M91/30 Strings Vertically with Czech

[rhubarb]

I took my Mosin 91/30 out for the second time this weekend. I shot 20 rounds of Czech silver tip and 20 of Albanian.

I shot 10 rounds of each ammo at 100 yards and 10 rounds of each at 200 yards.

The Albanian produced a 5" round group at 100 yards. The Czech group was 2.5" wide by 12" vertical. The 200 yard targets were similar; the Albanian group was round and the Czech group was narrower but spread vertically.

I've read that the Albanian is junk and that the Czech is accurate, but it would seem to me that there is a lot of deviation in the Czech.

 

[dispatch55126]

I can't say for sure, but it sounds like the czech ammo is hotter. What I found out with my Mini 30 was the hotter the barrel got the higher I would hit even if my left/right was unaffected. Different ammo, but same principal.

 

[rhubarb]

It's not a matter of the barrel heating up. I controlled for that.

I shot:
5 rounds Czech 100 yards
5 rounds Czech 200 yards
5 rounds Albanian 100 yards
5 rounds Albanian 200 yards
5 rounds Czech 100 yards
5 rounds Czech 200 yards
5 rounds Albanian 100 yards
5 rounds Albanian 200 yards

It's not me this time either as both types of ammo produced the same type of group at 100 and 200 yards. It's not the gun. It has to be the ammo. I'm just wondering if others have had the same experience.

 

[DMK]

I've read that the Albanian is junk and that the Czech is accurate, but it would seem to me that there is a lot of deviation in the Czech.

I have a bunch of Mosins in almost all the different varieties. IMO, Mosin Nagants can be almost as finicky about their ammo preferences as 22LR rifles are. Only trying it in one rifle, I wouldn't say any particular ammo is junk unless it doesn't fire or has safety problems. I would say that your rifle just doesn't like that ammo.

I know you tried a couple different ammos to make a fair comparison, but I wonder if it might be your stock causing the stringing. I'd try removing the upper handguard and seeing if that makes a difference at all.

Also, was the Czech ammo the only light ball ammo you shot? Albanian ammo is available in both light and heavy ball. Some of my Mosins have a very distinct preference for one weight or the other.

Of course, it is possible that your Czech had varying powder charges or some rounds were weak due to storage conditions. I've never seen such vertical variation in mine, but we surely have different lots.

 

[Antihero]

Did you make sure everything was tight? I started having that problem and it ended up being the action screw(?) underneath the bolt was loose.