Mossberg 151K, New Shooter

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!

 

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)

 

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.

 

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:

 

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.