What I plan on doing to my Mosin-Nagant could be politely described as "bastardization" (though, to my credit, it makes no permanent alterations to the firearm).
What these two mad gunsmiths are doing to their Mosin-Nagants could only be described as "pure genius":
Over the last week, after collecting the required parts and tooling we began our attempt to convert a Mosin-Nagant action to fire .45-70 Govt cartridges. Eventually this will be made into a full functioning rifle…
Follow their whole experiment at Pharmory, and rest assured that they have replaced the entire Mosin barrel with something a lot more substantial, which also thankfully beefs up the firing chamber.
(Courtesy of The Firearm Blog.)
Take a cheap rifle that shoots cheap ammo and make it into an expensive rifle that shoots expensive ammo.
While I have no desire to do that with my own money, could I watch? It sounds awesome…
Dude. You know you want a Russian gun that shoots the all-American .45-70.
You know it.