Bolt (or 'other') action 7.62 x 39?

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Jim PHL

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I will hopefully be getting my first rifle very soon - most likely an SKS. Being a typical gun guy, buying my first rifle gets me thinking about... my second rifle!!:D

I've pretty much settled on an SKS because of it's jack-of-all-trades appeal. Semi-auto; easy maintenance and parts availability; convenient size and weight; common, available ammo of decent power - overall good for plinking, target shooting, most game I'd be likely to hunt, home defense, etc.

The only rifle application I consider that it will not fulfill is longer range target shooting, hunting, etc. I like a few milsurps I've seen that fit this role nicely at a great price; Mosins, '03's, Mausers, etc, but I'm not aware of any that fire the "x39". I kind of like the bolt action carbines I saw at the shop where I'm going to buy the SKS but they fire the "x54" or .303. I already have too many handgun calibers and I'd like to limit the rifle calibers to (1). So, actually, 2 questions:
1) Is there a gun I'm not aware of - bolt or other - to help wring more distance out of the x39. (My preferred option since I'm pretty set on the SKS)
2) Is it the case that the 7.62 x 39 just does not have that kind of distance/accuracy potential from any platform? (If so the decision becomes whether to skip the second gun or suck it up and buy one in another caliber.)

I guess a final alternative might be a different caliber to start with that has a nice semi-auto/bolt pairing to fulfill the roles or a semi-auto with more long-range punch. Before you all start suggesting an M1A, Garand, AR, Dragunov, etc. let me say up front cost is a major consideration. I can still (at least for now)get an SKS, a bolt action 54R or 8mm and almost a thousand rounds for each for less than the cheapest AR I've seen lately. It's just that I can't even afford the cheapest AR I've seen lately!!:eek: So, I guess I'm asking for a lot of gun for a little money...a one- or two-gun, do-it-all arsenal.
 
CZ still makes the 527 which you can get in 7.62x39. I have one and there are things I really like about the rife. Action, light, handles well. Only thing that I don't like it's not the most accurate rifle in the world. Now, consider this, I live for small groups!!! This rifle (best so far) is about 1" groups @ 100. That is fine for most but I am not totally happy with that. Still, it will keep it.
 
FNH USA makes this in 7.62x39. Don't know much about it.

It should be interesting with the cold hammer-forged fluted barrel.


TSR XP USA:

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FNH puts the weight of that rifle at 8 lbs. 11 oz. Not very handy for a 7.62x39 rifle.
 
SKS is an excellent choice. It's accurate enough out to 100-150 yards, which is about as far as most people hunt or shoot. If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, do a search for Krochus's 7.62x39 Savage build. He pretty much proved you can build a tack driving bolt action in that caliber. If you can track down a used Savage or Stevens for a good price you can swap the barrel yourself and end up with a nice rifle like his for pretty cheap.

That being said, you need a Mosin. Everyone needs a Mosin. If you think the $79 91/30's aren't accurate enough, spend $300 and get yourself an M39. You'll have a better rifle than most anything made today for half the price.

My advice is get both an SKS and a Mosin if you can afford both. The ammo for both is still reasonable, and the best thing you can do with any rifle is practice, practice, practice. If you do your homework you should be able to get both for around $300-350, even with today's crazy prices. Just remember, you only regret selling or not buying a rifle. You never regret them once you haven them. :D
 
I have the cz , and also ruger does 1 or two models.
Remmy also made a single shot that did it, don't know if they still do.
possibly h/r or nef do as well.
I can say this; the cz is a one hole punch , with all types of foreign made, and crap milsurp ammo. Just too good...
 
there's lots of good suggestions here.since cost is a major consideration and your looking for bolt-action,you may want to see how much saiga bars 4-1 are going for.

i would be leary of any conversion types unless i can verify that all mags run smoothly in them.
 
That Enfield conversion is hideously expensive. I reload 303 cheaper than I can buy 7.62x39mm.
Everyone I talk to says the CZ-527 in 7.62x39mm is a great carbine. Haven't gotten one yet, but it is on the list!
 
Armoredman; I agree on that conversion. For $500 plus the cost of the rifle, shipping, tax, etc. It takes me out of the running for that. The CZ looks like a really nice rifle but again, price. (In both cases I am looking at "in addition to" the cost of an SKS)

I would have thought, with the worldwide popularity of the x39 and vast numbers of AK's and SKS's issued, that there would have been some military issued bolt gun created to get more range and accuracy from a common caliber. I guess, though, that from WWII on, especially with the common switch to 'medium calibers' for the general infantry, the sniper role became more specialized than ever and 'sniper-specific' equipment in appropriate calibers made more sense? In other words, when the Garand was common issue it made sense to have scoped bolt guns in .30-06 because it was a caliber that performed well in both platforms?

Its starting to look like alemonkey's advice is pretty sound. I am going to a gun show this weekend and may end up with an SKS and a Mosin or a Mauser if the price is right. I might just have to suffer with adding two calibers to the ammo locker instead of one!
 
Ruger's bolt-action can be ordered in X39.
there are some options for the Mini30 - one firm puts a heavy barrel on and really tightens the groups up. costly though.
the new Mini 30's are better shooters also just out of box.
 
one rifle missed in the excellent suggestions so far Rossi single shot and there's currently a run of Ruger No1's but at over $1000 I doubt they're in your consideration

An ar15 in 7.62x39 can also fill many of your criteria albeit at a somewhat higher price. See the sig links for more on the cz521 and AR15
 
mordechaianiliewicz said:
I've just never seen the point in a 7.62x39mm bolt, unless you are talking about the real cheap NORINCO we can't get in the US.
Click to expand...

Why not? that could pretty much isn't a point to owning any bolt action that isn't .223, 30-06 or 375H&H but that would be rather boring wouldn't it

300meters $2.99 a box, reason enough in my book.

HPIM2355.jpg
 
Ruger just annouced that it's building the Hawkeye in a Compact rifle chambered in 7.62x39....16.5" bbl and around 6 pounds w/o optics....could be a workhorse....also chambered in 6.8SPC
439L.jpg
 
I'm simply referring to the fact that most rifles you can get in the US in 7.62x39mm are going to be rather expensive compared to an SKS rifle.

NORINCO makes a rifle which is considerably cheaper than the $450-$600 standard, but we can't buy get it here.

I suppose though it's an each his own sort of thing though.
 
chaseguitar said:
Ruger just annouced that it's building the Hawkeye in a Compact rifle chambered in 7.62x39....16.5" bbl and around 6 pounds w/o optics....could be a workhorse....also chambered in 6.8SPC
Click to expand...

damn them :evil:

Now I'm going to have to buy one of the rereleased 77/44 magnum's AND a Hawkeye in 7.62x39mm
 
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