Topic: 7.62X54??

[MarkinIdaho]

I'm considering getting a Mosin Nagent, 7.62x54 as a backup hunting rifle.  They seem to be pretty inexpensive.  What experience do folks have with this caliber and how easy/hard is it to find factory ammo at a decent price??

Thanks.

[SNAFU]

Don't have one (one might follow me home next time big 5 has them on sale though) but the Ammo availability is prity good, localy though i've only seen 7.62x54R at Cabelas and Impact.

Other places might have it but I havn't seen it or asked if they have it.

[Gartenmeister]

I have had many, many MNs in 7.62x54r.   Surplus (practice, plinking) ammo is very cheap....although not as cheap as it used to be.  A few years ago it was not uncommon to find various flavors for .06 to .08 per round.  It now seems that it is running .20-.25 per round from the usual suppliers- AIM, Classic Arms, JG Sales, etc.  I guess this is still pretty cheap, relatively speaking.  I shot some Russian a couple weeks ago that I was very impressed with.  1.5" groups (100yds) out of a Finnish target rifle.

For hunting, soft point ammo is readily available from the Russians, S&B, maybe others.  The cost is about the same for other calibers.  You can also get Norma brass and roll your own.   I find with good ammo most Mosins are capable of quite acceptable accuracy.

Anyway, aside from the ammo there are some other things to think about.  First, the sights suck.  This is not a big deal for blasting but if you are going to be hunting you might want to think twice.  I believe scout style scope mounts are available.   Second, these things are HEAVY, even the carbines.  And BTW, the carbines shoot best with the bayonet extended (I am not kidding).  So....again, not super conducive to hunting.

I would recommend getting a MN to just about anyone- as a cheap rifle with some history.  Hunting with it....that is a different matter.   But for the whole $89 that it cost, try it out and see what you think.   

[MarkinIdaho]

Thanks for the replies.

As for heavy... I've been packing around a Winchester Model 1917 enfield for years... nuf said. 

Tell me about the sights.  What's wrong with them?

[Gartenmeister]

Tell me about the sights.  What's wrong with them?

They are typical WWII vintage military sights- coarse adjustment, generally graduated for longer ranges, hard to see if your eyes are not the best and/or in low light.  Not really that much different than any other old military sight, but I guess I don't see this setup as being ideal for hunting.  I suppose it depends on what you are trying to hit and at what range.

[Shortmag]

we've got two 91/30s that are great shooters.  we mainly use them for just plinking fun, but with some good ammo and at the right distance, i wouldn't hesitate to use it as a hunting rifle.  the sights are standard notch and post but very usable within their limits.

plus, they are a piece of history, you've gotta get one.

SM

[MarkinIdaho]

right distance??  I dont think i've ever had a shot more than 150 yards. Most have probably been closer to 100

[ballardw]

Thanks for the replies.

As for heavy... I've been packing around a Winchester Model 1917 enfield for years... nuf said. 

Tell me about the sights.  What's wrong with them?

Tanget sights like many military guns. With the rear sight forward of the action you lose some of the potential advantage of a longer sight radius. Plus the notch rear isn't very precise to begin with (compared with a peep at the back of the action like 1903A3, M1, M14, M16).

Some of the older rifles have the sights marked in a unit called 'Arshins'.

[MarkinIdaho]

Tanget sights like many military guns. With the rear sight forward of the action you lose some of the potential advantage of a longer sight radius. Plus the notch rear isn't very precise to begin with (compared with a peep at the back of the action like 1903A3, M1, M14, M16).

Some of the older rifles have the sights marked in a unit called 'Arshins'.

So, with these sights, if I do my part, can I hit the vital area at 100-125 yards on a mule deer or elk, or am I out of luck?

[TylerC]

easily