high powered rifle shooting

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rifleman8

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So today I had a humiliating experience at the range, when I really put some rounds through my Mosin Nagant. At 100, even 50 yards, I grouped horribly, if you could even call them groups. Shots were spread out all over the paper. I wanted to sight it in, but I couldn't because I couldn't even make any decent groups. Now, I know I can shoot decently. I consistently grouped my .22 within 2" at 50 yards, and managed to make 4" groups shooting slugs out of my shotgun w/bead sight. Not amazing, but good enough. My mosin isn't at fault, it has a good bore and strong rifling (my BIL who is a USMC armorer checked it). I was shooting Prvi Partizan ammo. Also, I have a good grasp on breathing, sight picture, and trigger squeeze. Not to mention I was mostly shooting from a bench. I left the range with a bruised shoulder and ego:mad: What am I doing wrong? I know I need to practice, but any tips, is there anything different when shooting high powered rifles as opposed to rimfires? I really want to become proficient with this rifle.
 
It still could be the rifle. Some rifles (even with a good bore) won't group for crap without some home gunsmithing. Try one more brand of ammo and one more different shooter.
 
A recoil pad would definitely be a godsend for my shoulder. And I will have to try different ammo/shooter. I'm just reluctant to place the weapon at fault, especially because I'm relatively new at shooting high powered rifles.
 
The mosin accuracy could be due to the ammo... Your mosin might not like Privi... Mine hates the S&B Brass cased Soft points but will shoot the Wolf 148 grain FMJ's under 2 inches at 100 yards...
 
Mosins can be good shooters if we take the time to learn to shoot them.

What it takes is a few hours of dry firing. Working the bolt. Getting your position right, getting the sling firm and supportive. A good solid position will also help with the recoil.

Forget about speed. Take your time, get a good natural point of aim and snap in. With a bit of practice you can work the bolt on the Mosin as smooth as with a Springfield (notice I didn't say fast, I said smooth).

When I first took my Mosin out and shot it, I found the same thing, I wasn't so hot. I just went back to the basics and did a lot of dry firing, concentrating on the fundamentals.

I found the Mosin is a great gun to shoot in the offhand position. I think the long barrel dampens movement much like a bull barrel.

Don't give up. Go back to your fundamentals and practice, with a lot of dry firing. Remember SMOOTH is the key. Speed will follow.
 
If you are flinching due to the recoil, that's where I'd start first. Practice your shooting but if you shoulder starts to get to you stop shooting.

After that, try some different ammo. Your gun might not like that ammo. Additionally, it just might not be a great shooting gun.
 
Nobody mentioned the trigger on that rifle as being a possible problem in accurate shooting. I've only shot the one MN, but the trigger pull, though smooth, was about the longest that I've ever encountered. It was hard to hold the sights on target while I worked my way through the full range of trigger pull. I shot it pretty well at 50 yards, but the kid that owns it couldn't get within 2 feet of the 4 inch bullseye. But...that was the one and only MN that I've shot, so I suppose a fellow could get used to that trigger, or maybe the triggers on most MN's aren't like that (or can be improved).
 
I can't speak to the accuracy of this claim, though my dad said it and he is very reliable. He mentioned to me that on his short Mosin's with bayonets installed, that he had to extend the bayonet to get any accuracy from his groups. He said that, with the bayonet folded down, it shot all over the place.

Just something I heard...
 
Take a look at post #8 about the crown. Your buddy might have missed something.

I'm having similiar issues with a sporterized 03A3. I traded for two, one a 1903 with a 4x scope, and an 03A3 with a 4x scope. One gun shot under .75" 3 shot group at 100 yards and the A3 9". I talked to my gunsmith and he had me float the barrel and use some quality factory ammo. I did as he suggested and still 9" 3 shot group. At first glance everything looks OK. The crown looks OK, but the riflings appear to be worn at the muzzle.

I had to leave it with the smith. He has to remove a sweated front sight, and cut an " or so off the barrel and re-crown it. It will be a two month wait, but I hope that it cures it. You might check your gun over for a similiar problem.

You could have someone you know to be a competant shot try it out.
Good Luck, Eagle
 
you did not say what you mean by a horrible group. Less than 4" at 100 yards? if so, that is a group. As to recoil, a pad is not the solution. Practice and proper position is the key.

Check out www.appleseedinfo.org Find an appleseed event near you, learn what it takes to shoot that rifle well
 
I had the same experience with a batch of Prvi ammo.

The bullets were .308 dia- I later found out that for some reason, there seems to be .308, as well as .311, bullets used in their 7.62 x 54R ammo.

My groups went from shotgun, to around 1-1/2 MOA with .311 handloads.

The vast majority of MN's will not shoot .308 bullets worth a damn.

If you don't handload, suggest you just try some surplus ammo. Most of it shoots pretty well- you might research to find the best headstamp, and give it another try.

If you do handload, slug the bore, and use what "fits"...
 
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A lot of good suggestions here already. Make sure you action screws are tight. And if you're shooting off a rest, be sure the forend is positioned on the rest in the exact same spot for every shot.
 
Here's what I would do. Even though you were told the bore is good you still have the possibility of years of build up, so clean it again hard but carefully with a bore brush and lot's of solvent to see if you get anything to come out. Then when you go to the range next time bring some different types of ammo. Even pick up some brass comercial ammo like S&B to have on hand. As the very first step, I would ask the range officer or someone you know can shoot well to shoot a couple of groups with your rifle. Then you shoot a couple of groups with the same type of ammo that you had him use. If he shot much better groups then you know the problem is you. If both shooters groups are bad then you can move onto shooting groups with different types of ammo. If you just can't get it to group regardless of who is shooting or what ammo you're using then it's probably the rifle and you drop another $100 for a different one and hope you get a shooter. :D These rifles make good wall hangers, I had one that wouldn't shoot too.
 
Thanks for the all the replies! Buzzcook, I normally shoot more offhand than bench. But I was trying to take myself out of the equation as much as possible. So far, it seems like I need to try different ammunition, I will definitely pick up some surplus. As for dry fire, etc, I practice from prone, kneeling, sitting, and standing a few times a week, although I'm sure more practice will help. kraigwy, can the stock sling be used as a support? Also, I noticed that most of the bluing is worn from the crown. Could this be part of the problem?
jhgreasemonkey, thats a good idea. I would know for sure whether its the ammo, the gun, or me that's bad
 
The blueing off of the crown won't make any difference. Any nicks, or not perfectly perpenduclar will matter. Stick a bullet in the muzzle and see it fits tight and even.

The crown is very important because of the gases pushing on the rear of the bullet. It is the last thing that effects the bullet as it's launched.
 
If it is a M44, they are funny about their bayonets like the above poster said. Many won't group without it extended. I bought one for a sporter/beater truck gun back when they were $40.00 and cut the bayo lug off and filed it down to the barrel contour. it is now an "acceptable" 100yd. deer gun. 4" could be the guns top end capability though. Best I have ever gotten out of my 44 is 2.5MOA and best out of my stock 91/30 was just under 2MOA. I have a friend with a stock 91/30 and his will routinely shoot sub MOA with cheap surplus.
 
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