Russian SVT 40

[m1garand]

Have anyone acquired an SVT 4o rifle? I just have seen youtube account of the shooting. Can anyone who owned and shot it, give me some pointers? I am thinking of getting one for my collection (alternatively the other one is a Russian SKS) Thanks all. M1

[Badger]

I've got one as well, but never shot it yet, so I'd also be interested in hearing from othe members who have some experience with this old girl ... :thup:

Regards,
Badger

[Stevo]

They're nice shooting rifles, IMO. They can be sensitive to ammo type and gas setting, but mine runs on whatever I feed it. It's quite hard on the fired ammo so I don't know if reloading for one is feasible.

SVT to SKS is kind of an apples/oranges comparison, other than their point of origin. Ammo supply is certainly more abundant and cheap for the SKS.

[K31]

I was wondering if you could reload the cases after firing them in an SVT-40. My friend has one that was converted to .303, and it destroys brass. How badly does it mash the cases? I can't find surplus 7.62x45R out here, so all my ammo is manufactured in my own arsenal.

[Skippy]

I've got a '43 SVT40, It's a great rifle to shoot. Mine has never hung up once and has always feed and ejected flawlesly. The action cycles quite gently, and the felt recoil is quiie reduced when compared to the same ammunition in a mosin.

I only shoot factory ammunition in mine, as it's a bit of a pain to break down for proper post-corossive cleaning, and the fluted chamber does leave the shoulder and neck of the brass somewhat marred. I don't reload for X54, but from observation I'd say that my fired brass is still worthy of a reload or two (I've kept it just in case), it might not last for too too many reloads though, but 2 or 3 for sure.

THen again your rifle might be harder on brass than mine is.