What year of Mosin-Nagant?

B

Bowhunter57

New member
I'd like to purchase a Mosin-Nagant to sporterize it, install a modern scope, a turned down sniper bolt handle and reload for it.

However, I want a .308 caliber barrel, so that I can use/reload .308 bullets.

How new of a model, in a Mosin-Nagant would I have to purchase to be certain of getting one?

Thank you, Bowhunter57
 
the only ones that used 308 barrels are remingtons and new england westinghouses and those are quite rare and very collectable, you might have a mob vote you off the firing line if you were to sporterize one of them. why not just load the standard 311 bullets?
 
why not just load the standard 311 bullets?
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I'm attempting to hunt varmints with this rifle and prefer lighter bullets for good fragmentation with no ricochets or bullet skips, after a pass through. A 110gr. or 125gr. would be best. It's flatter than a road killed squirrel around here, so I got to watch my background.

Bowhunter57
 
.311" 110gr v-max and 123gr HP bullets are available from Hornady .....

..... both could be pushed to explosive fragmentation speeds out of the Commie Aught Six.

The 110gr V-max in .277" does not ricochet when launched past 3K f/sec.

I imagine the same would be true of the .311" flavor.
 
The Finish MNs were made with .3085-.309" groove diameters, so that's what you'd be looking for. But “Fins” in 95% to 99% condition cost about $500 to $600.
However another option which is quite good is to get any MN you can find in good shape, but with a shot out or rusty bore, and have it rebarreled.
I have done 5 of them now and they come out great.

You can get MNs for about $100 with bad bores and you'd need to add about $200 for a rebarrel job.
A turned down bolt and a scope mount will cost about an additional $125 for both.

So all that added up is still less than a good Finish MN before you get the bolt and mount added. So for making a great shooter (but with no collectors value in mind) doing a build “from the action up” is the best option.
 
I'm attempting to hunt varmints with this rifle and prefer lighter bullets for good fragmentation with no ricochets or bullet skips, after a pass through. A 110gr. or 125gr. would be best. It's flatter than a road killed squirrel around here, so I got to watch my background.
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110 and 123 grain bullets are very common for 311.
 
I have to agree with CheapShooter & lordhedgwich, for I also do not see value in taking a $149.00 rifle, putting hundreds more into it and at the end having a $50.00 rifle. There are plenty of quality .308 rifles that can be had for a comparable (purchase + modifications) amount of money.
 
"I'm attempting to hunt varmints with this rifle and prefer lighter bullets for good fragmentation with no ricochets or bullet skips, after a pass through. A 110gr. or 125gr. would be best. It's flatter than a road killed squirrel around here, so I got to watch my background."

I'm also inclined to think that putting a lot of money into a MN isn't something that I'd do. BUT............. If you want to play around with it, don't discount using 32cal. pistol bullets running .312-3.14dia. Running from 65gr. -100gr., they can offer you want you want for explosive results at moderate rifle velocities.
 
I have a Finnish M39 that shoots 180gr. S&B ammo in a 1 1/2" group at 100 yards with open sights. I would imagine with a scope and some good reloads, this rifle would have the potential for good long range accuracy with some lighter weight bullets.

I have considered installing a handgun scope on it, which wouldn't alter its' original state and then working on some good reloads for it. This rifle has too much history with it...having matching Sako and crown stamps in all the metal parts, for me to alter its' original condition.

Bowhunter57
 
McGowan is making pre-fits for the MN now, but they screwed the pooch by making them in .311.

Should have done them in .308 for bullet selection. There's only one match-grade bullet in .311, doesn't make sense...
 
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