Bullet Size In Mosin M91/30

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Aaron posted this 3 weeks ago

Casting bullets for my 1944 M44 Mosin Nagant has been a real treat. With a groove diameter of .312, I size the bullets accordingly to .313". Accuracy is wonderful and it is a real treat to shoot. A few days ago I wandered into a Gun shop near Mount Airy NC and up in the rack was a beautiful Mosin Nagant Model 91/30 Dragoon made in 1925, with all but the floor-plate having the same serial number. Bore was exceptional for a rifle 101 years old and probably saw service in WWII. The price was workable as the rifle came out of an estate. Of course I purchased that gun. It was calling out to me!

Shooting cast bullet fodder is absolutely fine but I would like to ask the membership what your opinion is regarding jacketed bullets. With a bore diameter near .303" and a groove diameter of .313", I was wondering if using .312" jacketed bullets is OK. Most sources call for .311" bullets but they would seem a tad undersized to me in this barrel. They may obturate OK but I don't have any experience with this large a difference in a rifle. Some sources say it's OK to shoot .308" bullets and that may be OK in a post war production rifle with a smaller bore and/or less wear. As for me, I think shooting the .312" in a barrel with a groove diameter of .313" is fine.

Any commentary based on experience would be useful. Thanks!!

Groove Diameter

Bore Diameter

With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.

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beemer posted this 3 weeks ago

The .312 will work fine, at least it did for me. I have slugged .30 caliber rifles that were .309 and they shot fine, still a .001 difference. Some of the military Russian ammo measures .310. I have shot .308 in a 91/30 and it shot same as .312. Don't think I would give it a steady diet of .308 but it will work. They are good rifles if you want to play with paper patch also.

I have played with 5-6 Mosin rifles but no longer have any, did some downsizing. Still have my Brits and shoot .312 in them. As most know the bores in the Enfields are all over the place.

If you don't mind what is the name of the gun shop, we go through there occasionally. I live down in Alexander Co.

Mosins are interesting rifles and the round is a really good with cast. Hope that one works out for you.

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Aaron posted this 3 weeks ago

Bought it at Pro Shots down the road a way in Rural Hall. The shop in Mt. Airy (Pilot Mountain Guns & Ammo) is pretty nice too. Great selection of new and used. I always stop at both whenever I visit Andy and Goober.

With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.

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Larry Gibson posted this 3 weeks ago

For jacketed bullets in MNs I've always found the Hornaddy 150 SP .312s to give excellent performance.

LMG

Concealment is not cover.........

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Aaron posted this 3 weeks ago

Thanks Beemer and Larry!

With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.

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Ed Harris posted this 3 weeks ago

My experience parallels Larry's. I have also had fine results for hunting with the Hornady .312" 174-grain RNSP in both the 7.62x54R and the .303 British with 42 grains of 4064, RL15 or Varget.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Aaron posted this 3 weeks ago

Thanks Ed. Ended up pushing them with 42gr of 3031. Boy I’d love to get a 303 in the barn! I’ll just fuss with the Soviet guns for now.

With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.

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tomme boy posted this 3 weeks ago

I don't know if Hornady still makes it or not but every MN I have tried them in they are one of the better longer range bullets. It is the 174gr FMJBT bullet. The 175gr Sierra HPBT MK were my most favorite bullet.

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Aaron posted this 3 weeks ago

It may interest anyone shooting cast bullets in these MN rifles that mine eat the Lee C312-185-1R bullets very well. I have also tried the Hunter Supply 30 Caliber (.311") Slick Coat HP bullets as well. Pushed them to 2000fps with no issues. I usually shoot cast bullets in the two rifles but wanted to make up some war shot with jacket bullets. Will get them produced in the days ahead with the Hornady 150gr SP bullets mentioned above. I'll use the newer M91 in the postal match since it has a longer sight radius.

What a treat to shoot a rifle made in 1925. My dad was born in 1925. He would have been pleased to see this rifle were he still with us.

With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.

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