I Test the Surplus Yugo 8mm Mauser Rifle for Accuracy and Handling
My Yugo M48 was purchased from a local dealer for $95 plus tax. A cheap plinking firearm even if its not that accurate. I also purchased several boxes each of the following types of ammunition:
Surplus 50′s headstamp yugo ammunition, 8 cents per round
Surplus 70′s headstamp romainian ammunition, 17 cents per round
New PMC ammuntion, 21 cents per round
New federal ammunition, 45 cents per round
New Wolf gold line ammuniton, 33 cents per round
All shooting at the range was done from the bench (as per range rules) at 100 or 200 yards. All shooting in the field was done offhand, standing shooting at silhouette targets of jack rabbits and coyotes from 25 to 75 yards,
Before heading to the range, I completely dissasembled and cleaned the rifle. It is important to inspect each part closely for wear and damage. Some of these surplus rifles have been in storage for nearly 50 years and damage can occur. In my case it was found I needed a new firing pin spring. It had been left cocked and the spring “took a set” and wasn’t any good. I picked up a replacement from my local gunsmith on the way to the range. Cost was $1.34.
At the range i fired 5 rounds to clear the barrel of any remaining storage grease or cleaning agent. The first string of shots was five rounds of each type of ammo at 100 yards. All ammo was FMJ target type. I gave the rifle ten minutes to cool off between each shot string. the results are as follows:
Group sizes
Surplus 50′s ammo
2.6″ evenly spaced
Surplus 70′s ammo
1.8 inches with one called flyer at 3.4 inches
PMC ammo
2.4 inches 4 touching 1 spaced out
Federal ammo
1.2 inches evenly spaced
Wolf Gold ammo
4.4 inches one group of three, one group of two
The second set of tests was 200 yards with the same conditons as above.
Group sizes
Surplus 50′s ammo
4 inches three touching, two singles
Surplus 70′s ammo
2 inches a five shots in a vertical line
PMC ammo
1.7 inches all shots clustered tightly
Federal ammo
11 inches with all shots in different parts of the target and keyholing
