Anyone use a Mosin Nagant M44???

[Titan1080]

So I'm relatively new to hunting, what do guys think of using an old Mosin Nagant M44 7.62x54R? It shoots pretty straight but it could use a scope as I'm not that good with it past about 100 yards, but I'm still hoping to get my license in time for this season. Any advice/stories/experiences would be greatly appreciated!!!

[BKW]

Originally Posted by Titan1080

So I'm relatively new to hunting, what do guys think of using an old Mosin Nagant M44 7.62x54R? It shoots pretty straight but it could use a scope as I'm not that good with it past about 100 yards, but I'm still hoping to get my license in time for this season. Any advice/stories/experiences would be greatly appreciated!!!

These are actually underrated...a good action, but the caliber is lacking, and finding scope mounts might be a problem.

Best inexpensive lever action rifles: Savage 99's; Marlin's)

Best inexpensive bolt action rifles: Savage; Winchester Model 70 (post 1964) Mauser 98's.

[tnbowhunter]

The 7.62X54R or more commonly called, the 7.62 Russian is more than adequate for hunting anything in North America. Although it wouldn't be my first choice for Grizzlies.

It's ballistics are slightly slower with the same bullet weights as a 30-06, and almost identical to the .308 Winchester.

If you can hit with it don't hesitate to take it hunting, it'll do it's job if you do yours.

[BKW]

Originally Posted by tnbowhunter

The 7.62X54R or more commonly called, the 7.62 Russian is more than adequate for hunting anything in North America.

It's ballistics are slightly slower with the same bullet weights as a 30-06, and almost identical to the .308 Winchester.

If you can hit with it don't hesitate to take it hunting, it'll do it's job if you do yours.

Titan1080 stated he was new to hunting, and as such, I wouldn't recommend he use a gun chambered in 7.62 Russian, a cartridge similiar to 30-40 Krag. The Russian ammo isn't easy to find either. I also wouldn't recommend a newbie to go after anything larger than an deer with the Russian cartridge.

The old favorite 30-06 will suffice for most North American game, but for grizzlies, I'd prefer something a bit heavier....405 WCF is my choice.

[tnbowhunter]

Originally Posted by BKW

Best inexpensive bolt action rifles: Savage; Winchester Model 70 (post 1964) Mauser 98's.

If your going to get a "new" Mdl. 70 you better hurry because effective March 31, 2006 the New Haven manufacturing facility stopped manufacturing the Winchester Model 70, Model 94 and Model 1300. I will predict that they will again be made in some other country in the future though.

IMO The Mdl. 70 died in 1964, when they did away with the controled round feed and the cheapo pressed checkering. Although in later years they did improve on it somewhat.

It all depends on what you call "inexpensive" but in my opinion for the money the Remington Mdl. 700 can't be beat. I haven't owned them all but I have owned Savage, Sako. Winchester, Ruger, and Weatherby, some "cost" a lot more than the Remingtons but none "shot" any better. In fact the Remingtons more often than not outperformed the rest of them.

[tnbowhunter]

Originally Posted by BKW

Titan1080 stated he was new to hunting, and as such, I wouldn't recommend he use a gun chambered in 7.62 Russian,

And I would recommend he use what ever he has. As long as he is profficient with it.

[BKW]

Originally Posted by tnbowhunter

If your going to get a "new" Mdl. 70 you better hurry because effective March 31, 2006 the New Haven manufacturing facility stopped manufacturing the Winchester Model 70, Model 94 and Model 1300. I will predict that they will again be made in some other country in the future though.

IMO The Mdl. 70 died in 1964, when they did away with the controled round feed and the cheapo pressed checkering. Although in later years they did improve on it somewhat.

It all depends on what you call "inexpensive" but in my opinion for the money the Remington Mdl. 700 can't be beat. I haven't owned them all but I have owned Savage, Sako. Winchester, Ruger, and Weatherby, some "cost" a lot more than the Remingtons but none "shot" any better. In fact the Remingtons more often than not outperformed the rest of them.

US Repeating Arms New Haven plant and contents to be auctioned 9/23-9/24. Browning is taking over production of some of the USRA firearms.

Winchester is NOT out of business. In 1975, Olin, owner of Winchester since 1931, licensed USRA to make the guns. Poor quality, lagging sales forced Hertsel of Belgium (owner of USRA and Browning) to stop US production.

I've been told Rem 700's are a fine firearm, but except for a Remington Model 8 and a Model 11, I'll stick with Winchesters.

[Titan1080]

Thanks for all the feedback guys!! Yeah the ammo is kinda hard unless I get cheap surplus ammo, which I avoid if I can help it. I've found that Wolf makes pretty rounds. I would like to upgrade to a new rifle but that's been demoted to the long-term list of eventuals... In the meantime, I have occassionally seen some sources of original sniper scopes for the Mosin but I would need to get the angled bolt since the darn thing mounts right above the action. Other than that, the only issue I see is being sneaky enough to get within my range...

[BKW]

Originally Posted by Titan1080

Thanks for all the feedback guys!! Yeah the ammo is kinda hard unless I get cheap surplus ammo, which I avoid if I can help it. I've found that Wolf makes pretty rounds. I would like to upgrade to a new rifle but that's been demoted to the long-term list of eventuals... In the meantime, I have occassionally seen some sources of original sniper scopes for the Mosin but I would need to get the angled bolt since the darn thing mounts right above the action. Other than that, the only issue I see is being sneaky enough to get within my range...

If you have Big 5 Sporting Goods stores in your area, you might check with them for surplus rifles/ammo.

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by Titan1080

Other than that, the only issue I see is being sneaky enough to get within my range...

Yeah, it depends on what & where you are hunting. I could kill deer in my front yard with a baseball bat. I have been antelope hunting where most shots were 300 to 400 yards.

[RB's Titan]

Originally Posted by tnbowhunter

It all depends on what you call "inexpensive" but in my opinion for the money the Remington Mdl. 700 can't be beat. I haven't owned them all but I have owned Savage, Sako. Winchester, Ruger, and Weatherby, some "cost" a lot more than the Remingtons but none "shot" any better. In fact the Remingtons more often than not outperformed the rest of them.

This is what I own and I have hunted many years and no problems with either the 270 or 243. Can be heavy if hiking around but heck I drive/ride to most places here in Texas. Easy to clean and durable and more than accurate for what I do with it. I would definately get a 3x9+power variable scope.

[Titan1080]

Originally Posted by BKW

If you have Big 5 Sporting Goods stores in your area, you might check with them for surplus rifles/ammo.

Big 5 is always selling mosins but they actually rarely carry ammo for them. Most gun shops have surplus ammo but it's usually low quality east-bloc stuff. Some surplus cartridges expand too much and get jammed in the firing chamber, takes a cleaning rod and a hammer to clear them.

[tcm]

The 7.62 is a fine deer cartridge, you will want to get some softpoint ammo for it though.

[coyote268]

You can get 170 grain Winchester 7.62X54R at most Big 5 sporting goods stores. If they don't have it they can order it from their wharehouse. I am a hunting and fishing consultant for a couple of their stores.
Dan