The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Hello all,

Concerning Soviet surplus 54R with the steel case, as well as current Wolf Extra Match which IIRC has a bi-metal case:

Will regular shooting of these types of ammunition gradually degrade the accuracy of my Mosins?

Right now I am sticking with new production Prvi and S & B ammo, as these have brass cases + copper jackets, but I have a lot of surplus and would like to shoot it.

Thanking you in advance for any guidance...

No, I have shot countless thousands of rounds with no issues. Remember that the surplus is corrosive primed, so long as you clean for this after each shooting session you will have no problems. Hot water down the pipe and over the follower and bolt head before regular cleaning with solvents and oil will prevent bore rusting from the salts. Frequent, and initially vigorous chamber cleaning is usually needed to prevent the steel cases from sticking in the chamber when it heats up. Welcome to the board. Only problem with surplus ammo is it's current cost, no longer ten cents or less a round.

I've got two, have had several Chinese SKS that have had thousands of rounds of copper washed steel case shot in them, they weren't hurt at all on the inside.

Okay, great! Thank you, Gentlemen!

These rifles were made to shoot that type of ammo. If there was a huge issue with it, I think the Russians would not have used it. They were poor and wanted things to last. Relatively poor I should say.

I have burned through one spam can and I'm working on another and there has been no ill affect. Like JYD said, clean the bore, follower and bolt face right after each range session. I had a friend on another site who posted pics of a bolt face that had been pitted by the salts. It was in pretty bad shape.

I don't think one using a Mosin for sport or target shooting could live long enough to hurt it.