My budget is limited, but I want a rifle for predator hunting. A local gun shop is selling Mosin-Nagant M44s in armory refurbished condition for $129. I can get surplus ammo for practice for about what I would have to pay for .22 mag ammo. Does anyone have any experience with these rifles or opinions on the 7.62 x 54R cartridge itself?
7.62x 54R Mosin-Nagant as a predator rifle?
- Thread starter azmark
- Start date
CV32
New member
I have a Mosin-Nagant M91/30 that I like to take out now and then to bang off a few rounds. The 7.62x54R cartridge has roughly similar ballistics to other .30 cal chamberings like the .308. The milsurp rifles, however, have never been known as "tack drivers". It may suit your purposes for 100-200 yard engagements, but keep in mind that ammunition selection is limited: such as 180 gr soft points, stay away from the FMJ stuff for hunting.
Pretty much a bone head idea for a varmint rifle, unless you are truly desperate for a bolt actioned high powered rifle. The split bridge of the MN receiver will make it more difficult to scope it properly.
You might consider getting a New England Arms single shot. You can get it in a more varmint suitable caliber, it will probably be more accurate and you can put a proper scope on it much easier. The price as used, shouldn't be a whole lot more than what you were quoted for the MN.
You might consider getting a New England Arms single shot. You can get it in a more varmint suitable caliber, it will probably be more accurate and you can put a proper scope on it much easier. The price as used, shouldn't be a whole lot more than what you were quoted for the MN.
You could get the WWII sniper set-up from a place like I.O. Incorporated (formerly Interordnance) for around 340: that's rifle, scope, mount, etc. It overcomes the split bridge problem. Again - this won't make a 600m rifle, but it might make a fine 250m rifle. Check out www.ioinc.us
MPFD
Well-known member
If you want a more accurate Mosin go with the 91/30. Way more accurate then the M44. I just go rid of an M44 that was in prestine condition and it would shoot 4-6 inch groups at 100 yards. Killed my deer with it this year. But not exactly accurate enough for predators. But my buddies 91/30 is much more accurate. If I was gonna try to make a hunting rifle out of a mosin I would buy a 91/30 sporterize the stock (cut the hand guard material off where the second band sits) cut the barrel down to 24 inches and recrown it. I got my mosin recrowned for about 20 bucks at my local smith, that helped alot. And shoot Hungarian ammo (most accurate in my rifle) just take a dikes and cut the tip off, and smooth it out with a file. I've seen the long guns shoot close to MOA with open sites.
I don't know that the M-N is any more boneheaded than using a shotgun. I've read on this site that plenty of people use shotguns. I would expect that even a half-decent rifle would have more useable range than a 12 gauge with shot.
I've read the AZ state rules on hunting, so I know it says that you can't use "full-metal jacketed ammunition designed for military use" for hunting.
I've read the AZ state rules on hunting, so I know it says that you can't use "full-metal jacketed ammunition designed for military use" for hunting.
Totch94
New member
Azmark,
I would use a shotgun or like someone else said, get a handi Rifle in .204 or .223 or .243 before I got a M-N. I think what everyone is trying to say is that most of those surplus rifles will be lucky to shoot MOB (Min. of Barn). Seems that someone gets the idea to hunt with an SKS and typically finds out that they can't hit a 5 gallon bucket at thirty yards with it. The lack of accuracy can be shocking with some of these rifles. I understand the lack of funds, I've been right there before, but there are better choices out there for your money.
I would use a shotgun or like someone else said, get a handi Rifle in .204 or .223 or .243 before I got a M-N. I think what everyone is trying to say is that most of those surplus rifles will be lucky to shoot MOB (Min. of Barn). Seems that someone gets the idea to hunt with an SKS and typically finds out that they can't hit a 5 gallon bucket at thirty yards with it. The lack of accuracy can be shocking with some of these rifles. I understand the lack of funds, I've been right there before, but there are better choices out there for your money.
Quote:
There is nothing bone-headed about using a shotgun, you just have to be able to call em alittle closer.
Yeah, that was kind of my point. I have a 12-gauge, but the trigger doesn't work right and I'm afraid of what it will cost to fix it. Even if I get it fixed and use it, my son is still going to need something. I wouldn't feel right having him use the 10/22.
There is nothing bone-headed about using a shotgun, you just have to be able to call em alittle closer.
Yeah, that was kind of my point. I have a 12-gauge, but the trigger doesn't work right and I'm afraid of what it will cost to fix it. Even if I get it fixed and use it, my son is still going to need something. I wouldn't feel right having him use the 10/22.
I'd just save up and get a 30-30 You can use it for predators and big game. You can sell it if you need to.
You wont have much luck selling that other thing.
Old ammo is generally very corrosive. Those guns were designed for short lives in the worst conditions.
w-mart sells ruger B-action 22wmr or 17wmr for less than $200.00. Again a good investment. If you need the money you can sell it.
Also run a add in the local classifieds for a small bore sport rifle. You might find a treasure for little more than the nagant thing. shopping like hunting requires patients for success and happiness. If you get in too big a hurry you'll spoil it. Its a little too early to go hunting so have fun shopping around. turn some choices down and get something you like.
DEFCON
You wont have much luck selling that other thing.
Old ammo is generally very corrosive. Those guns were designed for short lives in the worst conditions.
w-mart sells ruger B-action 22wmr or 17wmr for less than $200.00. Again a good investment. If you need the money you can sell it.
Also run a add in the local classifieds for a small bore sport rifle. You might find a treasure for little more than the nagant thing. shopping like hunting requires patients for success and happiness. If you get in too big a hurry you'll spoil it. Its a little too early to go hunting so have fun shopping around. turn some choices down and get something you like.
DEFCON
Quote:
w-mart sells ruger B-action 22wmr or 17wmr for less than $200.00. Again a good investment. If you need the money you can sell it.
So, in your opinion a rimfire magnum would be OK for coyotes? I know it's legal here (I checked) but whenever I mention it, I catch a lot of flack. I kinda didn't want to go there on this site to avoid getting flamed.
w-mart sells ruger B-action 22wmr or 17wmr for less than $200.00. Again a good investment. If you need the money you can sell it.
So, in your opinion a rimfire magnum would be OK for coyotes? I know it's legal here (I checked) but whenever I mention it, I catch a lot of flack. I kinda didn't want to go there on this site to avoid getting flamed.
NM Leon
New member
Rimfires work (short range), but are obviously not the best choice where centerfires (or shotguns) are allowed.
Shotguns work very well. Do a search for member name Nahuatl in the predator forum. I don't recall seeing a post where he has ever used anything BUT a shotgun, and he kills more coyotes than 99% of the sports hunters out there.
Shotguns work very well. Do a search for member name Nahuatl in the predator forum. I don't recall seeing a post where he has ever used anything BUT a shotgun, and he kills more coyotes than 99% of the sports hunters out there.
Pickaway Mick
New member
I collect them,some shoot real well.The M91/30 is the longer version and typically shoots tighter groups.I personally dont like "sporterizing" military rifles,as it ruins their value.Here is a Finn capture 91/30
And its target from 50yds off a bench using Lapua brass/123grVmax .310 diameter/44gr Varget/Win LR primer.
The left target is with full length sized handload,the right target all ammo was loaded at the bench using a LeeLoader and mallet,and open sights.Its kinda amusing to see the looks you get when you hammer out your ammo on the bench.
Milsurp ammo....the Russian 60 over 85 headstamp or 60/86 has been the best and functions well and accurate IMO.
Czech silver tip with green lacquer coated case is very accurate but will "freeze" the bolt from the lacquered chamber.This ammo is steel core and will shoot thru a 12 to 16 inch live tree pretty easily so it is NOT for hunting.
Bulgarian ammo is terrible quality and the buyer beware IMO.I use the pull down bullets however for 303Brit,7.62x54R handloads,and 7.7x58 Japanese.
But I would not hesitate to hunt with the above rifle and my ammo,I am just a lousy coyote caller.You might be better off buying a Handi-Rifle,I have shot two (.243,45-70)and liked them real well when used with a LeeLoader as it neck sizes only.Good ammo.
And its target from 50yds off a bench using Lapua brass/123grVmax .310 diameter/44gr Varget/Win LR primer.
The left target is with full length sized handload,the right target all ammo was loaded at the bench using a LeeLoader and mallet,and open sights.Its kinda amusing to see the looks you get when you hammer out your ammo on the bench.
Milsurp ammo....the Russian 60 over 85 headstamp or 60/86 has been the best and functions well and accurate IMO.
Czech silver tip with green lacquer coated case is very accurate but will "freeze" the bolt from the lacquered chamber.This ammo is steel core and will shoot thru a 12 to 16 inch live tree pretty easily so it is NOT for hunting.
Bulgarian ammo is terrible quality and the buyer beware IMO.I use the pull down bullets however for 303Brit,7.62x54R handloads,and 7.7x58 Japanese.
But I would not hesitate to hunt with the above rifle and my ammo,I am just a lousy coyote caller.You might be better off buying a Handi-Rifle,I have shot two (.243,45-70)and liked them real well when used with a LeeLoader as it neck sizes only.Good ammo.