7.62x39 bolt gun which one?

Steiner said:
Interesting post on scope mounts for CZ Alpha. Although this one in 223....x39 unit would have the same situation.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...edback-on-CZ-600-Alpha-in-223?highlight=alpha
Click to expand...

If anything it is a glowing review.
The fact this individual put on a massive scope with the rings he did, is on him.
There are rings out there that will push the scope out so there is no interference with the turrets, or just pick a scope that works with the required eye relief.
I've had no problems mounting a 4-32 Apex Rival on mine and that scope is massive.

Horilka said:
CZ dropped the ball. On many things, including CZ 600 trail (from my personal experience) and on CZ 600 alpha as well (from other ppl experience). It's all stupid design decisions that they made. I'm done with CZ600 platform. I am actually considering going back to RAR, because Ruger some issues are easier to remedy, other can be lived with and total cost is probably twice less.
Click to expand...

I was quite disappointed with the Trails buttstock, and the fact the cheekpiece isn't switchable for a left handed shooter, but if I was right handed I'd still be hoping for a good aftermarket solution or for CZ to come up with something better.

The Alpha however I find is a rifleman's rifle.
Light, well balanced, comfortable in all positions, absolutely dead nuts reliable and positive in its feeding and ejection, and accuracy is as CZ claims with the hammer forged barrel. It isn't perfect, but well appointed for the price.
 
Last edited:
My gripe is more with Trail, of course. I had 556 and observed following issues:
- flimsy stock that affects the accuracy
- stock is fixed only for collapsing, not for retracting
- cheekpiece position can't be changed along the stock
- 10 rounds LAR mag issue - top rounds partially pops out when mag is inserted
- there was some feeding issue, don't recall the nature, but I had it twice during one shooting session
- it seems that the way barrel-receiver-handguard assembly is designed affects accuracy and there's nothing you can do
What I heard about 762 version:
- doesn't take full size Bren mags (will Alpha accept full size mag?)

Overall - quality made rifle with some stupid design decisions, as I said earlier. And some of them affecting its functionality and accuracy. And priced more than competitors.
 
DiMP said:
I picked one up used off the EE here with some ammo and a basic Vortex scope on it. I've only had it to the range once, but didn't have issue shooting 2" groups at 100 yards using copper washed surplus. I just wish it didn't have the "bolt-stop on empty" mags, kinda my only complaint thus far. I plan on getting some x39 dies and some Hornady bullets to see what I can squeeze out of it for accuracy, but for now it's just a fun plinking rifle
Click to expand...

Is there a lip or anything on the magazine follower that you can just file down?
 
This one has become one of my favourite plinkers:

4wowjiG.jpg


I've got an MDT Skeleton Butt Stock in FDE on route to complete the build.
 
There's several x39 CZ 527's on EE. For a few hunfred dollars more you can have a time proven, accurate and reliable rifle of heirloom quality. A 223 in the same would be nice too. The CZ 600 Alpha also looks to be decent and quite weather resistant, albeit a tool gun and nothing more.
 
Horilka said:
Is that 7.62 RAR sitting in MDT LSS-XL (AR)? Does it allow 7.62 RAR to feed from Stanag magazines without modifications or adapters?
Click to expand...

Correct.

Feeds and functions flawlessly from STANAG magazines. Rifle is pretty damn accurate with handloads out to 200m (as far as my range allows).

I managed to get the RAR to run the STANAG magazines well with the factory stock after heat gunning and reshaping the magwell, but this MDT popped up on the EE for a decent price. Really changed the character of the rifle. Honestly, the thing just makes me smile. Fun to shoot.
 
armybuck041 said:
Correct.

Feeds and functions flawlessly from STANAG magazines. Rifle is pretty damn accurate with handloads out to 200m (as far as my range allows).

I managed to get the RAR to run the STANAG magazines well with the factory stock after heat gunning and reshaping the magwell, but this MDT popped up on the EE for a decent price. Really changed the character of the rifle. Honestly, the thing just makes me smile. Fun to shoot.
Click to expand...

That looks like a really cool setup.

Shoot it offhand much?
 
Joel said:
That looks like a really cool setup.

Shoot it offhand much?
Click to expand...

I have. It's quite pleasant to be honest.

I set it up to take it on the fall deer hunt. Still torn between either taking it and my .308 Sig Cross.

EDIT: Just tossed it on my postal scale. It's 9.6lbs as per the setup in the photo.
 
Last edited:
armybuck041 said:
I have. It's quite pleasant to be honest.

I set it up to take it on the fall deer hunt. Still torn between either taking it and my .308 Sig Cross.

EDIT: Just tossed it on my postal scale. It's 9.6lbs as per the setup in the photo.
Click to expand...

Whooo...good problem to have but talk about tough choices! lol.

Always wondered how those shot offhand. Good to hear its well.
 
Joel said:
Is there a lip or anything on the magazine follower that you can just file down?
Click to expand...
I tried on one mag to file away what I assumed was the bolt stop, but it still stops on the part of the follower shaped like a round that encourages the loaded rounds to one side

90485.jpg




Buck1950 said:
Why, Do you want to cllik on Empty ? I appreciate the stop, just like a semi-rifle with LSHO built-in.
Click to expand...

I'm probably just being picky, but when shooting in inclement weather, I like to keep the bolt closed between firings and it'd be nice to do it without having to eject the magazine. Also, thanks to our government and "magazine capacity based on what it was initially intended for" I don't have to worry about a "click" because I rarely lose track while counting to 5 :p
 
armybuck041 said:
I set it up to take it on the fall deer hunt. Still torn between either taking it and my .308 Sig Cross.

EDIT: Just tossed it on my postal scale. It's 9.6lbs as per the setup in the photo.
Click to expand...

Hmmm...a highly accurate .308...or an x39 weighing a couple pounds more, with far shorter ranging capability and likely far, far less accuracy. Tough choice.

And lest I sound too sarcastic...a clarification. I will often choose a "lesser" (in ranging and/or accuracy) rifle over a superior one, if I think it adds a fun factor. In fact, poorer accuracy is pretty immaterial, within reasonable limits, if the cartridge being shot has limited range; as long as it's accurate enough to produce acceptably small groups at the ranges at which it will be used, why not? The .30-30 in a model 94 is a perfect example of a gun that adds a lot of fun to the equation for many people, despite...or perhaps because of...its limitations.

But, man, allowing an x39 budget bolt rifle to gain a couple pounds of weight...still results in an x39 budget bolt rifle...but in this case it becomes, IMHO, way less fun...

To each his own! :)

DiMP said:
I tried on one mag to file away what I assumed was the bolt stop, but it still stops on the part of the follower shaped like a round that encourages the loaded rounds to one side....I'm probably just being picky, but when shooting in inclement weather, I like to keep the bolt closed between firings and it'd be nice to do it without having to eject the magazine.
Click to expand...

I switched both of my Americans to the AICS bottom "metal"...even the AR-mag .223 one!...just because it streamlines my shooting to have a number of rifles that can share my magazine stockpile. I can't remember specifically what that little vertical gizmo is at the top of the mag? Is it the bolt hold-open and mounted on the follower?

If it is, can't you remove it and then round off the rear of the follower to allow the bolt to slide over? Or, worse coming to worst, just thumb the follower down slightly when closing on empty? No different than a sporterised military Mauser.
 
Last edited:
jjohnwm said:
.....I can't remember specifically what that little vertical gizmo is at the top of the mag? Is it the bolt hold-open and mounted on the follower?

If it is, can't you remove it and then round off the rear of the follower to allow the bolt to slide over? Or, worse coming to worst, just thumb the follower down slightly when closing on empty? No different than a sporterised military Mauser.
Click to expand...

I filed off the "tall" bit on one mag thinking that is all that caught the bolt. Maybe I'll try rounding the back of the plate as you suggest to see if that works. I have a pile of military bolt actions that require me to push down the follower, but they are all "open top" and this Ranch has an enclosed action with a small ejection port which is tough to get in while wearing gloves (once again, I know I'm just being picky lol)
 
I got around to properly grouping my Ruger American Ranch today. Silver box copper wash Norinco grouped around 2 MOA and Federal blue box hunting ammo grouped 1.25 MOA.
 
Today the Ruger Ranch worked great on this White Tail buck, 1 shot at about 100m and dropped within a few steps.

20231120_085804.jpg
 

Attachments

  • 20231120_085804.jpg
    20231120_085804.jpg
    148.3 KB · Views: 252
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom