This is a scan from "Sharpshooter Manual, 7.62 mm rifle model 1891 with PU scope and optical devices", or more simply, a Mosin sniper rifle. The data seen here isn't too far off from data obtained from the German rifle: deviations of 5 cm at 100 meters, 14 cm at 300 meters, and 31-32 cm at 600 meters. As weapons of the same class, this should be expected. However, just for kicks, let's try a different weapon. One of the tables I had on hand was one for AK-74 and AKS-74 assault rifles.
Those of you that have been reading my blog for a while have probably already guessed that when comparing something that has a vague reputation of quality and something that has an equally vague reputation of being cheap junk, the results can be surprising. This case is no exception: the bullet of an average AK shooter deviates by 4 cm at 100 meters, 12 cm at 300 meters, and 24 cm at 600 meters, so almost exactly the same values as a high quality German sniper rifle.
First post in ages. Came here to link a friend who I knew would appreciate your work (our old Wehrabingo cards turn up in the damndest places!) and saw this. Stop posting so much stuff, I'm like two years behind on tanks and even worse here.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, comment time: worth noting that service rifles of the period had far, far worse accuracy standards than what we would expect today, let alone from a hunting rifle or whatever. It's uniform across the nations, too - accuracy was relative back then, and a rifle that shoots somewhere under 3MOA is accurate compared to the conscript or citizen soldier who's going to be using it.
It seems the Mosin has worse numbers printed form than achieved in trials with a Mauser sample, which is surprising, I woner how the Mosin did actually. Oh, and it is cheap junk compared to the Mauser 98s, thought not because of any severe accuracy problems with.
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