[NuJudge]

I've always felt the test of ammo and rifle is not 100 yards, but is 200 or more, some rifles and ammo that shoot well at 100 not shooting well at 200. I usually shoot High Power scores ranging from Expert to Master with carefully prepared firearms and match ammo. Occasionally I like to try more normal firearms.

Last weekend I tested various types of Light Bullet 7.62x54R at 50 yards, and the best through my new M39 was Albanian, about an inch. I also tried Hungarian, Polish and Bulgarian.

I shot a High Power match today at 200 yards. Groups were much larger than I expected. I could keep all shots in the black, but not much better than that. Wind was from 6 O'Clock, so it was not an issue. I think it was the ammo, not the rifle or me. I want to try to find surplus where group size increases proportional to distance, or close to it. I have the feeling that I want to try Heavy Bullet. I have Bulgarian and Igman. Any recommendations for others?

CDD

 

[Shyquestor]

I've always felt the test of ammo and rifle is not 100 yards, but is 200 or more, some rifles and ammo that shoot well at 100 not shooting well at 200. I usually shoot High Power scores ranging from Expert to Master with carefully prepared firearms and match ammo. Occasionally I like to try more normal firearms.

Last weekend I tested various types of Light Bullet 7.62x54R at 50 yards, and the best through my new M39 was Albanian, about an inch. I also tried Hungarian, Polish and Bulgarian.

I shot a High Power match today at 200 yards. Groups were much larger than I expected. I could keep all shots in the black, but not much better than that. Wind was from 6 O'Clock, so it was not an issue. I think it was the ammo, not the rifle or me. I want to try to find surplus where group size increases proportional to distance, or close to it. I have the feeling that I want to try Heavy Bullet. I have Bulgarian and Igman. Any recommendations for others?

CDD

At 50 yards you should be doing better than an inch off the bench, IMHO. Check the action screws for tighness.

I do not get to do 200 often, as we require all ranges to stand down to allow target posting at that distance. When I do, I can't see the dang target anyway. I would favor a heavy bullet over the 147/149 gr light x54r load to that distance.

I do not like Bulgarian, especially '52/53 light ball. Polish light and Hugarian light work well for me at 100.

My son shot this at 50 yards with a M-39 first time out. Never seen a better target from the two of us since.

 

[rocker98]

I agree with Shy. At 50 yards it should be better. Try different ammo, and/or a different load. Your rifle will have it's preference.

As for a heavier bullet. Try some! Which one As above, your rifle will have it's preference. So will the shooter I like the Wolf 203g. Used to be Brown Bear.

Gary

 

[USMCsean]

I personally like shooting at 500 meters. That was my bread and butter.

 

[Vaarok]

My hill's about two hundred yards away, the clanger target's on the hill. I've paced it, but not ranged it exactly, so it's something like that.

 

[Pahtu]

Yup, informal, all the time....

Pahtu.

 

[fernleaf]

By far the bulk of my shooting has been done at 200 meters, only going closer to 100 meters if I am doing handload accuracy testing.

The view from the 200 meter mound....it's a bit different now, all the trees have gone..

I only run surplus ammo through my M39s, and handload for my M27 and M24. I've had the best results with Hungarian Steel Core Heavy Ball. None of my Mosins like Chinese Light Ball, Barnaul 203grn Softpoints or Prvi Partizan 180grn Softpoints.

 

[Shyquestor]

Hungarian heavy in M-39? I have not tired this combo yet. How different than light ball Hungarian?

 

[fernleaf]

Hungarian heavy in M-39? I have not tired this combo yet. How different than light ball Hungarian?

No idea! The only surplus 7.62x54r we can get in any quantity here is Hungarian Steel Core Heavy Ball. Occasionally the Chinese light ball shows up, but it isn't very good.

 

[Shyquestor]

Informal...And Insanley Wonderful

Yup, informal, all the time....

Pahtu.

You know I just hate you, in the kindest possible way.

What a backyard!

Who do you get to cut the grass? Sheep?

 

[Spetznatz]

I shoot at 200 yards every great once in a while.

 

[wikinger59]

Shoot at 200 yds. Just starting to shoot at 400 yds. My M39 is a 1MOA rifle.
200 yd pictures at my local range:
1939 K98k "27" code & 1944 VKT M39

 

[glee]

Most of my shooting at the range is at the 200 yard gong. I figure if I can hit the 12"x12" steal at that range with at least 8 out of 10 shots with a MN than its a good shooter. As to that target , your son is one heck of a shot!

 

[Shyquestor]

Shoot at 200 yds. Just starting to shoot at 400 yds. My M39 is a 1MOA rifle.
200 yd pictures at my local range:
1939 K98k "27" code & 1944 VKT M39

If at 400, I would be blind to the bull and just chucking them out! Glad you can do it.

 

[Tom-M]

If you want to test your skill at 200 yrds I strongly suggest looking into the games/competitions set up by the CMP. They have matches set up for just about every type of rifle - you wont feel out of place with a Moisin, Garand, or match grade AR15. Participants vary from the novice to the very experienced too. Never met a better group of guys than I find at these matches. Going to Camp Perry is a trip I look forward to every year, and now that they have started an Eastern Game I can participate twice a year.

 

[wikinger59]

"If at 400, I would be blind to the bull and just chucking them out! Glad you can do it."

Use a spotter with a 2way radio at the 400 yd target. That way, I get instantaneous feedback, because I sure can't see the hits, even with my spotting scope, at that range.
It's quite the challenge, especially if you get some cross wind.

 

[Pahtu]

"Who do you get to cut the grass? Sheep?"

Nope, sheep.....yuck.....

Cows!!!, now were talkin!!!....=+)

 

[firthcpt]

I like to shoot at 200 yrds at my neighbors. He has a 8"x12" gong set up so I get instant results. My m39's are my favorite Mosins for that range. Need to use a gong at that range as my old eyes have a hard time w/paper at that distance. I will say that Bulgarian HB Brass Yellow Tip is my choice for long range.

 

[Tantal]

At the range I regularly go to they have a couple of 24" gongs out at 475 (supposed to be 500 but they ran out of room). I paint them black and with a decent spotting scope can see the hits. To be honest I tend to pattern more than group at that range but with my eyes hitting the thing is good enough, and I tend to figure that with surplus ammunition thats what these rifles were intended to do, hit a man in the chest at that range. Beyond that I tend to figure the optimistic sight grades found on many Mosins (particularly the M91s) were intended for massed volley fire on an area target since the nations that were initially involved in WW1 largely were led by generals whose mindset was not much changed from the tactics of the Napoleonic era. At least thats the impression I get from my reading.

 

[alb87]

When I have to test a rifle or a new ammo I shoot at 100 metres.
But usually I shoot at least at 200 metres.

Regards.