7.62x39 rifles/reloading

[rjm158]

I saw one of the new Savage Model 11 rifles in this caiber the other day and it got me to thinking that of all the calibers discussed here, this was one that isn't mentioned much.

Does anyone have experience with one of the 7.62x39 bolt guns and/or relaoding for it?

Ron

 

[RiverRider]

I'd be interested in knowing how the cartridge performs in a bolt gun myself...not because I think it's a great cartridge in any way---in fact, I think it's pretty darned useless when other .30 caliber cartridges that outperform it ballistically are so plentiful. To be fair, though, I think its accuracy reputation has been pretty much destroyed by the rifles commonly chambered for it, and being as mild a cartridge as it is it might well be capable of outstanding accuracy when shot from a well made bolt action. I would imagine that it could be a very accurate cartridge in the right rifle, but I'd never select it when there are numbers like .308 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield for hunting applications. It's an interesting subject nonetheless.

 

[Polaris]

It can be very effective loaded subsonic with a 170 gr 30-30 bullet (.308 bore)or 174rn (.310 bore) in a boltgun, mimicing the vaunted .300 whisper in a much more practical and less expensive package. I have a friend who did this. Bwang-thwap. Really cool to shoot. You'll have to develop your own load. Alliant 2400 might be a good starting point.

For deer it is very useful loaded with 125gr bullets designed for this cartridge or 130 grain "single shot pistol" bullets if you have a .308 bore rifle. Makes a fine light, handy rifle in a compact low recoil package useful for deer to 200 yards or so.

The benefit of the round vs. the heavier 30 cals is the extremely short and light actions it can be chambered in.

You will also be able to shoot the cheap russian ammo for practice, another bonus.

 

[Mountain Goat]

It was very effictive for what it was designed for, not much else though. Even considering how much I dislike the 30-30, to me the 7.62x39 rules the gallows in comparison. I wouldn't pass up a deal on a Hand-Rifle chambered in it though.

 

[SJB358]

It was very effictive for what it was designed for, not much else though. Even considering how much I dislike the 30-30, to me the 7.62x39 rules the gallows in comparison. I wouldn't pass up a deal on a Hand-Rifle chambered in it though.

I am in agreement with you MG. I just don't like the 7.62x39 very much. I am a little jaded by them. I am sure they can made to be useful for something, but I just don't count myself as a fan of the little Russian.

Some of the AK's can be very accurate, but most are crap. I know the AK was made to me a simple military rifle, but their sighting arrangement and stocks are just not very well thought out for precision shooting. I am the odd ball that would take a plain old M4 anyday of the week, that I know is accurate. I think the best AK's I have seen have been after they were driven over with Abrams!

 

[Guy Miner]

Scotty - I share your dislike for the AK/SKS rifles. It's just a personal thing with me. A buddy got killed with one, a long time ago in a place far away, and it seems like a mess of gang members & low life thugs have them too - so I just don't associate the AK/SKS with good stuff. My apologies to those who like them. In my life it's been the rifle/cartridge of choice for the bad guys, be they enemies or criminals, and it's hard for me to get over that in my head.

The cartridge though, I do find somewhat interesting. One reason is that the little CZ bolt action rifle, normally found here in the .223 Rem or the .204 Ruger, is also available in 7.62x39, and is promoted for use on deer and wild boar out to 200 yards. I'd imagine that could be an accurate and handy little rifle.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-527-carbine/

Also, I've got nothing against the .30-30 at all, respecting it for what it is - and the 7.62x39 isn't far removed from it re ballistics.

Most of my practical experience with the 7.62x39 comes from picking up empties at crime scenes.

 

[Too Tall]

I'm with you Guy. It is the round of choice of our enemy. I got 2 rounds put through me a long time ago, in a place far away.

 

[DrMike]

Wow, I thought I was the only one with a vendetta against the AK/SKS. There has been a ton of SKSs sold around here, and truckloads of ammunition. I don't enjoy how the cases foul the shooting range, and the yahoos who shoot them are not prone to clean up their mess. Then, there is just the idea that these rifles are, as Guy so eloquently points out, the weapon of choice for enemies and thugs. I've always felt there were other choices if someone wanted a lower powered cartridge.

 

[SJB358]

Wow, I thought I was the only one with a vendetta against the AK/SKS. There has been a ton of SKSs sold around here, and truckloads of ammunition. I don't enjoy how the cases foul the shooting range, and the yahoos who shoot them are not prone to clean up their mess. Then, there is just the idea that these rifles are, as Guy so eloquently points out, the weapon of choice for enemies and thugs. I've always felt there were other choices if someone wanted a lower powered cartridge.

Too many of my mates have permanent scars or their families have Flags from them. I am not saying I don't think people should have them, I just don't like them. I end up having to use them every once in awhile for odd work, but it is never because it is my first choice.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't like the rifles these are chambered in, with the exception of the little CZ...think that might make a real useful youth rifle in certain instances.

It's kind of useless in that regard even, given the number of wonderful, low recoil cartridges that are as or more effective than the Russian round.

The sole appeal of the 7.62x39 is (and maybe always has been) the existence of scads of dirt cheap, low grade ammunition....I'll pass.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I got shot at by an AK-47 in Berlin by Volks Polizei in 1962 who were killing fleeing-for-freedom civilians across the 100 meter DMZ, including small children! We were collateral damage and returned the favor with a 106mm Recoiless from a gun jeep. I have not liked them much since. Certainly would not own an Ak-47, any sooner than I would kiss an Obama!

Then later (in 1968) some of Che's Guevera's camp friends robbed us at gun point on a jungle drill site in Guatemala at AK-47 gun point and stole our cigarettes, money and beer more than once which we carried enough of around to keep from getting killed by the toothless, Commie SOB's. Having an AK planted between my eyes with finger on the trigger, reinforced my severe dislike of AK's.

Plus the young slobs who shoot SKS/AK-47's at Custer Range leave their brass in piles rotting on the ground!

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

RJM, I've loaded for the 7.62x39 in the semi-auto's. keep in mind it's a .311 bore, not a .308. Mine doesn't seem to like the .308 bullets, so when I get a change I plan to try some of the Sierra .311 gamekings. They might be a decent bullet to start with if you are looking for a short, lowrecoil medium range rifle for whitetails and such.