Slugged barrel MN 91/30?

[BSA1]

I have a MN 91/30 that I can not get to shoot cast lead bullets accurately so today I slugged the barrel. I started a .375 soft lead round ball at the muzzle. The ball was difficult to get started but after I pushed it in about a 1" it slid down the barrel with little resistance.

This is the first time I slugged a barrel so is the lack of resistance normal after starting the barrel?

Second how do I measure the diameter of the bullet?

 

[tyeo098]

Digital caliper for measurement. Find your local Harbor Freight and make your credit card weep.

Your barrel might have a constriction at the end. Try pushing it the other way and see if it tightens up near the end.

 

[plmitch]

What size cast bullets were you using before you decided to slug the barrel? Most barrels I've seen slug between .308 and .318

 

[35 Whelen]

I have a MN 91/30 that I can not get to shoot cast lead bullets accurately so today I slugged the barrel. I started a .375 soft lead round ball at the muzzle. The ball was difficult to get started but after I pushed it in about a 1" it slid down the barrel with little resistance.

This is the first time I slugged a barrel so is the lack of resistance normal after starting the barrel?

Second how do I measure the diameter of the bullet?

If the barrel is smooth and un-pitted a lack of resistance is normal. Fact is when I used to slug milsurps I'd started an oiled lead ball with a hammer and short brass rod and finish it by tapping or in many cases pushing it the remainder of the way down the barrel with a 1/4" oak dowel.

I'd strongly suggest you measure the slugs with a quality micrometer, not a caliper.

A little background info on your bullets and load might help too. I used to have several Mosin's and shot nothing but cast out of them. My bullet of choice was from a Lyman 314299 mould and was cast of air-cooled wheelweights. I load them normally over 13.0 grs. of Red Dot and a large pistol primers. Out of a good rifle, 2" - 2 1/2" groups were pretty easily obtained.







35W

 

[LAGS]

I shot one of my my Mosins today and it was all over the paper with cast bullets.
I think I had shot it at 100 yards with a 155 gr Lee GC sized to .311 cast with Linotype and 24 gr of 2400
I don't remember it being over 3" at that range.
Today I used a NOE 198 SP GC with 22 gr of IMR 4198 and it barely hit on the size of the target at 50 yards.
I checked for a loose scope, the crown is good and no signs of leading.
I think it just might be too soft of lead for the old worn out rifling.
My barrel slugs at .312 and the barrel is cut down to 18' on a Pistol grip stock and scope .

 

[BSA1]

I have had this rifle way before folks became interested in them. It has a very smooth barrel.

Today I shot several rounds of Hotshot 180 gr. FMJ'S. This was the first time I shot jacketed bullets through it. Alas my targets I printed were not dark enough and were very hard to see in bright sunlight. At 50 yards I had two rounds almost touching with the other round going high opening the group to 1 1/2". The accuracy potential is there. My next trip to the range I am going to use better quality & larger targets. That front post is wide.

In the way of cast bullets I have been using 220 gr. GC sized .311". They are all over everywhere and key holing.

p.s. I shot it with a very tight fitting bayonet on it as I have read they shoot better with it on. There might be some truth to that.