Mosin round vs hex

SoreShoulder

March 20, 2014 18:12

From another thread:

"There is an article in a late 1940's American Rifleman on sporterizing the M-N rifle. It was turned into a very attractive rifle. The bolt handle can be lengthened and sloped to the rear and the magazine can be shortened, if desired. I would not shorten the barrel any less than 22 inches. This is a 30-06 class cartridge and the muzzle blast and recoil would be increased. I am no expert but they all come apart the same and are of simple design. A round receiver would be preferred as a sporter."

What are round receivers better for?

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  nmyers

  March 21, 2014 04:25

  I wondered what he meant by that. Then, I figured a round receiver would make it easier to relieve a new stock, assuming that a hex receiver is hex-shaped on the bottom.
  
  But, I've never disassembled a M-N past field stripping. Is the hex receiver M-N round on the bottom, or hex shaped? I just don't know.
  
  Neal

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  beantownshootah

  March 21, 2014 12:33

  I don't think there is any real functional difference between hex and round receiver Mosin rifles.
  
  The hex pattern is only on the top of the receiver; the bottoms of hex and round receivers are otherwise identical. Hex vs round can affect how certain aftermarket accessories fit (eg certain rear scope mounts), but other than that I don't think it matters.
  
  In theory hex receivers have more metal around the receiver and are therefore "stronger". In practice, Mosin Nagant rifles are built like tanks, and receiver failures are fairly unusual. I don't think the small amount of extra metal in a hex receiver is really going to make a difference.
  
  In general, I think a lot of people like the hex receivers better, mostly because they're older, implying better pre-war manufacture, even if that isn't necessarily true. The hex receiver guns are also scarcer right now and there is some "coolness" factor there. But these are mostly cosmetic/collector concerns.
  
  As a "shooter", you just want a good trigger, bore, crown, and bedded or floated barrel. If you've got those things, you're good to go, and if not I don't see how receiver shape is going to matter.

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