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41 Tula SVT40 sniper

Miller Tyme

Private
Minuteman
Aug 31, 2020
93
457
Picked this one up a couple of years ago before the prices went through the roof. During refurb the rifle was put into a 44 Tula AVT "Naval" stock (A) due to SVT stocks being prone to failure at the wrist. Mount is a reproduction, legit mounts are rare and expensive, even the chewed up dug up ones. Have shot it using it irons but have yet to try an dial in the PU scope.
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Did some handloading for SIL's SVT-40 back in the 90's.

PPU Brass, WLR, 150gr HDY "303 caliber" Interlock, 50.0gr of IMR-4064. This charge should be considered MAX or slightly over. Start significantly lower and work up, paying close attention to primers and ejector markings. If the primers get significantly flattened, stop there and go no higher with the charge.

Close gas down significantly to start so case will not eject, then open it up in small increments until it ejects reliably. This adjustment was intended so the system would work with differing ammunition types, so keep that in mind if you change your load.

This rifle (and the SVT-38) were called the Russian Garand, but they were considerably less rugged and indestructible than the USGI Garand. Treat it with respect and don't overcharge the loads. It should use the same bayonet as the 91/30, and like all Russian rifles at the time was intended to be used with the bayonet mounted, otherwise POI will likely be off to the left quite a bit. Try to avoid messing around with the front sight, the bayonet belongs there. Contemporary Russian infantry doctrine forbade removing the bayonet except when being transported.

For other bullets, try starting with 308 loads for the same bullet. As usual; start low, work up.

Understand that you have a rarity, and that it's relatively delicate as MilSurp rifles go.

You may find these folks a bit fun to read, if a little over the top...

Greg
 
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Good advice but I disagree with one part. These do not use the Cruciform bayonet of the Mosin Nagant.
 
I have a 41 TULA sniper also. I suggest be careful in your loads, avoid heavy loads and bullets> 150g. If you you stress these rifles the recoil spring guide and middle spring guide may do very unpleasant things. The aftermarket scope mounts tend not to fit as snuggly as they should and can batter the notch on there rear of the rifle, not good for value of rifle down the road. I am trying a brass buffer around the pin made from a 45ACP shell casing. These rifles are a hoot to shoot, they flex visibly on firing. Recoil is not bad, much less than a Garand. Mine puts 2 shots close to each other, then the next one 5" away, so "groups" of 5-6" at 100yds. I am told that you can improve accuracy with shims, reloading no doubt would help too.

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