atl5029
Well-Known Member
Hi All,
As a new long range shooter, I just wanted to share my first rifle build for long range shooting. I wanted to build something that I could use to practice long range shooting technique without spending a ton of money on ammo while I build a 338 Edge. I also didn't want to put a ton of money into this build (still spent about $400). The outcome of this idea was what I call my Mosin Nagant 91/30 Precision Carbine.
It started life as a Tula hex receiver 91/30 made in 1935. The rifling near the muzzle was badly worn from improper cleaning and it was hard to hold a 6 inch group at 100 yards. Here's what I did to bring it up to more modern standards.
-With the help of a machinist friend, cut the barrel to 18.5 inches, recrowned the muzzle and threaded with an 5/8-24 thread. Bead blasted and reblued the barrel with cold blue. I realize the barrel is a little short for long range, but this project actually started out as a brush gun before I realized it might make a decent long range gun.
-Mounted a Rock Solid Industries M-24 rail and had RSI modify my bolt handle
-Added a AK-74 style muzzle break from Dinzag Arms
-Installed a Timney trigger with side safety.
-Was going to drop the action in a Boyds or Archangel stock, but I found someone online who had a nice walnut M/N sporter stock and was looking for an original military stock. We made an even trade. I stripped, sanded, painted, and sealed the stock, added a Limbsaver recoil pad and Karsten Adustable cheek piece. I also glass bedded the recoil lug and rear tang and installed pillars from RSI.
-My cousin was nice enough to give me his used Burris rings since he got new ones on his AR, so I mounted a Tasco Varmint 6-24x scope I had. The glass isn't great, but it was able to give me sub MOA groups on a single shot .223, so I figured it was good enough for a practice build.
As soon as I get a free weekend with some nice weather I'll take it out to see how accurate it really is. I have an array of different ammo I am going to try to see what it likes. I have some 147 grain Bulgarian and Russian milsurp light ball, some MFS 174 grain, some 182 grain PPU match, and a ton of 182 grain Bulgarian milsurp heavy ball. I'll repost with a range report as soon as I can.
As a new long range shooter, I just wanted to share my first rifle build for long range shooting. I wanted to build something that I could use to practice long range shooting technique without spending a ton of money on ammo while I build a 338 Edge. I also didn't want to put a ton of money into this build (still spent about $400). The outcome of this idea was what I call my Mosin Nagant 91/30 Precision Carbine.
It started life as a Tula hex receiver 91/30 made in 1935. The rifling near the muzzle was badly worn from improper cleaning and it was hard to hold a 6 inch group at 100 yards. Here's what I did to bring it up to more modern standards.
-With the help of a machinist friend, cut the barrel to 18.5 inches, recrowned the muzzle and threaded with an 5/8-24 thread. Bead blasted and reblued the barrel with cold blue. I realize the barrel is a little short for long range, but this project actually started out as a brush gun before I realized it might make a decent long range gun.
-Mounted a Rock Solid Industries M-24 rail and had RSI modify my bolt handle
-Added a AK-74 style muzzle break from Dinzag Arms
-Installed a Timney trigger with side safety.
-Was going to drop the action in a Boyds or Archangel stock, but I found someone online who had a nice walnut M/N sporter stock and was looking for an original military stock. We made an even trade. I stripped, sanded, painted, and sealed the stock, added a Limbsaver recoil pad and Karsten Adustable cheek piece. I also glass bedded the recoil lug and rear tang and installed pillars from RSI.
-My cousin was nice enough to give me his used Burris rings since he got new ones on his AR, so I mounted a Tasco Varmint 6-24x scope I had. The glass isn't great, but it was able to give me sub MOA groups on a single shot .223, so I figured it was good enough for a practice build.
As soon as I get a free weekend with some nice weather I'll take it out to see how accurate it really is. I have an array of different ammo I am going to try to see what it likes. I have some 147 grain Bulgarian and Russian milsurp light ball, some MFS 174 grain, some 182 grain PPU match, and a ton of 182 grain Bulgarian milsurp heavy ball. I'll repost with a range report as soon as I can.
I have never found any military ammo that shoots what I would call real accurate. Most of the bullets in that ammo is too small of diameter. The bores in these rifles vary a great deal. I slug all my bores with a .315 lead muzzle loader ball driven down the bore and measure the high points which are the groove. If it comes out .310 to .311 I shoot .311 bullets and if it comes out .311 to .312 I shoot .312 if it comes out larger than .312 it goes down the road. You can make these old rifles really shoot. I have kept all mine in the military configuration but have blown some peoples minds at how accurate I have made them shoot with the open sights. I have learned how to shim the actions and dampen the barrels etc. like the Finns did with their sniper rifles and it works. Oh! I have also found that these rifles like the heavy bullets best. 174/80 gr. Have fun and I hope yours shoot great.
