Scratch build 7.62X54r

[alemonkey]

A 7.62x54R / 20ga drilling would be awesome. Rimmed cartridges work great in that type of action.

 

[dirtyjim]

jonvon, let me know what kind of equipment you have access to & i'll make some recommendations based on that.

 

[josh...just josh]

I love the idea of 7.62x54r shell holder type rifle! a mini barrett that shoots cheap, powerful rounds is great!

 

[Erik M]

I love the idea of 7.62x54r shell holder type rifle! a mini barret that shoots cheap, powerful rounds is great!

Yeah, think Enfield chambered in 54r. That would be awesome.

 

[bernie]

I would like to see some sort of a Remington 700 type rifle, one with a short barrel for tight woods hunting, one with a long barrel that could be tweaked into a long range rifle.

 

[War Squirrel]

I love the idea of 7.62x54r shell holder type rifle! a mini barrett that shoots cheap, powerful rounds is great!

Glad you liked that! Always a secret dream of mine...

 

[goon]

I kind of don't see what the point would be.

 

[Jim Watson]

I think a more realistic goal would be to get 'Mr. Single Shot's Book of Rifle Plans' by Frank DeHaas and put together a nice falling block. Get from his son at:
http://www.dehaas.com/guns/
Other books there show commercial and military single shot and bolt actions you might want to try to replicate.

 

[dirtyjim]

I kind of don't see what the point would be.

the point would be that he would get some experience on mills & lathes & build something neat that he can shoot.
a rolling block or falling block would be a good candidate since it wouldn't require bolt lug raceways.

 

[PTK]

I'd do it mostly in 416 stainless; then you'd not have to worry as much about corrosive primers. Sure, it's a bit annoying to machine, but you'll be fine with an ME degree. I know I am.

 

[alemonkey]

A single shot would make the most sense to me. Should be easier to fabricate, and the rimmed cartridge would be ideal. Falling block single shots can be extremely accurate. I still think a drilling would be the coolest, though:

 

[goon]

the point would be that he would get some experience on mills & lathes & build something neat that he can shoot.
a rolling block or falling block would be a good candidate since it wouldn't require bolt lug raceways.

I meant no disrespect.
Just pointing out that if you're going to the trouble of making a gun you can likely make a better choice than 7.62x54R. It's not a bad cartridge and it is cheap to shoot now, but what happens when all the 70 year old surplus everyone is in love with now goes away? Then it's just another obscure cartridge you have to reload for.

Still, I'm not going to try to talk someone out of making any gun. More power to him!

 

[jonvon]

dirty jim, I'm close to finishing my first year in ME, but next semester I'll be learning how to use basic machine shop tools. (lathes, Drill press, Band saw, welders). This would be a project to work on next summer, after I've learned some basic shop skills. I currently do have access to the undergraduate machine shop which has everything, including a CAD based CNC machine.

I like the Garand action and think with some study, I should be able to replicate something similar. If that doesn't seem doable in the proccess though, I may start with a single shot as suggested. The reason I want to put it in 7.62X54r is because it has decent ballistics, and I can stock up on as much ammo as I'd ever need for about 1/4th the price of .308. I guess i'll just have to wait and see what happens

 

[Cosmoline]

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

Winchester actually made that. The Russian commission 95's.

but what happens when all the 70 year old surplus everyone is in love with now goes away? Then it's just another obscure cartridge you have to reload for.

There are many manufacturers of 54R currently. S&B, Norma, Privi, Wolf, etc. And it's easy to find brass. Certainly it's nowhere *NEAR* as obscure as most rimmed combination gun chamberings. Nor is it ever likely to be in our lifetimes.

As far as surplus, we haven't come close to tapping it out. Remember, the stuff was used for machine guns and semis long after the Mosins retired, and kept getting churned out all through the Cold War. We'll see the end of the 8x57JS long before we see the end of 54R surplus.

 

[revolvergeek]

What about just rechambering a NEF Handi Rifle for it?

 

[okiewita40]

I could really take a good hard look at a single shot in 54R.