Finnish M39 With Military Loads

[@ditto1958]

That’s some nice shooting, and that’s a beautiful M39. Looks brand new.

[@314299]

The rifle shot a lot better with the hand loads using the Hornady .3105" FMJBT. But I was not expecting much in the way of accuracy out of either of the rounds tested.

[@Chiefs500]

Looks like my "B" barrel. I think these were refurbed and never issued again.

[@slowhand1198]

Had a bunch of East German Steel cased lacquer coated stuff. Worked fine in the SVT 40 and PSL, but had to drop a cleaning rod down the bore to clear the chamber of any bolt gun I tried it in. Extractor popped right over the rim.

[@314299]

The lacquer seems to "glue" the cases to the chamber.

[@andyprairiedog]

Very interesting M39 Mosin Nagant you have there. Thank you for shooting it for us to see. Good stuff.

[@314299]

It's one of those rifles that I'm glad I got when I did as I don't think I would pay the current selling prices for one.

[@johnshandloading7907]

Back when Czech silver tip was plentiful and cheap (close to 20 years ago), it was my first exposure to how "Corrosive" some corrosive ammunition really is. I cleaned the gun and barrel like i normally would and it seemed fine. Luckily I was part of a Mosin Nagant Forum and one of the guys told me "always clean it twice, two days a part" when using corrosive ammo. So I check it a couple days later like I was told, and I look down the bore and see crusty stalactites and stalagmites forming in the barrel. I could not believe it. So I cleaned it really well, got all the junk out and then did the same thing two or three days in a row, always leaving a wet coating of oil in the bore overnight, prior to the next cleaning. The bore cleaned up beautifully but it was scary. One of the nicest bores I had and it almost got wrecked. Was actual rust and crud in just a couple days. I decided then I would limit my use of corrosive ammunition. If I remember correctly, if you stick a magnet to the bullet it sticks and it is because it has a steel core, not because of the jacket. It was very cheap and very plentiful but required thorough cleaning. Thank you for sharing with us. Very nice rifle. Also, I really love your channel.

[@314299]

I don't know what special stuff is in the Czech primers but as you say it is EXTRA corrosive, their 7.62x39 from the same period is the same.

[@paulkansteiner5392]

Good info. I still have a bunch of the green box stuff from about 8 years ago.

[@Fast85FoxGT]

Glad I found this. Always wondered what a M39 does with surp ammo.

[@314299]

Of course I used a limited selection of surplus but this hopefully gives and idea of what folks could expect.

[@grnsmoke3307]

Great lookin' rifle I'd like to pick up a 7.62x54r didn't know about the Finnish M39 thanks for the video.

[@314299]

If you want an M39 be prepared for sticker shock.

[@bcviking9381]

If i recall some Finn Mosins have a .308 bore for special 54R ammo

[@jeremyorr7469]

You are correct some were and we're not from what I been told. there is even a few videos on KZbin about this topic

[@314299]

M39 rifles were made to use the standard Russian/Soviet .310" bullet and not a .308" one. The Finns discovered you need to be able to use the ammo that the opposition uses.

[@jeremyorr7469]

@@314299 After gaining its independence in 1917 and after the Finnish Civil War of 1918, large numbers of Model 1891 Mosin-Nagant rifles were in the hands of the Finnish military. As the old barrels were worn out, they were replaced by new 7.83 mm (.308 in) barrels and the leftover 7.62×54mmR cartridges being in short supply, a domestic product was needed. This gave birth to the 7.62×53mmR. In the late 1930s the Finnish Army started loading military cartridges with domestically produced 7.87 mm (.310 in) diameter D166

[@jeremyorr7469]

And 310 and 311 it comes down to what Finnish Mosin you get

[@314299]

@@jeremyorr7469 Yes, not all Finn Mosis are the same. It seems that the bulk of rifles issued by the Finns during WW2 were ones with original barrels. If a captured rifle had a serviceable barrel than it went back into service with that barrel.

[@smileymusketgnome9327]

Thanks for sharing! Really good to know about the effect the lacquer is having. now I know! I was thinking it was a problem with my bolt or the action somehow, and you have no idea how many times I've had my headlamp and cheaters on trying to figure it out. Is there any cleaning you do at the range so you can shoot a little longer without being annoyed to death?

[@kenlansing1216]

Dang that rifle looks like it's in good shape.

[@314299]

I think it was a reserve rifle that was never issued.

[@waynedaley7048]

Over the years I've had some stout batches of 54 R Really have to beat the bolt open and a lot of cracked cases

[@314299]

Yes some batches of the lacquered stuff seem to be worse than others.

[@ere828]

Thats a nice looking rifle!! Did you work on it or was it like that when you bought it? Good video

[@314299]

It's exactly as it was when I bought it.

[@ere828]

@@314299 Beautiful!

[@mudbutton2]

I've shot a couple of sorts of military loads through my Polish M44 carbine. They sure do flash and blast.

[@314299]

The short barrel M44's are certainly noted for muzzle blast.

[@brianlee6849]

Beautiful M39 👍. Is that a replacement stock? Looks very nice. The little - increments on the front sight do you know what the moa adjustment is per -? I'm just curious have not been able to find this info anywhere. Thanks for sharing

[@314299]

To the best of my knowledge the stock is the original one as the rifle appears to have been in un-issued condition when it was sold off as surplus. As to the front sight increments I don't know for sure but there is an interesting discussion here: forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?336444-M39-Front-Sight-Adjustment

[@brianlee6849]

@@314299 You got really lucky with getting a unissued. What type of wood do you think it is? Some look like beech yours looks like walnut. That was a good discussion I think 1/2 moa per increment sounds about right. Thanks

[@gizmosgadgets4146]

@@brianlee6849 it’s Arctic Birch. To my knowledge all m39’s had this type of stock, Arctic Birch can have a very wild variation of grain patterns

[@brianlee6849]

@@gizmosgadgets4146 Great info thank you 👍

[@tapanilofving4741]

I think the 7.62x53R is slightly different than 7.62x54R. 53R has around .308 caliber bullets as the 54R has .311 so those might be a bit tight to the bore (especially steel). Also the cases in 53R are a tiiiny tiny bit shorter (0.2mm) than 54R so those can be too long for that chamber?

[@314299]

The M39 rifles are set up to shoot the standard Soviet/Russian load and have bores/throats/chambers that work with the Soviet pattern stuff. The Finns came to the conclusion that one needs to be able to use captured ammo and not be stuck with using only their own production. Target type accuracy is less important during a war than being able to use any and all ammo available.

[@MrHondaguy1]

Lol, I got about half a box of that Czech ammo somewhere, bought it at a gun show years ago. Didn’t appear to be much of a neck crimp on either one of those offerings. Iraqveteran8888 has a video about replicating that Fin D166 load for those things, good video but I got the impression working that load up would be a bit expensive.

[@314299]

It would be interesting to try the Lapua D166 boat tail bullet but to my knowledge there is no one selling them in my area.

[@pystykorva7114]

What kind of cleaning procedure you normally do after shooting surplus corrosive ammo? Any idea how fast the corroding starts after shooting?

[@314299]

Rusting can start within hours or can take days, it depends on how corrosive the ammo is and how much humidity there is. Over the years I have used several methods for cleaning barrels after firing corrosive ammo, but the one I use now involves cleaning with a mix of Ballistol and water. The mix is one part Ballistol to nine parts water, this mixture is shaken prior to use. The bore is cleaned with this mixture using a bore brush and patches and when clean is dried with patches, then oiled with undiluted Ballistol.

[@pystykorva7114]

@@314299 Thank you!

[@beefcakes27]

150 grain or approximate surplus works but these rifles prefer a heavier bullet, 180gr to 200gr. like the Finn D166... or Russian WPA 200gr.

[@314299]

The best factory/commercial load I have tried is the PPU 182 gr FMJBT.

[@7.62shawn5]

Great vid! Did you refinish the metal parts on your mosin because it looks brand knew! Beautiful m39 👍

[@314299]

I have not refinished the metal or wood on this rifle, the finish is original as it came out of the arsenal. I suspect this rifle was never issued and that is why it is in such nice shape.

[@henriklennartsson4128]

Great video! Where did you get the buttplate extender? I'm 6ft 7in so some extra length of pull would be nice for my M39.

[@314299]

byallen.com/product/recoil-eraser-recoil-reducing-pad/

[@eaglemasterdan]

Im curious how the hornandy steel match would do in a Finn Mosin, cool video

[@314299]

I've never seen the Hornady steel match in this caliber for sale around here, I've only seen it in .308 Win.

[@heinekenboy6901]

great video i love shooting lacquered ammo the barnaul SP 203gr the red green box ,i think for the moment it the best ammo i have for my m44 make a 3 in group with them at 100m il have to make a video to show it to you some day but it not always in a 3 in group always depends how i feel and take my time shooting

[@314299]

We can get ammo with the same 203 grain SP pullet but it's in the plated steel cases instead of the laqured case. I've never tried it in the M39.

[@heinekenboy6901]

@@314299 i get them from SFRC or Tenda

[@314299]

@@heinekenboy6901 Good to know.

[@michaelcarey3105]

Is that a new stock? If so where did you get it?

[@314299]

The stock is the original Finnish one.

[@heyyoubuddy6749]

What a beautiful m39 rifle. My rifle likes heavier bullets. Polish heavy ball, was good. Blue box cz ammo was hot, kicked pretty good, 3 inches if I did my part. 7n1 grouped very well. The 203 grain soft points print about 2 -2.5 inches. I’m sure hand loads will tighten things up. Here in California we have to use all copper bullets when hunting. Liberals are such a pain in the rump. I guess I should be grateful they haven’t disarmed us already. Thanks for sharing your range time with us.

[@314299]

I have a video posted with this rifle shooting hand loads with the Hornady 174 grain .3105" FMJBT bullet, it shoots quite well with those.

[@heyyoubuddy6749]

I went back and rewatched the video. Good shooting sir! 13in a nice little cluster. The powder you used, dominion it’s from Canada? Is it similar to IMR 4064?

[@314299]

@@heyyoubuddy6749 It's a non canister, much slower burning "version" of IMR 4064, and was made in the same Canadian plant that makes the IMR 4064 powder.

[@heyyoubuddy6749]

From what I understand ammo and components are very expensive up in Canada call so I really appreciate you sharing your range time I have not re-loaded in a very long time too busy trying to make a living. I retire next year so I’m hoping to spend more time at the reloading bench and range

[@garyCauser]

They will. You’re screwed!

[@miketreen7403]

My M44 is the same way with the laquer coated Ammo. Definitely not going to do a “mad minute” with that stuff!

[@314299]

The plated stuff is certainly better in regards to function, but brass is clearly the best.

[@miketreen7403]

Do you use windex for cleaning before oiling or do you use hot soapy water? Or do you use something else for the corrosive ammo??

[@314299]

@@miketreen7403 I use Ballistol/Water mix (1 part Ballistol to 9 parts water). A couple of wet patches followed by dry ones and then straight Ballistol after that.

[@Revilerify]

Is this an original stock on the rifle? Looks brand new.

[@314299]

It is the stock that the rifle came with, the whole rifle appears unissued.

[@Revilerify]

@@314299 wow, never seen one in such impeccable condition, it's beautiful. Greetings from Finland.

[@1789000]

have you tried any bulgarian lps through it?

[@314299]

Not yet.

[@jeremyorr7469]

Are you Canadian?

[@SinginShooter]

Very.

[@314299]

Last time I checked.

[@morokolli8700]

You can allso load your own ammo/cartrit. Those china bullet is like box of choklid.. sometime you get bullet whitout bowder... USE FIN MADE BULLETS LIKE SAKO, LAPUA.. GREETS FROM⚔🇫🇮☠.. S&B IS ALLSO GOOD... AND IN THE END THAT GUN MADED FOR HIT MASSENTER!!🙂

[@314299]

I have never come across a Chinese made round with no powder in it. I'm sure Finnish made ammo is excellent, but it is extremely expensive Lapua is $56 for 20 rounds of 7.62x54R. If you just purchase a few rounds to hunt that is not too bad but if you want to do recreational shooting that is too expensive. Yes, you can reload and I do, however many people do not want to get into reloading and want to shoot their Mosin rifles economically so surplus can be a good way to go.

[@eltenda]

Nice!

[@314299]

Thanks.

[@Joe3pops]

Typical Russ lineage. It works....but to work it like a Mauser you have to have the arm strength of Himalayan Yeti. Lol

[@314299]

Mosin's work just fine and with no great effort if brass case ammo is used. Some of the steel case surplus causes them to bind up, that stuff was made for automatic weapons that cycle very harshly. The Germans widely issued steel case ammo during WW2, you can tell in vintage film clips when they were shooting the stuff in their Mauser rifles because they were beating on the bolt handles to get them to operate.