M44 Failed Bullet Test

[Comrade_Evil_Scooter]

I recently bought a 1944 M44 that appeared to be in good condition (after what I have seen in my area the past few years). However, the shop did not have any 7.62X54R to do a bullet test. After a couple of days, I finally found a couple of boxes. Unfortunately, the barrel didn't even come close to passing the test. My question: Is the rifle still safe to shoot for the cool fireballs in the evenings or is it a safe queen? Pics attached

[millman]

Post a close up down the muzzle. It might just have a counter bore. Regardless it should fire fine, but accuracy will suck if it's really that worn.

[Comrade_Evil_Scooter]

Here are a few muzzle photos. tried my best to capture the rifling without a bore light. If I don't have accuracy, I have the old Swede M96 Mauser for that

[Junk Yard Dog]

No way it has that much wear that it would swallow the entire case neck. That rifle has a counterbore to correct wear in this area. Pretty common thing to find on these. A counterbore just moves the crown down into the bore by 1/4-1/2" or so.

[millman]

Looks like a counterbore. It should shoot pretty good.

[Comrade_Evil_Scooter]

Thank you for the quick responses. It has put my mind to ease. I'm excited to join the Mosin Owners club and to test it at the range in the next couple of weeks

[trunnion69]

Looks like a counterbore to me too. Shouldn't be a problem to shoot.

[SA1911a1]

I believe that if you get it in the right light, and look down the barrel, you will see a clearly cut shelf within the first inch of the muzzle. The old rifle may be as accurate as you are. The counterbore is a good thing, not a bad thing.

The rifling at the muzzle was more than likely worn away because of poor cleaning technique with that steel cleaning rod.

[Rongo]

The bullet test really isn't a tell all in regards to accuracy. I have a few rifles with worn out crowns & no Counterbore that shoot tight groups. The test you need to concern yourself with is checking headspace. If you don't already have one; Go get yourself a good No-Go or Field gauge.

Congrats on your nice M44!!!!

[qz2026]

As above... Normal counterbore. The rifling looks fine behind the counterbore. The gun will shoot fine. Just as well that they didn't have any .54r ammo for you to do a so-called "bullet test".

Gun looks pretty nice. Congrats

[ffuries]

Here's an example of what a counterbored barrel looks like. This one was posted some years back on this site, by a member called JayPoc. Shows an extreme counterbore, but gives a great visual of it.

https://russian-mosin-nagant-forum.com/ ... hp?t=23494

[Comrade_Evil_Scooter]

I believe that if you get it in the right light, and look down the barrel, you will see a clearly cut shelf within the first inch of the muzzle. The old rifle may be as accurate as you are. The counterbore is a good thing, not a bad thing.

The rifling at the muzzle was more than likely worn away because of poor cleaning technique with that steel cleaning rod.

Thanks to those who posted pictures on what a counter bore looks like. I checked the barrel more carefully and saw the shelf within the first inch of of the muzzle. This has been a good learning experience on counter bore. So the rifle should shoot just fine. My other Milsurp rifles don't have a counter bore and the M44 is the first one with it

[Darryl]

counterboaring.jpg

If you are afraid of it, send it to me with 100 rounds and return postage, and I'll test it out for you!

Darryl

[steelbuttplate]

20" barrel, 19" bore, no problem. You've scrubbed the copper out of the pitts in the bore, a few rounds back thru it and I'll bet it's a good shooter. I have a '36 Tula w/ counterbore that's a helluva shooter. It's a thing done for accuracy that usually works. Yours looks good for a m44. It may be sighted for use with bayonet locked on.

[SA1911a1]

Another interesting thing is that the rifle maybe never have needed to be counterbored. It may have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time and got caught up in a batch of make-do work for failing economy of the Soviet paradise.

[qz2026]

A few of my Finn counterbored rifles... Some normal counterbores. Some deep. Some shallow..

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[Austin26]

How did your M44 shoot? Wow some of those counterbore pictures are pretty extreme. I've only seen a tiny shelf but maybe it's just the camera.

What warrants getting a counterbore? Just smoothed out rifling towards the muzzle? I'm looking to accurize my Mosin depending if I'll keep it and am looking to learn more myself.

[Tula44]

That is a nice looking M44 you picked up - congrats! Let us know how the range visit went!

[mogunner]

How did your M44 shoot? Wow some of those counterbore pictures are pretty extreme. I've only seen a tiny shelf but maybe it's just the camera.

What warrants getting a counterbore? Just smoothed out rifling towards the muzzle? I'm looking to accurize my Mosin depending if I'll keep it and am looking to learn more myself.

It's usually due to cleaning-rod wear at the muzzle,damage to the crown itself is a lot easier to eliminate and would rarely require counter-boring.