PROBLEM: Difference between M 38 & 91/30 Barrel

Anton · 07-14-2008, 06:24 PM

Hello, I recently purchased two MNs - M 38 & 91/30. When I closely inspected the barrel of each it looked to me like the muzzle of the M 38 was larger. In order to check this out, I put a 30-06 bullet down each barrel bullet end first. Sure enough, the 30-06 round whent deeper down the muzzle of the M 38. Does anyone know what the problem is? Is it just that the M 38 barrel is worn out more? Is this a major problem? I have not shot either yet. They both take the same ammo, right?
Thanks for any help - Mark

squirrelbaster · 07-14-2008, 06:29 PM

your m38 barrel is counterbored and the 91/30 is not. this is not a problem at all, infact personaly have never seen a m38 that was not counterbored. counterboreing was jst a quick fix that the ruskies did to fix a rifle whos rifling was wornout or dammages near the muzzle. the counterboring fixed the problem therefor you have a good and workable rifle. congrats on your newguns, the m38 is my favorite mosin modle.

lefty o · 07-14-2008, 06:30 PM

the muzzle on your 38, is more worn, thats it.

Anton · 07-14-2008, 06:38 PM

Thank you for the info squirrelbaster. I was worried but now I feel alot better. I like the M38 better myself - the 91/30 is nice but long.
I will have to take them to the range this weekend to test them both out.
Mark

texnmidwest · 07-14-2008, 07:15 PM

I agree with squirrel. Counter boring does no harm to accuracy.

gandog56 · 07-14-2008, 07:25 PM

Counterboring is done to IMPROVE accuracy without having to rebarrel.

Rex in OTZ · 07-14-2008, 09:26 PM

the counter bore was the most likely answer, some of the mosin's had different size bore's but that would not be so easy to tell as they range as much as .311" to.313"
and some Finnish rifles go tighter to .309".

gandog56 · 07-14-2008, 09:29 PM

And a 30.06 bullet is usually undersized for a Mosin anyways. They're only .308"

Iron_Colonel · 07-14-2008, 11:28 PM

Yea sounds like your M38 is counter bored. Mine is. It still shoots a pretty good group. One of my favorites. My M44 was my first Mosin, then I got my 91/30, then my M38. I love all three of them.

SwedeSteve · 07-15-2008, 05:04 PM

Anton- Make sure you add those Mosins to the Mosin Roll Call thread please.

gandog56 · 07-15-2008, 06:41 PM

WITH PICS!

Mosin Shooter · 07-15-2008, 07:24 PM

AWWWW......Anton, thats one less M38 for me to buy, my dad dont like the whole M44 not shooting straight without a bayonet, so he said hed be more supprotive of an M38

07-14-2008, 06:24 PM	#1
Anton Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 46	PROBLEM: Difference between M 38 & 91/30 Barrel Hello, I recently purchased two MNs - M 38 & 91/30. When I closely inspected the barrel of each it looked to me like the muzzle of the M 38 was larger. In order to check this out, I put a 30-06 bullet down each barrel bullet end first. Sure enough, the 30-06 round whent deeper down the muzzle of the M 38. Does anyone know what the problem is? Is it just that the M 38 barrel is worn out more? Is this a major problem? I have not shot either yet. They both take the same ammo, right? Thanks for any help - Mark

07-14-2008, 06:29 PM	#2
squirrelbaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,237	your m38 barrel is counterbored and the 91/30 is not. this is not a problem at all, infact personaly have never seen a m38 that was not counterbored. counterboreing was jst a quick fix that the ruskies did to fix a rifle whos rifling was wornout or dammages near the muzzle. the counterboring fixed the problem therefor you have a good and workable rifle. congrats on your newguns, the m38 is my favorite mosin modle. __________________ "My Shotgun SAYS I AM the POLICE !"--Mooseman684 "I like Turtles!" youtube kid

07-14-2008, 07:15 PM	#5
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,395	I agree with squirrel. Counter boring does no harm to accuracy. __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

07-14-2008, 11:28 PM	#9
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 373	Yea sounds like your M38 is counter bored. Mine is. It still shoots a pretty good group. One of my favorites. My M44 was my first Mosin, then I got my 91/30, then my M38. I love all three of them. __________________ Я люблю купить российские винтовки!!

07-15-2008, 05:04 PM	#10
SwedeSteve Bullet Maintenance !! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The anchor point, Alaska Posts: 10,283 Images: 1	Anton- Make sure you add those Mosins to the Mosin Roll Call thread please. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

07-14-2008, 06:30 PM	#3
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,785	the muzzle on your 38, is more worn, thats it.

07-14-2008, 06:38 PM	#4
Anton Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 46	Thank you for the info squirrelbaster. I was worried but now I feel alot better. I like the M38 better myself - the 91/30 is nice but long. I will have to take them to the range this weekend to test them both out. Mark

07-14-2008, 07:25 PM	#6
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 4,193	Counterboring is done to IMPROVE accuracy without having to rebarrel.

07-14-2008, 09:26 PM	#7
Rex in OTZ Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kotzebue, Alaska Posts: 439	the counter bore was the most likely answer, some of the mosin's had different size bore's but that would not be so easy to tell as they range as much as .311" to.313" and some Finnish rifles go tighter to .309".

07-14-2008, 09:29 PM	#8
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 4,193	And a 30.06 bullet is usually undersized for a Mosin anyways. They're only .308"

07-15-2008, 06:41 PM	#11
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 4,193	WITH PICS!

07-15-2008, 07:24 PM	#12
Mosin Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 402	AWWWW......Anton, thats one less M38 for me to buy, my dad dont like the whole M44 not shooting straight without a bayonet, so he said hed be more supprotive of an M38 __________________ Save a cow, eat a vegetarian.