cheapdad,
Could you be the "cheapdad" I purchased this rifle from? I did break down and put twenty rounds of cast bullets through the Polish M44 to get an idea of where it would print at fifty yards.
The rifle shot to the right 2-1/2" with bayonet folded back and 3-1/3" with the bayonet deployed. I have ordered a sight adjusting tool for the Polish so it can be centered. One problem I don't have when shooting cast bullets in my Mosin Nagants is the shooting high problem. I have to use the 400 to 600 meter sight setting to get close to the center of the target. Some rifles will be a few inches above center with say 600 meter setting and at 500 meter it can shoot about the same amount low. It can be difficult to get one to shoot dead center, but then these are not target rifles. As long as I am close to the "X" ring, I am more interested in groups size. That is what I use to judge the accuracy level of the rifle, the load and my shooting ability.
These initial groups with loads that shoot well in other Mosin Nagants were 1-1/2" at fifty yards. Testing with my Russian M44 rifles ran about the same accuracy. I went the extra mile with one to see just what it coud do with all items removed that can affect the accuracy. I removed the bayonet, the cleaning rod and handguard. I made sure the barrel was free floated. I was able to get cast bullet groups below 1.0" at fifty yards. Upward pressure at the forend tip caused groups to enlarge. Knowing the best possible accuracy was not that much better than with the rifle in original condition, I restored it to original.
After the twenty rounds of cast through that mirror finished bore, there wasn't a trace of lead. I was surprised to find the groove diameter at .314" when I slugged it. Most of my Russian Mosin Nagants slug at .313" and Finnish rifles closer to .310".
This a very nice M44 and I will likey enjoy more shootin with cast bullets.
