Russian Nagant ??

[AlR]

My son has been interested in getting a Nagant rifle for hunting deer. Is this an adequate rifle for hunting deer? Aim Surplus currently has some Russian Mosin Nagant rifles with laminated stocks for $90.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.as...7.62x54R+Rifle
Is this a good deal or are there better deals out there? If this is a good deal, is it worth the extra $10 to "Hand Pick for Tula Manufacture Laminated Russian Mosin 91/30 Rifle"?

[Guamsst]

Are you plannin to just shoot it, or drill the receiver, rig up a scope mount then complain that it don't shoot straight?

Out of the box so to speak most of these are plenty accurate but generally shoot very high at 100yds. They are also generally zeroed for whatever soldier shot the rifle last. So, who knows where it will hit. Ofcourse, if you are comfortable with adjusting the front sight then it won't be a problem.

If you are going to "sporterize" it, you will probably spend another $150-$200 and be better off buying a civilian rifle for about what you spent ruining the Mosin Nagant.

If you have to have a scope, try a B-Square scope mount, they won't ruin the rifle.

As to power, it is basically the same as a 30-06. Roughly the same projectile and speed.

So, just my opinion, if you want a cheap gun to just shoot deer with through open sights, it's great. If you want to try to save money by turning a cheap military rifle into a civilian hunting rifle, it's a bad idea.

[Art]

I agree with Guam 100%. The cartridge is perfectly capable of taking any game up to and including moose.

Since there are so many around and the price is so cheap right now and it is going to be used for hunting, and since turned down bolt handles are available at good prices, drilling and tapping it for a 'scope might not be an awful idea. If you don't want to do that and the rifle shoots prohibitively high, having someone build up the front sight or replace it might not be a bad idea either.

....and by the way, I had a brother in law who klilled several deer with an old Nagant in the 60's and 70's. He didn't push the envelope with it, kept all the shots reasonably close, and it put venison on the table for him.

[Guamsst]

I believe sportsmans guide has a kit for around $70 right now that includes a no drill scope mount, scout scope, sling and no modification recoil pad that lengthens the stock a bit. Might be the way to go if you just have to have a scope.

[joem]

There are plenty accurate for deer. A little long for going into the woods as I prefer the M44 carbine and it's 7.62 X 54R also.

[Tom]

I watched for a year and finally paid $100 extra for a new Nagant, total $190.00. Seemingly never fired and perfect barrel full of cosmoline. crown is perfect and butt plate has never been grounded. I figured it was worth the extra $100 for something that will someday will go to grandson. The stock, however has peeling paint even though new. Needs re-painted.

Now you will hate me: I got bored and bought a plastic sporter stock, non-drill picadilly scope mount, leather sling, and now need help deciding what scope will work. I will not ruin the barrel by cutting it down.

PS the original stock and all hardware are for sale on EBay.

Tom

[Brad in Idaho]

I've got a Mosin Model 91/59 carbine (no bayonet) that I put a "Darrells Scout Mount" on. The mount replaces the rear sight with no damage to the gun. I use a LER 2.5X pistol scope on it. It is pretty accurate to at least 100yds even with surplus ammo. I keep it sighted in and loaded with Russian 200gr soft points. Did a job on a black bear with it a couple of years ago. The scope eliminates having to make sight adjustments on the Mosin's less than friendly open sights. I don't use it for hunting, it just stays in the trailer in case some varmint I don't want around shows up (like the bear). Plenty of power in the 7.62X54R round for most anything in North America.

[CHW2021]

Personally, I was not happy with the "scout" type mount I put on a m44 carbine and went back to the iron sights. The rifle is most likely accurate enough for deer and the 7.62x54 certainly has the power for the job, but do be advised that the safety is not "hunter friendly".

I do enjoy shooting the rifle and have been quite happy with the accuracy with surplus ammo.

[Guamsst]

Brad, remember, you killed the bear with the low power version of the Mosin Nagant. This round is definitely powerful enough for deer as you proved with the carbine.