Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Ive got the SKS and an AK, the daughter's AK will be out of lay a way in time for xmas.

The ammo is affordable, and the cartridge demands respect. Life gets no better than that IMHO!
(Read: I am not bashing AR or AR guys)

So... I have had the idea of getting a Mosin and a few rounds of 54R. Before I decide to invest,

School me on what would I do with it? How will it serve me? What standard calibre can it be compared to (30-06??)? What can I expect from one (recoil, accuracy, ballistics, penetration, etc)? "mild sniping" (400-500m?)? Difficult to scope? Worth putting a scope on?

I know there a gazillion threads on the nets about this weapon, however I *trust* the response from members here.

When replying, please advise your PERSONAL experience level: Shot one/Own one

Thanks much friends,
JC

Justincase,

We have a Mosin and they are a hoot to shoot. The kick is a real punch in the shoulder and it's really loud. But still really fun.

School me on what would I do with it? - Shoot paper bad guys, soda cans, tannerite targets, pumpkins, whatever you want shredded.

How will it serve me? I can't say it has a practical application other than hunting or reaching out to touch someone. With today's modern hunting rifle and AR's, this has less practical usability, but still fun to shoot.

What standard calibre can it be compared to (30-06??)? The round looks like a regular AK round but the casing is much longer. 7.62 x 39 vs. 7.62 x 54.

What can I expect from one:
recoil- lots, firm but smooth.
accuracy- the iron sights on ours are very good. Never really shot past about 100 yards, but they are spot on.
ballistics- got nothing for you here.
penetration- rounds have penetrated every single can, target, apple, egg, or paper bad guy I've ever shot.
"mild sniping" (400-500m?)- With the iron sights this would be possible but challenging.
Difficult to scope? Worth putting a scope on? I know they sell scope kits, but we don't have one.

I have found ammo for mine at the Dulles gun show, 440 rds for about 80 or 80 bucks.

Hope you get one, you'll love it.

C40 Pilot

JustinCase wrote:Ive got the SKS and an AK, the daughter's AK will be out of lay a way in time for xmas.

The ammo is affordable, and the cartridge demands respect. Life gets no better than that IMHO!
(Read: I am not bashing AR or AR guys)

So... I have had the idea of getting a Mosin and a few rounds of 54R. Before I decide to invest,

School me on what would I do with it? How will it serve me? What standard calibre can it be compared to (30-06??)? What can I expect from one (recoil, accuracy, ballistics, penetration, etc)? "mild sniping" (400-500m?)? Difficult to scope? Worth putting a scope on?

I know there a gazillion threads on the nets about this weapon, however I *trust* the response from members here.

When replying, please advise your PERSONAL experience level: Shot one/Own one

Thanks much friends,
JC

It compares favorably to the 30-06, some folks will say that the recoil is heavy, dead nuts accurate if the barrel is still worthwhile, it'll go through a 2 ft pine tree with ease, 500 meters is nothing for it as it was designed for trench warfare(shooting across vast open spaces, to scope it you must angle the bolt handle or get a scope with very very generous eye relief, yes it's worth putting a scope on if you need/want it.



I've owned a very nice one for about 4 years(up until last spring) and it was an excellent example. I shot the mess out of it and I loved it. I also have experience working with several different ones. They are great old bolt actions that'll survive anything and still perform well.

JustinCase wrote:School me on what would I do with it? How will it serve me?

Its a bolt rifle in a higher power end of the 30 cal spectrum. It will do what any other 30 cal rifle will.

What standard calibre can it be compared to (30-06??)?

Yes thats a good approximation.

What can I expect from one (recoil, accuracy, ballistics, penetration, etc)? "mild sniping" (400-500m?)?

These are surplus so you could get a really good one, or one thats shot out.

Difficult to scope? Worth putting a scope on?

Mounts are available, but they are not quite as easy to set up like a Rem 700 is.

When replying, please advise your PERSONAL experience level: Shot one/Own one

have several. They are a neat piece of history. Quality is variable, but I like 'em