M44 Nagant as a hunting rifle?
- Thread starter JaxNovice
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Does this count?
One of the best things about owning an M44 is shooting it at dusk during summer months... If there happen to be any flying insects buzzing around you, they all instantly drop dead when you fire. The blast overpressure clears the air in a 5-foot circle around you!
Great if you're ever attacked by zombie gnats.
One of the best things about owning an M44 is shooting it at dusk during summer months... If there happen to be any flying insects buzzing around you, they all instantly drop dead when you fire. The blast overpressure clears the air in a 5-foot circle around you!
Great if you're ever attacked by zombie gnats.
I can't use a modern rifle for deer hunting here in Ohio (Shotgun/slug or handgun or muzzle loader only) so I have no story to tell. There is howerver, quite a bit of soft-point ammo on the market in 7.62x54R.
Since that old Soviet round is on a par with our .30-06 & .308, I suspect that where you would use one of those rounds, the M-44 Mosin-Nagant would also be more than up to the task.
One other thing....the M-44's are frequently sensitive to bayonet position. Might make as much as a 3"-4" Left-to-Right difference @100Yds with bayo extended vs. bayo folded. Also can be ammo sensitive. I don't understand the physics involved, but has something to do with barrel harmonics/whip.
You would probably get some strange looks from folks, going after Bambi with an extended bayo......
Since that old Soviet round is on a par with our .30-06 & .308, I suspect that where you would use one of those rounds, the M-44 Mosin-Nagant would also be more than up to the task.
One other thing....the M-44's are frequently sensitive to bayonet position. Might make as much as a 3"-4" Left-to-Right difference @100Yds with bayo extended vs. bayo folded. Also can be ammo sensitive. I don't understand the physics involved, but has something to do with barrel harmonics/whip.
You would probably get some strange looks from folks, going after Bambi with an extended bayo......
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Joe Demko
Member
One of the guys where I work hunts with one, even though he owns far nicer rifles. Go figure.
Anyway, he's taken deer with it the last two years.
Anyway, he's taken deer with it the last two years.
skud_dusty
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I'm planning on using mine this year =-D
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/huntingwithmosin/index.asp
they are very good for hog from what i gather.
they are very good for hog from what i gather.
Essex County
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I have a number of rifles better suited to the task but I'd use my 44 if I had to. I suspect many do woods duty and their owners are served well. Essex
I read an article in I believe Gun Digest that reported Mosin rifles are quite popular in several ex communist bloc states for use as hunting rifles.
I am guessing they are quite a bit easier to own than an SKS or Saiga hunting rifle.
I know the Russians produce several bolt action hunting rifles and citizens can own them there so I don't see why they might not allow private ownership of a Mosin rifle.
Ballistics are pretty much right on par with .30/06 when the same bullet weight is compared.
The rifle is capable of dropping anything a .30/06 will.
I agree that a short carbine M44 or M38 muzzle blast and flash are something that must be experienced to truely understand just how spectacular it is.
I had a neighbor swear I was using dynamite when I was shooting an M44 down in the gulley right about dusk one evening.
He could see the muzzle flash quite clearly from up top and I guess the blast sounded like a grenade going off to him.
Pretty funny.
I am guessing they are quite a bit easier to own than an SKS or Saiga hunting rifle.
I know the Russians produce several bolt action hunting rifles and citizens can own them there so I don't see why they might not allow private ownership of a Mosin rifle.
Ballistics are pretty much right on par with .30/06 when the same bullet weight is compared.
The rifle is capable of dropping anything a .30/06 will.
I agree that a short carbine M44 or M38 muzzle blast and flash are something that must be experienced to truely understand just how spectacular it is.
I had a neighbor swear I was using dynamite when I was shooting an M44 down in the gulley right about dusk one evening.
He could see the muzzle flash quite clearly from up top and I guess the blast sounded like a grenade going off to him.
Pretty funny.
It isn't my first shoice for a hunting rifle but I've taken mine out a few times just for fun. Never killed anything with it. I took it when were were putting on drives and the shots were mostly inside of 100 yards.
As far as ammo, The only commercial hunting ammo I've found for it was S&B and Norma. The S&B was ~$10/box, Norma was ~$35/box. I'm sure the Norma would have been more accurate, but enough so to justify over 3 times more per box? Nah. The S&B is 180 gr soft point and with it I can shoot 3" groups at 100 yds from a front supported position. More than accurate enough to kill a deer.
The reason the gun has no deer blood no it is more a result of PA's deer population and my hunting skills than any deficiency of the gun or ammo.
As far as ammo, The only commercial hunting ammo I've found for it was S&B and Norma. The S&B was ~$10/box, Norma was ~$35/box. I'm sure the Norma would have been more accurate, but enough so to justify over 3 times more per box? Nah. The S&B is 180 gr soft point and with it I can shoot 3" groups at 100 yds from a front supported position. More than accurate enough to kill a deer.
The reason the gun has no deer blood no it is more a result of PA's deer population and my hunting skills than any deficiency of the gun or ammo.
Kicks like a mule.
Ergonomics of a hamster carcass.
But it'll work.
Take off the bayonet and put on an aftermarket stock with a better buttstock design and a pad instead of a steel plate, and it'll work really well. Nothing wrong with the gun.
Ergonomics of a hamster carcass.
But it'll work.
Take off the bayonet and put on an aftermarket stock with a better buttstock design and a pad instead of a steel plate, and it'll work really well. Nothing wrong with the gun.
WinchesterAA
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Mine's coming with me every day this year, especially since the timber around my favorite stand has been clearcut quite a bit, I now have more of a circular field of oats rather than 2 different lanes surrounded by ridiculously dense brush.
and a big +1 on the bayo being a rifle stand.. Stab it in the ground and forget about it while you field dress a deer, no more "ahh man, that's the sound of my rifle about to slip off the tree I put it up against"
and a big +1 on the bayo being a rifle stand.. Stab it in the ground and forget about it while you field dress a deer, no more "ahh man, that's the sound of my rifle about to slip off the tree I put it up against"
skud_dusty
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Can anyone link me to a good site for scope mounts?
kir_kenix
Member
everybody knows that those dirty ruskie rounds won't kill american deer!! seriously tho, i think that balistics clearly show that with the right ammo your 44 should be more than adaquate on deer.
Lamb of Gun
Member
I don't hunt but I would think that a 91/30 would be a better option.
Cosmoline
Member
Lots of people use Mosins for hunting. I'd suggest using 180 grain Winchester SP's or handloads for best results. The only downside of the M-44 is the noise.
Which helps what, exactly? A nice M44 like a Pole is perfectly balanced as a brush gun. The stock is designed to withstand multiple world wars. Recoil is no worse than .30'06.
Which helps what, exactly? A nice M44 like a Pole is perfectly balanced as a brush gun. The stock is designed to withstand multiple world wars. Recoil is no worse than .30'06.
Pepe Ray
Member
As you grow older, you'll find more down sides. Military surp/issue, is engineered with youngsters in mind. Strong bodies, great vision etc. The wgt. is the most obvious neg. The neg. that can get to some younger folks, is the horrible sights. Poor vision, regardless of age, requires a sighting system where focusing is not a handicap.
Mind you, I'm NOT telling a handy yank that he can't do anything. I've long ago learned the futility of that. But it is very difficult to install good sights on many of the surp rifles. The Russkies are right at the to of that list. Be prepared. Pepe Ray
Mind you, I'm NOT telling a handy yank that he can't do anything. I've long ago learned the futility of that. But it is very difficult to install good sights on many of the surp rifles. The Russkies are right at the to of that list. Be prepared. Pepe Ray
_N4Z_
Member
For hunting rounds there is also Barnaul (Brown & Silver Bear) 203gr soft point.
I've also seen a lighter soft point 150gr SP by PRVI Partisan.
The Brown Bear stuff can be had for 6 something a box of 20. PRVI goes for between 10 and 12 dollars.
I've had good luck with the Barnaul.
I've also seen a lighter soft point 150gr SP by PRVI Partisan.
The Brown Bear stuff can be had for 6 something a box of 20. PRVI goes for between 10 and 12 dollars.
I've had good luck with the Barnaul.
cosmo, didnt you know ATI stocks attract the deer and taking off the bayonet attracts the 10 pointers. you see traped between military stocks and the rifles action are tiny magical elves. when you seperate this stock, and place the rifle in a cheap, loose fitting synthetic stock the elves are free to frolic off into the meadow and bring back only the finest deer...
or atleast thats what bubba seems to think
or atleast thats what bubba seems to think
Skofnung
Member
I'm laughing very hard right now. M44 as a hunting rifle? HA!
Only if it was the only rifle I had!
"ergonomics of a hamster carcass" I like that line, but I feel it may be a bit too generous.
My first deer rifle was a Remington Model 600 carbine (18.5"barrel) in .308 Win., so It isn't the stout recoil, or the fierce muzzle blast that bother me. It is simply that it is such a crap piece of machinery to use, compared to virtually everything else available. I have an M38, and it is fun to plink with. But for hunting? not when I have better things available.
If it is the only gun you've got, go ahead and use it until you can get something better. We all have to start somewhere. I admit there is somthing neat about this piece of Combloc hardware, but as a hunting rifle by preference, no.
Only if it was the only rifle I had!
"ergonomics of a hamster carcass" I like that line, but I feel it may be a bit too generous.
My first deer rifle was a Remington Model 600 carbine (18.5"barrel) in .308 Win., so It isn't the stout recoil, or the fierce muzzle blast that bother me. It is simply that it is such a crap piece of machinery to use, compared to virtually everything else available. I have an M38, and it is fun to plink with. But for hunting? not when I have better things available.
If it is the only gun you've got, go ahead and use it until you can get something better. We all have to start somewhere. I admit there is somthing neat about this piece of Combloc hardware, but as a hunting rifle by preference, no.
Cosmoline
Member
Do you have anything substantive to back that up with? I'll stack my Pole M44 against any modern iron sighted hunting rifle. It's light in the hand, aims easy and can launch a 215 grain Woodleigh RN at 2400 fps, delivering solid 2MOA groups. It's also tough enough to literally smash apart most modern rifles costing three times as much. And it has an absolutely safe and very quiet safety. Plus, it has a bayonet for poking downed bears in the eye.
This doesn't even make sense.
These foolish old "junkie comblock" arguments are worn out and well exploded. Many, many people have taken Mosins and other "junkie old" C&R rifles hunting. From the Louisiana to Nunavut and from Australia to Italy. Folks use them every season. It amazes me that so many hunters still assume nothing but a shiny new zinc and plastic remchester with a $400 scope stuck on it will kill an animal.
For example, a recent short thread Mosin hunters revealed their use to hunt black bear, bou, griz, hog, deer, and large marine mammals. Note the subsistence hunter "Caribou" from the north end of this state describes finishing off a WHALE with five shots from an M-39! I'd like to hear from anyone who can top that.
http://www.gunboards.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=220415
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