sporterizing a mosin 91/30

[SouthCoastTargets]

so i have all the parts to do a build on my 91/30, im looking to build it into a 500-700 yard rifle that shoots relatively cheap ammo. the dilemma that im coming across is how much do i want to chop the barrel down on this build. i have been debating chopping it down to somewhere between 18 and 22 inches, im looking to decrease the barrel flex while still maintaining good velocity. i will also be threading the barrel so i can shoot it with a brake as well as suppressing it (someday).

[NorCalFocus]

22" is good. You can always cut it more.

[Nickgt40]

24" is a start, and where mine is. 22" is as short as I'd go, personally.

[Rosereader]

Personally I like my 91/30 the way it came from Tula, but if you want to modify it...

The thin barrels on the Mosin-Nagant are very flexible by nature, which is why the stock is fully supported. If you're cutting it down a solid 20" barrel and a free-floating stock would be a nice fit, and If I were you I would look at Boyds laminate options.

In addition if you want a long-range rifle the curved bolt would be a nice addition alongside drilling and tapping it for a scope (not the scout mounts... Eww)

Timney also makes a nice trigger modification, which will help with longer range shooting and includes a trigger safety that is much easier to work with than the usual bolt safety.


Just my .02
-Though I still like them better in milspec configuration!

[dvs762]

this...dont chop an original barrel..

http://www.mcgowenbarrel.com/mosin.htm

[Rosereader]

this...dont chop an original barrel..

http://www.mcgowenbarrel.com/mosin.htm

Those cost more than the original rifle!

Might as well go with a new production rifle, like a 700 or Vanguard 2 if you go that route.

[Ishooter]

I chopped mine to 24", where the barrel gets thicker along with the muzzle brake on it. I got it full bedding with Archangel stock. I shoot 1.25" MOA with surplus ammo all day long.

[NapalmCheese]

this...dont chop an original barrel..

http://www.mcgowenbarrel.com/mosin.htm

No kidding! You never know if you'll be able to get another 91/30! You might be chopping up an original one of a kind super rare rifle that no collector has every seen before! Definitely better to leave it in its original configuration (for which you have no use apparently) instead of making it into something useful and unique which you'll like and shoot often!

If I were you I'd cut it back just enough to recrown and ensure that the rifling was good at the muzzle end. No use in giving up velocity, unless you just want a short, handier rifle.

[SouthCoastTargets]

i appreciate all the comments from this thread. im leaning towards the 20" mark for cutting. i have an archangel stock and timney trigger. also have the curved bolt mod and scope mount on the way (the drill and tap one)

to those of you who say i should leave it as it lay...... they are not rare, nor are they ergonomical, but they are a solid platform for building nice distance rifles that dont break the bank to shoot. i love shooting 500+ yeards but it gets expensive quick if you are doing a prolonged shoot (which we do). i can burn through 200 rounds of 54R and not feel guilty about doing it. also this build is only costing me about $450 between the original rifle and parts to do this conversion (not including the optic or the silencer+tax i will eventually put on it)

[baka]

I love mine!

Such a nice blast/boom and accurate!

[mosinnagantm9130]

Might as well go with a new production rifle, like a 700 or Vanguard 2 if you go that route.

Which would've been the smart thing to do in the first place.

[kygen]

what about dropping it into an arch angel stock, and putting some glass on it?

[CK_32]

I've always thought 22" was a good lol on mosins. Just the right amount of taper and just the right length.

[CK_32]

what about dropping it into an arch angel stock, and putting some glass on it?

Angel stock is crap. $180 of uselessness that can be matched by the $50 ATI Montecarlo stock. I get that to some people they look cool, but not $130 cool.

[kygen]

Angel stock is crap. $180 of uselessness that can be matched by the $50 ATI Montecarlo stock. I get that to some people they look cool, but not $130 cool.

ok thanks, so I should look into the ATI montecarlo instead of the angel stock?