Gents, just picked up a hex reciever 1891 Mosin Nagant, a Izmash, with no real collector value. The stock is trash, however all the metal is fine. I bought it strictly for a rebarreling / customizing project, as it's something that is kind of rare to see.
What big bore cartridge would be feasible in this firearm?? I've heard of 45-70's being done on this action, along with the .500 S&W, but I would like to do something a little more classy. Wildcats and Metrics are welcome! I understand the pressure limitations and plan on doing a straight octogon 28" barrel, making the stock myself and doing a butterknife bolt conversion with NECG sights, as well as engraving it and doing a rust blue.
Yeah I know you can only polish a turd so much, however it'll be unique and a interesting project.
Any feedback would be appreciated!

MS;
If the .45-70 is too mundane, will the action chamber a .45-90 or .405 Winchester?

I am going to do a 500 linebaugh on one, sooner or later

40-65-400 "modern 40-65" Can be made from 45-70 brass.

Keith

Keith,

you can now buy head stamped 40-65 from Starline brass company. I am working on one now. The hex receiver makes the best looking one IMHO.

Rich
Buff Killer

quote:

a straight octogon 28" barrel

Shouldent that be a hex barrel to natch the receiver.. To "me" a 6 sided receiver and a 8 sided barrel just adds up WEIRD!

Keith

What about 450 Alaskan or 50 Alaskan---- (I have only built them on the Siamese)
Have not built on the Mosin-don't know about the strength.

Great cartridges though.

The Mosin is hell-for-stout. It can handle almost anything you would want.

45 /348 Ackley Imp. 14" twist .

Hog Killer, good catch. I was meaning to say a Hex barrel to match the reciever. That would look pretty unusual with a octogon barrel.
The .405 Winchester is actually a good one that I didn't even consider. I had considered the 50 Alaskan however I do have concerns with the action and the barrel contours.
I do realize it is a strong action and should be up to strenth to do a conversion as such. I do have my reservations however, and say if this one comes out as a success in a smaller caliber, such as the 405, than I may have to buy up another one and do such a conversion! The firearms are a dime a dozen, so I have no gripes or reservations to rip apart a few and see what they can really do.
As a side note, I forgot that to add I will be adding a side mount low power scope, which I will probably have to custom fabricate some sort of base to accept a NECG side mount. Just kind of a nostagalic thing, as I do absolutely love those old German / Austrian sporters off of Mauser 98's and '88 commission rifles. This is going to be kind of along those lines, however in a more potent sporting set up.
Will keep you all updated. I just ordered a Semi-Fancy english walnut blank so I can start hacking it up and create a stock.
I will be taking photos along the process of creating this rifle, they will take longer to put on as I'm technologically impared and have to bug the wife to post them. BUT...will keep you all updated! Thanks for the ideas.

The 405 is a grand round as is a G&H side mount, but have you considered a quarter rib milled for Talley's with a fixed rear site on the rib also.
Then a long eye relief scope such as a Burris 1-4 can come on and off easily.

The way the magazine and receiver are shaped will limit how big a bullet can be used. I don't think it can be made to feed a 45/70 round.

A 405W might just be the ticket. Neither case nor bullet are huge. Thus should be a great tinkers project, but I would not sink a lot of $$ into a Nagant,

Why not just mill the battel to receive QD scope rings and just use a long eye relief scope. Then no scope base is needed or 1/4 rib machined.

Keith

M38's any good for conversions? 45/70 bolt sounds good to me. I have one that just sits there.

I believe the 405 Win is too long to feed from the Mosin's magazine. The wildcats based off the 7.62X74 and perhaps the 348 Win are your best bet. I know a 45-70 can be made to work as well.