Mosin Nagant Bore question

[Okami]

Hey Guys,

I'm looking at possibly buying a Mosin M38 that the bore slugs at .313.
Will i be able to use surplus and commercial ammo and expect good accuracy or will it have to be handloaded.
I'm not up on the handloading thing myself yet and appreciate any advice.

Thanks Much!

 

[wizzegun]

I would expect you to have good accuracy...for a mosin. Remember these were never built to be tack drivers. Most mosins will slug between .310-.314. My repro sniper slugged at .314 and holds 2-3" at 100yds with Czech light ball. Obviously working up a handload will dramatically tighten up your grouping. As longs your getting the M38 for a fair price and its in good condition I would get it. Then try to shoot as many different kinds of surplus you can and see what it likes best.

 

[lencac]

I just checked some different makes of surplus ammo. Chinses bullet = .307 to .314 in. on the same bullet. That's right. it's out of round! Russian = .311 in. Bulgarian = .311 in. I have an M44 with a like new barrel. It checks .312 in. I have an original 91/30 sniper which has been shot I'm sure a bunch but still has a sweet bore that checks .313 in. With surplus ammo neither rifle shoots very consistantly. With handloaded ammo using Sierra .311 dia. 174gr Match kings the M44 will shoot consistantly under 4 inch off the bench at 100 yrds. and the sniper will shoot 1 MOA groups.