7.62x39????

[liltank]

Has anybody built one on a bolt action using .308 bullets and not the .311's? What were your results? What length barrel? What was your set up? The reason I'm asking is that I think it would be a great little 200yds or less starting hunting rifle for my son based on a Model 7 action. Thinking a 110 V-max at low velocity would work more like a normal hunting bullet. Just brain storming right now. Maybe even the 125 Sierra SP. If you don't have any experience with a set up like this, give me your thoughts, not opinions. Make it a constructive conversation and not controversial! For some reason I like the .308 caliber rifles. I know this is traditionally a .311" but it can be improved upon.

Tank

[Gene Jr.]

I have to admit to having given it enough thought to decide it wasn't worth the effort, for me anyway. Then the 6.8 came out and has me thinking about doing that one in a little bolt gun for exactly the same reasons! That and I've always been a .277 guy I'm made some mention of this to Joel Russo about making a "mini tactical" for my son. I guess if I want to get it done while he still needs a "mini" I need to lay out some cash. They grow up quick!

[436]

I did one about 12 years ago…. one on a Rem 722 action 0.470” bolt face. I machined a ring 0.447” i.d for the bolt face; tig welded that in, machined the bolt face again, cut out and installed a Sako extractor... I didn’t bother with the magazine or the feeding at the time; it was only needed for the project rifle at the time’…, test platform for subsonic ammo and suppresser.
I had Pac Nor send me {two} 24” inch barrels’…, one Polygonal 1-10 twist .308 cal, the other 5 groove 1-10 twist in .311 cal. Both barrels were tested on the action with loads made up with Sierra bullet Pro Hunter bullet 180gr SPT .308 &.311 cal.

The rifle shot great with both bullets & barrels... But the clear winner in the end subsonic was the .308 cal in both subsonic {heavy slow bullets} and supersonic {the standard 123gr in .30 cal}.... most likely due to the Polygonal barrel and twist.
With all that said; the 5 groove in .311 cal shot the surplus ammo “great” surprised the hell out of me, how accurately it would shoot the Chinese {copper wash} surplus ammo’…, that can’t seem to be found anymore., at least in any quantity.
Anyway, good luck that’s my .02 on the subject.
436

[Kevin Thomas]

Pretty sure SAKO used to offer one, and I think it was a .308" bore. The Finns typically ran .308" barrels in their M39 rebarreled/rebuilt Mosin-Nagants, and it wouldn't surprise me if they did the same in the 7.62x39mm. Ruger took the same approach when the intorduced their Mini-30 in 7.62x39mm; they had .308" barrels. They shot like crap, but it had more to do with the rifles themselves, not the ammo or bore size.

With proper bullet selection, it should do nicely as a short range deer cartridge. 125-135 grain varmint bullets would perform like big game bullets, as would something like 150 gr. FN intended for a 30-30. Similar velocities should make these bullets ideally compatible, no problem. In a short barrel, and on a fast-handling stock it'd make a great short-range brush rifle.

[liltank]

Sweet, that is what I wanted to hear. I like the SPC idea, but I am a 30cal. guy so I like the little cartridge and think it would be a nice low recoiling rifle and easy to maneuver. Keep any experience and comments coming guys.

Tank

[cowboy717]

Imho I would probably look into a 7mm BR. Or a 30 BR. I've actually knocked around the idea for a girlfriend at one time but she took my 308 VTR away from me after she got to shoot it. Ha!

[texas]

CZ pt Remington and your good to go, now if you could find a River mk77 in 7.62x39 that would be idea for him. Then use 240gr smk's.