[T.Mihm]

Hello all,

I have a Mossberg 151K that's been around the farm for quite a while. It was never cleaned or oiled, and has who knows how many rounds through it. It's a .22LR obviously. It is semi-automatic and the way it loads is weird. All of the rounds are stacked in-line, nose to tail, through the buttstock and up to near the chamber. A hollow rod with a spring is then inserted; the pipe portion goes around the cartridges, and the spring keeps them moving towards the chamber. I am in need of a gun that can dispatch squirrels, raccoons, and starlings out to 200 feet or so, and do it with consistency and accuracy. Is this too much to ask from such an old gun? What should I do to bring it up to this level of use? I know it needs to be cleaned. One would think that the unusual loading system would hurt the lead bullets, but it doesn't seem to. The last time I shot it, I was getting 2-3" groupings at around 60 to 70 feet (was quite a while ago, and I was NOT impressed. I am able to shoot better groupings with my airsoft gun, and that shoots pieces of plastic. The gun has sat since.). What ammo do you suggest? The only thing we've put through it are the Remington Thunderbolts.

As a side note, would there be a lot of work to convert this gun to shoot .22 Mags? I'm not knowledgeable in this field of information, would that be worth the effort or just a hairball of an idea?

-Travis

 

[cpttango30]

From many guns it would be to much to ask. But them old mossbergs are all deadly accurate and ultral reliable to a fault.

 

[c3shooter]

First, scrap the 22 mag conversion idea. 22 WMR and 22 LR not only have different cartridge size, but different bullet diameter- would need to replace barrel- and different operating pressures- action would not handle- and these only made in 1950-51. Link for some good info and pics on Mossberg 22s: Mossberg 22 LR Models and Specifications

These had one shortcoming- many of them have stocks that are broken at the wrist. Other than that, pretty darned accurate 22, in the hunting rifle category.

Would strip it down, carefully and thoroughly clean the bore with a good bronze brush and solvent. If you are unsure of re-assembly of action, there are instructions available, or use Gunscrubber spay for action.

Try a box of Federal Champion Target ammo- standard velocity if you can find it (Dick's porting Goods), high velocity if you can't (WalMart). I have about a dozen Mossys, them seem to like it.

OR- put it up for sale, make a Mossberg collector happy (these are eligible for Curio & Relic status) take money, buy a new rifle.

PS- the feed system catches the rim of the next round to load, holds it, and when action operates, FLICKS the round into the chamber. Actually, pretty neat!

 

[cpttango30]

DOn't clean a 22lr with a bronze brush this is bad for them. patches and solvent is all you need.

 

[T.Mihm]

So which is it, bronze cleaning brush or patch and solvent?

And a big THANKS to all contributors. I'll pull her out today and see exactly how dirty it is. The gun is actually in great shape, I examined the stock for any signs of cracking before I put it away, I can't recall any. I do love the feel of the gun. We'll see what kind of groups she'll throw with those Federals and a good cleaning. Thanks again!

-Travis

 

[cpttango30]

MY rimfires get cleaned once or twice a year or when the accuracy starts to suffer to the point of shotgun patterns before they get cleaned. Then it is a patch and solvent and accuracy comes back rather fast. 90% of your fouling in a rimfire is lube and carbon. There is not much to cleaning rimfires.

If you want to sell contact me first.

+1 on the Federal target my dad and a bunch of other mossberg guys I know all love the Federal 711B ammo. These old mossys don't like high speed ammo.

 

[T.Mihm]

Haha. Contact you first, I will have to remember that. If anyone cares to answer, how much would the gun be worth? I have no interest in selling it unless it brings me over about, oh, maybe $12 billion. The guns I have access to have been passed down from my great-grandfather all the way to me, and if I have any say about it they will stay in the hands of family. But I'd still love to see what price it oculd bring.

Federal Champion Target is on the way as we speak, along with a cleaning kit. Might actually get to test it out of there's light left at the end of the day.

Thanks for the help!

-Travis

 

[c3shooter]

Most of these go for $150-$200 at auction- one over on gunbroker recently sold for 330- but was mint, with a Mossberg scope. Condition is everything.

If solvent and patch work for you, then stick to that. Sometimes a bore of an older rifle can be pretty well leaded (saw one we thought was a smoothbore until we cleaned it) and you pretty much HAVE to use a brush. Of course, a nylon brush would sort of be the middle ground.

And cpttango is a cheap chollie- I make you much better offer!

Just kidding- (and I DID get a 144LS for $50 from a guy that decided it was just a Mossberg 22- nothin' special)

 

[cpttango30]

Most of these go for $150-$200 at auction- one over on gunbroker recently sold for 330- but was mint, with a Mossberg scope. Condition is everything.

If solvent and patch work for you, then stick to that. Sometimes a bore of an older rifle can be pretty well leaded (saw one we thought was a smoothbore until we cleaned it) and you pretty much HAVE to use a brush. Of course, a nylon brush would sort of be the middle ground.

And cpttango is a cheap chollie- I make you much better offer!

Just kidding- (and I DID get a 144LS for $50 from a guy that decided it was just a Mossberg 22- nothin' special)

It is JERKS like you that piss me off. I can never find deals like that or when I do I don't have the money to part with for it.

Just recently there was a nice shotgun for sell it was set up for .673" turkey shoots it has a 36" barrel that was .673" bore dia all the way it was groved and even had a decent Nikon Buckmaster scope on it and was painted nice to boot. The guy wanted $350 he took $300 and the effing guy that bought it turned around and won $700 with it that night. GMotherEffingDit DIRTY SOB i yelled at myself all the way home that night.

 

[big shrek]

cpttango30 - I'm not sure if I should be frightened that I recognize your avatar...or ashamed that I saw the movie a couple of time...LOL
Aaaaaaaaarnoooooollllldddddddd!!! Gotta luv the Governator!!

I use a Bore Snake for my '22's with some Break Free CLP. It's especially good for Marlin's with the micro-grooves, cleans 'em out NICE

If the OP hasn't checked all the screws & made sure they were tight, that'd be the first thing I did. Then check the barrel & make sure it was on tight. Make sure there is no movement between the action/stock at all.

Bear in mind that in old times, if you were hitting an 8-inch pie plate at 100 yds, that was mighty accurate shootin!! They really didn't manufacture to the tolerances we do today.

 

[c3shooter]

Morning, CPTTANGO ! Yeah, know what you mean- usually I am the kid looking at the sign that says "Winchesters- 2 for a Quarter" but only have a dime in my pocket.

In the case of the Mossberg, I feel no guilt. First, it was a dealer (who should have known better, not some poor widder lady) Second, he was a snob, who was telling me how Mossberg was an inferior product compared to the new 22 autos he had in stock. And how that one had been sitting in the back for a LOOONG time.

Told him I could always use a truck gun, only had $50 on me, but could do FFL to FFL and save him some paperwork. Gave him copy of my 03 FFL, $50, thanked him. Got in the Jeep and RAN.

 

[T.Mihm]

Yeah, know what you mean- usually I am the kid looking at the sign that says "Winchesters- 2 for a Quarter" but only have a dime in my pocket.

That's EXACTLY the position I'm always in. We'll see how the groupings of this old Mossie are soon as I get back from school. Maybe dispatch a few of those Starlings we all love and adore...

-Travis

 

[cpttango30]

My dad can find some crazy deals. Then he spends $10 working the metal and wood over and ends up having one of the nicest mossbergs you could have ever seen.

 

[T.Mihm]

The old Mossie does much better with a good cleaning and Federal's, I'll tell you that. Due to time constraints I could only move it back to about 75-80 yards, but I was getting quarter-sized groups at 40 yards. And this was with a crappy rest, sore arms, and a little daisy air rifle scope. Didn't jam once, no dud shells, and I was very impressed. Had I a decent scope and rest, I'm sure the groupings wouldn't have exceeded 2" at 80 yards. What a beautiful gun, too. After some oil and half an hour, she glistens like new. What kind of wood is the stock?

.22s are a blast to shoot, too. The old muzzleloader, not so much. And cheap. Can't beat shooting 40 rounds and only spending $2. That was the cost of ONE shot for the blackpowder.

-Travis

 

[T.Mihm]

Did another shoot today. After a few warmup shots, I could hit quarters at 50 yards. Finding them was another story though. I went through a pocketful of quarters and couldn't find any of them after I took my shot.

Thanks for all the help, this gun sure has turned around.

-Travis

 

[c3shooter]

Glad that worked for ya. Accuracy of the Mossbergs can be very good with the right ammo, and a little luck.

This is a 7 round, 50 meter group from a 1943 vintage Mossberg:

 

[cpttango30]

don't see no stock 10/22 turning in accuracy like that do you? NO.

But we will let the Ruger fanboys think they are all that and a box of 711B too.

 

[T.Mihm]

c3shooter, What ammo were you using in that? I've been told to try some CCI Stingers, ever used those? Where do you guys buy bulk ammo?

-Travis

 

[skullcrusher]

My father has an old Mossberg .22lr he has had since he was 9. He loves it and tells stories of going to the small town dump and plinking rats. Try to do it now days. Anyhoo, I'm not sure of the model, but it has a fold down fore end and a 7 shot mag. If you can't hold steady with that...

I do need to get the red dot sighted for him. I'll do that this spring.

 

[c3shooter]

T- That ammo was Dynamit-Nobel R-50 Match ammo. That rifle really likes the R-50, and the Lapua Match. HOWEVER- the price of that match ammo.... well, shortest verse in Bible is "Jesus wept." a 50 round box is about $18.00.

The Stinger is a hyper-velocity round. The MOST accurate is rarely the fastest. Some of the best match ammo is actually subsonic- has to do with bullet breaking sound barrier, and then dropping back below sound barrier, causing a "wobble" to bullet (or so I am told)

I have tried several of the Match grade rounds, including Tenex, Green Tag, Fiocchi, Wolf, etc etc. The ammo I mentioned to you, Federal Champion Target Standard Velocity is not sold as match ammo, but it is pretty close. Dick's usually carries that for about $20/500 rounds.

Old saying- Extreme Accuracy is Extremely Expensive. How accurate do you wanna be? To get REALLY tight accuracy, you will need a different rifle. Your 151 is a light sporter. Trust me- you would not want to carry a benchrest rifle for a day's hunting!

BTW, while I enjoy shooting, some of the folks I shoot with do 5 shot groups that look like one hole. One SMALL hole. One EXPENSIVE, time consuming small hole. However, they ARE high on my "Never PO this guy" list.