Howa mini 7.62x39 testing@ 100yards.

[joshb]

Just wanted to show some load testing with a cheap Howa Mini with the skinny barrel. I wanted a beater truck gun in a lighter kicking 30 caliber. Using a Hornady 123 grain SP bullet, I tested with H4198 and CFEBlk at 100 yards. I’m happy with the $450 investment. It’s adequate for my needs. I adjusted the scope for the last 2 shots of 26.6 CFEBlk.

 

[Loudenboomer]

I carry a 7.62 X 39 Mini 30 Ruger wherever my truck and I go. I'd like to step up the accuracy a bit. Been thinking about The Howa mini in 6mm ARC or 223. Looks like your doing fine in the mini truck gun accuracy department.

 

[DGP4]

I wish I could find H4198 for my Mini carbine! The CFE BLK and Shooter's World Blackout works OK with 123 gr. FMJ bullets.

 

[ebb]

Dang if you had only known someone who could have built a stock for it! I bet you used one of these. https://www.riflestock.com/store/product/custom-savage-long-action-stagger-feed-sniper-reaper-camo/

 

[Oso]

Did you buy a completed rifle or just the barreled action?

Looks like EBB had the same thought… what stock?

 

[joshb]

I wish I could find H4198 for my Mini carbine! The CFE BLK and Shooter's World Blackout works OK with 123 gr. FMJ bullets.

Yeah, that’s why I tested both powders. The H4198 is more accurate but I only have 5 pounds of it. I’ll save it for my hunting rounds and use the CFEBlk for playing around. It’s convenient that the same load shoots best in my Wyndham AR.

 

[jds holler]

BLC2 and H335 are also great powders for that cartridge. jd

 

[joshb]

Oso: It came with a cheap plastic ill fitting stock I just couldn’t live with.

Dang if you had only known someone who could have built a stock for it! I bet you used one of these. https://www.riflestock.com/store/product/custom-savage-long-action-stagger-feed-sniper-reaper-camo/

Haha! Never! I used a $50 hunk of wood…..and a little know how.

 

[ebb]

No I repeat NO truck gun should ever have a stock that nice or that shiny. If I could post a picture I would show you what a real truck gun should look like.

 

[Oso]

Nice dye job! I like the front transition from mag well to forearm.

Are you still running the factory trigger or have you upgraded to the Timney?

 

[jackieschmidt]

At what velocity are you shooting the 125.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Just wanted to show some load testing with a cheap Howa Mini with the skinny barrel. I wanted a beater truck gun in a lighter kicking 30 caliber. Using a Hornady 123 grain SP bullet, I tested with H4198 and CFEBlk at 100 yards. I’m happy with the $450 investment. It’s adequate for my needs. I adjusted the scope for the last 2 shots of 26.6 CFEBlk.
View attachment 1683042

Stupid question here, but I've been interested in this caliber as of lately.

Are all 7.62x39 a .311 bore or are there also .308 bore rifles?
And how can I tell the difference?

 

[ebb]

Ruger mini 30 was 308 bore i don't know if it still is or not.

 

[Oso]

Stupid question here, but I've been interested in this caliber as of lately.

Are all 7.62x39 a .311 bore or are there also .308 bore rifles?
And how can I tell the difference?

7.62x39 cartridge is .311 bore, which unfortunately has limits bullet selection compared to .308 bore. The .308 bore cartridges that are similar size/performance equivalent are:
1) 300BO - almost same velocity, readily available factory ammo at LGS.
2) 300HAM’R - slightly faster, limited factory ammo but reloaded friendly.

 

[joshb]

Nice dye job! I like the front transition from mag well to forearm.

Are you still running the factory trigger or have you upgraded to the Timney?

It’s all factory original. Thanks. I’ve used variations of the design for years to hide a magazine.

At what velocity are you shooting the 125.

Hi Jackie: I didn’t have my chrono on this trip but the book states it should be around 2300-2400 fps.

 

[bozo699]

It’s all factory original. Thanks. I’ve used variations of the design for years to hide a magazine.

Hi Jackie: I didn’t have my chrono on this trip but the book states it should be around 2300-2400 fps.

I bought a bunch of brass and projectiles for my sisters Ruger, I have quite a bit so been thinking about buying a CZ chambered in 7.62x39 looks like yours is doing well, by the way nice stock my friend
Wayne

 

[ebb]

Josh Gary used to build 7.62-39s with a 308 barrel. I never asked how he did the reamer, but I guess you could get one with a removable pilot and use one from a 308 reamer. Like CE Smith was asking, according to Gary the 308 bore opens up all kinds of well designed bullets. I think he even used to shoot the 311s in the 308 bore.

 

[Evlshnngns]

Josh Gary used to build 7.62-39s with a 308 barrel. I never asked how he did the reamer, but I guess you could get one with a removable pilot and use one from a 308 reamer. Like CE Smith was asking, according to Gary the 308 bore opens up all kinds of well designed bullets. I think he even used to shoot the 311s in the 308 bore.

Ptg has .308x39mm on file, was listed on midwayusa.

I keep watching locally for one of these with the x39mm bolt face.

Thanks for the range report.

 

[charlie b]

A guy who used to work for Ruger claimed theirs were bored at .308 and would shoot the cheap Russian stuff just fine. If I had a Ruger I'd slug the bore just to see.

 

[joshb]

At what velocity are you shooting the 125.

I have an update for you. I took the gun out today to retest 23.7, 24 and 24.3 grains H4198 with the Hornady 123 SP and some cheap unknown 123 FMJ bullets.
My Garmin clocked them at 2200 to 2250 fps.
I’m settling on 24 grains for a load.
This gun was a fun little project to put together a cheap truck gun. I had initially tried to do a 30br but that project failed miserably due to a horrible chamber job by an “unmentioned” barrel Company. I might restart that project to get the velocities up.