Mosin 91/30 cut down accuracy

[ORHunter79]

I have a 91/30 which I'm thinking about cutting down to 20-22". I've heard, rather read, that if you cut it down and re-crown it, the accuracy increases exponentially. I plan on mounting a scope traditionally or scout mount.

My question is, for those that have cut their 91/30s what kind of accuracy have you experienced?

I think the 7.62x54r is a great cartridge. It could be a very good hunting cartridge.

Thanks.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

I've been thinking of doing the same thing. I would probably choose 22 or 23 inches, though. The M44 and M38 rifles are 20 inchers, and while cool, they have a hell of a lot of recoil and muzzle blast. 23 inches would be a good hunting length. As for a scope mount, I plan on going with a Jmeck, which requires no gunsmithing and is very sturdy.

 

[Tempest 455]

I have a 91/30 which I'm thinking about cutting down to 20-22". I've heard, rather read, that if you cut it down and re-crown it, the accuracy increases exponentially. I plan on mounting a scope traditionally or scout mount.

My question is, for those that have cut their 91/30s what kind of accuracy have you experienced?

I think the 7.62x54r is a great cartridge. It could be a very good hunting cartridge.

Thanks.

I don't think it increases the accuracy exponentially, but I'm certain it helps when using an aftermarket stock. I think a composite of many things (crown, bedding, trigger etc). When I did all of these things, my Mosin became much more accurate.

It's never going to be a target rifle but it's pretty accurate for a rifle made in 1930 and surplus ammo. Mine has a 24" barrel. Here is my father in-law shooting it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MOilSBe414

 

[Clipper]

Mine is in an ATI stock, 22" barrel and peep sights. Hunting ammo (Wolf gold 180 gr) groups 1.5", but then again, my eyes ain't what they used to be...

 

[MilsurpShooter]

the usual accuracy increases I've heard of after cutting and recrowning have come from people who have muzzle damage due to cleaning rods. If your rifling is strong all the way through I don't think you'll see a change.

 

[Tempest 455]

If using an aftermarket stock, you need to shorten from the 91/30 length. The original 91/30 stock supports the barrel almost the entire length, on bottom as well as top.

Using an ATI, Boyds etc. stock, the barrel will tend to whip at the original length. With an unsupported barreel, it's going to be optimal somwhere between 18-24".

 

[carbine85]

In my experience the Mosin isn't as accurate as some guys brag about. I have 3 M44 / M38 rifles and non of them are what I would call target rifles. I'm having some success with reloads and .303 match bullets. The old ammo was pretty rough on on the last 1"-2" of the barrel and I believe the accuracy is picked up by cutting that down. The muzzle flash is notable on the shorter barrels but I don't think the recoil increases.

 

[Avenger]

Do yourself one favor before you do anything on it...go to http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinID.htm and make sure you aren't making irreversible changes to something rare.

 

[Phaethon]

I think some hand-loaded rounds with some better powder and perhaps slightly reduced powder capacity will get rid of that "carbine fireball" effect and recoil the M38's and M44's have. It'd probably be a nice shooting rifle, then.

Otherwise, if you're just going to keep pumping cheap surplus through it, I don't see the efficacy of chopping the barrel to try and improve accuracy.

 

[ORHunter79]

I did check, it's not a "rare" rifle. Though I wish it was.

I did invest in an ATI stock. I plan on bedding it since the front of the stock touches all the way from the lug to the front of the stock.

I know it won't be a .5 MOA gun. But I'd like for it to shoot at least 1" at a 100 yards. I know I could spend less on a modern rifle without mods and have that, but that would take the fun out of it. Plus, I like the action. These things are built like tanks. I contemplated cutting it down to 16.5" but figured it would loose too much velocity. I also thought about not putting glass on it since I love the simplicity of iron sights. Mojo peeps seemed like a good fit. (I still have good eyes).

Not really sure what I want to do yet. Iron sights would make it a great brush gun especially if cut down to 18". But I don't know if I would be limiting the cartridges long range potential with straight irons.

 

[35 Whelen]

You mean something like this:


Accuracy did increase, though I wouldn't say exponentially. I don't recall exactly how well the rifle grouped, buy I know it was under 2" @ 100 yds. with cast bullets. No...really.

The practicality of the rifle did increase though!

35W

 

[ORHunter79]

35 Whelen,

That would be a rifle I would feel comfortable taking on a hunt How did you get the peep sights on there. Are those from an old 30-30?

 

[LoonWulf]

Lol 35w i guess im not the only one to stick an 03 front site on a nagant

Mine shot 1.5-2" with a scout scope and handloads, cut down worst its done is 1.5ish. Thats with a conventional scope and worst 3 shot group from 3 sets of different weights and diameter bullets, same powder charge.