Need a bolt rifle recommendation for 7.62x39

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I disagree

With proper loads in an accurate platform 7.62x39 makes a fine 200 to 250 yd deer cartridge. Contrary to popular wisdom 3000 fps and a case belt are not required to kill Bambi past 100 yds

see the sig links for more
 
That FN looks like the best platform for a long-distance 7.62x39. I reload, so I will be building accuracy loads, and I expect it would be a cinch at 300 yards. I've read that the Ruger "noodle barrel" starts walking off after 3 rounds. The Remington doesn't even claim to be a 1 MOA gun, nor do any owners report it can do so.

I've thought about doing a build like Krochus. I like the idea of a .308 barrel -- would give a lot more bullet options.

I'm still looking for a retail price on the FN TSR.
 
I've thought about doing a build like Krochus. I like the idea of a .308 barrel -- would give a lot more bullet options.
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It does, but don't discount simply shooting .308" in a .310" bbl. The results may surprise you
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=2274479#post2274479


I had no knowledge of that FN......verily that is a sweet setup

I've read that the Ruger "noodle barrel" starts walking off after 3 rounds.
Click to expand...

I think you're applying the Ruger mini30 wandering zero to the M77 which in my experience suffers from no such issue
 
What do you guys think of an Enfield 4 conversion? I would think that the sturdier .303 action and barrel would be tight shooting in the lesser powered 7.62x39. Looks like I could get a basic kit from Special Interest Arms for $200 and pay a gunsmith to cut down the chamber and re-thread the barrel, modify the boll face, and modify the trigger guard to accept AK magazines. If I understand it correctly, the shape of a .303 cartridge is identical to the 7.62x39 at the top making it unnecessary to ream out the chamber.

If I go this route, what should be done to the Enfield to make it more accurate? Float the barrel?
 
I owned the Ruger MKII with Leupold 4x. It shot 125 Sierra .312 spire point handloads into .65 inches at 100 yards. A DANDY light-weight hunting rifle...

A fellow in NM got himself a write-up in The American Rifleman by rechambering No.4 SMLEs in 7.62x54 Russian. They made for one very accurate and inexpensive shooter.
 
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and pay a gunsmith to cut down the chamber and re-thread the barrel, modify the boll face, and modify the trigger guard to accept AK magazines.
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yeah but you're talking about 3 or 4 hundred dollars worth of gunsmithing on top of a $200 kit and a $150 rifle. All for a rifle that may or may not shoot and feed well

for that kind of cash you're well into a dedicated AR15 upper and well above what a CZ527 costs
 
That's a good point about the cost of smithing. I found a contoured barrel blank (.308 Stainless Steel, 1:10, 21") on clearance for only $70. Maybe I should have it chambered and installed on another bolt gun rather than convert an SMLE.
 
Since I mentioned to you that MY 7.62x39imp bolt gun is as single shot only Ive had the opportunity to look at a new center-feed stevens 200 in .223rem. This new magazine might indeed feed 7.62x39 cartreidges
 
with the fn i'm not possitive but i think they run around 8-900 but dont quote me on that becasue i could be wrong...i've seen fn's on the rack around here for 900-1000 for 308s but never seen the 223 or 7.62x39
 
So if I re-barrel a .223 Stevens 200 the action/bolt will be large enough to serve the 7.62x39? Looks like a cheap platform to work with. I like the idea of having magazine fed.

krochus, can you detail the necessary smithing/mods you did to convert your gun?
 
<SLV> said:
So if I re-barrel a .223 Stevens 200 the action/bolt will be large enough to serve the 7.62x39? Looks like a cheap platform to work with. I like the idea of having magazine fed.

krochus, can you detail the necessary smithing/mods you did to convert your gun?
Click to expand...
potential magazine issues aside all I had to do was

order a 100% drop in shilen barrel $300
have the .223 bolt face opened up to .445" $freebie
and a little hand filing or reprofiling of the .223 extractor $DIY


the .223 Stevens 200 action size is the same as for a 308 so no problem there
 
Wouldn't a Stevens magazine in .22-250 be more likely to feed the 7.62x39 case than the .223? I would think that although it is a little long, the case width is much more similar. But maybe the bolt face is too large (?).

Why did you choose the Shilen barrel? Was it the only drop-in option? Did it come standard with the .308 bore? Is this a "wildcat"? I've seen some barrel makers refer to 7.62x39 Lapua - is that the 7.62x39 with a .308 bore?

Sorry for all the questions! I'm thinking that it might be the most rewarding to build my own bolt gun rather than purchasing one. Is the trigger any good on the Stevens?
 
I wouldn't go with the 22-250 or other .473" action for a couple of reasons

the .473" case head is much larger than x39's .445" so you'll need a opened up .223 bolt face anyway

and if the feed lips are too short for x39 you're sunk. If you stay with a .223 mag you can always trim back or bend the magazine feed lips if need be.

Why did you choose the Shilen barrel? Was it the only drop-in option? Did it come standard with the .308 bore?
Click to expand...

For a drop in 7.62x39 bbl shilen or possibly mcgowan are going to be your only choices. I wanted a very accurate bbl so I opted for a shilen select match with a 1-16" twist with a .308" bore. AFIK nobody in the us makes a .30 cal bbl with a larger than .308" bore

Is this a "wildcat"?
Click to expand...
Sorta but not really, I still shoot factory ammo as do folks with early model .308 bored Ruger mini 30's

I've seen some barrel makers refer to 7.62x39 Lapua - is that the 7.62x39 with a .308 bore?
Click to expand...

Honestly I haven't figured that one out yet

Is the trigger any good on the Stevens?
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It's not bad if you take time to adjust the overtravel and pull (factory doesn't bother)

I run an aftermarket rifle basix sav1 trigger now
 
Thanks, krochus. Wal-Mart can order me a Stevens 200 in .223 for $310. I think this is the best price I've seen anywhere. I might end up going this route because I would be happier with the final performance, and there would be an added sense of achievement having built it myself.

Is there a good picatinny scope rail for the Stevens rifle? I have a Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40 tactical turret (mil-dot) that I'm planning for this rifle. I want to keep the scope center as close to bore center as possible.

Also, it looks like the Choate stock doesn't work with the new center feed Savage action. I'd love to see a synthetic bench stock like the Magpul PRS for it!
 
No one's mentioned the Australian International Arms M10-A2 -- I love mine, but I'm trying to get rid of my rifles of the 7.62x39 caliber. Want it? :)

Shoots great, I can get between 1-2MOA. And contrary to most people's ramblings, I rarely, if ever, get FTF's. Accepts AK magazines and is a bit heavy.
 

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Is there a good picatinny scope rail for the Stevens rifle? I have a Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40 tactical turret (mil-dot) that I'm planning for this rifle. I want to keep the scope center as close to bore center as possible.
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egw and badger both make picatinny rails for the stevens( i believe its the same mounts as the savage 110 but not possitive)
 
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Here is BARS-4-1
p_bars4-1.jpg


chambered for 7.62x39, 22" barrel priced $425
http://www.gunsamerica.com/964444008/Guns/Rifles/Izhmash-Rifles/Izhmash_BARS_4_1_7_62x39.htm

or just read story by Randy Smith about 7.62x39 bolt action rifles http://www.chuckhawks.com/bolt_action_7-62x39_rifles.htm
 
Drat, DIM. You really got my hopes up. That listing is closed. I've looked all over for one of those. I contacted Randy Smith about his article just last month, and he said he got his several years ago. I also contacted RAA and they are going to get some in later this summer, but they expect them to be priced at $650+.

BTW... it is too bad that the comb rolls over for a righty -- I shoot from the other side.
 
<SLV> said:
I also contacted RAA and they are going to get some in later this summer, but they expect them to be priced at $650+.
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650 that's unrealistic, there should be other way to order it, I know that guys from Russia order our Rem and them getting shipped over seas, of course they pay 5x more. Myself I wouldn't order anything from Russia directly, I think their services are still unreliable.
however try to contact izhmash directly maybe they can do something. http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/product/bars4.shtml
 
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