Mosin Nagant - Interesting Issue

[WardenWolf]

My Mosin Nagant has an issue that's exactly reverse of what you normally encounter with these rifles. For the first 1 or 2 shots on a cold gun, the bolt is very stiff when opening on a fired case. After it's warmed up, though, it becomes smooth and easy to cycle. What gives? Only thing I can possibly think of is maybe cosmoline that melts when the rifle has warmed up, but this should happen even on an empty chamber, and this rifle is overall very clean. The rifle is definitely not worn; it's an all-matching 1943 Izhvezsk with a shiny bore, and is very accurate. Completely stock except for the rubber buttpad I installed on it (Mosin-specific buttpad that uses the original screws).

 

[Frozen North]

If it isn't the cosmo crusted in the chamber...

Head space issue???

My gun hates steel cased ammo, hates it with a passion! I will have sticky bolt problems whenever it feels like sticking. What kind of ammo are you using? My gun has no problems with any of the surplus brass cased ammo. Steel, that is a whole other story.

 

[WardenWolf]

It's not puncturing primers, and an all-matching Mosin is highly unlikely to have a headspace issue. Maybe my Mosin just has unusually tight tolerances. I was shooting Wolf polymer-coated steel case. I have some surplus Russian brass cased ammo that I've shot in the past, although I try to avoid putting corrosive ammo through my gun. I don't really know how that performed because, at the time, I was shooting the rifle from a sitting position which, I've since learned, was a big mistake, and a great way to abuse your shoulder. I wasn't shooting it fast. Last weekend, though, I was rattling off shot after shot.

 

[tyeo098]

Try taking the bolt apart and boiling for 10 mins in water.

This should get any cosmo out thats left over.

Def. sounds like a cosmo problem.

 

[Frozen North]

The Wolf ammo you are using is the stuff my gun hates too. It may just be the ammo. I have a theory, not that I have any proof or testing, that the stuff they coat the casings with can stick to the chamber after the round is fired.

I picked up some Silver Bear ammo with nickel plated casings, but I have yet to shoot it. If my idea is correct, these casings should not stick just like the surplus brass stuff.

 

[WardenWolf]

I should probably get a brass brush and work it around in the locking lug area of hte receiver with Breakfree CLP. Breakfree will cut cosmoline nicely. The bolt itself is clean. I've had it apart before, and keep it thoroughly lubed.

Frozen North, I also just picked up some Silver Bear ammo, though I haven't shot it yet. I got some 203-grain soft points for bear defense on an upcoming hunting trip.

 

[Clark]

I have a friend who has been doing his own gun smithing on 91/30s for 45 years, and he says he has never seen any variation in head space.

I have overloaded 91/30s until the bolt is hard to lift, and that is WAY over.

 

[WardenWolf]

I've heard a lot of people say Mosins prefer ~200 grain bullets. Pretty much everyone who does handloading and precision shooting with one says that. I'll have to try it, though I'm horrible with iron sights at ranges over 50 yards.

I go now to pick up my latest acquisition, a Turkish Mauser in 8mm. This will be my first Mauser, and the most powerful rifle of my collection to date.

 

[Jarrettrocksvt]

I have problems with steel cased too, my vid describes problem=> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XtbT3fhaUM