Bolt action Milsurp in 762x39?

CanadianAR said:
I don’t know of any but I’m out of touch
Are there any bolt action Milsurp in 762x39? Or any that are easily converted?
Thanks.
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There is no original bolt-action milsurp in this caliber. However, there are quite a few modern rifles in 7.62x39 like for example, the Ruger Ranch and Howa Mini Action. There are also others. Converting to 7.62x39 would, most likely, cost you more than a new modern rifle (or a used one). I own both the Ruger Ranch and Howa Mini Action and shoot any 7.62x39 ammo in them including surplus. They shoot like a dream.
 
IIRC there was supposed to be a suite of rifles for the Red Army; bolt action, semi auto, and selective fire. Only the SKS and AK saw the light of day.
 
The Chinese converted some Arisaka rifles to 7.62x39, but these are more unusual curios than something for regular use.

I posted a thread on conversion of a Cooey-Carcano to 7.62x39. Just installed a side mount for an offset to the left scope setup. Should be test firing it in the next week or so. I used a take-off 110 Savage barrel originally in .30-06, which was quite low cost. The machining (shortening at the breech, threading, chambering, installation) shouldn't cost any more than other barrel job. Maybe less because headspace is easier to set. The 7.62x39 rounds fit Carcano chargers. Which don't exactly grow on trees. I suppose one of these could be set up in a military stock with fittings
A Lee Enfield can be converted as well. Did one for a chap. I didn't get involved with a magazine, only did the barrel work. Popular in Australia.
 
The AIA No.4 Mk10 is about as close as it gets not many came into Canada but Wolverine I believe brought in the model that is on the top of this picture.
Uses AK mags.

images-index.10.jpg
 
Thanks for posting that link.
Lots of ideas there.
With a magazine conversion in a Carcano, a scope would not have to be offset to allow charger loading.
From time to time, photos get posted of Lee Enfield "tanker" conversions. One of these in 7.62x39 - as shown in the link - would be a lot of fun.
Cooey-Carcanos and sported Lee Enfields are cheap enough to be attractive for projects.

The front end of a .303 chamber can be used without a reamer for 7.62x39. Neck is longer. I've not done this myself because I have a reamer. Minimal reaming is necessary.
 
That's the first I've heard of the AIA's being considered for the new ranger rifles. I didn't even think they were still in production when that went down?
 
I remember that thread and your successful conversion. Haven't turned up a suitable Model 8 yet.
Given the scarcity of .25, .30, and .32 ammunition, it is a conversion that makes sense.
 
tiriaq said:
I remember that thread and your successful conversion. Haven't turned up a suitable Model 8 yet.
Given the scarcity of .25, .30, and .32 ammunition, it is a conversion that makes sense.
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Yes, since my original conversion the prices of model 8/81's has increased a fair bit, even guns in poor shape.
But is a good conversion for a gun with a poor bore or just to a caliber that is plentiful, they are neat old guns with an interesting recoil operated mechanism.
 
tiriaq said:
I remember that thread and your successful conversion. Haven't turned up a suitable Model 8 yet.
Given the scarcity of .25, .30, and .32 ammunition, it is a conversion that makes sense.
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Yesterday I saw a Model 99 Savage lever action that had been professionally converted to 7.62x39.

It wasn't at all obvious as a 300 Savage chambered barrel had been set back and rechambered to 7.62x39. It looked original and if the fellow, who was hunting for a bear, hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known.

For hunting, he loads his own ammo to a recipe the rifle likes and he claims it's about a 1.5 moa shooter out to 200 meters. He also shoots out of the crate, corrosive, surplus ammuntion from it for plinking and claims it gives him appx 2 moa at similar distance.

He loads his hunting ammo quite a bit hotter than the surplus, with 130 and 150 grain flat based bullets.

It was scoped and I wasn't offered a chance to shoot it but it was a very interesting conversion and easily doable for south paws or lever action enthusiasts.

M99s are getting to be pricey these days but if you have one with a ratty bore, nasty finish, it may be a very doable option to find a take off barrel and get it rechambered.

The rifle mentioned had been professionally refinished and had the horrible original trigger tuned to get rid of the creep as well.

Something to think about if you have a M99 that needs to be made useful again.

He told me there were zero high pressure signs on the surplus .310 diameter bullets he shot through the rifle and I believe that.
 
A 99 is not the easiest rifle to rebarrel. The finger on the top of the bolt and the extractor require cuts to be made in the barrel breech before the bolt can close.
A pull reamer would be great for finishing the chambering and setting the headspace on a 7.62x39 conversion. To get a conventional reamer into the chamber, the barrel must be removed. Makes it more difficult to get that last little bit reamed.
Being a bit smaller, the x39 should drop into the grooves in the magazine spool.
I probably have most all the parts for a 99 action in my bins. But I would much rather do a Model 8 project than a Model 99.
 
tiriaq said:
A 99 is not the easiest rifle to rebarrel. The finger on the top of the bolt and the extractor require cuts to be made in the barrel breech before the bolt can close.
A pull reamer would be great for finishing the chambering and setting the headspace on a 7.62x39 conversion. To get a conventional reamer into the chamber, the barrel must be removed. Makes it more difficult to get that last little bit reamed.
Being a bit smaller, the x39 should drop into the grooves in the magazine spool.
I probably have most all the parts for a 99 action in my bins. But I would much rather do a Model 8 project than a Model 99.
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I to believe the Model 8 would be an easier conversion and wasn't trying to hijack your thread.

I just saw this rifle yesterday and it's the first I've seen on an M99 and thought it would be an interesting alternative on a very nice action that needed to be rebarreled.

I don't find rebarreling the 99 to be challenging but I agree, it can be a fussy/tedious job and not cheap if you have to job it out.

I have a 99 that's chambered for the 303 Savage, which I never shoot and had visions of cutting back the shoulder and rechambering it to 7.62x39 to make it more useful, which got me carried away enough to post here, in what I thought might be an appropriate spot.

Again, my apologies if I hijacked your thread.
 
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