Bolt-action 5.45x39?

[RNB65]

I don't know know much about wildcatting. But since 5.45x39 is about the only cheap centerfire ammo available these days, would it be feasible to custom build a barrel chambered in 5.45 and put it on a current production action?

I'm not looking to spend a lot of money. Just looking for a way to shoot cheap ammo and I was wondering if I could buy a used rifle in .223 or whatnot and get a 5.45 barrel installed.

Whatcha think?

 

[highorder]

sure, you can.

but, considering the initial expense to take advantage of "cheaper" ammo, why not load your own cheaper ammo in the caliber of your choice?

I can't imagine you will find a custom barrel for even the simplest bolt action for less than $200, but you never know. I once saw a rack of Steyr SSG's in 5.45, so barrels do exist somewhere. Ever been to eastern Europe?

 

[RNB65]

I know a couple of local gunsmiths that make custom barrels. But I assume each caliber requires its own specific reamers to cut the chamber and bore? I doubt they would have anything in 5.45. I'm surprised CZ isn't offering a 527 chambered in 5.45.

why not load your own cheaper ammo in the caliber of your choice?

I have no interest in reloading. Been there, done that, not going to do it again.
-

 

[jlbraun]

There was the East German border guard rifle in 5.45.

 

[rcmodel]

You could, but not cheaply.

The 5.45x39 is dimensionally different in at least a couple of important places then any other cartridge.

The case head is bigger then the .223, but smaller then anything else like a .308 size rifle would use. It is also smaller then the 7.62x39 case head, so even the CZ-527 bolt-action in that caliber would not fit.
So, any commonly available rifles bolt would have to be modified.

The bullet is not a standard .224 diameter, so commonly available .223 barrel blanks would be drilled & rifled the wrong size.

Why not just get an AK-74 already made for it?

rcmodel

 

[RNB65]

Why not just get an AK-74 already made for it?

Because I'd like to be able to hit what I'm shootin' at.
-

 

[rcmodel]

Well, you're not gonna win any bench-rest matches with surplus Com-Block 5.45mm ammo anyway.

rcmodel

 

[PercyShelley]

Alexander Arms was making 5.45 barrels for AR-15s for a while, so reamers and blanks must exist somewhere.

 

[highorder]

I have no interest in reloading. Been there, done that, not going to do it again.

OK, but that really limits your options in any scenerio, driving you in strange directions like building a gun to take advantage of (currently) cheap surplus ammunition.

YMMV.

 

[Seafarer12]

The money you would save over a 223 wouldn't be worth it.

 

[LeibstandarteAdH]

Your bolt action isnt going to shoot surplus 5.45x39 any better than a nice AK-74 clone in the first place, thats why this is a non-issue.

A bolt gun in 5.45x39 supports this, its a mildly accurate curiosity, not the hot new thing. If you cant hit it with an SLR-105 and the currently availible ammo in 5.45x39, your not going to be able to hit it with a bolt gun and the same.

 

[slzy]

maybe a handi-rifle?

 

[stubbicatt]

RNB65 said: Quote:
Why not just get an AK-74 already made for it?

Because I'd like to be able to hit what I'm shootin' at.

Obviously you haven't shot the AK-74. Every bit as accurate as an AR15. These are amazing little rifles.