An Ersatz Mosin-Nagant "Sniper" Rifle

[doubs43]

Ten years or so back, I bought an 91/30 Mosin-Nagant rifle that had been updated by the Finns with a 1944 Tikka barrel. The bore looks to be new. A friend bent and extended the bolt and I mounted an original wartime PU scope on it using a correct side mount. The scope serial number begins with "43" so it appears to date from 1943. I only fired it a few times using 182 grain yellow tip Yugo cartridges and it's been sitting for a number of years unused.

Today I took it out with 147 grain Czech light ball cartridges. After getting it on paper at 100 meters, I then shot two targets at 150 meters.

Target one from a cold barrel: The first 3 shots went into 1.446" and the next two opened the group to 3.240".

Target two from a cold barrel: The first shot went high and the next 4 went into 1.226". Including the first shot, the group was 3.336".

Considering that the wind was gusty and pretty strong, I'm more than satisfied with the two groups. I can see how this would be an effective sniper rifle to at least 500 meters and maybe more.

 

[MissouriCrowinMass]

Truthly, I'm a rookie with Mosins. Under 6 months. My 91/30 is a bit tired and shoots pretty big groups. But my M39 is just a great shooter...I love it. I agree these could be made into extremely accurate rifles.

 

[06]

I like old 91s/44s/38s. The only thing I don't like about them is the excessive powder that burns outside the barrel-especially in the carbine lengths. Google up Simo Hayha (the white death) who used a 91 against the Nazis in Warsaw. The movie: "Enemy at the gate" is about him. IMO, most any rifle will hold a 4" group at 100 yds and that is what most people shoot at or under. When you can shoot that same group(or smaller) at 500+ yds then you and your shooter have to be right. If you can accurately fire at that range on a moving target then you have a great advantage over even trained troops. wc

 

[alemonkey]

Simo Hayha was a Finn, not a Warsaw Pole. He fought against the Russians, not the Nazis.

Enemy at the Gates was about Vasily Zaitsev, a Russian sniper who fought against the Nazis at Stalingrad.

Two of the world's greatest snipers, both using Mosin-Nagants, but in two different wars and on two different sides.

 

[JWarren]

Google up Simo Hayha (the white death) who used a 91 against the Nazis in Warsaw.

Simo Hayha didn't use a "91." He used primarily a M28/30. However--

Many remember Simo Häyhä only as using the Mosin Nagant M28 or M28/30 rifle with open sights and only credit his high kill total to his role as a sniper; however, this is not entirely correct as Häyhä was also an expert with the Suomi K31 SMG and a large number of the Soviets that he felled were from his K31. Above are examples of the tools of Simo Häyhä in his hunts in Kollaa.

Source:

http://www.mosinnagant.net/finland/simohayha.asp


It should also be noted clearly that Simo Haya fought AGAINST the Soviets, not for them.



-- John

 

[Dark Skies]

06 - I think you're referring to Vasily Grigorevich Zaytsev and his 225 odd kills in Leningrad.

 

[06]

LOL, I stand greatly corrected gents. Thanks for the true scoop and clarification on their arms. Getting up a group buy for 91s if anyone is interested just let me know. Will be getting prices next week on case lots. Am looking to add at least a couple more to the stash and some of that light ball ammo in "sardine" cans to store with them. wc

 

[krs]

"I think you're referring to Vasily Grigorevich Zaytsev and his 225 odd kills in Leningrad"

Did he ever kill anyone who wasn't odd?

 

[JWarren]

Did he ever kill anyone who wasn't odd?

Nazis are considered "odd" in most circles.


-- John