Scratch build 7.62X54r

[jonvon]

How would yall like to see a 7.62X54r that's not a mosin nagant or romanian psl whatever rifle? I'm talking about an accurized customrifle built from the ground up just for the 7.62X54r. I am an ME student, and would like to build a garand style or smooth bolt action rifle in 7.62X54r as a summer project. I would use a Douglas custom chambered barrel, but the rest would be scratch made. What features would you want to see in a rifle of this build? Interest for doing this is would be,

1. ammo is $80 for 440 rounds roughly
2. 7.62X54r is a powerful cartridge
3. I need practice machining

Let me know !

 

[highorder]

What features would you want to see in a rifle of this build?

• A staggered box that fits flush with the stock
• Integral 1913 rail on the receiver
• 3 position safety
• Adjustable trigger
• Short bolt throw

 

[GunsBeerFreedom]

If you want to make the magazine flush, I would go with a rotary rather than a box.

Honestly I'd like to see a double rifle in 54R.

 

[OpelBlitz]

Nah, I'm liking my SG-43. Just kidding, I don't have one.

I would love to see a semi-auto... I'd like to have an alternative to the SVT-40 myself.

 

[Cosmoline]

You sort of have to decide what the goal is before you choose the platform. If uber accuracy is the goal, a simple bolt action might be easiest. Maybe even a single shot bolt action. The Finns have already done quite a bit along these lines.

I'd like to see a compact drilling for 54R. Maybe a double 54R over a 20 ga or something like that, in a package weighing no more than 7 lbs with express sights.

 

[paintballdude902]

COSMO you mean like a triple barrel? a double over a single? interesting

i would really just like a nice looking sporter with a removable mag and a good clean trigger pull

 

[jonvon]

I guess I'd kinda like to build a compact light sporter with decent accuracy and reliability... Kinda like a socom...... Hmmm...... Feeding and designing a bolt that holds the rim properly will be the biggest challenges.

 

[WardenWolf]

My advice: take a look at the SVT-40. Those are features I'd like to see. You know, it's funny, but the SVT-40 contained features we wouldn't see in Western rifles until well after World War II, including a removable box magazine and muzzle brake. It was basically an M-14, but built in 1939.

 

[Gord]

I'd like to see a fairly compact, midrange-geared semiauto - basically a FAL (or SCAR-H, or whatever) in 7.62x54R instead of .308. Would be pretty sweet to have a heavy-caliber semiauto without the price tag attached to .308 ammo...

IMO, Mosins already have the bolt-gun sector covered; you can get a Ruskie for a hunnerd bucks that'll cover your hunting/plinking needs, and if you want or need more accuracy, Finns are available for $300-400. From a "this could become a retail product" angle I dunno if people would buy an $800+ new-production 7.62x54R bolt gun.

On the other hand, the only commonly available 7.62x54R semi is the PSL, which is long and unwieldy. I'd personally pitch a tent if someone came out with a more compact solution.

 

[Offfhand]

Go to thread below in reloading section and scroll down to my posts on target rifle in 7.62X54R.

Loading the 7.62x54r

 

[DMK]

I wouldn't mind seeing a nice Mauser action rifle in '54R or a straight pull like a Swiss K31. If you could also throw in cock on closing, like the Enfield, that would be just the trick for sticky case surplus too.

The Finn Mosins are nice shooters, but they still have that clunky Mosin Nagant action. Not at all buttery smooth like a Mauser or Swiss straight pull.

 

[Cosmoline]

COSMO you mean like a triple barrel? a double over a single? interesting

Yeah, like a Continental drilling or combination gun. The 54R's big rim is a nuisance in a bolt action but perfect for a break open design. Even a simple single shot 54R on a Ruger No. 1 would be neat.

 

[Gord]

Even a simple single shot 54R on a Ruger No. 1 would be neat.

I've been wondering for a while now why H&R/NEF don't offer 54R as an option on their single-shots. You'd think a $100 gun and a 20-cent rifle cartridge would make a great package. I'd certainly buy one.

A 54R/12ga combo would make for potent bear medicine...

 

[spartanpride]

I would LOVE to see an M1A chambered in x54! Because all I have seen so far for a x54 semi is the PSL. Copy the Garand, but put a detatchable 20 round mag in it. I would most definately buy one!
just my 2 cents

 

[Avtomat Kalashnikova]

^ +1, id pay $2800 for that

 

[offthepaper]

Nah,
I want to see a lever action 54R with good sights.

 

[dirtyjim]

jonvon, if you want practice machining i would start out by just making a modified version of the mosin nagant action.
i would also go with a lothar walther, pac-nor or montana barrel. lothar walther makes barrels in .312 dia. they alsy thread for the mosin & will chamber them in 7.62x54r, pac-nor & montana make them in .311 bore. if you go with douglas you'll be stuck with a standard .308 bore. if you go with a .308 bore i would have pacific grind your reamer with a little more lead to help swage the bullets down to .308 without raising chamber pressures.

i would use 4140 pre-hard for the receiver so you can skip the heat treat.
have the bolt raceways cut with an edm unless you want to spend a lot of time broaching them.
i would look into adapting the bolt & trigger from a winchester 70 or a remington 700.
you would have to cut the bolt body, rotate it 90° & weld it back.
or just modify the mosin bold head for a sako or an ar-15 type extractor then figure out a way to adapt a winchester 70 style bolt shroud & 3pos safety to the back of the mosin bolt.

jpfo has a article on their website on building a mauser style receiver from scratch.
A Guide to Drilling, Reaming, and Broaching
a Bolt-Action Receiver at Home it may give you some ideas

 

[jpwilly]

I too think a break open single or double would be a good application if you really want a challange a hand crank gatlin gun would be awesome!

 

[earlthegoat2]

The 54R's big rim is a nuisance in a bolt action

Raining on parade but yes. The 54R is an obsolete round that is not readily adapted to bolt actions but has a gross number of surplus rifles floating around to make it somewhat popular still. I am quite astounded at how popular it is.

Basing a new rifle around this one cartridge is at best, a great strive towards mediocrity at its worst.

I appreciate the idea a great deal but the 7.62x54R is best suited to be left as an old military surplus round.

********************************************************

To answer the question though....

Blind magazine that fits flush
3 position safety mounted on the tang
3 locking lugs at 120 degrees to facilitate a 60 degree bolt throw
24 inch barrel
Laminate stock
Glass and pillar bedded action
Integral weaver base or bases that will not impede use of the open sights if a scope is not used. The open sights will consist of a rear aperture and bead front. If the scope is mounted though the open sights would not be utilized at all.
Oversized bolt knob.
Oversized trigger guard of metal construction
User adjustable trigger
Free floated of course
Medium profile sporter barrel made of chrome moly or stainless
Limbsaver recoil pad

 

[War Squirrel]

I don't care when, but at some point in your life, please buy a PSL and make a milled reciever for it. I will love you for eternity.

But yes, for your idea, I suggest starting simple. A single shot bolt gun in 54r, built with accuracy in mind. Maybe a shrunken version of the "shellholder" .50BMG style. Man that'd be sexy.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Remington 700 style rifle, in 7.62x54.

I think most of us would just like to see western rifles in Soviet calibers. Why? Probably because I'm sick of seeing Soviet guns converted to Western calibers (Makarov in .380... what the hell?)

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Now I'd like to see a x54 1000 yarder made to work. But that's just me.

 

[db_tanker]

off the paper,

Winchester did it...Model 1895 in 7.62x54R.

 

[lobo9er]

http://media.photobucket.com/image/1895%20in%207.62x54R/dapenko/195.jpg

heres a link to a pic of one i found.

 

[lobo9er]

A modern gun in 54r would be interesting.