Trying to decide on first centerfire. XCR-L in .223 or 7.62x39?

bowzy

bowzy

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Doing some research into what I'd like for my first centerfire. Only had rimfires so far. One main concern is pricing and availability of ammo.
Is there any differences, or pros and cons of .223 vs 7.62x39 with the XCR-L? I've seen 10 round pistol mags for the XCR, can I use all 10 since its a pistol mag?

Thanks!
 
Really there isn't much downside to either cal. X39 will need to be cleaned thoroughly after each range trip if using surplus but its a simple rifle to field strip and clean. .223 ammo costs a little bit more and will usually shoot a little better depending on exactly what you get. Hand loading .223 is the least expensive route and will yield the best accuracy but I take it you're not set up for it yet if this is your first center fire. The only real downside to the X39 is mags are harder to find and muzzle device choices are limited. And as stated a caliber change can be done in under a minute so you can try both.
 
bowzy said:
Doing some research into what I'd like for my first centerfire. Only had rimfires so far. One main concern is pricing and availability of ammo.
Is there any differences, or pros and cons of .223 vs 7.62x39 with the XCR-L? I've seen 10 round pistol mags for the XCR, can I use all 10 since its a pistol mag?

Thanks!
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First con is that there is reported malfunction in the 7.62x39 pistol mag if you're intending to run those (if you can find them). Makes sence that the round needs the banana taper in order to feed correct, as designed in the mags that naturally hold it. The XCR 7.62x39 pistol mag is rather straight, causing feeding issues. Of course I admit I'm repeating reports and haven't confirmed myself.

Otherwise buy one rifle and two barrel kits, as said have your cake and eat it ;).

Of course if you shoot corrosive make sure to clean appropriately and soon after shooting.

TV-PressPass said:
plus you can hunt deer with the zmax 7.62x39 ammo
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Some provinces allow hunting of deer with .223 :p.
 
Thanks guys, seems like .223 is the better choice aside from ammo cost. Any particular brand(s) of .223 ammo I should be interested in, or is it not as finicky as rimfire can be? (I usually stick to cci for the quality to price ratio)
 
If you want to do more precision shooting, or anything beyond 150m, then i would say .223 is your best bet.
If you like shooting steel target at any ranges 150m or less, i find the 7.62x39 has a more satisfying ring (i find i can't hear .223 very well at 100m) on the steel targets and and has (to me) a more satisfying "real gun" kick to it and is fun plinking.
 
loki_81 said:
First con is that there is reported malfunction in the 7.62x39 pistol mag if you're intending to run those (if you can find them). Makes sence that the round needs the banana taper in order to feed correct, as designed in the mags that naturally hold it. The XCR 7.62x39 pistol mag is rather straight, causing feeding issues. Of course I admit I'm repeating reports and haven't confirmed myself.
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The pistol mags are just fine. I've had 3 misfeeds in 3k.
 
bowzy said:
Thanks guys, seems like .223 is the better choice aside from ammo cost. Any particular brand(s) of .223 ammo I should be interested in, or is it not as finicky as rimfire can be? (I usually stick to cci for the quality to price ratio)
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Bulk 55gr FMJ American Eagle. It has run flawlessly in my XCR. I'm not driving tacks with it but it shoots to the level of my ability.

J
 
I run 7.62X39 LAR mags in my CZ858 - zero issues with them. What's not to like about 7.62X39 - cheap surplus, non-corrosive not too much more (LeBaron's has it sometimes - buy and stock up - or forgetaboutit and leave it all for me;) ), bigger bullet, bigger charge, just more overall "bang" for your buck IMHO. 223 looks so tiny by comparison ;) ;)


Seriously - buy both
 
I had a couple FTF with hollowpoint .223. I would stay away from the Norinco though. Steve Janes chewed the barrel out of his SAN in under 8000 rds with that crap. Also avoid steel jacketed ammo (MFS, Tulammo etc). Its very hard on .223 bores too and unlike an AR our barrels are very expensive. Stick with copper jacketed non-Norinco yellow box ammo. X39 bores can handle all the steel jacketed ammo you can throw at them. If you shoot exclusively at ranges be aware most don't allow steel jacketed ammo anymore. FMJ and polymer spire point ammo is great. I too have had excellent results with AE FMJ. Watch out with brass primers and hot loads like Hornady Match 75 gr. I had 8/10 pierced primers before I picked up my brass and realised what was happening. The rifle was cycling on single shot setting and groups were 4-5" @ 100 yds. Most primers will be cratered badly with an XCR. I'm working on a solution from a guy on the XCR forum where he cut his firing pin spring and swapped his hammer spring for a heavier AR piece. This increased the FP dwell time sufficiently to eliminate the cratering and piercing of primers. This is very helpful when trying to work up a load. Its confusing when you find cratered primers with a starting load.

bowzy said:
Thanks guys, seems like .223 is the better choice aside from ammo cost. Any particular brand(s) of .223 ammo I should be interested in, or is it not as finicky as rimfire can be? (I usually stick to cci for the quality to price ratio)
Click to expand...
 
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