It Does My Heart Good

The other day a friend of 3ohEight's dropped by. While they were visiting I overheard him bitching about Obama. There was no end of the ill's he attributed to the anointed one's enlightened rule!
He is only 19!
Even if there is little hope left for our nation, there is some hope for the younger generation.

 "If I had a son, he'd look like..." 

Thanks to wirecutter for the pic

Nothing Criminal Here

 Last Friday on the way to work gas was $4.05 per gallon (cash price, otherwise $4.15). On the way home it was $4.29 (cash price, otherwise $4.39). In 4 hours time! 
(I work 4-9’s and a 4)

WTF

I rushed to my PC when I got home and looked for the news I was dreading!

U.S. Attacks Iran!

Nope, not that.

Memorial Day weekend.

The blood sucking insects jacked the price up 2 weeks before the holiday, 24 cents.

Just 

because 

they 

can!

I am staging my own revolt!

I will not purchase anything at all the week before or after the holiday. All my purchases will be made prior, and after the “Holiday” has passed. I realize that many cannot go that long without having to fuel up, but I can and I will not feed these criminals during this time.

Fuck’em

Update:
Stronger Dollar Drives Oil Prices Lower 
WTI crude for delivery in June closes at $94.78 a barrel.


Here is the same crap trotted out by the lamestream media every time they gouge us.
Popular gasoline myths

In a first, gas and other fuels are top US export

Gasoline: The new big U.S. export

Historically High Oil Exports Helping Keep Gas Prices High

Mosin Magic Part 5 - The End, Or Is It?

Is the Mosin-Nagant truly worth all this fuss? After all, it is out of date as battle rifles go.
Watch these videos and ponder what you see.

Effective Range of 7.62x54r
640 yards with a WWII Mosin-Nagant 91/30 Sniper rifle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDIypxgwzXs&feature=relmfu

850 yards WWII 1942 91/30 Russian Mosin-Nagant (P/U) sniper rifle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKO3IJ4cdqI&feature=relmfu

1,000 yards 1942 91/30 Russian Mosin-Nagant (P/U) sniper rifle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2M1hC4c0tc&feature=related

Ten Rounds vs Five
An interesting developement - 10 rnd mag for the Mosin
http://www.datamancer.net/mosinmags/

Mosin-Nagant 10-round magazine- feed test 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCi1uNdYgbU&feature=fvwrel

10-round Mosin-Nagant magazine at the range
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC8t-1ViJpQ&feature=fvwrel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irYrxlSgrps&feature=player_embedded

Mosin Nagant 91/30 Scout Rifle
http://brassstacker.com/scout-rifle/

Maintenance
Mosin Nagant 91/30 Bolt Dissasembly / Assembly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9byqFz3p04&feature=related

mosin nagant extractor repair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PePjQrrPsbs&feature=relmfu

mosin nagant field cleaning 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfSU35MPGps&feature=related

More Nutnfancy
"Mosin-Nagant Sledgehammer Drill" by Buggetnuster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCX5zj6zvtM&feature=relmfu

"Scope Your Mosin!: The Brass Stacker mount" by Nutnfancy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOmqUdhJm_8&feature=related

Other Folks
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=440846

http://mscg.yuku.com/topic/3153/91-30-at-1000

http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=47958.0

http://gunloads.com/castboolits/showthread.php?p=991903

http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/defensive-rifles-shotgun-discussion/109817-mosin-nagant-91-30-sights.html

And so much more...


It must be true,
I read it on the Cortex!

Mosin Magic Part 4 - More DIY

Trigger Mods

The next improvement is the trigger. There is a youtube video that is called "Mosin Nagant, $5 2 Stage Trigger, How To" that shows how to remove some of the slack by adding a spring to the trigger, and another that by utilizing a washer, lightens and shortens the  trigger pull  [Mosin Nagant trigger job]. Beware of doing things that may make your rifle unsafe! If you are not 100% sure of what you are doing, take your rifle to a competent gunsmith and let him work on it.
You have been warned!

A simple job that can be done by anyone, is installing a custom trigger.

Huber Concepts is one choice, followed by the Timney trigger. The Huber trigger runs $80-$96 depending on which options you choose, and is adjustable, but I would choose the Match Grade Black Teflon for $80.22.

The Timney trigger has a side mounted safety, which is so much easier to engage than the stock safety. It retails for $89.00, and is a great candidate for replacing the stock setup. It is also adjustable.

Open Sights

One of the next areas in which you can improve this rifle is the sights. If you wish to go with open sights, there are a few options.

Mojo Sights offers a popular style which is what I would prefer if I wished to upgrade my open sights. Mojo Sights for the 91/30 run from $64 to $79 depending on the options you choose.

Smith Sights makes a hooded front sight setup that comes in many flavours: Classic Target, Hunter's Red and Tactical Green. Combos are available for $45.00 including shipping. For adjusting the windage of your new front sight, pick up one of the Elby Sight Tools, Mosin-Nagant front site adjusters.

The Mosin was meant to the engage enemy at longer distances than most people ever shoot, the effect of which is that it shoots as high as 12" at 100 yards, maybe higher. Under 100 yards? Difficult without raising the front sight post. Smith Sights will help you with that issue.

Scopes and Scope Mounts

The choices for scope mounts is improving for the Mosin-Nagant rifles, but is still not ideal. It currently ranges from junk to higher tech, cheap to expensive. Let's skip the junk. You can go with two methods of mounting your scope, Scout style or Traditional over the receiver style. Some people are going as far as totally removing the rear sight base and using 3/8" dovetail .22lr style mounts on the revealed dovetail grooves. This is fine unless you wish to retain the open sights. There is also the Russian PU (WWII) style mount if you desire it. I don't really like something that is that high above the bore!

Brownell's has a decent mount that replaces the rear sight components and mounts into the base. It is manufactured by S&K and will set you back a cool $79.99. I believe this is the mount Nutnfancy uses in his video. The scope he uses is a red dot sight, and in the video you can see he has very good results with it.

Custom Gunstock's

When thinking of a custom stock for the Mosin-Nagant, the first one that comes to mind is the ATI offering, a sporter style with a recoil pad. I actually had one of these, but gave it to 3oEight for one of his Birthdays, with Mosin attached! It was the Mossy Oak printed version which I purchased off eBay. The gun fit the stock well, with one exception: The interrupter had no clearance to function properly and thus interfered with loading and feeding the weapon. The stock is in need of some inletting in this area for proper function.

WARNING!
Do not buy the Mossy Oak finish ATI stock! The finish is chipping off 3oEight's from just handling the stock, without it ever being in field use! Unless ATI has fixed this issue, I can not recommend any of their stocks that have other than the black finish.

Richards Microfit is another source of custom stocks for the 91/30. I have heard both good and bad about this company, but have no personal experience with them yet. They have some very nice stocks in both natural and laminated wood, and different colors! A wide choice of styles, but the waiting period may be extensive.

Another source is Boyds, which I have no experience with either. Their's is a more limited selection of styles and colors for the 91/30. I am sure there are others out there that can be found with a little more searching.

Now, after you have spent all this money on your Mosin, it would be a shame to put a scope on it that will not deliver the accuracy that the rifle is now truly capable of. If you were to do all the bedding, accurizing and upgrades, you would most likely have a rifle truly able to outshoot the shooter!

Nobody says you have to do all this to enjoy your Mosin. Just don't let anybody tell you it is not worth spending $100.00 on!

Sources:

Trigger
Huber Concepts Trigger ($80.22)
http://www.huberconcepts.com/Mosin-Nagant_Trigger_Replacement.htm

Timney Trigger Mosin-Nagant ($89.00)
http://www.eabco.com/store/products/Timney_Triggers_for_Mosin_Nagant_Rifles-2087-57.html

Brownell's - Timney Featherweight Trigger ($99.00)
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=25713/avs|Make_3=Mosin%20Nagant/Product/FEATHERWEIGHT-TRIGGER

Mosin Nagant, $5 2 Stage Trigger, How To
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty_u4jo3GHc&feature=related

Mosin Nagant trigger job
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIoby-NO5HA&feature=related

Trigger job on a Mosin Nagant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KmJV6n8N4&feature=related

Open Sights
Mojo Sights ($64-$79)
http://www.mojosights.com/mosin_nagant.html

Smith Sights ($41-$45)
http://www.smith-sights.com/

ELBY Sight tool ($18.00)
http://elby.yolasite.com/

https://www.buymilsurp.com/mosin-nagant-parts-accessories-mosin-nagant-sight-tools-c-2_10266.html

Scope Mounts
Rear Sight Scope Mounts - S&K ($79) [as in Nutnfancy's video]
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=26104/avs|Manufacturer_1=SzzxzzK/Product/MOSIN-NAGANT-MOUNT

http://www.thecountryshed.com/mosin_nagant_scope_mounts.htm

Advanced Rifle Parts Scope Mount ($105-$135)
http://advancedrifleparts.com/

Rock Solid Industries, LLC Scope Mount ($100-$160)
http://www.rocksolidind.com/mosin-nagant.html

Jmecks Scope Mounts ($74-$92)
http://jmeckscopemounts.com/

Brass Stacker Scope Mount ($59)
http://brassstacker.com/mosin-nagant/
http://www.thecountryshed.com/mosin_nagant_scope_mounts.htm

ATI Scope Mount
http://www.milsurpstuff.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MOI0600

"Scope Your Mosin!: The Brass Stacker mount" by Nutnfancy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOmqUdhJm_8&feature=relmfu

Jmeck's Mosin Nagant Scope Mount
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CHBuiBkQlo

Sporterizing the Mosin Nagant Part 8- Drilling and Tapping for the Rock Solid Mount
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy_8cOY2NQ8&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL530D7DB7D01FA2C8

Mosin-Nagant S & K Scout Mount
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KHSyOJ9dQY


Scopes
Too many out there to list. Check any reputable sporting goods retailer or Amazon.com.

Proper Way to Mount a Scout Scope on a Mosin Nagant M91/30, Video 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTWDJiJLlPg&feature=related

Proper Way to Mount a Scout Scope on a Mosin Nagant M91/30, Video 2, Update and Problems Solved
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOj9U2iX0Ek&feature=fvwrel


Custom Rifle Stocks
http://rifle-stocks.com/

http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Boyds-Mosin-Nagant-Socks-s/172.htm

http://www.youtube.com/user/utahcustomgunstocks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSCL_-mnN4k&feature=related


Mosin Nagant 91/30 cheap custom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzjwvBPWi-Q&feature=related

Custom Rifle Build Mosin Nagant 91/30 Ep 1
http://www.youtube.com/embed/KVwXmIJGeG4

Custom Rifle Build Mosin Nagant 91/30 Ep 2
http://www.youtube.com/embed/irYrxlSgrps

Mosin Magic Part 3 - Professional Work

Action Blueprinting

This is a simplified explanation.
Action Blueprinting is simply truing the barrel to the action, then lapping the bolt lugs to fit properly.  It is actually a little more complex than that, as it involves removing the barrel an placing it in a lathe to true up the mating face where the barrel threads into the action and meets the reciever. A corresponding amount is machined off of the threads, and once the barrel is mounted properly in the action, a chamber reamer is used to create the proper sized chamber. On non-rimmed cartridges, headspace can be adjusted at this time.

While the barrel is removed, the action has a mandrel mounted in it and it is chucked up in a lathe to have the barrel mating surface trued up. The final step to this process is lapping the lugs of the bolt to their new position in the action. This amount should be very minor. Depending on the condition of the barrel, it may need to be replaced at this time.

This is my understanding of the Action Blueprinting process. It is not a cheap process, but it will give you a very accurate firearm, if the proceeding modifications have been completed.

Here is a link to a more in depth Action Blueprinting process by a custom firearms manufacturer.
http://www.aquilafirearms.com/RifleOptionsAndComponents/AccurizingProcess.htm

Muzzle Brake/Porting

A muzzle brake will help with recoil abatement and muzzle rise, but the report of the rifle is actually louder due to being deflected to the left and right sides as well as up instead of being projected to the front of the barrel. There are various styles of muzzle brakes out there, but most will require cutting and threading the barrel, unless you wish to add up to four more inches to the overall length of your rifle. Not something I would like to do with a 91/30.  Select or search for a service provider near you, or to ship to. Be sure to call ahead and discuss what options are available to you for the Mosin-Nagant. This would be a perfect time to have that barrel shortened to a more manageable length. A partial list of companies providing these services follows.

Sources:

Accurizing
Lots of good info on Mauser's and Mosin's - Action Blueprinting
http://www272.pair.com/stevewag/

accurizing a mosin nagant M91/30 part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcITHYnRiSs&feature=related

accurizing a mosin nagant M91/30 part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58rLbsG_mso&feature=relmfu

accurizing a mosin nagant M91/30 part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQvcs58gHKg&feature=relmfu

accurizing a mosin nagant M91/30 part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz6e3HYkhlU&feature=relmfu

Muzzle Breaks
Vais Arms Inc.
http://www.muzzlebrakes.com/Prices.aspx

E. Arthur Brown Company, Inc.
http://www.eabco.com/cssmb.html

Aquila Precision Firearms
http://www.aquilafirearms.com/index.htm

There are more, just do a keyword search on muzzle breaks!

BOV Update

Well, the Yeep is in the shop having some work done on it. It went in to have its new front tires mounted and has been in there over a week, as I have been adding new work requests. The Yeep wandered just a bit as you drove it, and I wanted it checked out.
Ooopps!

$$$

So far, new battery cables have been installed as well as a new starter (warrentee). There was an extensive leak from the valve cover and it was missing several bolts. A new valve cover gasket was installed and the bolts replaced. They pressure washed the engine for me so I could check for leaks after driving it, as there was a lot of oil in the engine bay..

It also needed some new steering components so I had v8 ZJ (Grand Cherokee) steering components installed because they were heavier duty, and also added a new track bar. Some where along the way, a tie rod end had stripped the threads, and instead of replacing it, they drilled a hole through the assembly and bolted it together. Not very safe!

The bolts for the steering box were a bit loose because the Uni-body frame was cracked in several places. Cherokees are famous for this issue when they have over-sized tires installed. This was welded up and a Box Brace installed, along with a JKS XJ Steering Box Brace System, added to reinforce the uni-body frame.

The young man working on the Yeep (a 20 year veteran of Cherokee ownership) pointed out that the u-joints in the front axle needed to be replaced (visually verified).

$$$$

Last, but not least this go-around I am having a new muffler and tail pipe installed, as the previous owner had put on a Cherry Bomb glass-pack and no tailpipe. I no longer like really loud cars and prefer to be able to listen to my stereo in peace 'n quiet.

I still have a list a mile long of to-dos, but most of them are not safety related, just general maintenance and improvements. Stuff I can accomplish myself as the weather improves. I hate not having a shop to work in, it really limits my wintertime options!

I need to enlist the assistance of several taller folk to help me put my roof rack on! I also intend to mount some special purpose lighting and am toying with the idea of putting a solar panel up top also to charge a battery system for camping uses. This will eliminate a dead starting battery and keep a deep cycle charged up for general purpose uses.

$$$

So many ideas, so little money...

Mosin Magic Part 2 - Free Improvements!

Well Almost Free.

Free-floating the barrel

Free-floating the barrel is something you can do yourself at little to no cost, depending on what materials you have in your possesion. A roll of dimes, some 220 grit sandpaper and you can have it done in a short amount of time. Some boiled linseed oil should be rubbbed into the barrel channel once you have finished removing the proper amount of material so that it does not absorb moisture and cause it to warp. A dollar bill should be able to slide up and down the barrel without binding to have an adequate clearance.

Action Bedding and Pillar Bedding

This is something else you can do yourself. If you don't already know, pillar bedding is done to bolt-action rifles to help improve accuracy when shooting. Two or more metal pillars are embedded in the stock using a resin or epoxy compound. The pillars form a solid connection from the trigger guard to the receiver. Basically, to pillar bed a bolt-action rifle you remove the trigger guard screws, drill out the screw holes in the stock oversize enough to accept the pillars with some space around them, then epoxy the pillars in place and screw the rifle back together.

Aluminum pillars are most commonly used, but steel pillars are stronger. The metal pillars are resistant to weather changes, but the steel may rust if the gun isn't properly cared for. Pillar bedding also creates a uniform screw torque, which also contributes to consistency and accuracy.

Action bedding is similar to pillar bedding, as an epoxy can be used to create a perfect "bed" for the action to rest in. Often a fiberglass resin is used (hence glass bedding), but compounds such as epoxy steels can also be used.

Now, if you pillar bed, do you need to bed the action? Maybe not, but it can't hurt. Plus you can do the work yourself if you so choose. You may also want to consult with a gunsmith before undertaking this path. It may not be necessary.

There is also a method called Pressure Bedding which consists of putting an X amount of pressure at X location on the the barrel. It is something that needs to be worked out for each individual rifle and will take some time and patience. Some manufacturers use this method by putting it near the muzzle. It has been shown that sometimes they add too much pressure and can actually decrease accuracy.

I have included links to some great articles to help you do your own work, or decide to leave it to a Pro!

Sources:

Action and Pillar Bedding: The Art of Stock Bedding
http://www.6mmbr.com/pillarbedding.html

Floating and Bedding: Accurizing Your Rifle
http://hunting.about.com/cs/guns/a/float_bed.htm

Pillar Bedding
http://erniethegunsmith.com/catalog/c41_p1.html

Smoothing the Action of the Mosin Nagant and Final Assembly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvVsCMrsg3k&feature=related

Mosin Magic Part 1 - Intro

I have been filling up my gray matter with info on the MN 91/30 of late.

This rifle has to be the buy of the decade, if not longer. A time tested full power battle rifle, arsenal refurbished for around $100 dollars on sale! The price is going up as the dollar sinks, so buy now!
This is an incredible amount of rifle for the money, able to take down any game on the North American continent with the proper configuration and grain bullet.

An awesome investment!

This rifle is currently so affordable, every one interested in being prepared could buy one along with 880 rounds of ammo and put it away in your closet for when it may be needed, for less than $360.00!

Cabela's currently list's the 91/30 for $149.00, but I am sure you can find it for less if you look around. Big 5 sporting goods stores in my area usually have them on sale every month or two.

Sportsman's Guide currently has 880 rounds of 7.62x54r in the steel tins for $166 plus shipping (less if you are a member). Add a few boxes of hunting ammo and you are doing pretty well. Those with Mosin's would do well to stock up while you can get it this cheap. It may not be available in the future, say after Nov. 3rd 2012!

In my pursuit of this knowledge, I came across a video from Nutnfancy showcasing his Mosin-Nagant 91/30's, of which he says he (now) owns four samples of. It was was an interesting video, if not a bit long ("Mosin-Nagant: The $100 .30-06" by Nutnfancy). If you are familiar with him, you know he can be a bit long winded on some subjects; thorough, but long winded. The link is provided at the end of this post.

Nutnfancy likes the MN 91/30 (obvoiusly, since he now owns 4) and calls it a fun gun to shoot. He has one which he has Dura-coated the entire gun, including the Red Dot scope he has on it, and the stock.

Nutnfancy made one statement in this video regarding the 91/30 that I don't agree with. When talking about the sometimes awful trigger pull, he says:
"I could throw a Timney trigger in there, but I don't want to spend $100 on a Mosin." (25:05 min)

I have priced some of the other newly manufactured retail guns out there he recommended that are on a par with the MN, and you are looking to drop [$500 to $1100] for a Savage or the Rem 700 in .308 or .30-06. Since the 7.62x54r is within this performance range, somewhere between the two, I selected these calibers for price comparisons. These prices are for just the bare rifles, no upgrades. Pretty big price spread, and prices are going up all the time! Add to this the current price of .308 and .30-06 and shooting your rifle gets rather spendy, fast! This is also for a bone stock rifle, possibly needing some tweaks for better performance. You may be able to find them cheaper, but this is what I found with a quick search.

Now, the MN was not produced as a 1 MOA rifle, and was not intended to be. But that does not mean that it can't be improved upon. It is an affordable alternative to modern, high priced rifles, leaving money on the table to improve it's performance, cheaply.

So let's see what we can do to improve the accuracy by investing up to the cost of one of the newer rifles.

Sources:

Mosin-Nagant 91/30 ($149)
http://www.cabelas.com/bolt-action-mosin-nagant-model-91-30-rifle-bayonet-2.shtml

Sportsmans Guide 880 rnds 7.62x54r, 147gr FMJ ($165.97)
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/880-rds-762x54r-147-gr-fmj-ammo.aspx?a=865012

Nutnfancy's Videos
"Mosin-Nagant: The $100 .30-06" by Nutnfancy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PQUDmINoPM&feature=relmfu

"Arctic Ops: Mosin-Nagant 91/30" by Nutnfancy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eqG5GJRies&feature=relmfu

YouTube
Becoming "Tactical" Doesn't Require Becoming "Tacticool"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cf_j2YnLhw&feature=related