Fedaykin wrote:Dougan wrote:There's some nice looking rifles there, especially the first one on the opening post...
...but if you're going to go to the trouble of making a nice looking custom rifle; why not use a decent action?
Well it is a decent action so why not? It is perfectly solid and has had a long service career with many countries, it is as good or better then many of its contemporaries and whilst I love my Lee Enfield it has a few flaws in the design that are not apparent to the Mosin Nagant. As I said earlier Lapua regard the 7.62x54r as an inherently accurate round so a good factory (like Lapua) or some reloads have plenty of potential for accuracy even from a stock rifle let alone a rebuild with new heavy barrel. Considering that the rifle is plentiful even here in the UK and examples with a good bore can be picked up for less then £300. Rifles that have a shot out barrel would be even cheaper and make a good starting point for a project. Drop down bolt handles and various different stocks can be purchased from the states for minimal pennies even with shipping. A Mosin Nagant build has the potential to be an affordable to build and run project, I would want to do some research about what barrel length and twist is best for that calibre.
Frankly I don't entirely buy into the "this calibre is better then that calibre" slap talk that you get in various shooting circles, at 600 yards I have put the odd braggart to shame who turns up with a custom Remington 700 in 6.5x284, Accuracy International stocked, Schmidt & Bender PM II scoped pimp rifle with an old No.4 conversion in 7.62 NATO, bashed up stock, cheap Chinese scope and MEN surplus ammunition. Just because a calibre is old doesn't mean it hasn't got good potential for accuracy and the person behind the trigger plays its part as well!
Apologies if I've upset Nagant fans...I was teasing my furry friend a tad.
I would happily add one to my classic collection (that would make 3!) - but It's horses for courses, as personally I'm happy with shooting short range (100 - 300) with classics as they are; and if I were to go for a 'project' it would be for 600 - 1200, so wouldn't go for any pre 50s military action.
That's not to say that projects for project's sake aren't worthwhile - I was talking to a gentleman today on short sibieria (complete stranger, as you do) who had a No.4 converted to .223...it had a scope, suppressor and a cheek-piece, and looked like a small T4...not for me (as it wouldn't suit my needs), but very interesting (especially the way the bolt face had been re-worked, and converted to cocking on the lift) and very cool tongueout
) but it looks like I've got the decimal place wrong in my powder calculation (