The (A?) Super Nagant

[Saberists2000]

This was actually the project that I was researching when I found SOCAMO 3 years ago. It feels strange to say that it is done. Since I know what the rest of you are capable of, I don't want to oversell it, but I am proud of this one.

It started off as a mid fifties Type 53 with a shot out barrel, spray pained stock, and a pitted and slightly rusty bolt body.

[Saberists2000]

The build was:

Type 53 Action
McGowen precision barrel, 26" fluted, Douglas 5A contour, threaded 5/8x24
Flat back Cerakote action and barrel
Welded off the shelf bolt handle
Boyds lightweight thumbhole stock with 1" decelerator
Aluminum pillars
AAC Brake adapter
Timney trigger
RSI mount shimmed and bedded to approximately +20 MOA
House made Archangel mag well (couldn't have done it without everyone here)
A crap-load of inletting to make all of the above^ fit into that stock
Some acraglas to fill the gaps once I had everything in place
Leupold MK-AR 6-18x40

[Saberists2000]

Several years ago I accidentally overbought on 174SMK's, and decided that I needed a rifle worthy of burning $500 worth of premium lead. Thankfully, this one has turned out to be that rifle. The phone with those pictures on it mysteriously died, but my results with this gun so far have been very good. Wolf steel case shoots about 1.5 MOA. Off the shelf PPU has shot about 1.25 MOA. Hornady match, and my handloads have both shot about .75 MOA. In fact, all variations of my hand loads using 174 SMKs have shot about .75.

[Saberists2000]

For ease of seating, and to cover those factory divots in the stock, I added a flare to the mag well. It has a little bit of play with the magazine seated, but so far there have been no feeding issues.

[Saberists2000]

It turns out that that bolt handle is made of stainless steel. I am going to do a bake on finish, but until then, it is nice and shiny.

[Grindl]

You should be proud of your accomplishment . It is a very nice looking rifle , and .75 MOA is beyond acceptable before any load development . I especially like the mag well mod and the detachable Archangel mags .

I also shoot 26" barrels on both my M-N's and I've got a load that works pretty good in mine .
PPU Brass...2.110"
174gr SMK
Accurate...A-4350...53.2gr
OAL....3.005" to bullet tip / or if you set off the Ogive , I can get you that dimension , also .
I neck size the cartridge to .307 using a Lee necking Die with a slightly adjusted .308 pin .

[Deathsythe311]

Looking very sweet. Can't wait to see some groups!

[Grimstod]

Thats pretty cool. Jerry was making mag adapters but can't produce them anymore. If only I had the time to do it myself.
Nice build. Sending you some medals.

[Saberists2000]

Thanks guys!

For the mag well, it turns out that 3/4" welding angle steel from Home Depot is almost exactly the right width for the mag. After that it was just a matter of time with the TIG and grinders. But I never would have attempted it if I hadn't seen the ones on here first - it is truly the result of inspiration from this group.

My barrel is a .303 by 1-10". Groups are coming I promise. I just returned from several weeks of turning tax payer money into loud noise, so hopefully now I can get back to turning my own money into loud noise.

[iridium-192]

Very nice build!