Well. I was able to take my new Mosin Nagant to the rifle range today. It's the first time I've fired a rifle since I ETS'd from the Army back in '84. I sent 30 rounds of 148 grain down range.
I set up at 100 yards and, not knowing what to expect with the back sight, moved it a couple notches up the scale. The first few rounds were so far off paper that I couldn't see any dirt kick up so I asked the shooter next to me to spot. I was shooting high. I moved the rear sight back to its starting position and started to dial in.
I ended up with 4 shots off target, 9 in the white and 17 in the black. I had no real shot group to speak of, something I attribute to being for all intents and purposes a beginner. Once I start retraining my breathing and trigger pull I'm confident I can get consistent enough to have something that looks more like a shot group and less like a shotgun pattern. (I'll add a picture)
Of the 30 shots I had about half a dozen rounds where the bolt didn't eject smoothly. I didn't notice any rhyme or reason to when it stuck. Again it could be that I just need more practice to retrain my muscle memory in working the bolt but I've seen some reviews that do point out occasional bolt inconsistencies.
I am going to end up looking for some kind of padding. Years ago I injured my shoulder pulling a bow that was way out of my weight range and, as fate would have it, the butt sits right on that spot.
I have abut 10 rounds of the 148 grain left and then start on a box of Winchester 180 grain. I'm interested to see what, if any, difference there will be.
I'm looking forward to going back. I had a great time and really am pretty proud of myself.
I set up at 100 yards and, not knowing what to expect with the back sight, moved it a couple notches up the scale. The first few rounds were so far off paper that I couldn't see any dirt kick up so I asked the shooter next to me to spot. I was shooting high. I moved the rear sight back to its starting position and started to dial in.
I ended up with 4 shots off target, 9 in the white and 17 in the black. I had no real shot group to speak of, something I attribute to being for all intents and purposes a beginner. Once I start retraining my breathing and trigger pull I'm confident I can get consistent enough to have something that looks more like a shot group and less like a shotgun pattern. (I'll add a picture)
Of the 30 shots I had about half a dozen rounds where the bolt didn't eject smoothly. I didn't notice any rhyme or reason to when it stuck. Again it could be that I just need more practice to retrain my muscle memory in working the bolt but I've seen some reviews that do point out occasional bolt inconsistencies.
I am going to end up looking for some kind of padding. Years ago I injured my shoulder pulling a bow that was way out of my weight range and, as fate would have it, the butt sits right on that spot.
I have abut 10 rounds of the 148 grain left and then start on a box of Winchester 180 grain. I'm interested to see what, if any, difference there will be.
I'm looking forward to going back. I had a great time and really am pretty proud of myself.
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