Range trip today with new SVT and MN

fiddler

fiddler

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
8   0   0
Location
Edmonton
Well new to me anyways.

The 1891/30 Mosin Nagant was all over the place and it didn't seem to like the PVRI 180gr fmj. The Sellier 180gr soft points shot a better group but was still all over the place. The rifle shot 8 inches high at 50 yards, but looking at the front sight, I don't see a way to adjust it down, other than giving it a tight bead, but not so big deal if I can get the groups closer. At 50 yards it was making a 10 -12 inch group, so not so wonderful and certainly won't be doing any matches with that ammo. It took lots of tapping to get the front sight to move over in the right spot but I found a happy medium so far. There seems to be very little choice on the ammo market right now but I would like to try some 150gr or some other brands to get it to shoot better. Preference would be 180s for suitable hunting, but anything that shoots tighter would be a bonus. A buddy who was with me had some surplus rounds (weight??) that brought a group together with much improvement, but if its not available then its loading and bench testing. Any suggestions?

The SVT-40 took a few rounds to get the gas adjusted properly where it didn't destroy the brass empties. It grouped well with the few different brands that I used, but the gas adjustment seems to affect the grouping. It seems to have potential of being an all purpose shooter if I can get the gas/ammo fine tuned better than I did so far. Again, only 2 choices of ammo, both 180gr.


I didn't get off the 50 yard range cause I burned up over a hundred rounds and my shoulder was getting sore ( hot weather n T-shirt shooting). So a little more fine tuning and off to a longer range.
 
i have a svt and i also use th same ammo. at 214 meters ( range to my target from my stand) i can put 1 round out of 10 on the paper. i really dont believe the rifle is the problem i think it has to be the ammo.
 
Well just judging from the difference in groups, I'm lead to believe I'm looking for different ammo or reloading. Actually, the SVT was much more accurate than the Mosin.
 
Even at 100 meters I am lucky to put 10 shots into a 10 inch group with that Czech Surplus ammo from either the Mosin or the SVT.

Both sure make an impressive fireball though.

2609382056_15c9d94ebe.jpg
 
i shot some milsurp and was able to get 2-3 inch groups at 50 yards (m44)
with the m91/30 and SB ammo, i got down to 1.5 in at 100 yds
 
Privi tends to shoot 8-12 inches high at 100yrds. Milsurp shoots 6 inches high at 100. This is without the bayo, mount it & expect a 6" drop. Keep at it, these guns take lots of practice to shoot well. So far short of hand loads milsurp shoots best in my guns.
 
Typically the commercial ammo I find dosnt shoot to well in either one of my 8 Mosins or my SVT. While some milsurp ammo is good, beware as a lot of it is well past its prime.

Just today I was out with my SVT and after firing several rounds of Soviet light ball surplus through it, I noticed a funny smell. It was my handguard smouldering from the extreamly hot barrel and smoke coming out from under the magazine. I quickly unloaded and let the rifle cool down. I then fired the same amount of ammo through it - this time with standard Czech surplus and to my surprise - nothing. No burning, no smouldering and much, MUCH better accuracy. All surplus is not created equal - especially with the 7.62x54r round.

In regards to your rifle and its shooting high. This is very, very common on Mosin rifles as typically they were factory sighted with the bayonet on/extended. I have found most of my 91/30s shoot high without the bayonet on. When the bayonet is placed on, the rifles shoot at point of aim and with much smaller groups. Slip on the bayonet next time your out and I bet you will be very surprised :)

In regards to the SVT I have found that my particular rifle runs at 1.5 perfectly, infact I have never had a stoppage/jam. I have also found the Czech surplus to be of really, really good quality and very accurate in this rifle. With surplus and an SVT at 100m on a good day you should be able to bring in around the 3" mark group wise. This is just what I have observed through my particular rifle, of course condition is everything.

Of course handloads beat everything accuracy wise :p if you areant already reloading, START! not only will your costs be down ammo wise, but you will also have very accurate, non corrosive ammo that will always be available to you.


Dont get frustrated with the Mosins, they are a truly underappreciated firearm. In no time at all you'll see how the Enfield and M1 crowd get angry when "That Dayum commie moy-san nay-gunt" outshoots the pride of their collections - at a fraction of the cost :p
 
Here is a target I shot the other day for an online fun shoot I entered. This was shot with Czech surplus from a Polish 1953 M44 on a front rest. 100m

DSCF1218.jpg


DSCF1215.jpg


DSCF1221.jpg


Had this been that Russian light ball stuff I was shooting today Im sure Id have half or less of those rounds on paper. Its all ammo dependant
 
Thanks for the input guys. I was pretty sure there was someone out there who has gone through these steps already. I've got the loading presses, just need to pick up x54r dies and gather more brass before I attempt to make a suitable round. BTW, the Mosin is a total blast to shoot and it operated flawlessly after I put a few loads through it to loosen up the action.

All your comments have been greatly appreciated.
 
There is going to be a new production SP and FMJ coming soon. Also there is surplus coming to Canada but I do not know exact day. I am sure we will know when it arrives in Canada.
 
Thats great news. I'll take ten cases :)

on a different note, how does the bayonet attach without sticking out 7 feet in front of you? Is there a way to attach it backwards?
 
My 91/30 shot way high and to the right until I attached the pigsticker bayonet to it. Then I was getting "cloverleaf" groups at 100M...but mine is a Tula ex-sniper.
 
I've never tried it but I recall reading of a fella who wasn't happy with his MN shooting high. His fix was to strip off a short length of insulation off of some electrical wire ( you pick the color ). The right size is chosen, at a little longer length than the front sight post, then when you slide it over the front post & it will drop your POI.
Seemed a little...low budget? I've never done it myself, but the theory is sound.
Although it might increase the width enough to make it not appear properly in the rear sight.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom