Table 1 : Result of test firings , Mosin Nagant
Ammunition
3-shot group extreme spread ( mm )*
Mean velocity ( ft / sec )
Difference between fastest and slowest shots ( ft / sec )
PPU 180 gn pointed soft point 25 2,630 45 Sellier & Bellot 180 gn PSP 44.5 2,612 37 Handload 180 gn Sierra PSP 0.308 ” diameter 31 2,440 141 Handload 180 gn Sierra PSP 0.311 ” diameter 45.5 2,470 53 Barnaul 203 gn PSP 63 2,346 22 Barnaul 174 gn FMJ 43 2,654 35
* Extreme spreads are averages of three-shot groups . Velocities were also taken from three-shot strings .
Discussion
For some people , hunting with a century-old design ( even though the rifle might be only half that age ) evokes a sense of nostalgia that is denied to those who use more modern equipment . Ballistically , the cartridge matches . 30 ’ 06 Springfield quite closely , and of course the . 308 Winchester is right up there too . Buying ammunition for the Nagant is not as easy is it is for more modern cartridges of course , but in major population centres such as Dunedin and Invercargill (!) there is plenty to choose from .
Whether you can be bothered to tart-up a military
References de Haas F ( 1995 ). Bolt Action Rifles . 3 rd Edition . Wisconsin , USA : DBI Books , Inc .
Griffin TJ ( 2008 ). Lyman Reloading Handbook . 49 th Edition . Connecticut , USA : Lyman Products Corporation . leftover is another matter , but with a little TLC these rifles will perform adequately in the field to satisfy all but the most exacting requirements , in my view . With 180 grain spritzer bullets and in the hands of a competent shooter , the Mosin Nagant can easily make humane kills out to 300 m , and at closer range it ’ s just as devastating as any other more modern rifle loadings . Only experimentation will determine if your rifle works better with . 30 cal ( 0.308 ” diameter ), or . 31 cal ( 0.311 ” diameter ) bullets .
Acknowledgement
I ’ d like to acknowledge Mike Jennings , who supplied the sporterised M-N rifle .
Smith WHB , Smith JE ( 1963 ). The Book of Rifles . Pennsylvania , USA : The Stackpole Company .
Game recipes
Wild smoked rabbit by Matt Wilson
Often the lowly rabbit is a new hunter ’ s first quarry . In many places they are plentiful and can easily taken with even an entry-level rifle and for the novice hunter there will be more in the next paddock if you miss the first one . Head shots are best if you want them for the table .
Once taken in the field , the rabbit is an ideal animal on which to learn the basics of skinning and preparation . It ’ s easier to skin and gut rabbits while they are still warm .
Unlike venison and pork , there is no need to age rabbit meat and I have cooked it as soon as 24 hours after shooting . Rabbit meat is similar to
Cleaned rabbits soaking in the brine solution
44 NZ Hunting & Wildlife 196 - Autumn 2017