7.62X39 Barrel

[yukonjim]

I wish NEF would make a barrel in 7.62X39 for their handi's.  Ammo is cheap and the ballistics are about the same as a 30-30.  American European Arms sells a Baikal (Russian made) single shoot break action in this caliber among others.  I own a Baikal 12 gauge singlr shot trap gun.  It is well made and shoots great.  Ruger even makes firearms in the 7.62X39 caliber.  For short range, especially brush, it is a good round.  I think NEF is missing the boat on this one.  I know I would sure buy one.  

[MGMorden]

Ruger's arms are squeeze bores. They are shoving a .311" bullet down a .308" barrel.  Not good for accuracy.  That's the main problem with NEF bring out one of these.  All their .30 cal barrels are designed for rounds with a bullet diamter of .308" (.30-30, .30-06, .308, etc).  7.62x39, 7.62x54R, and .303 British all use .311" bullets, and hence would require they tool up for a completely differnt bore diameter.  That just makes it more expensive for them.  

The ammo is cheap, but I eventually just decided to get an SKS.  With the Yugo version you even get a gas shut-off valve which turns off semi-auto fire, and allows you to work the bolt manuall between each shot.

[JPH45]

I may be wrong, but I believe that Ruger stopped making that long throated barrel and went to a .311 groove diameter. Get a 30-30, ammo for it is cheap too and it is a ballistic twin to the little Russian, and when handloaded in the NEF, a bit more can be squeezed from it. Otherwise MG is on the right track, get an SKS. Fine little rifle, inexpensive and shoots all that cheap foriegn ammo to boot.

[gstanfield]

I checked into getting one of the EAA single shots in 6.5X55,but they told me they could not import them into the US right now, that has been about two months ago, so if you are bond on getting a single shot 7.62X39 you may check back with them now. I don't know what has happened in the last two months.

George

[Leftoverdj]

I broke down and bought a CZ 527.  Expensive, but worth every penny. I'm primarily a cast bullet shooter and I quickly found a load that puts 159 grain cast bullets into about 5/8" 50 yard groups at 2200 fps. I shot a little of the Russian Barnaul ammo out of curiousity and it does not do nearly as well, although it is blazing fast at nearly 2500 fps. The test target was a one holer of about 3/8" at 100 meters but I have not been able to find what ammo they used.

If the Baikals ever start coming in, I'll likely get one of those, too. I don't look for NEF to ever offer that chambering, but the bore size is not the barrier. Marlin/NEF barrels run loose with .309+ groove diameter being the norm for .30 cals by the consensus of the cast bullet boards. Nominal diameter of 7.62x39 ammo is .310 which would be about a perfect match.

I also have a Norinco SKS, but that is not a gun for a handloader. You are about as likely to find the bullet as the brass.

[MGMorden]

I also have a Norinco SKS, but that is not a gun for a handloader. You are about as likely to find the bullet as the brass.

I've come to hate semi-autos for this reason.  I've got a CZ-52 (7.62x25) and a Star Super (9mm Largo) that I can't enjoyably shoot because I find myself wanting to set the gun down and go pick up the brass after every shot, just to be sure I don't loose it.  The 7.62x25 isn't THAT bad, since you can tell that little bottleneck on the ground from most other things.  The 9mm Largo blends in with the hordes of 9mm Luger sitting on the ground though, making it a nightmare to retrieve.  Of course, as I said, the Yugo SKS that I have has a gas shut-off, so if I want I can hand work the bolt making brass retrieval much more feasible.

And speaking of fun rounds . . . a 7.62x25 rifle would be REALLY neat, and the bore diameter is a true .308".  Wish NEF would fit a .30cal barrel with no chamber cut yet . . . .

[Leftoverdj]

MGMorden, I have one of the Stars in 9mm Largo too, and rarely shoot it for just your reason. Things are a little better now, but it really hurt to lose a case when I had to make them from .223 brass.

I saw 9x19 barrels for them years ago and they can be sleeved to 9x19. One of the steel Russian .223 cases would be ideal raw material for the sleeve, but I think I have also seen the sleeves sold.

[marv]

I thought i was the only one that had one. Brass alinging son of a gun.
 Had to change rear sight for a higher one it shot low before change.
 Marv.

[MGMorden]

I saw 9x19 barrels for them years ago and they can be sleeved to 9x19. One of the steel Russian .223 cases would be ideal raw material for the sleeve, but I think I have also seen the sleeves sold.

I've looked for a 9mm Luger barrel for a while with no success.  I've heard of the sleeve idea, but I'm not sure I have the necessary tools or experience to properly cut and shape the piece.  If I could find one for sale though I'd grab it up in a heartbeat.

[yukonjim]

I got to looking around the internet the other day and came accross a site that sells chamber adapter for .308 and 30-06 that allows you to shoot the 7.62x39 cartridge.  Here it is:  http://www.eabco.com/sale8.html
If it works there would be no need for a seperate barrel.  Apparently what you do is put the adapter in the chamber and the first fired 7.62x39 round pressure forms it to fit and stay in.  To remove it just use a broken round extractor.  Not sure whether it is reuseable or not.  Neat idea for being able to shoot the cheap Wolf 7.62x39 round.  If I had a .308 or 30-06 I might give it a try.

Jim

[MGMorden]

yukonjim:  Two things with the adaptor:

(1) You're still squeezeing a .310" bullet down a .308" bore.  

(2) You're going to have excessive freebore before your bullet contacts the rifling.

These are going to negatively affect the accuracy.