The Mosin Minute - Episode 110: Epic Fail with the 1942 Tula M91/30 at GPSR (9-10-11)

Well folks, I picked Metallica's "One," for a reason. Because this was NOT a successful trip to Garland Public Shooting Range, and I encountered the greatest amount of frustration during this 3rd. (and last) session at GPSR on the rifle lanes.

After thoroughly reviewing my last reloading process for 7.62x54R, I went down the road that the manufacturers recommend doing, which is using .308 sized bullets since you can almost always rest assured knowing that the bullets will work in your gun. So I reloaded those rounds, and they seemed to chamber well for the most part. This time, I ONLY did a batch of 18 or so, just to make sure I didn't invest too much time finding out that these bullets didn't work either.

First, I shot some of my standard stuff, the ammo I basically sighted in with this gun: Brown Bear SP 7.62x54R. Turns out the sight is a bit low still, because as you can see, the first 5 shots are grouping okay at 50 yards...but just a little high. Then we shoot some Sellier and Bellot ammo...and this stuff is damn near perfect at 50 yards.

Then we move on to the reloads...and nothing goes right. Only 3 freakin' rounds even hit the paper. The rest just shoot way off base, mostly high and to the left. I guess the moral of the story here is that you really need ammo that's EXACTLY the right diameter at .310. Because unlike my other Mosin's, this one actually slugged at around .309/.310. This poses a problem...because the next size up is .311 (British .303), and that's just too big. The ONLY .310 ammo available is 7.63x39 ammo, which only goes up to 125gr. in size. That's a very light-weight bullet for this gun, and I haven't been inclined to go down that road. But I'm basically left with nothing else to work with at this point. I guess I could pour my own loads made of lead. I was just hoping to avoid having to buy more tools/materials to do that.

Anyway, I finished off my target (with very few hits) using more Brown Bear ammo. Which I can still find cheap on occasion, so it's not like I can't get decent, inexpensive soft point ammo. In the meantime, enjoy this video. Next time, we'll have a group trip to Quail Creek...with LOTS of pistols!

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[headshot308ps3]

Ouch that looked like it hurt. My friend stubed his pinky. It bled. He walked it of and went CANOEING. I would of cried like a fricken baby

[20thcenturyfilmdocs]

@headshot308ps3 Dude, I was bleeding all over the place, really made loading the damn thing a bitch LOL!

[jetfuel545]

Trial and error can be real frustrating. One thing I learned reloading is be patient. There is prob a combo out there that will shoot very well in your gun. May I suggest based on your slugging of .309/.310 the Lapua D166. it is a 200gr fmj .3095 bullet. These and 175gr SMK shot very well out of my Finnish M39 that was .3095 bore. Also Sierra 180gr prohunter .308 shot very well. Imr 4064 and Imr 4350 worked very well for me also. best of luck

[20thcenturyfilmdocs]

@jetfuel545 Tnx. for the info. on Lapua...I used .308 Sierra, but just standard BT, not Prohunter. However, I might try the Lapua, while probably more expensive, I would definitely like to give it a try! And I've thought about the powder too, might get something else to try just for kicks!

[xRemisHx]

my blood taste like bubble gum..

[20thcenturyfilmdocs]

@Teleoceras Yeah, it REALLLY sucks around here...about the only local range that allows FMJ is the Dallas Public Shooting Range, and then only in the Tactical lanes that only go out about 30 yards...so it's not really practical.

[Teleoceras]

@20thcenturyfilmdocs Really? That sucks! The range I go to allows the surplus stuff which has made my Mosin Nagant shooting pretty economical since I only reload BPCR.

[20thcenturyfilmdocs]

@logcabinlooms Oh, yes, I can shoot it at only one range though out in Mesquite TX. And since I have my guns "adjusted" to shoot Brown Bear, it becomes a real pain to readjust, etc.

[20thcenturyfilmdocs]

@AmericaStandsStrong1 Yeah, I mean the price saving part doesn't really fly with this ammo, I can get it for $8.25 a box from AIMSurplus. My thing is that it sells out every once in awhile, so I'd really like to make my own ammo...especially if this surplus stuff ever dries up (though that doesn't seem likely).

[20thcenturyfilmdocs]

@erapa380 Yeah, I would prefer surplus, but almost no range will allow them, so I have to figure out other ways to make it work for me.