Something weird is going on...

[rojocorsa]

So I took my 91/59 Mosin shooting yesterday. And for some reason (despite not really doing anything to it**) it just shifted its POI out of the blue.


It usually shoots dead on at 100, but yesterday it shot around 7-9 o'clock, maybe about 10-13 off and down, out of the blue. I was using 7.62 LPS light ball, 1976 from Russia. This stuff has worked fine before.

Also, about two weeks ago it was shooting about a whole foot left at 200 yds using Bulgarian heavy ball. But this gun used to shoot POI=POA.




So any ideas of what could have caused my POI out of the blue? It's strange and baffling and it honestly ruined my trip, especially because I really like that rifle. I know it's not my shooting, as I shot my K-31 and M-1 and an AR-15 decently. And I shot my 91/59 the same way I always do with the same ammo. And it seemed consistent, just not where my POA was.

**Only mods to this rifle have been a trigger job (which I don't think would have any bearing on a POI shift). And the metal tab on the front on the upper hand guard that protects the end of the wood has been superglued in place---since it kept coming off. But that's it. This gun has not been touched.

FWIW, the front sight has not drifted at all. I don't know what the hell is going on and it's frustrating.

[FS00008]

Action screws.

[rojocorsa]

They're tight as hell. Always are. I'll go back and double check anyway.

[Rem222]

Action screws.

That was my idea as well but you say they were good. Let us know if you figure this out. My 91/59 is the best shooting carbine I own by far..

[Sky_DiveR]

Humidity & temperature?

[Capybara]

Your stock cracked? Have you taken it apart and checked it? Hairlines in that smaller area where the receiver seats are pretty common, your stock could have been hanging on by a thread and it finally cracked? If so, that would account for it going off POI so quickly?

[rojocorsa]

I'll take the gun off the wood and check it out; action screws were dead tight (I double checked).

I don't see any cracks.

[stand125]

It could be the trigger job. Think about where you place your finger on the trigger. Most people are not centered so as they pull the gun does move left or right depending. Well since it moves the same amount each time because of the trigger pull pressure we adjust our sites to compensate and we shoot straight. Well if you now have less pressure, you are not pulling as hard and therefore not moving the rifle as much which will change your point of aim. Dry fire really slow and see if you can see the end of the rifle move. If you notice it move then you would have had more movement with a stronger pull which will effect your Ponit of aim.

Now I am no expert but have noticed on pistols at least that a trigger job will effect point of aim.

[rojocorsa]

I had the issue of it shooting about a whole off at 200yds two weeks ago before the trigger job as well, though.


I didnt inquire at the time because I figured it was just shooting off since it has a short barrel and the target was farther away. I had to kentucky windage that during that match. But now that its off to the left at closer range, it started to concern me.

[kouye]

Maybe check the crown to see if there's any damage there. Just a guess.

[rojocorsa]

Crown and bore are fine, squeaky clean. I take care of my stuff.

[SVT-40]

Every time you take a rifles action out of it's stock and then replace it you will usually get some drift in POI. Thats why many match rifles actions are "bedded" and never removed once they are in place.

It could be that or the action is loose in the stock even though the action screws are tight.

[tankerman]

Have you taken the stock off recently?

[rojocorsa]

It's weird since it hadn't happened before (and I've taken it out of the stock before.)

Oh well, time to bed it. It is a good little shooter after all.