91/30 first shots

[Levetti]

I picked up a 1944 Izhevsk m91/30 from big 5 and finally was able to shoot it. Let me say I was less than impressed. The rifle looks solid; the crown looks great, the rifling is still strong and the bore is shiny, but it isn't a shooter.

2013-01-19 15.26.25.jpg

This was 100 yds sitting at the bench using MFS 147gr fmj with iron sights. I didn't adjust the sights at all, use kentucky windage, and I tried for the same hold on every shot. I'm going to try some heavier weight ammo next weekend and hopefully have a little better results.

2013-01-08 12.18.37.jpg

[Chaos47]

Never done it myself but this is an interesting method of tightening groups:

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu63.htm

[knucklehead0202]

don't want to sound like a jerk, but try a different shooter, it's funny what happens when different people shoot a particular gun. if the results are the same, then look to alternatives, but i've had things i really couldn't hit anything with and other people shot fine, and vice-versa. there are plenty of other factors that could come into play as well, but just go down the list. good luck and congrats on a pretty mosin, i'm sure either way it'll become a fine sidekick.

[mosinnagantm9130]

For your rifle OP, it could be several things. Could be the shooter, could be the ammo, and it could be the rifle.

In my experience, M/Ns are ammo picky. One 91/30 might shoot very well with a particular type of surplus ammo, a different one might shoot like absolute garbage with that same ammo. Try a few different types of surplus or a few different brands of commercial. Try both the 147 grain stuff and the 180 grain stuff if you get the chance.

You say the bore and crown are fine, so outside of how the rifle is sitting in the stock it's probably not the rifle. If you want to float the barrel, be sure to tighten the rear action screw first, as that will rock the action back in the stock.

Also, what knucklehead0202 above me said^^

Never done it myself but this is an interesting method of tightening groups:
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu63.htm

I've done something similar- I floated the barrel using cloth underneath the barrel where the front barrel band is.

I haven't had time yet to sit and shoot some groups, but just plinking I noticed that under 200 yards the POI is now equal to the POA. This 91/30 used to shoot 6" or so high like most of them do.

[kowalski]

I'm jealous of your rifle, I've been trying to pick up a 91 for a while now. PM if you want to sell it.

[Anschiss]

I shot my M44 for the first time this weekend and I did not have any accuracy issues. Like said above, try other ammo. My gun hated my friend's Chinese surplus (shot way too hot) but loved the Russian surplus ammo I bought from another CalGunner.

[Kinsel83]

Try different ammo and put bayo on, if you didn't.

[Solidsnake87]

Thats not bad for a 70 year old rifle with surplus ammo and crude notch sites. If you want accuracy out of it, try hand loading and optics. They can be quite accurate.

[plumbum]

As mentioned above don't forget to put on the bayonet. I think you might be trying to find a 70 year old, open sight, $99 rifle that shoots inexpensive steel cased ammo with extreme precision...
Good luck with that.

[Flyin Brian]

Don't give up on it too soon!! When I take a new Mosin to the range, it sometimes shoots horrible. Then I bring it back a few times a month and it gradually gets better, the more practice it gets. I've noticed most of them shoot pretty good now

[Pete1979]

If you have a caliper, measure the bullet diameter where it enters the case. Usually 147gr fmjbt bullets are .308 diameter but the Mosin should shoot .311 diameter bullets. I've had pretty rough rifles shoot a lot better than that and it looks to be in unusually good shape. You should be getting 3-4 MOA at the worst.

[Bluesteak]

My 42' Izzy was almost dead on accurate the first 40 rounds I fired it.
Makes me wonder about how many guys might have been on the wrong end of that 7.62x54r in WW2

[6mmintl]

Maybe the kentucky winds were unusually strong that day?

[DennisCA]

You could've done worse!

I picked up a 1944 Izhevsk m91/30 from big 5 and finally was able to shoot it. Let me say I was less than impressed. The rifle looks solid; the crown looks great, the rifling is still strong and the bore is shiny, but it isn't a shooter.

[ATTACH]195720[/ATTACH]

This was 100 yds sitting at the bench using MFS 147gr fmj with iron sights. I didn't adjust the sights at all, use kentucky windage, and I tried for the same hold on every shot. I'm going to try some heavier weight ammo next weekend and hopefully have a little better results.

[ATTACH]195732[/ATTACH]

Actually that's not too bad for a Mosin - you could've done a whole lot worse!

This was my first attempt in shooting a 91-30

Again - Try different ammo, yup they are picky about that way.
What do expect from a mass-produced weapon?

[Dannicus]

Get the sights right before you shoot for groups. Guaranteed they'll be better.