Easiest way to build a 7.62x39?

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gerard488

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This is just an idea that I`m tossing around but here goes:
Since the front portion of a 303 british shell is so close to a 7.62x39, a person could cut the right amount off an enfield barrel at the breech and have very little reaming to do to convert to 7.62x39. Then the barrel could be threaded to fit into a savage axis action and use the correct bolt head from savage.
What do you gunsmiths think, does this make sense?
 
gerard488 said:
This is just an idea that I`m tossing around but here goes:
Since the front portion of a 303 british shell is so close to a 7.62x39, a person could cut the right amount off an enfield barrel at the breech and have very little reaming to do to convert to 7.62x39. Then the barrel could be threaded to fit into a savage axis action and use the correct bolt head from savage.
What do you gunsmiths think, does this make sense?
Click to expand...


I really doubt you have enough meat on the barrel to rethread it to a savage action .

but with a little work , what you want to do will work with a lee enfield action .

I have read of guys not even reaming the barrel , just doing some very careful machine work to get the remaining 303 chamber to headspace on a 7.62x39 gauge .
the biggest draw back to this is the very long throat .

google and the search button are your friend here , but this thread might help if you haven't seen it yet . http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/445217-7-62x39-Enfield-My-little-quest
 
You would be much better off going to a gun show and buying a 30 cal take off match barrel. They can often be had for as little as $50.

There is usually lots of meat on them and you can cut out the existing chamber, as well as the burnt out throat/leade.

The usual .002 will make little if any difference accuracy or safety wise.

It will also save a lot of machining and head space hassle by making a few simple cuts and reaming a new chamber of proper dimensions. There won't be any problems getting the barrel threaded to any action you desire.
 
Google: Savage rifle 7.62x39


I'm pretty sure there's a guy out there that sells barrels for that cartridge already, that just pops right onto a Savage rifle, and uses the bone stock .223 bolt head assembly.

But apparently Savage also actually makes, or used to make, a rifle in that caliber:

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/savage-10-7-62x39-r15477-new-price-may-change-without-notice/
Savage 10 7.62X39 (R15477)


http://www.copesdistributing.com/savage-10fcm-762x39-bolt-action-rifle-19128-p-6892.html
Savage 10FCM 7.62x39 Bolt Action Rifle (19128)


Edit:
Even more information about all sorts of bolt-actions and conversions for this cartridge:

http://members.shaw.ca/cronhelm/762Page.html
 
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You can also use the Italian Carcano action. It will even feed 7.62x39 through it using the standard clips. It works very well, and makes a nice light and handy rifle. A short feed ramp extension on the front of the magazine assures positive feeding.
 
I built one. I used a Stevens center feed 223 and bent the feed lips open to fit the 7.62. The bolt head was tricky, I opened up a 223 bolt head and ground the extractor down to work....well it only kind of worked. I just ended up buying a PPC bolt head from Pacific Tool and Gauge then installing a 308 extractor on it along with a ejector plunger and spring.

I ordered a .311 bbl and chambered it but now you can order pre-fit and chambered BBLs from at least 2 of the sponsors here on gun nutz Mystic Precision and North Shore. The entire thing can actually be done with no machine work required, just get the parts, a BBl wrench and BBl vice and you are good to go.

In the end it would be cheaper just to buy a factory rifle in 7.62 but its a good project if one is so inclined.
 
Lee-Enfield barrels are rifled 1 turn in 10 inches, left-hand.

Works great for the old 215, great with the 174 composite bullet but it is at its limit with a 150.

For a 122 slug, you need 1 in 14 inches, 1 in 12 at the very most.
 
This has been done quite a bit, in fact it's the next next project in my hopper using a "Cooey" Carcano and a LE barrel. The "top" part of the 303 Brit is enough alike the entire 7.62X39 that a LE barrel can have 0.500" cut off the chamber end, and it can be used to chamber and fire 7.62X39. Headspacing is done "Savage Style" and the Carcano bolt already has the right boltface diameter. You end up with slightly blown out (7.62X39 Improved) brass that can be neck-sized and when difficult to chamber F/L sized.
 
"...303 Brit is .308"..." Nope.
"...cut the right amount off an Enfield barrel at the breech..." Nope. You need the threads, extractor cut, et al. Won't feed out of an Enfield mag either.
 
Polar_Hunter said:
Just curious, why build a bolt action in 7.62x39 when the ballistics are so close to the 30-30 Win? Is there an advantage in some way or would you like to do it "just because"?
Click to expand...

other point is, there are companies out there that make a x39 bolt action rifle. and they are quite nice. quite possibly better than a franken gun.
 
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