Most accurate small arm of WW2?

[Dr.Rob]

I think the Brits used a No. 4 Mark 1 (T) that was an accurized and purpose built sniper rifle with a telscopic sight, special stock etc. Supposedly it was a very accurate rifle.

Fact is ALL 'snipers' of WW2 used optics and other equipment that by todays standards were primitive.

The most accurate I've handled? I think my 98k outshoots my 1903a3, and it's in far better shape than the 98k.

 

[22-rimfire]

I'll venture a guess that the Mausers are probably the more accurate of the small arms used in WWII. Sniper rifles were a more hand picked item as I understand it.

 

[Luomu]

Considering the use of swedish m96 in combat:

-Swedish brigade size volunteer unit took part in our Winter War for a few weeks. They were mainly armed with m96.
-In what we here call "Continuation War", that is 1941-44, FDF had circa 77000 m96 rifles in stock. Though these were mainly issued to rear echelon troops due to different ammunition, some notable actions were fought with these rifles too.

 

[WardenWolf]

I believe the longest recorded kill in WW2 was with an M91/30 sniper rifle. The Mosin Nagant M91/30 probably had the greatest potential to be accurate, given its longer barrel, and this mostly compensated for the Russian tolerances. From an accuracy standpoint, the average M91/30 was on par with the average Mauser K98. At the extreme end of accuracy, the M91/30 seems to be the best.

 

[CSballer89]

My 1903 and my M44 both put up about a 3" at roughly 100 yds on any given day.

 

[AK103K]

About 70,000 with one shot.

 

[lefteyedom]

The quad 50 BMG seemed do ok......

 

[Runningman]

LOL Ammunition from WWII error was horribly inaccurate stuff compared to what we shoot these days. The WWII ammo I shot in the 70s was doing good to get 4 MOA, with 5 MOA not unusual.

 

[WardenWolf]

Keep in mind that wartime ammo often eliminated sealants intended for longterm weatherproofing of the cartridge because ammunition was being used almost as quickly as it could be produced. These cartridges were 30 years old at that time, and had likely decayed significantly resulting in reduced consistency. It is also known that many World War 2-era primers definitely did age worse, as well, so that's another potential source of inconsistency.

 

[CornCod]

Well, as far as WW2 era weapons are concerned I own a Carcano, a Mosin-Nagant, a Lee-Enfield and an 8mm Mauser. I think my Mauser is the most accurate.

 

[Pack]

Since we're only limited to "small arms", and not necessarily individual weapons...

Just by reason of the way they were built, and in particular the care put into the specialized nature of the ammunition, I'd have to think the answer would be one of the anti-tank rifles that were still in front-line service with the infantry of Germany, the USSR, and others at the outset of the war.

Below is a German Panzerbusche 39

 

[Antihero]

The mosin as long as its snowing and there are Nazi's within 100yds

I can vouch for the 1st on as my mosin becomes scarily accurate when it snows. Maybe its reminded of home. The 2nd i cant say one way or another as i havent been able to get a nazi to verify, does anoneknow where i can get one?

 

[HorseSoldier]

LOL Ammunition from WWII error was horribly inaccurate stuff compared to what we shoot these days. The WWII ammo I shot in the 70s was doing good to get 4 MOA, with 5 MOA not unusual.

That's the same sort of accuracy we were seeing a couple years ago with WW2 vintage .50 cal API issued for training with Barretts since Raufoss ammo is considered dud producing by the military. Kind of cool stuff to see all the same -- Des Moines Ammo Plant, if I remember right, from '43, though on a lot of the rounds they didn't even bother with a date on the head stamp.

 

[Glock Glockler]

Pack,

What kind of ammo did that thing shoot?

thanks

 

[Lloyd Smale]

probably the 6.5 swede or the springfield.

 

[Bishop.357]

IMHO, the German K98 Mauser comes in first place,I own 2 of them,one I restored to its classic specs' the other I customized and scoped. I have no problems shooting 3"-4" groupings at 400yrds or more.

 

[stevekl]

The funny thing I don't even remember posting this thread.