Affordable bolt action in 7.62x39??

[9thchild]

Does this exist? I am really interested in the new Howa Mini Action that is supposed to be out sometime soon in this caliber, but I'm guessing that is going to cost at least $500. I know, that isn't that much, but why can't some of these manufactures that have budget lines (Ruger, Mossberg, Savage) come out with something in this caliber?

The cheapest option seems to be one of these Zastava M85s, but even those are $400 plus and hard to find. Am I missing something?

 

[Gtscotty]

I've seen .223 Howa Mini's go for well under $500, some under $400. I would bet that after the initial surge you will be able to pick up a 7.62 version for a reasonable sum.

The Zastava's I've played with were rough as a cob, and my Remington 799 in 7.62 wasn't much better. If I was in your place, I believe I would hold out for the mini.

 

[9thchild]

You're right scotty. After posting I realized you can find the .223 Mini's in the $300-400 range. I just hope they come out before hunting season and at a price I can justify.

 

[Fla_dogman]

My question is why would you want one? In a bolt action platform there are several options that far surpass the capability of the 762x39. I'm guessing that's why you don't see them in the LGS.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

 

[M1key]

Folks want to shoot cheap steel cased ammo. That's likely their primary motive. All I can say is good luck.

M

 

[adcoch1]

I spent several years casually searching for a zastava, since the cz527 was so expensive. Once i got ahold of one in person i decided to scrape up the extra cash and buy the cz. It is worth the extra money. But i do wish it had been $400 like the very first one i saw... btw, it is way more accurate than an ak or sks, even with crappy ammo. But with good ammo it is AMAZING! I would assume the howa will be too, since all the other howas i've owned or shot have all been top shelf accurate.

Sent from my LGLS740 using Tapatalk

 

[Panzerschwein]

Save up for the CZ-527.

Trust me, it's worth it.

 

[Corn-Picker]

My question is why would you want one? In a bolt action platform there are several options that far surpass the capability of the 762x39. I'm guessing that's why you don't see them in the LGS.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

Because it's 36.5" long and under 6 pounds, ready to hunt. I challenge you to shoot a CZ 527 in 7.62x39 and not want one. They are just plain fun as hell to shoot.

My CZ 527 in 7.62x39 is a great still hunting rifle. It has 900+ ft-lbs of energy (more than enough to kill a deer) and the bullet is traveling over 1800 fps (fast enough to expand a Barnes TSX) out to 200 yards, which is about 75 yards more than I could ever dream of needing while still hunting with iron sights in WV.

The 7.62x39 doesn't make as much sense out West where the winds are strong and the shots are long. Back east, where the woods are thick and the deer are smaller, the 7.62x39 is enough for most situations. Don't misunderstand me, if meat in the freezer is priority number one then I take a 308 with a 1-4x scope, but, the little CZ 527 is enough gun for most situations and more fun to hunt with.

 

[Corn-Picker]

Folks want to shoot cheap steel cased ammo. That's likely their primary motive. All I can say is good luck.

M

My CZ 527 seems to be less accurate than most, and it's under 2 MOA with the cheapest steel cased Wolf ($0.25/round for 124 grain HP). 2 MOA is plenty accurate for practicing from field positions. My hunting ammo (Doubletap loaded with a 123 grain Barnes TSX) is just under 1.5 MOA, which is plenty given the 7.62x39's ballistics.

 

[9thchild]

Why would I want it? Lots of cheap ammo that I already possess. Enough to last quite a while without replenishing. Not to mention the brass I have saved up.

Also, the places I'll be hunting do not have long shots available. And if they did I'd bring something else. I figured the CZ guys would chime in, but it has some negatives I'd rather not deal with and is more expensive.

 

[Bobson]

What are those negatives, just out of curiosity?

 

[Corn-Picker]

Why would I want it? Lots of cheap ammo that I already possess. Enough to last quite a while without replenishing. Not to mention the brass I have saved up.

Also, the places I'll be hunting do not have long shots available. And if they did I'd bring something else. I figured the CZ guys would chime in, but it has some negatives I'd rather not deal with and is more expensive.

I have the CZ 527. I also have a Weatherby Vanguard S2, i.e. Howa (albeit not the mini action). I see the advantages of each as follows:

CZ527 Advantages:
Available with standard or short LOP stocks (regular or youth, I prefer the youth)
CRF, in case a white tail buck charges (kidding aside, I prefer CRF so I can control how far empties are ejected when bench shooting).
Has a metal magazine that doesn't look ridiculous, and the stock is good looking Walnut
There are more aftermarket accessories, I run a NECG peep and Patridge sight on mine.

Howa advantages:
May cost less (Howa 7.62x39 price is TBD)
May be more accurate (My Weatherby is slightly more accurate than my CZ, about 0.5 MOA better)
Safety is not backwards (I've never had any trouble operating the CZ safety, but YMMV)

The Howa (Weatherby) and CZ triggers are the best two factory triggers of any rifles I own. They are both excellent factory triggers. If you like single stage, the CZ is better. If you like two stage, like I do, then the Howa is better.

I chose the CZ because I value rifle fit above all else, and the CZ was available with a short LOP stock whereas the Howa is not. The CZ is also sexier, I find the protruding magazine on the Howa ridiculous.

What are the drawbacks of the CZ you've identified? I can't say that there's anything wrong with mine, it's the most fun gun that I own.

 

[HankC]

If thinking shooting steel case ammo, make sure the extractor is robust to handle it. I had a Remington 799 Mini Mauser in 7.62x39, the tiny extractor chipped in less than 100 rounds steel case ammo. I built a few Small Ring Mausers in 7.62x39 by converting surplus mausers, get the price down to <$300. Still have one and love it! Would not mind to have a commercial rifle in 7.62x39 if the price is right. Does not make a lot of sense to buy an expensive rifle but shoot cheap ammo! If you reload, ammo cost is not that huge a difference, get a 308, many affordable commercial 308s in the market and you can always load to reduced load.

 

[Fla_dogman]

I didn't mean to offend anyone with my question, i asked because years ago i considered it in the AR platform and several people warned me against it.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

 

[9thchild]

Harder to mount a scope really low because of the rear sight. Probably more expensive. Don't care for the safety. Wood is cool, but I want something I don't mind thrashing a bit and I have other wood guns.

 

[stolivar]

I have one in 527

it is the one that shoots the ak and sks round. very accurate and eats and spits out anything I put in it. Tula is all over the place, but it loves Wolf WPA in 125 grain SP. Very accurate with the Wolf. Love the trigger.


steve

 

[200Apples]

.
It's been said that the CZ's mini-Mauser action was chambered around the steel-cased murplus. I've only used brass in mine, but both Berdan- and Boxer-primed.

Because it's 36.5" long and under 6 pounds, ready to hunt. I challenge you to shoot a CZ 527 in 7.62x39 and not want one. They are just plain fun as hell to shoot.

What Corn-Picker said. Absolutely. And the rest of his post is solid, too.

I need to shoot mine again soon. It's been awhile. Been fixin' on lever carbines and some SA wheelguns lately.

 

[adcoch1]

Went out and shot my cz tonight and the tula ammo made me think i had my sks out there. If you end up with any of these bolt guns remember: there cheap ammo, and then there is crappy cheap ammo. The tula i was shooting is awful, but wolf seems to be just over 1moa in my carbine. I would bet that the howa is as good too once they are available, but get good ammo to test it out.

Sent from my LGLS740 using Tapatalk

 

[chris in va]

I first saw a 527 back around 2002. It just felt perfect and I vowed to find one used as the new one was about $650. Eventually I found one used in WA state for $500.

Bottom line, it goes with me to the range every time. I reload, cast and powdercoat for it and with the proper resizing technique it lights every time. Steel case has harder primers that don't always get a solid strike so I avoid that stuff.

I like it so much it has a fraternal twin in 5.56.

 

[1948CJ2A]

Search gunbroker for a Remington 799(Zastava mini mauser). They offered a 7.62x39 chambering if I recall.

 

[deadduck357]

My LGS has the 7.62x39 & 6.5 Grendel on order with the 20" HB. I'm going to get one of the 7.62s in either the Highlander or Multicam when they come in.

 

[9thchild]

deadduck, do you know the price on those?

 

[highlander 5]

I had a Remington 799 in 7.62x39 the extractor broke in less than 100 rds. No replacement parts at that time. Shop took it back I eventually found 2 CZs and a Ruger M77 MK II in 7.62x39.

 

[390ish]

I have had a Remington 799 for a couple of years. Has been a great rifle. Whacked a few deer with 8M3 ammo with zero complaints on performance. I shoot a lot of cast out of it now from a lee mould. Does great shooting 100 yards. I just use an aimpoint on it. One of my favorite rifles.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[joneb]

I would like to see the CZ 527 chamber in 6.8 spc and or 30 ar.