Bolt action with surplus ammo
- Thread starter Maxi5566
- Start date
You want to shoot “surplus” ammo. I understand you mean military surplus which is manufactured within the period 1960 -1990 and is now available on the civilian market. You must realize that that ammo is corrosive which means a very frequent cleaning. Some people don’t care. Some others hate it. Are you prepare for this? As a secondary factor for thought, the price of surplus ammo increased on average 30% within the past 5-6 years. And its slowly increasing. So, handloading may be in the cards.
Furthermore, military surplus ammo has steel jacketed bullets with a thin layer of copper, as they are popularly called “copper washed”. Some people say that they accelerate bore wear and never shoot military surplus in their hunting rifles. Some people don’t care.
Now regarding rifles. The 7.62x54R caliber you can only shoot in a Mosin (Nagant) model M91 (Russian or Finn refurb) or M91/30. These are 70+ old rifles and I personally would not strain them too much.
I do not shoot .223 so I’ll focus on 7.62x39. I have three rifles in this caliber: the Zastava M85, Sabatti Rover 600 and Ruger American Ranch. The M85 has a “mini Mauser” action but like the others pointed out it has not much to do with the original Mauser action. It’s a bit Mauser-ish, like the side mounted bolt removal lever but not much else. It has a very nice wooden stock, at least mine has which was produced in 2014. Having a 20” barrel and a total length of 40” it is, in essence, a very handy carbine. It shoots well although with non-corrosive ammo and Vortex optics I had difficulties with getting close to 1MOA. It was more around 2-2.5MOA. At the moment it’s hard to find a brand new M85 at any dealer but you can find a second hand on the EE. Although, I wouldn’t pay more than about $600 for it.
The Sabatti Rover 600 has a longer barrel that the M85 and is a bit heavier. Regarding accuracy it is on par with the M85. Unfortunately, the Sabatti Rover 600 in 7.62x39 is now unobtainium.
The Ruger American Ranch is a short carbine, very handy to manipulate. Excellent ergonomics that fit me very well. It’s definitely a 1MOA rifle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArvRTl3ambY). The bolt is much better than that on the M85. The accuracy is excellent. I can easily get 1-2" grouping at 100y with Norinco non-corrosive ammo. Even with corrosive Chinese surplus it shoots great. The only drawback for some people could be the lack of iron sights. For me it doesn't matter because I mounted a cheap, short 3-9x32 scout scope on it. IMHO the Ruger Ranch is one of the best Ruger products. I highly recommend it. It’s likely the best 7.62x39 rifle on the market nowadays.
barry1974w
Regular
- Location
- Central B.C.
I keep looking at the ruger and the Howa in 7.62x39. But I keep talking myself out of it cause I have the zastava. I’ve only shot groups with cheap barnul (spelt wrong I think) non corrosive ammo. I managed to get around two inches pretty consistently during sight in. It only has a 2.5 power scope on it, and I like to think I could have done a bit better with higher magnification ��. I’ve found I never seem to shoot this one from a rest. It’s just so much more fun to practice field positions. Managed to ring an eight inch gong five for five free hand at 150 yards the other day. I know, compared to lots of the guys on here that’s amateur hour. But I was pretty happy with myself.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Once the Zastava is broken in, and perhaps bedded, it's the better rifle in my opinion. The Howa action is excellent as well. It's too bad that Zastava and Howa won't build a 7.62x39 on their M70 and 150O actions as a custom option. I'd take the extra weight any day!
BTW, that's great shooting.
BTW, that's great shooting.
I have the Ruger M77 MKII and CZ 527 in 7.62x39. They both shoot surplus and handloads very well. I had a Ruger American I got on sale and sold to a friend.
I prefer the floorplate M77. Long arms work better with full size rifles.
I prefer the floorplate M77. Long arms work better with full size rifles.
So which bolt action rifle digests steel cased x39 surplus ammo reliabley?
I read conflicting reports about light primer strikes and ejection issues.
I am considering getting a bolt rifle in x39, and only expect surplus ammo accuracy, but not sure which is he best choice for surplus steel case x39. Thanks!
I read conflicting reports about light primer strikes and ejection issues.
I am considering getting a bolt rifle in x39, and only expect surplus ammo accuracy, but not sure which is he best choice for surplus steel case x39. Thanks!
- Location
- Vancouver Island, BC
The cz527 has no issue with steel cased ammo or light primer strikes
Zastava actions are very sloppy, and gritty as all hell. Buy some JB cleaning compound, cover the bolt in the compound, turn on a movie..start cycling. when movie is over clean compound off bolt and action, clean gun, cycle gun, if still gritty, repeat compound steps. My Zastava was a train wreck when I got it, the action was horrible. After two movies and a ton of cycling it smoothed out very nicely.
If you want a nicer Zastava 7.62X39 the CZ is probably the way to go, but the Ruger American Ranch would be my choice.... Like the Zasatava the Ruger's also need a bit of a bolt/action polish to smooth out the cheaper manufacturing marks but once done are quite smooth.
Like I mentioned in my post #22, the Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39 has absolutely no problem with eating steel case ammo. It has a very solid bolt. I've been shooting Barnaul, white box Norinco and "normal" military surplus without any hiccup whatsoever. On top of it, the Ranch is quite accurate with steel case ammo. Go figure.
One of the down-sides of the Sabatti Rover is the three round magazines. Had to find and expensive. Seems to prefer the Czech surplus over most of the store-bought, particularly American Eagle which was appalling. Very nice wood stock.
- Location
- Vancouver Island, BC
I think if they had 10 round mags instead of 5 those CZ would see 1000 times better
I think they'd be better if the 3 round mag fit in all of them. I don't like the way the 5rd mag protrudes, but almost all the submodels have that crappy "wing" on the trigger guard that prevents the use of the 3rd mag.
Dante Sports has the Ruger Ranch in 7.62x39mm for an excellent price $749.77 and free shipping over $300. Hurry up!
