Mosin 7.62x54 Light vs. Heavy Ball Ammo?

[Bill B.]

I have purchased my First Mosin Nagant; a M44 Romainian, and getting ready to purchase a sealed tin of 7.62x54 ammo for it. Looks like I have a choice of the light ball 150 grain or the heavy ball 180 grain. For those that have a Mosin M44 and have shot both which seems to be the more accurate on average? I am well aware the 180 will have more recoil but am more concerned about getting the more accuracy as it will be used mainly for target. I have looked at the various web sites and so far J&G sales in AZ had the better price on the surplus ammo. If anyone has another favorite seller please point me to them if they have a deal on the sealed 7.62 x 54 tins. I am just looking to buy one tin of the 440 round stuff so I wish to get it right the first time. Thanks for any help!

 

[45B@cav]

I don't own one but my buddy does. Yes you are right in the carbine the heavy ball has some seriuos recoil. He gets groups that are less than have the size of the heavy ball when shooting light ball and you don't have to just plink with it he has taken alot of white tail over the years with it.

 

[dwave]

I have an Ex-Dragoon full length that shoots way better with the heavier stuff, but it does let you know when you pull the trigger! As far as sellers go, I can't help you out 'cause I reload my own.

You should get both the light and heavy in the 20 packs to see which your rifle likes best before you buy.

 

[stubbicatt]

Supposedly the sights on the M44 were regulated to the light ball trajectory. So if you see yourself shooting at known distances of 200 to 800 meters, the light ball is supposed to go where the sight elevation leaf is set.

'Course in practice it's anybody's guess.

 

[tenbears]

Stick with it's original ammo it was designed for and you can't go wrong. Also remember that surplus ammo is normally made with corrosive priming and will eat your chamber and bore if you don't give it a major cleaning after use. Starting off with hot water and vinegar has always worked well for me, then a good solvent and oil.

 

[jr45]

My experience with both heavy and light ball out of my M44 is this: The heavy ball (180gr surplus) will shoot about 8-10" high at 100yrds. The light ball (147gr surplus) will shoot about 4-6" high at 100yds and I will tend to get slightly better groups when using the lighter ammo. The recoil between the two types out of my M44 seems very small...can't really tell the difference.

 

[doubs43]

I've just fired some Czech 147 grain light ball and some 182 grain Yugo heavy ball through an 1891/30 Finn rebarreled rifle. Firing from a bench, the light ball was the more accurate and I could definitely feel the difference in recoil.

Your M44 is likely to have the same rifling twist rate as the 91/30 so IMO the light ball will be more accurate.

 

[jpwilly]

Make a small investment and pick up some various ammo to test with. Your rifle may prefer one over the other (or maybe not at all). If you're just blasting away get whatever you can afford. IMO the best ammo is the brass case ammo (Bulgarian) because it extracts so well!

 

[WardenWolf]

There's a term I use: 180 Grain Pain. Enough said.

 

[tju1973]

I am no ammo snob, but all I shoot is new production- Silver and Brown Bear, S&B, Wolf---

I still clean well after firing, but I don't have to worry about pitting...

 

[lionking]

I have a Russian M38 that shoots minute of beachball with any ammo.I have a 91/59 in transit I just bought.I have a Polish M44 still untested.I have a Hungarian M44 pictured below that I did test fire with PP 150gr and Brown Bear 185gr.It shoots high with 150gr,closer to elevation of the bulls with 185gr though the PP ammo seems to group tighter.

I have some PP 182gr and S&B heavy FMJ that I plan on trying in the Hungarian and the others also to see what shoots the best and closet to the bulls.But so far in the one M44 heavy grain ammo shoots best point of aim.