Shootin Milsurps - Groups?

[smellie]

What do I consider NORMAL?

Basically, I am happy if the bullet makes it to the target.

This past summer, I was getting inch-and-a-quarter with a Carcano Model 1941, 2-1/2 inches with a Carcano 6.5mm M-38 Carbine, 2 inches with a Carcano M38TS, 1 inch with an SMLE MkIII* (National Rifle factory, 1918), less than that with a 1918 Lithgow....... and have many groups under the half-inch from a 1910 Ross.

If it can make a hole in something I can see, that's okay, but the tiny little groups are nice because on my pension I can't afford to buy targets. So it's nice when the rifle uses the same hole all day long...... but you need a Ross for that, my friends!

 

[Unregistered]

If you want to see what an "average" shooter will do. Factory ammo only, iron sights. I only go shooting once or twice a month.

Lee Enfield No. 1. Mk. III 50 yards





Mosin Nagant 50 yards



Swiss K-31 100 yards

 

[NAA]

Taking pics of rifles on the kitchen counter! Hitzy, you the man!

 

[muzzle flash]

When I recieve a new to me millsurp rifle. I take it out with several different reloads and surpluss ammo. If the gun will shoot under 2.5" shot from a rest at 100 meters with original sights is a keeper. If not away it goes. I have found most bolt guns have no problem doing better than this. Although I went through 3 mosin 91/30 before I got one that would shoot. As far as semi auto goes garand,g43 and ag42 would all shoot under 2.5". Fn 49/M1 carb. Svt 40 would not. Always found reloads shot better than most millsurp ammo. It is amazing to see how well these guns will shoot once you get to know them.

 

[Orvis]

Small target (8.5"x11" printer paper) shot by a 1942 Savage Lee Enfield No.4 Mk.I* @ 100 yards using IVI 150gr. surplus.
The rifle can shoot far better than I can.

 

[300Spartans]

That's a nice group.

 

[Tudenom]

Some surplus rifles like the swedish mausers, or the swiss k31's, are renound for their accuracy straight out of the box and you can expect them to be 2" and under shooters with good ammo.

I figure most other surplus rifles should shoot about 3" to 4" if they're in very good shape, feel comfortable to you (good trigger, nice fit), and have decent sights.

If it's shooting 5" or more then there's probably some kind of mechanical problem like bad bedding, loose sights, or maybe the stock has warped and is touching the barrel where it shouldn't be.