Any Tips for Shooting my Mosin better/ more accurately?

M

Mosin-Marauder

New member
I am becoming more and more versed with the workings of my rifle now. I can disassemble the bolt, clean it, disassemble it, etc. I like to think that, for someone as new to shooting as me, I'm doing pretty well on the shooting side. I would like to make be as accurate as possible though.

I shot this group at 50 yds after shimming the action and bedding the barrel. I used two different types of ammo and hit paper 9/10 times. Like I said I like to think it's good but I know it's on the bad side. I had a bit of a flinch at first (a bit is an understatement) but I seem to have worked on that. Anyway, If anyone has any tips for improvement, I would genuinely appreciate it.
 
You already know my advice on working on your form get rid of that bad habit of flinching and closing your eyes..other than that practice practice practice the more you get out and shoot the better you will get you will become adjusted to the sights and learn the poi better and above all else you will have some fun..if you shoot once to twice a week with that rifle for the next 6 months I garuntee you will see a huge improvement in accuracy and your ability to shoulder that rifle..
 
I think what in gonna do is fire about 20 rounds every week or every 2 weeks. Surplus, of course, I couldn't waste the rest of my good tula ammo every week. I think I'm gonna do that. Post my results for the week a new thread and show my progress. That'd be cool.
 
Load a empty case into the rifle for the firing pin to strike or get some snap caps.

You can practice your sight picture, breathing, and trigger pull by aiming at a target and dry firing. Pay attention to your sights on the target and you will be able to see if you are dead on or off to one side when the trigger breaks.
 
I don't know if 20 rounds every two weeks is going to make much of a difference. Sure it will help but i'm thinking more rounds are needed. And you should probably have someone watch you to see if you have any bad habits or poor form going on.

I might also borrow a lead sled from someone and make sure the problem isn't the rifle, ammo or other things.

I'm kind of curious if you're pulling to the right or if your sights need to be adjusted. Because the 5 group on the right kind of looks like your group and not a fluke.

An example would be I was at the range a few weeks ago with a friend sighting in a new scope. First shot aimed at the bullseye with the same target as you have. I pulled the trigger and my friend says "we're done here" I shot a perfect bullseye. Only problem is I was aiming at the center and took out the top left.

Either way you're doing good for starting out. As soon as I shot larger rifles I gained a flinch and sometimes even closed my eyes somewhat. 20 years later i'm finally getting rid of the flinch by shooting a lot more with my rifles and 12 gauge shotgun.

When hunting life is easier because the thrill of the hunt takes bad traits away and gives others.
 
It wouldn't hurt to get your sights correctly zeroed, as soon after you achieve the ability to put five rounds close to each other consistently.

Correct zero is not particularly important for accuracy testing, or even for early practice as such, as long as you can put holes consistently somewhere on the paper.

But, it is important once you start shooting longer distances & try to actually make holes go where you want them to.

If you can't get your elevation within a couple inches above point of aim with the existing front sight, buy one of the adjustable Smith fronts if you have the money.

Get the basics of sight picture, breathing, and trigger pull down reasonably well, then fine tune your sights.

Once you get all that together, you should be able to make some serious progress & enjoy what you're doing a little more.
Denis
 
There are a few web pages out there where people have disassembled surplus Soviet 54R and found wide variations in powder and bullet weight in the same package of ammunition.

The Soviets had a different attitude toward ammunition than most countries. Rather than making consistent accuracy a priority, they loosened their tolerances and made vast quantities of ammunition they felt was "accurate enough" for ordinary use, then issued target-grade ammunition when they felt it was needed.

When your group size won't shrink, try some Winchester or Remington commercial 54R. If your group shrinks, it indicates you've reached the limit of your surplus ammunition. If not, back to working on your rifle and technique.
 
I like to think that, for someone as new to shooting as me, I'm doing pretty well on the shooting side.
Click to expand...

You are doing well. Just out of curiosity, what shooting position are you using? Standing, standing with a sling, sitting, off of sand bags, prone?

When I was 14 I would sometimes shoot my dad's 03-A3. I recall getting groups like that. A full power military bolt action with a steel butt plate is a heck of a thing to learn to shoot with!
 
Shooting off the bench...my Mosin's like a firm hold. Once the receiver starts to heat up...let it cool down. Shooting with the bayonet attached, will lower bullet impact. The 147 grainers have lower recoil.

You can pull the bullets on the surplus ammo...measure the powder charge, and replace the surplus bullet with Sierra MatchKings.

If you buy a Romanian PSL...remember to only use the light ball {147 grains}, not the heavy ball; which can tear up the receiver.
 
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