Mosin Nagant Ammo ???

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

Thug Lyfe

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2008
Messages
3
Ok, I bought my first mosin today and now I have some ammo questions. I see all these different types of mil surp stuff but I don't know what the differences are. From what it looks like to me is if I want to shoot for cheap its going to be corrosive, than again, it looks like all mil surp is corrosive. How big of a deal is that really? What are the pros and cons of czech vs bulgarian? Steel vs copper? I understand that this gun will shoot pretty much anything but I am still interested is keeping it in fairly good shape. Thanks in advanced.

And if it helps mine is a m91/30 I think
 
Welcome to THR!

But what's cheapest, since that's the whole point, really.

As for cleaning, Windex or boiling water are both great. That's literally all it takes. Since the corrosive primer salts need water for deactivation, oil won't do anything for you.

If your rifle is about 4 feet long, it's (likely) a 91/30. If it's shorter (20" barrel) and has a folding bayonet, it's an M-44. If it's like an M44, but without the bayonet, it's an M-38.
 
The surplus is the cheapest way to go you just have to clean it properly after shooting.
The differences in 7.62x54R ammo are bullet weight and case type.
Surplus ammo is normally these types:LB=light ball 150 grain bullet and HB= heavy ball around 180 grain bullet.
The different case types are steel with a shellac coating (Czech) which works but gets sticky after time, also there's copper washed steel cases.
And then the brass cased ammo.
I would try some different weight bullet and types of ammo to see which shoots best in your rifle before stocking up on it.
Also there's some good commercial soft point hunting ammo if your interested.
 
I just received a package from Classicarms yesterday. 440 round can of Russian 7.62X54R for $85. I see that today they are all out. I don't even have a Mosin (yet) but I figured that price was a winner.
 
Ok, I bought my first mosin today
Click to expand...
Oh, yer hosed :D
It never stops at one. Once you realize how simple and robust it is, and what a ball it is to shoot, you'll want more. I've been very happy with the Bulgarian surplus I picked up from Sportsmans Guide for ~$170/case. It's about $90 for a half case in a single spam can. As others have said, try as many as you can and pick whichever your particular rifle prefers. As a rule of thumb, unless it's new commercial hunting ammo it's corrosive regardless of what the seller may tell you. Don't let that deter you, just clean it well as soon after shooting as is practical. I run a couple of patches thru them with Hoppes before I leave the range. Then clean as usual as soon as it's practical. While it's true that the salts are water soluble, they are also removed just fine with plain ol Hoppes and I've never seen unremoved Hoppes cause rust. There's just something about purposefully introducing water to a metal rifle that bothers me. Before the flames start, I know that lots and lots of folks use water and are happy with it. I'm glad for you.
 
For cleaning you may run across some of the old US military cleaning fluid that works beautifully on corrosive residue. It is generally in either quart or pint cans painted OD.
 
How come I cannot see someone calling themselves "thug life" shooting a mosin? just makes me chuckle...

I like surplus, but I also like reloading. I use S&B's for reloading.

Leroy
 
You guys are fantastic. Thanks for all of your help.

Oh and about the name. . . I am just a white guy from Utah. ;) I'm not really sure where the name came from.
 
Military surplus is always cheap and for general shooting it will be sufficient. Of course you can handload to get the most accuracy out of your MN, however I feel it defeats the purpose of the Mosin-Nagant: cheap cheap cheap!

Assume all surplus is corrosive so clean accordingly.

For plinking with the Mosin, I suggest buying some Bulgarian light ball online, it is cheap. Try JG Sales, they have them for a tad over $82 per tin (440 rounds to a tin). They are next to me in Arizona so with shipping they come out to less than a bill each.


Buy it cheap and stack it deep!!!


attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • ammo.jpg
    ammo.jpg
    47.9 KB · Views: 181
Sometimes I think that THR needs a it's own Mosin Nagant topic category. Seems like this gun can occupy about 20% of the threads on any given day. No offense intended to MN owners, but it gets to be a little much sometimes, IMHO. :rolleyes:
 
For cleaning you may run across some of the old US military cleaning fluid that works beautifully on corrosive residue. It is generally in either quart or pint cans painted OD.
Click to expand...
Got some of that. Also blackpowder cleaners work for corrosives and they're pretty cheap too.
 
Rubber Duck, that pic is delicious! ;)

I just bought mine Mon, got a delay on my check. Probably wont get it till Fri!! :fire:
 
I just picked up my first Mosin today. A 1945 M38 in great condition + 20 rounds of corrosive 54r for $180. Took it out for a little bit this afternoon, and I think I'm in love. Plus, I have something fun other than my AK to shoot, and with the price of ammunition, thats wonderful for me.
 
Sometimes I think that THR needs a it's own Mosin Nagant topic category. Seems like this gun can occupy about 20% of the threads on any given day. No offense intended to MN owners, but it gets to be a little much sometimes, IMHO. Says Wesson Smith
Click to expand...

That or the infamous "what's the best 308 battle rifle?" or "AR 15, what's the best?" or "AK vs. AR, what's the best?" ... and yet I still plug in to read them all.

I like the camaraderie and excitement that is inspired by new rifle purchases. You can feel the enthusiasm, and it's contagious. I can live vicariously through these new purchases. I like my fellow gunnies, so even if it is a $60 Vintkova Mosina, I enjoy reading about it.
 
My m38 really likes Wolf Gold line 180 gr softpoints. Havent had a chance to put a whole lot of ammo through the 91/30 yet, so I dont have any comments from that one.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

L
  • Locked
Where/Which surplus ammo to buy??
Replies
7
Views
771
mudslinging79
M
dak0ta
  • Locked
Mosin Nagants Newbie Questions
Replies
18
Views
712
james_bond
J
S
  • Locked
Mosin Nagant ammo question?
Replies
13
Views
750
lencac
L
kayak-man
  • Locked
Mosin Nagant
Replies
6
Views
430
svaz
S
T
  • Locked
Nagant or Enfield (and in 308 or 303)
Replies
21
Views
1K
4fingermick
4
Back
Top