Does anyone think you could make a bolt gun in 7.62x39mm /accurate

[jsn]

I think you'll find the lack of response to specific loads is because many people gave up reloading it years ago. Before the prices of copper, zinc and lead started to skyrocket 6-8 years ago everyone could buy factory ammo for this round for less than the reloading bullets alone. The people that do shoot 7.62x39 in AK's, SKS's, etc. are not going after trophy game or trophies at matches. The people shooting 7.62x39 at matches today are probably not shooting 600 yards, and are also probably shooting .308 bullets.

According to a quick search of Midwayusa, there just aren't match grade bullets in .310 made by the major manufacturers under 150grs, and most of those are in the +174gr range, and some of those are .311 or .312. Other than some Sierra hunting .311's and Barnes .310's, there aren't any truly quality bullets for this round (Rem/Win/Horn/Speer might disagree with my assessment, but you can look at user ratings for the few .310 bullets you can find and see for yourself. One manufacturer can't seem to get the cannelures or ogives in the same spot). Lapua makes 7.62x39 ammo, but doesn't specify the bullet diameter, and they don't sell any bullets that I can see in .310 for 7.62x39.

Hodgdon has reloading data on their website for H and IMR powders. The max SAAMI spec pressure appears to be around 42,000cup. If VV or Lapua have powders/load data for this round I am unaware of it, but it would probably be too pricey for my taste.

Good luck.

 

[vman]

I have a 7.62x39 bolt action and I find the rifle to be very accurate considering it is a factory rifle and shooting factory ammo.

I say go for it, the 7.62x39 is a fun little round to shoot. The kick is small and sharp and it booms a wee bit less than a .308win.

 

[Habakkuk Enterprises]

I've got one built on a Mauser action, has a Bergara barrel, one in ten twist, 26" long, that is for the 308 diameter bullets. I'm right now using 150 gr. military pulled bullets and accurate 1680 powder. I'm still trying to get it broke in, but I'm getting 1" MOA with a unseasoned barrel. OAL. is four thousands off the lands seems to work the best. I really enjoy shooting it, its a fun gun that you still can hunt with. When I finish developing the load that it likes I'll get back to you...

 

[dantiff2]

Ever consider the 300 AAC Blackout? Neat little round and you already have the correct bolt head. All you need is a 308 bore barrel.

Dan

 

[XTR]

I am building a savage long action that was originally .223.It will be wearing a mcgowen barrel with a 1 in10 twist,.310 bore lv barrel. Do you think that using other than factory,handloads ,that you could make at least a 1 moa gun out of it.I am doing this for my girlfiend who is way recoil shy.She shot an ak awhile back and proclaimed it comfy and tolerable. Any positive or negative thoughts would be recieved with an open mind.The reason I really chose this project was the supply of factory fodder I have. Thanks in advance for your thoughts in advance and wayne,dont tie me to the stake and whip me for trying this,LOL

I'm sure you can make a bolt action 7.62x39 shoot <1moa, but if you are looking at trying to get <1MOA from junk 7.62x39 ammo I doubt it, here's my logic.

I've got a R700 308 that is my hunting rifle, it will hold a little better than .75MOA at 200 yds with hand loaded 165SGKs over Varget in Lake City brass. Not the best combo but it is plenty good for white tails. That same rifle, shooting the Lake City M80 ball that I got the brass from is lucky to get under 1.5moa, and at 100 yds I had more groups closer to 2 moa than 1 moa. I'll wager that Lake City ammo is higher quality than the bulk 7.62x39 you'll have to play with.

 

[jonbearman]

Just so you know,most reloading manuals suggest .311 bullets,that is why I bought the 125 grain pro hunter .311 diameter bullets,They are the ones they use.Even .312 in a .310 bore rifle should work with no real issues as long as you work up slowly.

 

[artbosco]

I am building a savage long action that was originally .223. Do you think that using other than factory, hand loads ,that you could make at least a 1 moa gun out of it. I am doing this for my girlfriend who is way recoil shy. Any positive or negative thoughts would be received with an open mind.

Jon, I have a Heavy Varmint [13 lbs, 2 oz] Savage VLP-S [single shot] bolt action rifle, trued and timed by Fred Moreo, with a Krieger barrel, chambered in 6mm Beggs, with a light-turn neck. It has a laminated, 3 inch wide forearm, benchrest stock, and a Rifle Basix light weight trigger that goes to four ounces. It would be just the rifle for anyone looking for extreme accuracy and very mild recoil. It's a joy to shoot.

Building one, to this configuration, or twisting my arm to get me to part with the one above, might entice your girlfriend to ask you to take her to the range more often. A predicament, you just might be able to live with.

Note: The 6mm Beggs is simply, the 220 Russian, neck up to 6mm.

 

[rover31]

Jon
Yep I did it and I have one. It is accurate and super light recoil. 99.9% of the time it fires 180g RN bullets subsonic behind 7.5g of Trailboss. Very quiet!
What I did was take a 308 barrel and have it rechambered for a 7.62x39 and then threaded for a "muzzle brake".
It is cut down to 18.5 inches and threaded onto a small shank Savage 110 that used to be a 223. The above round loads right into a 223 mag. Oh I did change the bolt head out also.
Brass is cheap and plentiful. lots of .30 cal bullets to chose from.
Good Luck
T

 

[MrMajestic]

It's .308 bore but....

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php/topic,3772663.msg35992454.html#msg35992454

 

[jonbearman]

Well done Mr Majestic.I forgot about the thread you put up.I did read it back then and have had this burning in me for awhile to do a rifle in this caliber.

 

[jonbearman]

Have any of you seen the enfield rifles put together in australia in 7.62x39mm? They are slick and pricey.Evidently the aussies like this cartridge for a variety of reasons.Believe it or not you could buy one of these enfields at gander mountain about a year ago.They were clip fed 10 round mags and the whole gun looked like a jungle carbine. Just a neat little package in the something different catagory. Thats why I am putting this together.The gun is now done minus a set of signature zee ring zero inserts.I opened my last package of the rings and it had a hodge podge set of inserts in them. I want to shoot this gun ,but I wont tear apart another scope set up for 4 plastic inserts.It is frustrating.