What's the optimum barrel length for 7.62x39?

Tengoo

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I'm looking at various options for a bolt-action 7.62X39 rifle...some of which have quite short barrels. If I got a BCL Bison with a 12" barrel, am I giving up much or anything with such a short barrel? Would a 14" or 16" be better?
 
I'm looking at various options for a bolt-action 7.62X39 rifle...some of which have quite short barrels. If I got a BCL Bison with a 12" barrel, am I giving up much or anything with such a short barrel? Would a 14" or 16" be better?

Best for what?
 
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Best for what?

Try reading this article

That's a good reference...thank you. What I'd like to determine is whether there is an optimum barrel length to maximize the powder burn of the cartridge. Too short a barrel means unburned powder follows the bullet out of the muzzle [If I understand the matter correctly]. Will a 12" barrel mean powder/power is wasted?
 
** do not embed link** comparing the capabilities of 7.62x39 at different barrel lengths (less than 16')

I still don't know what you intend to use this rifle for. I would personally recommend:

WK180C, WS-MCR, CZ527 or Ruger American

for hunting, and for range fun, competition and the ability to use 5.56 later down the road the WK180C or WS-MCR
 
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My opinion is the 16”. Thats because the AK barrels are typically 16” and most bullet drop compensation sights for the 7.62x39 are estimated with a 16” barrel. The bushnell AK series sights are setup this way.

I think the 12” bison is really badass but im going to hold off for the 16” model. I do plan on chopping off the front handguard and having it machined to take an AR handguard. I think they missed the boat hard on that one.
 
** do not embed link** comparing the capabilities of 7.62x39 at different barrel lengths (less than 16')

I still don't know what you intend to use this rifle for. I would personally recommend:

WK180C, WS-MCR, CZ527 or Ruger American

for hunting, and for range fun, competition and the ability to use 5.56 later down the road the WK180C or WS-MCR

Basically for range fun.
 
My opinion is the 16”. Thats because the AK barrels are typically 16” and most bullet drop compensation sights for the 7.62x39 are estimated with a 16” barrel. The bushnell AK series sights are setup this way.

I think the 12” bison is really badass but im going to hold off for the 16” model. I do plan on chopping off the front handguard and having it machined to take an AR handguard. I think they missed the boat hard on that one.

That's a good point. The 16" barrel would allow me to use my .300BLK/7.62X39 AR scope.

The Bison seems like a pretty nice rifle, but the .223 version I looked at seemed unnecessarily heavy.
 
That's a good point. The 16" barrel would allow me to use my .300BLK/7.62X39 AR scope.

The Bison seems like a pretty nice rifle, but the .223 version I looked at seemed unnecessarily heavy.

I'm not a fan of the Bison at all. Looking at it I have to ask the question: What is this trying to be?

- Is it trying to be affordable while using STANAG magazines? If yes why is it more expensive than a Ruger American or Mossberg?
- Is it trying to be more adjustable? If yes then why doesn't it use AR pistol grips, triggers and handguards?
- Is it trying to be a bench/target rifle? If yes then why is it using an adjustable AR stock instead of a more precise one?
- Is it trying to be a truck gun? If yes then why does it have a hugely chunky heavy magazine well and a muzzle break?
- Is it trying to be a high end gun? If yes then why is the bolt action nowhere near as smooth or easy to operate as a Tikka?

I just don't get what the point of the Bison is when compared to competitors
 
I'm not a fan of the Bison at all. Looking at it I have to ask the question: What is this trying to be?

- Is it trying to be affordable while using STANAG magazines? If yes why is it more expensive than a Ruger American or Mossberg?
- Is it trying to be more adjustable? If yes then why doesn't it use AR pistol grips, triggers and handguards?
- Is it trying to be a bench/target rifle? If yes then why is it using an adjustable AR stock instead of a more precise one?
- Is it trying to be a truck gun? If yes then why does it have a hugely chunky heavy magazine well and a muzzle break?
- Is it trying to be a high end gun? If yes then why is the bolt action nowhere near as smooth or easy to operate as a Tikka?

I just don't get what the point of the Bison is when compared to competitors

I think they are getting into the chassis market that seems to be popular. They do use AR grips, the trigger is aftermarket out of the box, I have not handled one so can't comment on the bolt smothness but I have noticed many people have issues with bolt smoothness when comparing most brands to Tikka's so I'm not sure how bad it actually is. I don't mind Ruger 77's and some people can barely cycle then according to online reports.
The weight of the short barrelled .223 Bison is about the biggest negative I can see beyond hickups with extractors but it sounds like they have figured that out.....
 
personally I hate the Tikka action and I have tried to like them
I also don't understand what the Bison is trying to be although I do understand there is a niche for rifles like this
I can see myself with a nice light , compact bolt action rig for my tree stand hunting but will build that on a Maverick I think. That way I have more options for accessorizing it to be what i need.
 
I don't know if it is related to the barrel length or not but my Ruger M77 mkII with 22" barrel shoots 5 shoot groups of federal blue box 7.62x39 into under 2" at 200m.
 
I think the 12” bison is really badass but im going to hold off for the 16” model.

Tenda has them for sale with a free Riton Optics 6-24×50 X1 Conquer Riflescope.
I might have to pick one up to go with my 12.5" Bison......

Re: the action...my Bison is smoother than the Ruger American Ranch I owned and without the "zipper" sound.
The Triggertech Remington 700 Primary Trigger is nicer too.

My Bison weighs in at 8.4lbs (1-4x scope, bi-pod, empty mag). Gets shot off the bench at paper out to 200yrds. I agree the mag-well is over kill and a linear comp probably would have been more effective on a short barrel.

Some of the edges could have been "rounded" off for handling comfort however, still a fun blaster.....
 
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I'm looking at various options for a bolt-action 7.62X39 rifle...some of which have quite short barrels. If I got a BCL Bison with a 12" barrel, am I giving up much or anything with such a short barrel? Would a 14" or 16" be better?

7.62x39 needs to retire.
 
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