Mosin Question

Wombat Rancher · Oct 18, 2013

This may be a stupid question but would the Mosin make for a decent hunting rifle?

Feel free to mock me, I am still a little new to Mosin's and hunting. :innocent0

Bertfish · Oct 18, 2013

Big, heavy bullet. Ballistically similar to 308. You'd need to buy some nicer soft point ammo instead of the regular surplus ball that most people use but I don't see why it wouldn't work as a hunting rifle. Overkill for deer or most everything else you'd find in these parts

Fishguy · Oct 18, 2013

Would be an excellent choice.

Sent from my C811 4G using Tapatalk 2

amoebicmagician · Oct 18, 2013

I've used a M44 before. The 91/30 is a bit long and unweildy to drag around with you.

That said, I initially despaired of getting the rifle into hunting shape until I found a decent rail attachment that indexes on the rear sight.

I tried the NC star one against my better judgement, and that was as I had expected a piece of crap.

Finally bit the bullet and got one I had to drill and tap the receiver to mount correctly and it turned out great. Works fantastic with pretty much any pistol scope.

I was dubious as to how valuable a 4x pistol scope would be for hunting, until I realized the Mosin Sniper rifle had a fixed 4x power scope.

I've found that with the action screws tightened down TIGHT TIGHT TIIIIIIIIIGHT and using the scope so that I can take the hold over out of the equation, my M44, and mosins in general, are much more accurate than people give them credit for.

With silver tip corrosive ammo I've gotten about 1.8 MOA, with one group that was literally five holes joined together into one ragged .5 inch hole.

It shoots slightly less good with the PPU soft points I use for hunting, averaging about 3-3.5 MOA, which is still good enough for deer.

With heavy ball I get about the same as with the soft points, about 3-3.5 MOA.

dreadpirate · Oct 18, 2013

I would get the carbine M38 or M59. They are not really accurate (I have an M44); so you may have to do some work on it to get an acceptable hunting rifle but they are rugged and pack a punch. And the ammo is cheap.

Wombat Rancher · Oct 18, 2013

Great info/lessons learned. This will be a project for myself and my son (future gunsmith in training) so the time spent will be a valuable teaching tool as well as a practical/functional exercise.

hollyb1 · Oct 18, 2013

There is a dovetail under the rear site mount, it can be hard to get off, I can't remember if its soldered or pinned but my friend said it was a bitch to get off. He polished the action till it is smooth as butter, mounted a rail on the dovetail and put a pistol scope on it and loves it. I heard the 7.62x54R compared to the .30-06 ballistically but I don't know, they were both designed over 100 years ago. you can invest more than you spent buying the rifle on a new improved stocks, or stick with the original and bayonet a deer from your stand.

PGTMG · Oct 18, 2013

It can but if you have something else I would use that instead. I have hunted with Mosin a 91/30 and found the sights and safety leaving much to be desired. I do not remember length being an issue but in the woods shorter is easier. Add your own joke here.

Before you think I am a Comm-Snob my rifle for deer for years was a SKS which was excellent.

BradMacc82 · Oct 18, 2013

Can you hunt deer with a Mosin - Hell yes.

The Russians hunted Germans with the damned things, so it'll do it's job (possibly too well depending on shot placement).

There's plenty of pre-Bubba'd Mosins out there to choose from, so go for it.

DO NOT hack up a intact and semi-correct Mosin though, you'll make yellowsled and many others cry.

tomandjerry00 · Oct 19, 2013

I'm trying to sell my sporterized mosin used for hunting if interested.

PM me.

Sirex · Oct 19, 2013

Do you already have the Mosin? I have read they can be used to hunt, but you'll have to get soft point bullets. So, for about $180 for a 91/30 or $279 for a M44 with not great iron sights, and needing soft points..........or Dicks has the Savage Axxis rifle in various calibers on sale for $299 with a 3-9x40 scope. The Axxis has gotten good reviews for an entry level rifle, and would probably be a better hunting rifle. The Mosins are cool, but I would only hunt with it if it was all I had.

Wombat Rancher · Oct 20, 2013

I want to take a moment to thank everyone for the replies, very helpful. The main purpose of the this thread was to see if using the Mosin to hunt was a viable chose. For me personally it would not be a first choice but I am looking at it as a cheap gun that we (mainly my son) can tear apart, work on and modify for a practical use and if we (mainly my son :innocent0

) screw it up, well it was a cheap learning experience. Again thanks to all who have replied.

Sirex · Oct 20, 2013

Joshua Smith sells some nice fiber optics sights if you decide to use the Mosin and iron sights. I prefer the red fiber optic sight. To preserve the originality of the rifle, you may want to buy a spare bent bolt handle and a ringed bolt knob to help make the "safety" easier to use. Good luck!

Jimbob2.0 · Oct 20, 2013

I could easily hunt with my M44, wouldnt be my first choice just due to to bolt smoothness, trigger and weight but in a jam its accurate enough for the typical 100 yard shot on the irons.

Round is fine as long as you get some softpoints, which can be had easily from PRVI and other sources.

yellowsled · Oct 20, 2013

Pick up a t53. They are a excellent value and will fit your bill

jimbobborg · Oct 21, 2013

PRVI makes a nice 150gr JSP round. As always, sight your rifle in with it if you plan on hunting with it.

stupid · Oct 21, 2013

They are fine for hunting. Just don't hack it up and turn it into some ugly rifle. If you are going to do that, just get a remington 700.

Mosin Question

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