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7.62 x 39
Hawkshaw
Member Posts: 1,016 ✭✭
A friend is building a bolt action rifle in this caliber. Wants to know what bore size to use, .322 or .308? Thanks.
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Best Regards - AQH
To keep from upping the post count - and getting the topic locked at 10 - I will just edit this one.
When Mission's Trail Shooters Club was active - we took turns being "range master" and opening the "Lou Whittaker Range" in the Osceola National Forest for the Game & Fish Commission on weekends.
Several shooters had SKSs. Often they had 5 round (box) magazines to replace the original box magazine so they could legally use them to hunt in Florida. According to some of them the 7.62X39 round is similar to the 30-30 - and a bunch had both rifles.
They also had 20 round box magazines to replace the original one - and could load it fairly quickly using two stripper clips. They could then blaze away down range.
Never thought I would see the day, but brand new AR's are selling for $400 or less. That's $200 to $300 less than AK's, not to mention double for Ruger Mini-30s. Even original SKS's in excellent condition are bringing more.
All you need to convert a AR to 7.62 X 39, is a barrel, BCG and magazine. Adjustable gas block might be in order also to prevent overgasing. Way cheaper than buying a descent AK or Mini nowadays.
When I got my AK I got the one that took AR magazines and rounds. Sure she's a "pistol" but she's also spitting .223/5.56 [:D].
But it is not cheap.
I have a single shot, a bolt action, 2 SKS's, and 3 AR's in this caliber. For someone who isn't really "into the 7.62x39", I seem to have a bunch of rifles that shoot it.
Regardless, if I were going to recommend a rifle in this caliber for repelling boarders or wounding a deer to death, it would be the SKS. Although not an over-achiever in the accuracy category, it is adequate for deer hunting within the restrictions of the round. It won't hit coyotes consistently beyond 100-150 yards even with an optic. Taking the super dorky bayonet off the muzzle may help-it did on mine. Get some stripper clips for speed loading and you'll be set.
I am not an AK, SKS or Mini-30 aficionado but I do have a good breadth of experience with rifles, cartridges and solving a client's needs and desires.
My solution for bad guys in my front yard is a good shotgun loaded with heavy, dense buckshot. This serves double duty inside the home as well. But I understand the attraction of shooting semi-autos with less expensive ammunition also.
In my opinion, you would be better served by using an AR platform for shooting 7.62x39, creating the ability to add uppers of other flavors for your shooting enjoyment. The quality and accuracy will be better in general. Yes, I know all the AK lovers will rail against this but in general, it's true.
Regarding the feeding issues with AR uppers, make sure the gas port is large enough to allow the proper amount of gas to exit. Use a mid-length gas tube and barrel. Make the feed ramp all one without the separation between the sides. Then go have a blast!
Best.