Custom Mosin Nagant

[T.R.]

The part numbers do not match and the bore is less than shiny but it shoots 180 grain soft tip ammo into three inch groups at 100 yards. I'm considering having the barrel cut back to 22 inches. - TR

[Texas by God]

Cut it and crown it and it might shoot even better than it does now.
I’ve cut off lots of barrels to a handier length and the accuracy has always been as good or better in each case.


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[LAGS]

I have built many Custom Mosin Nagants.
The shortest factory barrel that I cut shorter and was still super accurate was a Polish model with the barrel cut down to 17 1/2".
It was like a cannon when I loaded it with slow burning powders and heavy bullets.
But that rifle shot great loaded with 123 gr AK bullets and a quicker burning powder like Unique.
I like that stock you have on your rifle.
I had built custom stocks that had a pistol grip stock that I called my AKMN's

[405grain]

Nice looking sporter. Interesting looking scope mount. I think that's a way better method of dealing with a split rear bridge than using a side mount. If you're looking for some better accuracy from your rifle, just an FYI: Timney makes an aftermarket trigger for the Mosin. A better trigger over the Military one will usually help shrink groups. I always feel that a longer barrel is just free velocity. Before you lop off some of the barrel, put a sling on the rifle. If it isn't awkward to carry or use, then I'd leave the barrel as is.

[725]

I'm with 405grain on this one. Once cut, the barrel will never grow back! Shortening the barrel will make for a stiffer barrel and that will change accuracy potential.

[WILCO]

Good looking rifle!

I'd run some bullet combos before shortening the barrel.

[T.R.]

This wild hog was downed in north Florida last January. One shot through the head did the job. - TR

[LIMPINGJ]

T.R. who did the bent bolt handle for you?

[LAGS]

I did the bolt handles for the MN 's that I built.
In fact.
Some of them I built were not welded on.
I cut off the old handle.
Then drilled in and pinned a new rod into that body.
I bent them several different ways and was able to change the handle to fit the style of what I was shooting or to fit the scoped rifle best.
I do weld on handles too as well as actually build the replacement handles myself.
I also do the custom bolts on my Mausers.

[T.R.]

I don't recall the name of the gunsmith who customized my bolt handle but he had an ad on eBay. He offered three different angles. - TR

[Larry Gibson]

This wild hog was downed in north Florida last January. One shot through the head did the job. - TR

Obviously you don't have a problem with the longer barrel....nice hog. Nice sporterization on the MN also.

If you do cut the barrel I suggest cutting to 26". As mentioned, you can always cut off more, but you can't add any back on.... Some insist the shorter barrels are handier and they give up nothing in performance to longer barrels but I've been hunting with short an long barrels for many years in close dense rain forests to open plains/tundra/desert and I've never found shorter barrels to be handier in the field. With the capacity of the 7.62x54R the difference in velocity between 22 and 26" barrels can be as much as 150 fps. Not much some say but it does translate into flatter trajectory and extended range capabilities.

With a 26" barrel you should get 2550 - 2580 fps with Winchester factory 180 SPs. Norma 150 factory should run 2900 fps. I have measured the psi of those and numerous milsurp 7.62x54R cartridges and they all run 45-45,000 psi. My own reloads run the same psi. I load Sierra .311 180 gr SP and the Hornady .312 150 gr SP over H4895 for 2900 fps. over H4895 for 2600 fps. For long range shooting I load the Sierra 174 MK for 2670 fps.

Of course with cast bullets there are many bullets and loads that will shoot well depending on your desires.