An antique Mosin Nagant contains a lot of history in itself. Since its inception in 1891 by the Soviet Army, it has been used in more than 30 wars worldwide and counting.
It is the second- most-produced rifle after the renowned AK-47.
Mosins are used for hunting throughout Russia and other countries to date, but many hunters still question whether itโs a good weapon for hunting. Letโs look at the issues.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Hunting with the Mosin Nagant Rifle
- OUR TOP PICK: Mosin Nagant Archangel OPFOR Stock Adjustable
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Brownells - Tactical Plus Rifle Sling
- Harris - S-LM Bipod Sling Swivel Mount
Comparison of the Best Hunting Accessories and Upgrades For the Mosin Nagant
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Is The Mosin Nagant Good For Hunting?
The answer is, Why Not? During the siege of Stalingrad during WWII, the famous sniper Vasily Zaytsev killed more than 500 nazi soldiers, including 11 Wehrmacht snipers with his Mosin Nagant. A deer surely isnโt as cunning as an SS sniper.
The effective range of the Mosin is 500 meters while the rear sight is calibrated for 2000 meters. Youโre surely not going to shoot your game from farther than 300 yards.
A good hunting rifle must be accurate and powerful - accurate enough to spot your game from a large distance and powerful enough to kill it. A Mosin Nagant fits both the categories perfectly. It uses a 7.62 x54R round, which is comparable to a 30-06 round in U.S standards. Soft-point ammo of a heavier grain can even kill a bear humanely.
You can use the Mosin to take down your game from as far as 500 yards. The rifle is quite accurate at such distances. Remember, it was the standard sniper rifle for the Soviet Army, so its accuracy shouldnโt be doubted.
Mosins generally use milsurp ammo which is quite inexpensive. Itโs also not the best kind of ammo for hunting. Honestly, it is the least desirable ammo for hunting because itโs not very accurate, but apart from that, there are different types of ammo available on the market to use with your Mosin Nagant. The Mosin is itself a cheap rifle, so your hunting campaigns are not going to burn a hole in your pocket.
A Mosin Nagant is good for shooting deer and sometimes even bear while using heavy grain ammo like 174 gr or 180gr soft point. On the other hand, itโs not what you want to use for fowl or any small game. It wonโt leave meat on the bone after impact. The power of the round simply doesnโt match the size of the target.
The objections to using a Mosin usually involve its age and lack of technological development. No, it wasnโt built as a hunting rifle. Yes, itโs dated, but it can definitely serve the purpose with a few adjustments.
Also, the Mosin Nagant is a bolt action rifle which uses a powerful 7.62 x 54R round. The shot is very noisy and may scare away the target. So be sure not to fire a round before you have a proper shot. Safety is an important issue while you handle a rifle.
Review of the Best Hunting Upgrades for the Mosin Nagant
The following is a list of the best accessories and upgrades for hunting with a Mosin Nagant rifle. As you go through each item on the list, you should make a note of the characteristics and features. This way, you can determine whether or not itโs a good fit for your rifle or not.
Remember, you need to know what you want to get out of your rifleโs performance so you know which accessory or upgrade is appropriate for you to buy. There are quite a few modifications youโd probably want to make to your Mosin before taking it to your next hunting trip. Here are some of the most important.
Now, letโs take a look at the first item on our list:
Stock
If you have an antique Mosin Nagant, you might want to preserve the original stock while you crawl through the woods. However, the stock of an original Mosin is heavy, which is not great for hunting trips. Another aspect is the beauty of your rifle. Older stocks donโt look so pretty. There are a few stock upgrade options for the Mosin Nagant. For hunting, you might want to try the Archangel stock from Pro Mag.
Mosin Nagant Archangel OPFOR Stock Adjustable
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This stock was a hit with many users. Not only was this installed in a matter of minutes on most rifles, but it made one userโs rifle go from looking old to modern. He said that it was around 90 years old and the new stock makes it look a lot like a recent model. The recoil reduction was also instant upon installation.
Why it Stands Out to Us
A good Mosin Nagant stock is what youโll need if you need something to replace a factory default. Keep in mind that the recoil of this rifle is quite strong, which means more shock. This stock is made from high-quality synthetic materials that make it almost indestructible. Simply put, it was made for a heavy-hitting rifle like the Mosin Nagant.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be used by almost any Mosin Nagant user who believes that their factory default stock wonโt do them any good. So, this can be one of the best upgrades that they can find for their rifles. If youโre looking for something that will give you better control and reduced recoil in the process.
Bottom Line
The Pro Mag Mosin Nagant Archangel Opfor Adjustable stock is the toughest stock on the block. Especially when itโs built to handle a rifle like a Mosin Nagant. Install this bad boy on your rifle and you will not only have superior recoil reduction, but your rifle will stand out as more modern looking and will have the ability to take on any abuse and impact it can.
Sling
A tight and sturdy sling is an important accessory to be taken over to hunting. You need to carry your rifle safely through the terrain so it doesnโt get damaged, or in the worst case, lost. There are many great options in this category. You might want to try this one from Tactical Solutions with its classic appearance.
Brownells - Tactical Plus Rifle Sling
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
New users were quite happy with this sling. Overall, they managed to carry their rifles on their shoulders without dealing with any discomfort, even for longer periods. One user said that this sling makes hands-free use a lot easier while heโs using his binoculars for any targets or for a potential spot to sit and wait.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This sling is made from no ordinary material that you see in most rifle slings. Itโs not made from nylon or the like. Itโs made from a high-quality material known as BioThane. Itโs hard to wear and tear and itโs by far one of the most comfortable materials out there for slings. On top of that, it proves its toughness by being weather-resistant and can handle even the coldest and hottest temperatures possible.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be used by hunters who want to spend all day deep in the woods. Sometimes carrying the rifle without a sling can become uncomfortable. Especially when youโre doing so for longer periods. If you also need your hands for anything other than carrying a rifle, you may need something like this at your disposal.
Bottom Line
If you want a tough sling that's built to last and excellent against any weather element imaginable, youโll want the Brownells Tactical Plus Rifle Sling as that one accessory that will go well with your rifle. Never will you have to have your hands full in any given hunting scenario. After all, you may need to drag something back if youโre lucky.
Scope
Iron sights are not a very good option for hunting. You need to take precise shots to make a kill. Mosin Nagants use scout scopes and you can find quite a few good ones on the market. With a little more adjustment to the gun, you can install a scope mount to use other types of scopes.
Bushnell Banner Riflescopes
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new buyers were happy with this scope. They were able to easily install this on their rifle and sight it in. Most users only needed a few minutes to sight it in at 100 yards. The scope allowed for accurate and precise shooting at various distances. One user said he was able to hit a big game target from 400 yards out.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This scope is built like a tank and locks on targets like a missile. That alone will give you the ability to hit a target with ease from distances that a Mosin Nagant rifle can cover. Other than that, the scope can make and recognize targets from low-light settings. So it makes your chances of landing your bag limit before everyone elseโs hunting day begins, or when the day wraps up, you can hit a target and call it a day.
Bushnell is always a great brand, offering superior optics and great reliability. The Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm is a great option for your Mosin Nagant.
Who Will Use This Most
This will probably be a huge hit with the deer hunters (and other big game hunters as well). If you want a scope that will be easy to sight in and strong enough for those settings to stay in place after many rounds. If you want a scope that will give you years of dependable service, you might be hard-pressed to find something quite like this.
Bottom Line
The Bushnell Banner is accurate, dependable, and will work with most Mosin Nagant rifles. If you want to hit a target from some pretty impressive distances, this scope will fit the bill. Not only that, itโs durable enough to handle any kind of rough environment.
Bipod
Mosins were not designed to use a bipod, but they can use one these days. A bipod helps you in sighting and aiming for a distant target. You might want to grab a nice bipod to help you out in the forest. Just remember it adds a little bit of weight to your rifle.
One of your top options in this area is from Harris, because of its weight and maneuverability.
Harris S-LM Bipod Sling Swivel Mount
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of users love this bipod for a few good reasons. One of them is how sturdy it is right out of the box. The rubber feet prevent the legs from slipping and can even handle some uneven ground like bumpy terrain. One user said that he found more stability on lumpy soft land as opposed to a gravel road.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is made of high-quality aluminum. Which means it can handle a good amount of damage and impact. Plus, the springs are strong enough to handle some of the heavy weight of some rifles. So, it further proves how durable it can be. Aside from its durability, this bipod can be taken anywhere you want it to go. At the range or your favorite hunting spot, itโs lightweight and foldable enough to be a space saverโs dream.
Who Will Use This Most
This would be a handy accessory to have if you are a hunter that is always wanting to find stability in their Mosin Nagant rifles on even the shakiest of grounds. If you want something that will stay stable no matter what condition the ground is in, this bipod will be strong enough to handle your rifle and firmly keep its feet planted so you can shoot straight and with precise accuracy.
Bottom Line
The Harris S-LM Bipod is sturdy and can take on any ground you tread in a hunting scenario. You wonโt have to rely on your shoulders and arms anymore when all you need is something that will give your rifle stability and fluid movement for your rifle.
What is the Effective Range of a Mosin Nagant?
This depends on the manufacturer of Mosin Nagant rifles. As of today, there are 60 million Mosin Nagant rifles that have been manufactured.
The effective firing range of this rifle according to various users over the years said that they were able to reach their targets that were situated around 500 yards without any optics. With scopes or optics, most shooters were able to reach out and touch something that was situated some 850 yards away.
Pros and Cons of Using a Mosin Nagant for Hunting
Letโs look a little more at the strengths and weaknesses of this gun for a hunter.
Pros
Price
Mosin Nagant is still an inexpensive rifle. You can find a nicely-made Mosin well below $200 at your local gun store, and probably less if you buy online. The carbines cost a bit more, in the range of $300. A lot of people like to spend more to have a fine rifle, but this one can definitely serve your purposes.
Inexpensive Ammunition
Mosin Nagant uses military surplus ammunition which is ridiculously cheap. It wonโt cost you much if you donโt buy the military surplus and purchase similar ammunition from your local store. Itโs probably within a price range of 15-20 cents/ round. As we mentioned, itโs not the BEST choice, but it will serve if you want.
Accuracy
As you already know, this has been a standard rifle for many armies in the world. It also has a record of being one of the most-feared sniper rifles of all time. The Mosin Nagant is very accurate and can do wonders in capable hands.
Sturdy Build
An original Mosin Nagant has a sturdy build with smooth action and a hardened stock. The rifle was used with bayonets for hand-to-hand combat where the butt-stroke was a standard move. Not that youโll need that when hunting, but it shows that it was built to withstand some impact.
Cons
Safety
The safety of the Mosin, however silent, is very difficult to operate. Even for its era, it was considered difficult. Youโll either have to keep it off - which we definitely donโt recommend - or learn to operate it properly with your hands before taking it to hunting.
Scope Mounts and Customization
A Mosin Nagant needs to be customised to put an optic scope on it. Itโs easiest to use a scout scope placed ahead of the bolt, but youโll probably have to customize or at least make some adjustments to use accessories like optics, bipods and tac lights. Some kind of scope mount will be necessary.
Weight
The Mosin Nagant weighs 8.7 lbs. (about 4.1 kg). This is a heavy rifle to be carried through woods or hills. If you plan to add any accessories, theyโll only add to the weight of the rifle.
Changing the Stock
The classic wooden stocks of the Mosin Nagant rifles are heavy, so you might want to replace them before you go hunting. Changing the stock of a Mosin can be quite a pain. Make sure to check out our Mosin Nagant stock buyers guide first.
Hunting Safely With a Mosin Nagant - What You Need to Know
One of the most important aspects of gun safety is, well, the safety. The safety of the Mosin Nagant is a bit difficult to operate. You need to pull back the cocking piece behind the bolt and rotate it clockwise to turn the safety on. To turn it off, you need to reverse the process. Shooting off a Mosin accidentally is not a common sight, but you must take precautions to handle the firearm safely.
A safety tip is to turn the bolt handle up and to rotate it down when you are ready to shoot. This is usually noiseless and prevents your game from scattering. Itโs also a safer way to handle a bolt action firearm.
This should go without saying, but always keep your finger off the trigger unless you are ready to shoot. Accidentally pulling the trigger will scatter your game, and in the worst case may cause an unexpected injury.
Another important thing is to use a good sling with your rifle. You can use the sling slot or attach a swivel stud to the Mosin, which offers a more reliable sling arrangement. The Mosin Nagant is a heavy rifle so you need to be sure that your sling is durable.
Before you take your Mosin hunting, clean it thoroughly. Make sure there are no obstructions like dirt and grime in your barrel and receiver.
Conclusion
The Mosin Nagant is still used worldwide during hunting seasons. The rifle has a sturdy build and a good effective range which makes it great for hunting. Itโs served armies at different fronts, from deserts to snowcaps, from grasslands to tropical forest. the Mosin Nagant is a trusted and reliable weapon. Itโs a perfectly fine rifle for hunting without all the frills of a more modern gun.
