More messin' with the Mosin

[Dumpstick]

A few weeks ago, I made a thread in the Reloading section about my starting to work with my 1930 Tula hex Mosin. I am still working with it, but figured I should put this in Military Surplus instead.

I've been shooting some 1951 Russian light ball, the 150gr lead core, steel jacket stuff. I had previously pulled the bullets, and lowered the charge from an avg of 49.5gr to a weighed 40.0gr. I put the same factory bullet back in, and am still shooting it. I'm trying to get used to the trigger, and go shoot in the OKCGC Military Bolt-gun matches.
I don't know that this ammo will be accurate enough to do any good in those matches, nor do I have any illusions about taking the match by storm; I'm too hard of seeing to do very well. I just hope to have fun.
Here's my latest target, from yesterday (26Apr18). 50 yds, using that modified surplus ammo. I fired 25 rounds, this is my last ten shots. That's a 4.5" group. And, yes, that's how I hung the target - upside down. Sometimes I like to pretend I'm in Australia.

As bad as that target is, I'm actually improving. Alot. I've had to knock the front site over quite a bit, it was shooting very far right. I need to put a straight-edge on the barrel, I'm beginning to suspect some sort of problem. I've even had to work with the rear sight some, to get it to shoot low enough to hit the target. POA on this target was a 6-o'clock hold, about 1/2 way to the left.
Now, if I could just see the front sight....

I will start reloading soon. I have a few boxes of NOS Hornady and Sierra .112 jacketed things, and I just yesterday took delivery of a brand-spankin' new NOE mold - a 5-cav .316-200RN (gas-checked).
I'm currently cycling the new mold in the oven (SWMBO is off at work....) at 375° for 20 minutes, then allowing it to cool. 4 cycles total. Hopefully tomorrow I can try throwin' some boolits from it.
I don't know if I'll be ready for the match next week, but that's what I'm aiming for (pun intended).

 

[Calamity Jake]

That shooting far right is side pressure from the stock pushing on it, see if you can
releave the pressure by removing some wood in the barrel channel.
Shooting low velocity cast will help with the elevation problem.
You can also lower the jacketed loads too.

When you get ready to shoot cast be sure to clean the barrel of all jacket fouling.
I shoot on bench 4 at the OKCGC milbolt matches, come introduce your self.

 

[Dumpstick]

Calamity Jake, thanks for the input.

I had the same thought about stock pressure. I took a slip of paper, and found some places where the forearm was rubbing. I sanded (and in one place, filed) the barrel channel down to where the paper didn't snag.
Maybe I need to look closer.

 

[dlbleak]

Paul, take a piece of shrink tubing and put it on the front sight post, heat it up to get it to stay on. Start clipping it down for a 'six o'clock' hold on a standard NRA size target.
Are you going to shoot next week? I haven't shot a MBA in months. I think I'll bring the Finn 39 out. I have some copy's of the targets used. I could come by your place and give you some. You'll need them to get your sights ready.

 

[Dumpstick]

That's a fabulous idea about the shrink tubing ! Why didn't I think of it ?

I would love to have a copy of the target used. I appreciate the offer, I'll take you up on it !
PM me, we can get together.

 

[rocketman]

That's a fabulous idea about the shrink tubing ! Why didn't I think of it ?

I would love to have a copy of the target used. I appreciate the offer, I'll take you up on it !
PM me, we can get together.

NRA SR-21 is the target. You can order them below or at midwayusa.com. The SR-21C is the repair center only and is cheaper but you will want to sight in with a full size SR-21 or large white paper behind it so the lighting will be consistent in your sight picture. Common practice is to place a full size SR-21 first and fire 10 sighter/practice shots. Then place a repair center over it lined up with the marks on the edge for the first match string of 10 shots and replace it every string with a fresh one. At the end of the match take down the full size SR-21 target with 60 holes in it and that is your overall match performance record that you can use to keep track of the rifle and ammo performance.

http://www.americantargetcompany.com/high_power_rifle_targets.asp

 

[rocketman]

That front sight can be knocked out and replaced with a modified finish nail that you can cut and file to zero. I wish I could remember which size.

 

[dlbleak]

^^^what he said^^^

 

[Catt57]

On my Mosin, I stripped a short piece of the insulation off of one of the wires in standard 12/2 Romex. It stays put and you can chose black or white. It's also a lot more durable than most heat shrink is.

 

[Dumpstick]

Rocketman - thanks for the link. I perused the site, and saw the full targets, and the repair centers.
What I didn't see, was the target without the center. The way I'm shooting, I'm fairly certain the 8,9,& 10 rings are safe, but I'm beating up outside the 5 ring something fierce. What I need is a replacement for that !

I think I'll order up some of the centers. What I'm doing now, is spray painting a 6" circle on cardboard. I can see the the white background would make a huge difference. I may just paint a cardboard backer white, and mount the centers on it for practice.

Anyone want to split a 75-pack of the full targets with me ? Looks to be about 8¢ each, plus whatever freight they charge.