I am looking for experienced opinions on the Mosin-Nagant 1891/ 30 (7.62 x 54 R). What I am looking for is a relatively decent hunting rifle (deer/ boar).
Does the rifle have an acceptable level of accuracy for deer hunting?
What is the reccommended projectile weight (standard) that works best out of the rifle AND matches the calibrated adjustable rear sight?
Is there a certain model/ manufacturer's stamp that I should look for/ seek out when going through them on the rack?

Thanks for all of the help.

GHG

Taking the pig sticker off of it helps the accuracy. It is just silver soldered on and a benzomatic torch takes it right off.

Go to AIM online to get the BEST deal! I got mine from them a few months ago and it had never been fired.....I got lucky.

Your best bet is to search online for a side rail to mount a scope to.

The 91/30 is perfectly capable of taking big game. I shoot 180gr SP ammo but if you're head-shooting, just about any MILSURP ammo will work.

Bright shiny bore is best. Frosted bore is not so bad. Black bore may not give much accuracy over 75-100 yards. Expect it to be counter-bored if it's been shot a lot. If you find one that isn't, so much the better.

I'm sure that everybody has their preferences but I think the rifle's condition matters more than the manufacturer/armory.

Personally, I look for matching serial numbers on the bolt and receiver. Head-space is less likely to be a problem then.

I can't tell you about the calibrated sight. I never shoot over ~60 yards so I never move it.

Be sure you're prepared to deal with the length of the rifle. In a box stand or as a truck gun, it can be cumbersome to handle.

Be sure you swab the barrel clean with Hoppes or some other bore cleaner. Most foreign ammo has corrosive primers but if you swab it a couple of times, that issue goes away.

Thanks for all of the help.
I think that if I do purchase a M-N rifle that I will stick with the military surplus (bulgarian vintage) ammo.
Since I do try to take head and neck shots, I think that the FMJ will be ok, for now.
Have any of you taken the barrel and action out of the original stocks and put them into M-G conversion stocks? If so, did it improve the rifle in any way other than aesthetically?

Best of luck

GHG

I meant M-N (mosin-nagant) not M-G.

let me know if you get a M-n conversion stocks. I am looking for a original stock.

Deerslayer,
Wilco.

Got to get my hot little hands on the rifle first, though.

More to follow

GHG

Mosin's are wonderful guns. I do have one suggestion if you are looking for a hunting gun. While they are harder to find and more expensive then 91/30s (though still not expensive compared to other bolt guns) the Model 1938 Mosin's are shorter and lighter. If you are hunting from a blind they will be easier to control. They are basically a Model 1944 without the bayonet attached. Mine weighs about 7.5 pounds (my 91/30 is about 9 pounds) and is a good 8-9 inches shorter than my 91/30.

As a rule Finnish Mosin's are more accurate (and expensive)than Russian Mosins but I have seen Finnish Mosin's that wouldn't shoot at all and Russian Mosin's that were MOA guns with the right loads so it all depends. I have five Mosin's total and love them all. They are all acceptably accurate and all have the knicks, scratches and battle scars to show they have been through hell and back.

Just remember that if you are shooting corrosive ammo (like all milsurp ammo will be) to wash the barrel out with hot water after shooting and then clean normally. This helps wash out/dissolve the corrosive elements in the barrel and will keep the gun barrel in good shape. By the way some sights say they have non-corrosive surplus ammo, but don't believe them. All foreign military ammo (except for 7.5x55 Swiss) should be treated as corrosive. Better safe than sorry.

I have the shorter moison, not sure of year or make but it shoots great! I only wish it had a better trigger.