deer rifle, Mosin?

[beefstew]

I've been thinking about buying a rifle, mainly for deer and varmints, and have been somewhat taken with the idea of a mosin m38 or 44 (the 91/30 seems too long to be a useful gun for the woods in my (midwest hardwood forest) area. I already have a mossberg 12ga and a Remington 522.

Is it still easy to find a m38 or m44 in useful condition for ~$100? I remember seeing them at Fleet Farm a year or two ago but there were none in stock when I checked today.

Is this a foolhardy idea? I didn't grow up shooting guns or hunting, so I don't know what the $200 functional equivalent is to the Mosin. What accurate rifles are out there that would serve the same purpose for about the same cost?

 

[okiewita40]

Even a 91/30 could be used. From what I have heard so take it with a grain or two of salt but the m44 if you use it the only way it is accurate is if the bayonet is extended. IMSM it has something to do with the the way they were sighted in at the factory. The best place I have seen for prices is at j&g sales.

 

[dispatch55126]

Took my first deer with a headshot from a 91/30. The deer didn't seem to care that it was shot with a russian milsurp instead of an overly expensive wonder-rifle.

 

[rangerruck]

...Well, if you can find a nice 38, get one of those, they are drying up fast. If you have to get a 44, I would grind off all the bayonet myself; It has been proven to make accuracy worse than a 38 even when folded in, and like a shotgun pattern, when you have it out. The best would be to find a 38 with a laminate stock, very schwing!

 

[Cmdr. Gravez0r]

Any model of Mosin is perfectly fine for deer hunting. Like any rifle, you will want to make sure it is sighted in correctly with your hunting ammo. Also be confident in your ability to make a killing shot.

 

[rangerruck]

oh and as far as accuracy goes, most are plenty accurate enough for hunting, and of course you will get a few that are complete dogs, and you will find some that are tackdrivers. I got lucky and got one, that was unissued , unfired, and a tack driver. It also likes some ammo more than others; all rifles do, but it really likes the heavier you go. It does pretty well with the 150's, but add in some 180's , and the groups tighten up, then drop in the 205's, and it is a one hole punch. Point of impact drops about 6 inches at 100 yds, though.

believe it or not, my 38 is my all around big game, go to rifle; it is fast, light, and for me the sights are better than most people think. Not that they are greatly accurate, but are quick to get on something. Plus with the prep work I did on all the metal parts, with both sweet shooters, and then molyfusion, and then a trigger job, this bolt moves lightning fast; slicker than snot on a doorknob!

 

[NCsmitty]

It's a common fallacy that you need to leave the bayonet on the M44. Essentially the bayonet extended does allow the rifle to shoot closer to the sights as adjusted. Removal of the bayonet from the bayonet bracket, coupled with adjustment of the sights to proper zero will give you a bit lighter rifle capable of taking game.

Here's some home grown mosin conversion info from Steve Wagner.
www.gswagner.com/mosin-nagant/mnsporter.html


NCsmitty

 

[wgaynor]

I live in Kentucky and deer hunt in some dense woods, lots of brush, and hills galore. That being said, this year I hunted with my m91/30. I used the 208 grain soft point bullet. While I haven't seen any deer yet, the coyotes were everywhere. I shot one that was sneaking by me on my way out of the woods. Deader than a door knob.

Yes the gun is long, but the rifle is nicely balanced. The sights are easy to use, the rifle is great on long distance shots if you hunt around hay fields, and it has more than enough power. The biggest plus, you can buy a good one for $80.

 

[Sunray]

"...Is this a foolhardy idea?..." Not even a little.
"...Mosin M38 or 44..." The difference is primarily the bayonet and assorted lengths. No bayonet on the 38. Sights are poor on any Mosin. Serviceable though. That's not really a big deal, but you'll have to get used to 'em. Have a look here to compare 'em.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/mosincarbine/index.asp
However, the muzzle blast, flash and felt recoil on either is considerable. Not so much with an 1891/30. Not much difference in weight though. Around a half pound.
The 7.62 x 54R will kill deer with no fuss. Moose and elk too. No milsurp ball for hunting, but there's lots of good hunting ammo that isn't stupidly expensive available. You will have to try a box of as many brands as you can to find the ammo that shoots best out of whichever rifle you buy.
Not a great varmint cartridge, but only because of the muzzle blast and flash. Varmint hunting is great practice for deer seaon with any rifle.
"...have a Mossberg 12ga..." That'd make a dandy deer gun with the right barrel and slugs. Not the same as a rifle though.