[BigB]

7.62x54mmR, all I know!

[davemccarthy707]

I have killed a few moose with this round. In a 180 gr loading, it hits like the hammer of Thor.

[Pasquanel]

How difficult would it be to mount an optical sight on one?

[-06]

Picking up my 7th or 8th this week from a bud.

[thdrduck]

There are several different options for mounting a scope. One mounts on the rear sight and the other requires drilling and tapping of the receiver and some bolt mods. I did the second and added a Timney trigger (which cost more then the gun) and now have a nice shooting, accurate, very long and heavy Mosin but only have a total of about $200 in to it. Off a bench with Winchester 180 gr SP I have gotten 2 out of 3 holes to touch at 100 yards. IMO if you order one you are rolling the dice because many of these were abused but many were not even issued. I would go to a place where you can choose between several and don't be afraid to take your time. I have seen them both ways. Know a kid that picked one up, spent the money on a glass stock and scope mount before he ever shot it. His is a nice looking piece of junk. 12 inch groups at 100 yards. Oh, the safety sucks if you are going to use it for hunting. That's the main reason I spent the money and time on a new trigger. The Timney has a safety on it.

[primer1]

Pay attention to the bore and crown when inspecting them. Many are worn at the crown, and have been backbored. The older hex receivers cost a little more, but have a better reputation for accuracy.

Surplus corrosive ammo is available for cheap- 80-90$ per 440 round spam can. Several commercial brands are currently made, too, but at commercial prices.

[chloeshooter]

Heck, if you corner the market, you can set the price lol

[-06]

Picked up another box of Sel/Bel reloadable brass hunting rounds last week. Now have about 200 boxer primed cases to play with. There is a video on converting Berdans to Boxers. You leave the primer in place and drill out the center. Supposed to work fine--will find out soon.

[therewolf]

Originally Posted by Wiebelhaus

Holy cow man!, I've been kicking around the idea of getting one, talking with my wife about it she even said "that's cool! why don't you order one" I should probably jump on that but I'm still uncertain about it, think I'd rather wait till I can pick one in person.

Definitely pick one out in person.

You gain a major advantage in rifle quality.

I was lucky, in getting a mint M44 as my first. But it

set the tone for my other Mosin acquisitions, and now

I have a nice quality selection of good condition M/Ns,

all with matching serial #s.

Much of what you see in the difference between

the "internet cost" and a LGS, on a M/N is shipping

and FFL fees, which are hidden, in the "only 89.95$!"

till you are ready to actually send it to your FFL.

[therewolf]

Originally Posted by Pasquanel

Ok guys I know I'm leaving myself open for a public flogging here but the Mosin is a chapter I seem to have missed in my shooting career.
I have seen these things around for many years now, sometimes at ridiculously low prices and my first thought was "now thats a seriously ugly rifle"! I hear they are good shooters but so are many others so my question is what is the fascination with these ugly guns and why should I add one to my collection? This is an honest inquiry so please go easy as I'm old and sensitive.

Simplest answer:

They are just fun to shoot.

Maybe it's lower expectations.

Maybe it's the robust, simple, easy design.

Maybe it's the fireball, and blast of the cheap ammo.

I don't know.

I do know I got my first, thinking, ehhh, I'll fire half a dozen

rounds through her, and throw it in the safe. I wound up shooting

80+ rounds through her that day, got a black and blue shoulder,

and it's still my favorite rifle...