convert 7.62x39 to 7.62x54 any comments

[casca1]

greetings
I am currently on a rolling layoff from caterpillar inc-
have been reloading until one arm is bigger than the other.
so got to find another project before somebody wants me to paint inside the house.

has anyone converted 7.62x39 to 7.62x54  my biggest concern is will the extractor or ejector work or will this become a major problem ?

OR is this a waste of time since.

anyone load for 7.62x54 ??
thanks

[cwlongshot]

I do think one of th guys did this. Sorry I cannot remember his name...

Its a good upgrade in power and relyability. The extractor/ejector is not a big deal, a 30-30 should be able to be fit and modified to work with little troubles.

DO IT and make a post of the whole thing so we all can watch and comment as it goes!!

CW

[casca1]

never considered a 30-30, was going to just use my 7.62x39 
now you gave me more to ponder

[Spanky]

The 7.62x39 has the right bore size for 7.62x54. A 30-30 has .308 bore.
I think CW was talking about using a 30-30 ejector/extractor, not the barrel. (CW correct me if I'm wrong)
I have read where guys use .308 bore barrels, ream them to 7.62x54 and handload ammo. with .308 bullets so you do have some options.
If you plan on using mil-surp or some other factory ammo. for the 7.62x54 it will probably be loaded with .311-.312 dia. bullets.



Spanky

[petemi]

I too would like the 7.62x54R in a Handi.  It'd be a lot "handier" than a Mosin, and more clout than the x39 at about the same ammo cost and availabliity.

Pete

[NFG]

I'm totally confused...I just miked my 7.62x39 SKS ammo at 0.308" and my Moisan Nagant 7.62x54 Russian Rimmed at 0.311" and now Spanky stated the two have the same bullet diameter...someone or something it totally wrong... ...I don't know for certain what the bore size is in the NEF for the 7,65x39...

While you could shoot the larger diameter bullets in the smaller diameter barrel...it has been done many times in the past...it increases the pressures substantially...causes more wear and tear on the weapon...and generally isn't as accurate...going the other way, the smaller bullet in the larger bore just makes for lousy accuracy and a quickly worn out throat.  Both alternatives are not good.

If you somehow have a barrel with 0.311" bore...slug it to be sure...and wanted to waste some money, I would rechamber to 303 Brit and be happy...ammo is available, but not as cheap as the x39...

What you could do to the 7.62x39...if the bore is actually 0.308"...is rechamber to almost any(within reason) 0.308 cal cartridge...BUT...why do it...you can have NEF put on a new barrel cheaper than having the old one messed with.

As far as I'm concerned there is nothing wrong with the 7.62x39...it has plenty of pizzazz for up to deer sized animals withing reasonable distances...plenty of cheap "hosing" ammo available...why change a good thing...what's not to like.?

If you want something with more muscle...get a barrel in a larger caliber/case...a much cheaper and reasonable alternative.  The x54 Russian has about the same ballistics as the 307W/308W/303 Brit so why not just buy a cheap Moisan and be done with it...it might be cheaper than doing a rechamber and you will have another rifle to boot.  

It costs me $50-55 to do a rechamber for the reamer rental alone and the few local 'smiths charge $75-150 to do a rechamber depending on the setup time, if they have a reamer and how critical the headspace is.

There is also the 7.65 Mauser, 7.65 x 53 and 54 "Argentine" that are similar is size and ballistics, but also 0.308" and 0.311-0.313" bore sizes and that can get real confusing when being discussed.



Luck on your projects.

[casca1]

already have 3 mosin and 1 remington mosin also have plenty of handi rifles just not any in a 7.62x54
yes I could load the handi rifle in 30-06 to meet requirements

remember 3rd world bullet making had a lot to be desired  grab a few different 7.62x54 rounds same with 7.62x39 and check the difference 

while station in Berlin we would find bullets in same box any where from .305 to .320   russians just fired then down the barrel just the same

[OBXPilgrim]

Didn't see anyone else mention it, so I will.

If you're a reloader & plan to reload for 7.62x54R, be sure you have a good supply of reloadable brass before you make this conversion.  All brass is on the scarce side right now, but a few seem to be much harder to find than others.  I saw someone else mention 7.62x54R was hard to find right now & I started looking, and he wasn't lying.  7.62x39 is bad enough, but not as bad as 7.62x54R (at least not this week).  I'd check on 303 Brit before I thought about that too.

[mrloring]

Didn't see anyone else mention it, so I will.

If you're a reloader & plan to reload for 7.62x54R, be sure you have a good supply of reloadable brass before you make this conversion.  All brass is on the scarce side right now, but a few seem to be much harder to find than others.  I saw someone else mention 7.62x54R was hard to find right now & I started looking, and he wasn't lying.  7.62x39 is bad enough, but not as bad as 7.62x54R (at least not this week).  I'd check on 303 Brit before I thought about that too.

Grafs has it in stock.

[cwlongshot]

The 7.62x39 has the right bore size for 7.62x54. A 30-30 has .308 bore.
I think CW was talking about using a 30-30 ejector/extractor, not the barrel. (CW correct me if I'm wrong)
I have read where guys use .308 bore barrels, ream them to 7.62x54 and hand-load ammo. with .308 bullets so you do have some options.
If you plan on using mil-surp or some other factory ammo. for the 7.62x54 it will probably be loaded with .311-.312 dia. bullets.
Spanky

Thanks Spanky, you are exactly correct. Not suggesting the 30-30 but rather just its ejector/extractor.

For the 303, 7.65 Arg, 7.62X54R, 7.7 Jap and 7.62x39, .311 is the bore you should have. (.312 is the pistol bullet dia.) As posted, many make a wildcat of it by using a .308 bore and it works fine too.

CW