Converting a .308 or 30/06 to 7.62x39

Red Dawg

Red Dawg

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Hi guys.

Obviously by the title you can tell I'm having some issues. I've been trying to buy a rifle already chambered in 7.62x39 but there isn't anything worth buying (or can't get anything into Canada).

I've been reading on both rechambering and using inserts for rifles and am interested in rechambering OR using an insert for a remington 700 heavy barrel or a savage model in .308.

On that note, I've been told I'm unable to use 7.62x39mm (.311") in .308 (.308").

So, where do I start? Is a .003" different really going to change things or will it actually be dangerous? Does anyone know a gunsmith in Edmonton that will do rechambering on a project like this?

Thanks!
 
Ruger sold an awful pile of rifles chambered in 7.62x39, with .308 bores and they were happy enough to do so. At least, up until '92, when they started putting .310 bore barrels on the Mini-30. They put a taper in the leade to allow the use of .310/.311 bullets, on a .308 bore barrel.

You are going to have to set back the barrel anyway, or buy a new one. You can handload with a .308 bullet.

Of interest is that Lee apparently includes a .308 and a .310 expander ball in their x39 dies set. Read that, not from personal experience!

If you are after that caliber to get the cheap ammo, maybe stick to the .310/.311 size bore and accept that the surplus stuff isn't exactly match grade. You could look into the same style reamer that Ruger used, too.$$$
If you are gonna set up to reload...Well, you can pretty much pick ANY caliber, and 7.62x39 will do if that's what you want. Seems counter intuitive to pick that caliber over any of the others that are readily available, if reloading is the main method, anyways.

Not telling you how to spend your money, just opining that once you spend the price of a bunch of custom work on a rifle, I think you will be disappointed in the way it shoots, if you are feeding it on cheap surplus ammo, which is the only reason I can see to go with that caliber. Your call.

Cheers
Trev
 
Hornady dies come with .308 +.310 expander buttons............my son's SKS will shoot either fine.I've seen Carcano's re barreled to .762x39 but then it's an open sight proposition........too bad H+R doesn't make their single shot in this........Harold
 
7.62x39 reload & surplus

Well I think I was hoping for a rifle that could shoot both reload and surplus (but I guess I would have to find .311 bullets for reloading to do both). Awell, I'll just stick to what I have I think! :nest:
 
"...will not be an easy re-chamber..." Won't be a re-chamber job at all. Re-barrel job. Both the .308 or .30-06 are far too long and chamber inserts don't work. 28 thou difference in case head diameter too.
 
Baikal .............crude crude crude...........I have a buddy with a .410/.22 combo and it isn't remotely regulated and looks like a drunk caveman machined it............wasn't impressed with the single shot either.........JMO.....Harold
 
awwww man!

I "used" to think I was so original...now everybody's doing it (including some nice re-builds of .303's ...)

I have the same plan, same agenda. If you have a .308, there are chamber adapters to "temorarily" convert it to a 7.62x39...

I'm pursuing the same concept in a "reverseable" way only starting with a 30-06. I've read the pro's n' cons of the rifle bore(.308) vs bullet diameter (.311) and, feel comfy enough to try...may even "squeeze" a touch more accuracy out of bulk ammo...

There's a few others, here at CGN, working towards the same goal....
 
7.62x39

The current Ruger catalog shows both the Mini 30 and the bolt action Model 77 in 7.62x39. I concur with the statements about the quality of surplus or Norinco ammo. My Ruger 77 shoots about 3" at 100 yards with Norinco hardpoint and softpoint. With handloads using 125 gr Sierra's I can get the group down to 1". Other folks have noted that the 125 Sierra bullet is accurate in both 308's and 30/06's.
 
RD, we're talking about .003 inches of bullet diameter. It will make little if any difference to the pressures in a .308 diameter bore. Doubtfully enough to cause any concern anyway. The spanish, when they developed the CETME round, used .308 bores and .311 diameter bullets. Accuracy may or may not be effected.
 
Having just converted a Rem 700 bolt to PPC boltface I plan on converting a .308 Varmint barrel today to 7.62x39. In my Spanish Mauser conversion I've seen no problems with Czech surplus in .308 bore. Got 3" groups with just a 1x red dot @ 100yds. My reamer is throated for .308 bore similar to the Ruger 77 throat so the bullet is already out of the case before pressures rise. I recovered a few bullets found in the snow later and see no indication of abnormality to the bullets. Just a little more squeeze in the bore.

With a 1-12" twist heavy barrel around 22" long and target scope we shall see if I can squeeze some more accuracy out of that surplus ammo.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=474023
 
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