Custom barrel for 7.62x39mm for a semi-auto

7.62x39mm in 123gr is plenty to take down a deer if you are worried about needing a bigger bullet. The biggest deer I got was 160lbs gutted, and was taken with my sks. The bullet went though the kill zone and pierced rib bones on both sides. The problem with the x39mm is that it was designed for close range (less than 200m) combat as this was found to be the most common during ww2.

a larger bullet -150gr vs 123gr - will result in a slower muzzle velocity. slower speed means that it will not travel as far. A longer barrel may increase velocity, but I doubt it will be enough to reach the same ballistics as a stock barrel with the 123gr.

I understand that you want something unique, and you could end up with a "one-of-a-kind", but it will not perform how you are expecting it too. Anything already made for bigger bullets (SVT40, m-14, remington 7400, etc) will perform much better, and will most likely be cheaper. You can put a bunch of money into a focus, but it wont perform like a mustang.

in short; you're going to have to change cartridges if you want a +300m rifle.
 
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Is there even any factory heavy loads available in Canada anymore? There use to be Wolf 154gr SP but can't find them anymore. If you want 150gr loads for the x39 you need to reload, I've done it but find that the 123gr factory SP's are more than enough to take deer.
 
anything is do-able just time and $. finding a source for 1:7.5 may be the difficult part I know that .30 is readily available in 1:10, I am not familar with the standard twists on the east block stuff. if you can find a donner barrel or liner in your choice twist rate that has the appriopriate amount of material to work with it is just a matter of the machining to sleeve it into your original barrel exteriour and also deal with the gas block issues, I have a couple of SKS and I believe that the block is sweated or pinned on or both, you would need to get the placement of this in orientation and length from the receiver correct, this is the most difficult and critical part of the whole project, I have a few similar projects to this on the go although not on the east block 7.62 platform, the issues are all the same. honestly If it were me on this project I would go with the action and parts that are the cheapest and most plentiful, then if the first run isnt entirly successful you can go for a second easily, with minimal cost.

Gary

let me know if I can provide any assistance.



BeaverMeat said:
Here comes an other crazy idea built upon my knowledge, and lack there of when it comes to practical experience with the .39 cartridge.

I feel the need to reinvent the wheel. I think it stems from my "I have something that no one else has" mentality. Because, why would you want something that everyone else has? I may be out in left field, so convince me that I'm on crack.

I am wanting to put a custom barrel on either an SKS or 858. I want to have a rifle twist of 1:7.5 to use heavier 150 maximum grain bullets as I intend to deer hunt with this rifle. Second, I am looking for a barrel length of 542mm (21-5/16" or 21-3/8"). The reasoning for this ideological barrel length comes from hours of study of accuracy comparisons from other shooter's experience. The barrel length of choice stems from the Zastava M72 and Tabuk DMR. Just the right length to add a small boost in muzzle velocity. The barrel length is not definite, but I want harness as much power for the heavier bullet so it does not instantly drop like a rock. And yes, I am aware of the .39 ballistic qualities. I am not hoping for a match grade or 1000m precision rifle here.

With that said, what platform to use? SKS, or 858? And who will do the work? I can attempt it myself, but I lack the tools and workspace... and it would probably take me two rifles to get it done properly.

Personally I want to use the 858. Yes, the SKS is cheaper and the receiver is threaded, but the 858 has a superior action. So who gunsmiths 858s? Would this be worth the cost? (probably not, but it would be unique)
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BeaverMeat said:
... My goal is to push the envelope of the .39 rounds effectiveness... I have also never shot a rifle with a .39 caliber.
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BeaverMeat said:
I understand that... x39 is what I meant. Sorry, I don't talk guns all day and everyday. I know the differences between a "3-line" and a .308. Ballistics knowledge is my only weak point when it comes to guns. As you can see others did not find it necessary to belittle my intelligence by pointing out a simple flaw in my typing. I my be erratic or eccentric, but not stupid.
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Sorry partner... I overlooked all of the references to "the .39" but when you added "caliber" to that it sent me over the edge... didn't mean to give you a hard time. Most of the projects we do, don't make sense and are not cost effective... we do build's because we enjoy them and appreciate something unique... so even though this project may make no sense to me or others, if it makes sense to you, then go for it. I own plenty of firearms that make no sense... but I enjoy shooting and owning all of them. Good shooting.
 
Beretta Armorer said:
anything is do-able just time and $. finding a source for 1:7.5 may be the difficult part I know that .30 is readily available in 1:10, I am not familar with the standard twists on the east block stuff. if you can find a donner barrel or liner in your choice twist rate that has the appriopriate amount of material to work with it is just a matter of the machining to sleeve it into your original barrel exteriour and also deal with the gas block issues, I have a couple of SKS and I believe that the block is sweated or pinned on or both, you would need to get the placement of this in orientation and length from the receiver correct, this is the most difficult and critical part of the whole project, I have a few similar projects to this on the go although not on the east block 7.62 platform, the issues are all the same. honestly If it were me on this project I would go with the action and parts that are the cheapest and most plentiful, then if the first run isnt entirly successful you can go for a second easily, with minimal cost.

Gary

let me know if I can provide any assistance.
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I'm thinking along the same lines. What about rechambering a Mosin barrel? I'd like to make a Tabuk-style rifle.
 
Dogfish858 said:
I'm thinking along the same lines. What about rechambering a Mosin barrel? I'd like to make a Tabuk-style rifle.
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It is good to hear that I am not the only one interested in a "Čestábuk". All I need is a gunsmith to make my vision a reality. I believe if multiple examples are made the cost will go down.

I have thought about using a Mosin barrel, but finding one with a mint barrel will cost the same as a blank.

Thanks for all the tips and advice guys.
 
BeaverMeat said:
It is good to hear that I am not the only one interested in a "Čestábuk". All I need is a gunsmith to make my vision a reality. I believe if multiple examples are made the cost will go down.

I have thought about using a Mosin barrel, but finding one with a mint barrel will cost the same as a blank.

Thanks for all the tips and advice guys.
Click to expand...

Let me know how it goes. I've had to hunt down a machine shop; most gunsmiths don't seem to have the heavy press needed to push out the barrel.

.311 could be an Enfield, a Mosin, a stock CZ barrel. I've looked for RPK parts but nothing has seemed to be around. I've also been wondering what replacing the handgrip and extending length of the gas rod/plunger would do to balance out the gun; it seems like a longer, more controlled gas rod would make things more accurate, like in the Dragunov.
 
I don't think extending the piston will be necessary, a gas regulator will do the job of controlling the extra "dwell" pressure from the longer barrel.

The only custom machined parts I need for a heavy barrel is the gas block with regulator and front sight base... depending if I retain the stock front sight. Talk is cheap.

I have sifted through most of the options, and a custom made barrel seems to be the only choice. This is starting to look expensive. And this is not counting doing a hot blue finish, trigger job, receiver reinforcement, IWD vz58 wood set w/ extra Tabuk butt-stock, SVD cheek pad, rail with mount and optics, SVD style flash hider, etc, etc.
f:P:


someone give me a price quote and send me back to reality:runaway:
 
What would stop a person from rechambering a .303 barrel into x39? Way I look at it, if it's $200 for a dark but accurate bore vs. ###$$$$ for a shiny new one, I'll just take dark but accurate.
 
I don't think it would be that expensive.... Find an 858 that's been mistreated with corrosive and have dlask rebarrel it. I would be the gun smithing would cost $600 or so and you should be able to find a rusty cz for less than five hundred....
 
OK, some math then. Let's do a ball park.
Used rusty 858 - $500
New barrel - $400
Gunsmithing - OK lets say $600 like suggested for barrel removal/installation, gas porting, fitting newly manufactured gas block
Bluing - $200
Trigger Job - $50 or more
Scope mounting, etc,
Start adding up all the parts after that. Maybe for $3000 or more as a guess?

Since Dlask is the only one doing these ATM, he sets the price, you pay.
In the end, you'll have a cool looking 2 MOA 7.62x39 shooting surplus ammo.
 
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Your crazy.... Why was it only 600 to do my berreta storm?



To the op, just give joe a call. Far to many shooting from the lip here. I think you'll find it's cheaper than many here seem to think.
 
He re-barreled my storm to non-restricted. I've had him do more than one.

FYI. Joe doesn't do blueing.... He uses a different finish. Last time I asked for a quote on finishing it was around $120 for a long gun.
 
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