shooting 150gr Sierras with Varget.



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We were using surplus ammo for our shoot and I was surprised how well it shot. I normally use iron sights but with age they are getting harder to use and my groups are getting bigger
 
Some 100 yd results with a few contemporary sniper rifles using handloads with match bullets. Results are the average of multiple 3 shot groups with best performing handloads. Each of these rifles have produced groups as small as .5"/.6", but I'd put this down more to the gods of random bullet dispersion, rather than to the consistency of the rifle or the shooter.

M1903A4 Springfield - 1.41"
M1C Garand - 1.5"
M1D Garand - 1.6"

All of these are mass produced wartime rifles with good, tight barrels using what was state of the art 23/4 power optics 70 yrs ago. Many models of these same rifles will shoot equally well with iron sights at the same distance, but the single point of aim and improved target resolution of the scope will provide better results at ranges longer than 100 yds. The Mosin Nagants can be very accurate with good handloads. I have a Model 27 Finnish rifle which shoots .308 diameter bullets very well, turning in average 3 shot groups of 1.62" groups using Lapua brass with 168gr Sierra Match bullets and IMR4320.

FWIW, Cdn Army EMEI's stipulated an accuracy standard for No4 Mk1T sniper rifles of 5 shots into a 3"x3" group @ 100yds. This isn't gilt edged accuracy, but it was deemed sufficient to do the job with what was available for optics and ammo 70 yrs ago.
 
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