Am I crazy?

dabateman0679 · 08-11-2012, 20:56

So I picked up a m91/30 the other day and have been thinking about spending some cash and re-barreling this bad boy! The only reason i want to do this is the price of ammo so i will be able to practice a lot with a real caliber rifle. So what i am wondering is can i make a decently accurate rifle out to about 300 yards if i spend some decent cash on this project?

PhantomF4E · 08-11-2012, 21:17

Have you shot it the way it is ? Might be a nice shooter already. I have one that will ring an occasional 10" gong at 500 yards. 100 yds all day long .

countrygun · 08-11-2012, 21:21

Uhm, Yes.

The bolt work alone to accept anything but a rimmed round will probably cost you the price of a good used rifle. Then there is the new barrel etc. You aren't going to find a barrel swap by itself that will yeild the results you want.

Bob Hafler · 08-11-2012, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by dabateman0679

So I picked up a m91/30 the other day and have been thinking about spending some cash and re-barreling this bad boy! The only reason i want to do this is the price of ammo so i will be able to practice a lot with a real caliber rifle. So what i am wondering is can i make a decently accurate rifle out to about 300 yards if i spend some decent cash on this project?

I'd definately shoot it first before you do anything. some of them are pretty darned accurate already. That and I'm sure if it is fairly accurate with a little bit of practice you could tighten those groups up considerably.
All things considered I'm pretty happy with my 1942 refurbed Izzy just the way it is.

youngdocglock · 08-11-2012, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hafler

I'd definately shoot it first before you do anything. some of them are pretty darned accurate already. That and I'm sure if it is fairly accurate with a little bit of practice you could tighten those groups up considerably.
All things considered I'm pretty happy with my 1942 refurbed Izzy just the way it is.

Agreed. A buddy of mine out in Utah has been hitting 700-800 yards with his 91. Cant say how accurately but the round gets there. the M44 will usually do 300-400 easily.

The round is incredibly powerful so it can really reach out and touch something.

dabateman0679 · 08-11-2012, 23:46

Well i have shot it but couldnt hit paper at 100 yards and to make sure it wasnt me we got my ruger 10/22 out and i was shooting 4 inch groups with that, but the bore looks clean so i think it may be a bent sight.

dabateman0679 · 08-11-2012, 23:49

Another question, If i cut down the barrel to 26 inches would that hurt accuracy of the rifle?

youngdocglock · 08-11-2012, 23:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by dabateman0679

Another question, If i cut down the barrel to 26 inches would that hurt accuracy of the rifle?

It would if you want to go anything past 250-300 yards.

The mosin sights are odd, did you try using the sight leveler? I've noticed if you go one notch past the mark it sometimes makes the zero a bit tighter.

The front sights can also be easily bent.

youngdocglock · 08-11-2012, 23:52

ohhh! pick up like a $30 bore sighter at walmart to see if the sights are even latterally on zero or not. :-)

dabateman0679 · 08-11-2012, 23:54

I didnt get to mess with the sight i was only able to run about 15 shots through before it started to rain

youngdocglock · 08-12-2012, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by dabateman0679

I didnt get to mess with the sight i was only able to run about 15 shots through before it started to rain

Most nagants, if not purchased second hand, have not been fired in a good 80 or so years, if they have been fired at all. Some have been severely abused and neglected.

The powder used in most 7.62x54R ammo is highly costic, and can destroy the bore as well. Also if not cleaned it will cake onto the interior of the bore and severely mess with accuracy.

Give it a severely deep cleaning. L.A.s totally awesome cleaner works great for mosin fouling. can be bought at most dollar generals.

Clean it up, shoot about 30 out of it and see if it improves, if not get a laser bore sight and see if the sights are zeroed or not, you may have to adjust them.

It may just be a case of not having been fired since WW2. or not being cleaned after every use. :-)

dabateman0679 · 08-12-2012, 00:14

Thanks for the advice i really want this thing to be accurate!

youngdocglock · 08-12-2012, 00:15

It will be, Unless the bore is shot, but you can have that re-done and re chambered for less than changing caliber. I had my M44 Redrilled for $40 ;-)

wrencher · 08-12-2012, 08:07

Goodness, you don't need a laser bore sighter. Prop the rifle up on sandbags, take the bolt out and sight down the bore at the target.
Now, without moving the rifle, look at the sights. Where are they pointing?
Mosins will often shoot high at 100y, you may need a taller front sight.
You can also start out shooting at 25y, see where you're hitting, and move out from there.
These can be very accurate rifles as they are, give it a chance before you make too many changes.

Haldor · 08-12-2012, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by dabateman0679

Another question, If i cut down the barrel to 26 inches would that hurt accuracy of the rifle?

Actually it could help. A worn crown can really screw up the accuracy of the gun. What is the condition of bore?

Jim Watson · 08-12-2012, 11:06

A MN can be pretty accurate as army surplus goes.

All the other stuff you ask about would call for enough cash to have bought a pretty nice commercial rifle from Remington or Savage. Souping up these old rifles is something for the advanced DIYer, the cost of professional attention would be high.

HKLovingIT · 08-12-2012, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngdocglock

Give it a severely deep cleaning. L.A.s totally awesome cleaner works great for mosin fouling. can be bought at most dollar generals.

What is L.A.?

G36's Rule · 08-12-2012, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by dabateman0679

Another question, If i cut down the barrel to 26 inches would that hurt accuracy of the rifle?

Not going to hurt anything if done correctly, and may actually help if the crown is not in the best of shape now.

The ballistics of the 7.62x54r is similar to the military 30-06 round.

Have you shot it at short range? Start at 25 yards and see where it is hitting.

I would not spend any real money on the rifle. The cost of a rebarrel would be more than just getting a new rifle in a caliber you want.

**NeverMore1701** · 08-12-2012, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKLovingIT

What is L.A.?

Lisa Anne?