Ready for action...at last! 44US(b)

[MN Fan]

Thanks all for putting up with me during this little project. It was a lot of fun and I am pretty happy with how it turned out.

To start, its a 1946 Mossberg Model 44US(b) civilian issue bolt action rifle. It has a 7 round .22LR/L/HVS mag with a 13/16" diameter barrel, lapped bore and adjustable trigger. The stock sighting is a Mossberg S-130 micro-adjust rear peep sight and the front is a ramped, selectable aperture blade/peep sight.

Sorry to repost, but here is how she came home:




There are more photos in the Restoration Forum if you're really bored

Here's how she is today, ready at last. She's now wearing a Simmons 6-24X44 scope with side parallax adjustment and 30/30 receptacle. The rings were a bit tricky...I wanted to make sure for one that I could keep the original peep sight mounted. Second, it would be nice if I could still actually use it with the scope mounted too lol. I finally found the UTG high profile rings worked really well. The scope mount is from Havlin Sales and required no alteration other than adding a couple of tiny lock washers since the screws were a touch too long. Havlin also provided the replacement front sight hood, red/green safety dots and a replacement trigger tension plunger. The bipod is mounted on a short picattany rail I drilled to utilize the existing front swivel mounting holes. I am not sure if its going to stay on the rifle or not, but its easy to take off if I decide not to use it.








It will be a blast competing with a 66 year old rifle. I hope she shoots as good as I think she's going to. It will all be worth it if she does

[Junk Yard Dog]

You got enough glass on that thing? You must be as blind as me, looks like a rifle even I could hit the target with Good job, now for the $64,000 question, how does it shoot?

[MN Fan]

I wanted the target dot to look like it was a paper plate so even I could see it

I hope it shoots well, I'll find out this week-end. Again, I'm stuck inside with 25 yards max, but it should be enough to see if she repeats

[desdem12]

If it shoots like it looks they will all be in one hole...sweet

[millman]

That turned out nice. Can't wait to see some targets.

[BuckeyeSgt]

I saw the scope and thought this must be a .338 Lapua......

[MN Fan]

Thanks guys. I am pretty anxious to shoot it! I picked it up just before Christmas, but it seems like I've been waiting several months!

The scope was interesting...I did a lot of research and tried to figure out what I wanted. This scope of course is for target shooting. I have an original Mossberg scope that will sit on it when its in the rack. Anyway, I decided what features I wanted and started shopping. I got scared right away lol. Most everything I wanted was 5 times what I paid for the rifle. I looked most every night for about a week. I finally found one this model that seemed pretty reasonable. It was just over $200...still way more than I wanted to pay, but it was half anything else I had found. Then I find it on Amazon for somewhere around $170. I was about to order it, then I see some links on the page and followed them to the Amazon Warehouse. This scope was listed at $85, like new with a small blemish. I decided to take the risk and bought it. It took me a bit to even find the blemish! There was a small chip in the tube coating that was about the diameter of a pencil lead. Even though the spot is below the mounting rings, I did a quick touch with a black sharpie and she looks as good as new

[Greasemonkey]

Impressive job, Have to say with the heavy barrel and scope it kinda does look like a sniper setup.

[OLD OUTLAW]

I want to see Wolfys Target paper. Then the name of the witness whom signs off on it.

Sorry Wolfy, could not resist!

[MN Fan]

We're not that far away from each other. We need to get together and shoot for a day this summer. Then you can sign the target

[OLD OUTLAW]

We're not that far away from each other. We need to get together and shoot for a day this summer. Then you can sign the target

We need to just do that! Take several rifles of all types out to a range. A range of at least 200 yards for the long rifles. It would be a good time for
us. On Interstate 80, it is 306 miles between Davenport and the East edge of Omaha at the Missouri River Bridge. I just don't know of a range in between. Do you?

[MN Fan]

No, but I'll start looking here before too long. I wouldn't mind driving to your area, it would be good to see that part of the country again.

It would be a lot of fun!

[millman]

You guys should do that. I have had good experiences with the forum members I have met in person.

[etprescottazusa91]

Nice rifle MN

[bunkysdad]

Well dang. It's nearly 4:00am & I'm having insomnia and then I find this! Cliff you did an amazing job. What a beauty. I want one of these worse than ever now.

[pacanis]

Very nice job, MN You did a great job with her. I'd love to squeeze some rounds off with it.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Target rifle, not sniper rifle, a sniper rifle is a weapon that has stalked and killed a human being in combat, something I hope this rifle is never used for

[MN Fan]

No, but if this f***ing fly doesn't quit bothering me, its going to become a sniper rifle of sorts! Mid winter in Nebraska and I've got a fly in my house. And of course, he has to occupy the same 20 cubic feet of space that I do.

Thanks for the comments guys. I am happy with how it turned out and still can't believe a 66 year old .22 civilian rifle was made of this quality and with these features.

By the way, it's a "full size" rifle when compared to any other .22s I own. It has the weight and feel of a center fire rifle. I know the military issued model was used as a trainer...but training for what? I think it was just a general marksmanship trainer versus training for a specific rifle.

It will be fun to shoot and I'm looking forward to being able to walk in with range approved ammo for once

Thanks again...

[BlakeM44]

I want one of these worse than ever now.

Well I can help you with that. I know a guy that has one, he never fired it. It was his dad's. It's been sitting in his attic for years, and he only wants 125.

[MN Fan]

Get a photo from him and post it here. If BD doesn't want it, I might