Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Who else likes the 7.62x39?

I like the economy, availability, and the nice thump it provides.

Here's how I'm doing it, A couple AR uppers, and a Palmetto State Armory PSAK-47 Gen5.

What's not to like about the cartridge or the platform?

Even with all the surplus ammo .... I still wish there was more available brass for reloading.

Those Gen 5 PSAKs are worth every penny. I like them better than my old Arsenal.

I have a couple thousand rounds to plink with.

just sold a minty Yugo SKS to a friend. I never fired it. I have my Arsenal SA93, and a nice Romanian RPK. I do have a Ruger American Ranch bolt rifle in 7.62x39 commie that I like an awful lot. I have 'enough' ammo, and have been playing with this stuff since the late eighties.

I like the round and like you decided to add it to my AR selection. I figured that the round provides better wallop than the 5.56 and it’s not like it’s an uncommon offering. 😁

I wanted my personal protection arsenal to mirror the most common small arms cartridges in worldwide use (within reason 😁). While 9mm, 45acp, 5.56 & 7.62 have their place in my cabinet so does the 7.62x39. I couldn’t bring myself to buy “the enemy’s weapon” like an AK despite having sold hundreds in years past so I settled on a 7.62x39 upper and I’ve been extremely pleased with how it’s performed….flawlessly. I have a case of 5.45x39 but no upper and I have hundreds of 7.62x54 but no rifle. I figure that if I need the enemy’s weapon then I’ll just go pick one up that’s lying around. 😁

Been thinking about an upper, yes

Yes I have liked the CZ 527 chambered in 7.62 x 39. Maybe not as I purchased 2 bolt action CZ 527's. Un-like me I have not fired either as the original 7.62 x 39, re-barreled one to 6.5 Grendel. Loved that rifle as such for 5 years though, re-barreled it again to 6mm ARC last summer. both Grendel & ARC have been favorite deer rifles.

Uhhmmm....."like"?
I'm just not an AK fan.
Let me clarify
My disdain for the AK47 has nothing to do with the cartridge and I don't know enough about the AK or SKS to make any relevant judgement on them.
I absolutely LOVE the AR platform and would have no nm problem with an AR chambered in 7.62×39.
Basically, it's a semi auto .30-30 Win

Fills the niche of the .30-30 in a semi auto platform
Can't believe Ruger dropped the 6.8mm Rem SPC Ranch for the 7.62×39 and the .300 ACC (Blackout).
Oh well, they didn't ask me! LOL!

I ordered an AR15 in 7.6x39 about 2.5 years ago now. I had a feeding problem just the opposite of most it fed steel, but not brass. It ended up being an extractor but I bought a new bolt as there were no extractors to be had at the time as a 5.56 extractor was not working for me. New bolt solved the issue and I have since fixed the extractor so I have a spare bolt.

The thing is just fun to shoot! Not the most accurate by any means, but it gets the job done with cheap Wolf and Tula ammo.

Like this caliber muchly.

Any of you load it to higher than SAAMI pressure? Max is only 42K. Wonder what it would do at 60K?

QuickLOAD indicates 51,488 lbs-psi max average pressure for 7.62x39.

I've loaded up to that using QuickLOAD as a guide. I won't lean on it in the AR platform, but a bolt action like a Ruger Ranch or Howa might be a safe bet to go a little warmer.

My handload was/is a 155gr Hornady ELD-M over 25.0 gr RL-7, loaded to OAL of 2.26". Thise is getting 2140 fps in a 16" barrel, and about 2 moa accurate from the 16" AR carbine.





50 yards,






100 yards,






From the 20" rifle at 100 yards. Velocity should be about 2200 fps from the 20" barrel...maybe a little more. I need to chrono test it.

Looking good. I've thought about buying an upper a time or 2, but slowly burn up the ammo I have with my SKS. That rifle is actually fun to shoot, but not near as accurate as your AR's, but plenty good enough. Handloads should improve it a little bit, I hope.



For factory ammo, my SKS like this reloadable brass cased stuff:



I plan on starting with these bullets and RL7, as soon as I can get my hands on some:

I had a Norinco SKS back in the 1990's. It got away from me. Kind of wish I had kept it.

The 123 VMax should be nice. I have a box of the Hornady steel case ammo loaded with the 123 VMax. It shoots pretty good. Don't have any pic handy.

I've seen that Belom ammo for sale. Haven't tried any, but it looks like a good source for reloading brass.

It seems to be pretty good so far. I've actually loaded some of it a couple times, but it was last year. I had a little RL7 and used it in my 375 Winchester, 6x45 and the 7.62x39. Seemed to be a great powder. Especially in my 6x45. I always look for it at the LGS, but it's never there. Eventually maybe?

I like the RL7 a lot. Great for the 45-70 and 7.62x39. I also use it in the 223 and 308 for light bullets or mid-range loads.

Here's a load with the 308, 155 Scenar, and 38.0gr RL7. 2680 fps and sub-.5 moa at 100 yards.

Good stuff man. I appreciate it. Yeah, I was pretty happy with RL7 in the other cartridges. Never tried it in the 308 though. Looks like it works well..

A couple 7.62x39s on hand. An AR I put together with a Green Mountain barrel and Rubber City bcg. And a Russian Mini (Howa). Both now wearing the same model PA 1-4X scopes.

Ammo pile includes a bunch of SP, HP, and lesser amounts of FMJ. Have 500 pieces of 1X brass coming from crod1972 I was pleased to grab. Thinking of trying 150gr .308 Speer Boatails but haven't yet. Keep getting distracted. I also intend to convert some of the LRP brass to 6ARC. Been on a doubles spree gathering an AR and a bolt action in each of 6ARC, 7.62x39, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor, 556 and still 'need' an AR308.

I've got something new in the hopper.

7.62x39 loaded with 180gr Rem PSP CorLokt.

I just loaded up three for a velocity check. If it's able to hit 2100 fps, it should expand out to 300 yards at 1633 fps remaining velocity.

Mostly just experimenting. I bought a box of 2000 180gr PSPCL from Midway about 20 years ago, on sale for $99.00. Curious how they might work in the x39.

Two is one, one is none.

I 'needed' a 300 BO recently myself. Ended up with a Ruger American Ranch, and an upper from PSA.

This loading produced 2020 fps average from a 20" barrel. I should be able to hit 2100 fps before hitting max pressure. I'll go up a half grain and see what happens.

29.0gr H335 - 2111 fps.

OK, that meets the velocity I was hoping for. Doing a pressure vs velocity ratio on QL, suggests this load is at 50,600 lbs-psi. No aggressive extractor marks on the brass, primers lok good, still have all locking lugs on the bolt........(smile).

So now I'm going to load up 10 rounds for a 100-yard accuracy test. I'll probably back the powder off to 28.8gr, and figure that should put me right at 2100 fps.


Here's a look on paper at external ballistics. With a 34 yard zero, this will line up perfectly with the ACSS reticle for the 7.62x39.

Old tests show this bullet expanding to 1500 fps, but realistically it should make a good 200-yard hunting round.....if it turns in decent accuracy.

I have been thinking alot on buying a mini-30. Like the way they carry in the field ,seem a little better balanced than an AR.
Anyone have one of these for sale/trade??

I would not bother.

I have a new Mini Thirty and it shoots terrible. One good group (~1.5-2.0") at 100 yards and the next is all over the paper (6-8"). It's a Ruger replacement for my first Mini purchased at a gun show which shot terrible. I've tried many different bullet and powder combinations in an attempt to find a load it prefers. Tried .308" and .310/312" bullets with no luck. The bore slugs .3105" with multiple tight and loose spots. It's very tight under the turned down area for the front sight. Tried firelapping the bore with no improvement. Removed the front sight and going to try some tuning weights next. My friends skinny barrel Mini shoots great with a flash hider on the end of the barrel, and terrible without it. Oh...my 7.62 X 39 Ruger American Ranch Rifle shoots great with anything I feed it. It's bore also slugs .3105" but is perfectly uniform from chamber to muzzle. I also have two AR's in 7.62 X 39 and they shoot everything great.

As a side-bar, I've recently purchased cases of PMC 123gr FMJ and BELOM 123gr FMJ and both shoot very well with the BELOM a bit better. Both have Boxer primed, reloadable cases. And at a local gun show yesterday, I purchased a 5 gallon bucket almost full of once-fired 7.62 X 39 cases. There's my winter project!

Looking good Shane.

Thanks. I loaded up 10 at 28.8gr for a 100-yard accuracy test.

This time of years I'm in a little trepidation about setting the countryside on fire. The recent fire in the Spokane Hills was a blunt reminder of how fast things can get out of control.

I did my chrono tests in the yard, into a dirt pile, that I wet everything down with a hose beforehand.

Anyhoo, this load definitely puts the x39 in good company with the 30-30. 180gr at 2100, vs 170gr at 2200, both from 20" barrels.

The 180gr PSPCL has a BC advantage over the 170gr RN, so velocity wise, it gains the velocity advantage over the 170gr at about 110 yards downrange. On paper, for practical purposes, both are pretty much neck-to-neck out to 200 yards regarding trajectory and energy.

Able to get out any more yet? Guess I am going to sign up for Indian Cr again in a few days and try to get some shooting in....

I'm still in a holding pattern. Been shooting trad bows lately. Looks like it will cool off next week sometime though.

I've considered joining the Indian Creek range myself. I've shot there a few times. Very nice range, but just a bit far away for me. I can see it being very convenient for you.

Not a fan, but I do have 2 of them, a Norinco SKS from a case that I bought from Bill Hicks in '93 and a Davidson's limited run Ruger 77 MK2 that I bought for my wife to hunt with in '92.

I've had a few other AKs, SKSs, whatever the Polish AK varient was called, and a Zastava M85. I thought about buying an RAR-Ranch style in 7.62x39, but decided that an RAR-Predator in 308 would cover the same niche and a little more besides in the same size package.

I’ve got a Ruger RAR Ranch Rile in 7.62x39 that uses the Ruger Mini-30 mags. Great little hog gun that rides on the gun rack of the 4 Wheeler.
It’s pretty accurate even with the cheap Russian ammo.

Ok, gotcha. I am thinking I'll get more solid results at the range for sight-ins and have plenty of that to do, although just being out on the public land is more fun, errr, less ruley for blasting! I haven't resorted to shooting into my pole barn from the porch, yet! Please update on your .308 bullet load work when you get a chance. I have a bunch of Speer 150s that I figure might expand at lower x39 velocities. 👍

Don’t let DigitalDan catch you saying that. I was bragging (a bit) on my grandson’s deerslaying with his Howa and said the same thing, and might’ve taken a poke at the Blackout at the same time. Dan corrected me😳.

BTW Carl, this might be the year that boy finally puts the stock you painted for him to work. Kid’s growing like a weed, eating everything that gets in his way. The Merrells I bought him about 8 months ago are already pinching his toes.

Yeah I'll definitely share the results when I get them on paper.

Thermometer just bumped to 100F a couple minutes ago.


The range is kind of a double-edge sword. Nice facility, nice benches, target lines etc......but there has to be more control to keep it safe.

The .30 Commie seems to me to make a great deal of sense particular in pistol configuration, as compared to the 5.56 ‘Merica. When all the false legalities shake out on the bs about this and that part I’ll reconsider a short barrel defensive pistol with normal capacity magazines. A 11.5” to 12.5” unit with a rear support will make a fantastic car or truck Alamo gun loaded with .308-.312 dia 110 to 130ish gr bullets.

I started out in 7.62x39 with a Mini-30 but it was not a good fit for me. I now have a pair of Windham Weaponry SRC's in 7.62x39. They shoot well (5 shots into one and three quarter inch at 100 yards) with Federal ammunition, not as well with some European brass cased ammo that was affordable when it was available. I am reloading for them again. I bought a case quantity of Hornady FMJ bullets a few years ago and some powder this year.

The AR controls are very well thought out and the flattop accomodates scopes well (my eyes require optics).

GrimJim

Hey Shane, I like em when they're not headed in my direction! Ha! I know you can relate.

Yeah, no kidding!

Shot the load with the 180gr PSPCL at 2100 fps today.

Results were not good. About 4 MOA at 100 yards.

I shot the first group of five shots and had some hope. Four were in 1.5" with a flyer opening the group to 4".

I adjusted the scope 2 moa left, and 2 moa up. Fired the second group and it was a loose 4" group also.

First group was triangles, Second group was circles.

Dangit, that's pretty rough!



Just saw this. Good to hear he's growing up right. Hope he'll be hammering away with the Mini soon to help keep you busy and out of trouble! Let me know if you want to tweak that stock any further. 👍 Still procrastinating and haven't touched my Mini Russian or Grendel other than scope swapping.

Yes it is.

I'm still left curious as to why the first group put four in a decent cluster, then the second group was all over the place. I stopped between groups, gut up off the ground, and reloaded the magazine for the second group. I wasn't in a comfortable position really, prone on the ground, shooting uphill, with a [bleep] midway rear bag that was kind of loose.

Then the question arises, was my scope new and adjustments a little sticky? Did my scope adjustments not take effect until a shot or two jarred the adjustments?

I'll probably load a few more rounds, put a rifle buttstock lower on this upper, bring out the portable shooting bench, and give it one more chance.

Maybe heat, maybe the load is a bit hot. SAAMI says 50 KPSI MAP and it will do that with 150 grain bullets at the velocity you pursue...if my Hodgdon Load Data means anything.

Still, all the little people that shot at me with that round would be proud of the groups you shot. Except for the dead ones, they don't care anymore.

I've had decent results loading the Hornady 155gr ELD-M bullet. Figured I'd try these 180gr since I have about 2000 of them on the bench.

Sometimes things work out, sometimes they don't.

I guess I never considered a 7.62x39 in an AR.

Suppose I have a RR lower with a JSE 5.56 upper. Also a selection of mags for the 5.56.

What all would i need to do to put and operate a 7.62x39 upper on it? Or do I need a lower designed just for it?

All you need is an upper in 7.62x39, and magazines for the 7.62x39.

If you get an upper from Palmetto State Armory, it will come with an enhanced firing pin. It's a little longer to work with the deep seated and hard primers on steel case ammo.

For magazines you want the DuraMags.

The steel case ammo works best with a heavy milspec trigger. The heavy hammer and spring get the round on it's way.

Tried for months to get an upper from PSA, consistently out of stock. Wound up grabbing a 300BO upper for cheap since I had 1000rds of ammo. Have many 1000’s of rounds of x39 that’s relegated to AK duty now.

My 20" mid-gas 7.62x39 upper is from AR15Parts.com. I haven't had any issues with it either. They have a few in stock,

https://ar15parts.com/upper-assemblies/7-62x39-uppers-ar15/


I picked up my 16" upper from PSA a couple years ago. At that time they were on sale for $239, with BCG and CH.

$239 is a steal. I put mine together with a Green Mtn barrel, AGB, RCA BCG (either with or added an x39 firing pin), heavy hammer spring in the lower, and ended up using a burly float tube that used to be on a Grendel uppper. Parts were sparse at the time.

Been using it, (outside of manufacturer's recommendation) with a 9mm suppressor.😁

I see Bear Creek Arsenal has some budget-friendly uppers. I don't have any experience with BCA.

https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/guns-parts/ar-15/ar-15-complete-upper-assembly/7-62x39.html

Something to think about, I guess. I'm happier with my first owned AR (5.56) than I thought I'd be. It's a really useful little carbine.

Not sure if I'm into expanding the hobbies just now, but I'm sure that something similar to what I've got, in 7.62, would be cool to own and use.

I got into the AR 7.62x39 a couple years or so back. 5.56 ammo was getting pricey/low supply. My reasons were 7.62x39 affordability/availability. Also, the uppers were very reasonable.

I wanted an AK-47, but didn't want to spend so much at the time. Glad I waited, the PSAK GF5 is a nice rifle.

The KS-47 from PSA has impressed me a great deal... ever with the junker Cabelas 2-7 optic.

9 our of 10 on 8" steel rounds at 400 yards...

500 was bad.

Tula and Wolf 123 IIRC.

Those do look like a great way to go, with 7.62x39. You can't ask for more accuracy than that with Tula/Wolf.

I just put a Primary Arms 3X Micro Prism on my AK, with an AK Master Mount. It has the ACSS reticle.

I zero'd it at 22 yards using the 300 yard reticle hold point (Per QuickTarget calculations that is the close-range crossing point).

Then I was banging rocks out to 600 yards using the reticle holdoffs. It is working very well on rocks roughly 18" wide. That was with Tula 122gr FMJ.

I had a AR or two in x39 and had mag drama (I know, some mags do better than others).

Tried this one on a sale and it has been a great hybrid...

- AK mag feed reliability

- AR bolt lock-up for accuracy.

I recently added a Primary Arms 3X Micro Prism with the ACSS reticle on the PSAK GF5. Zero'd it and the reticle tracks well out to 600 yards with Tula 122gr FMJ.

I picked up the optic and mount from Rob Ski's online store. It's a good price for optic and the Master Mount package,

https://shop.akoperatorsunionlocal4...ack-SLx-3X-MicroPrism-Annihilator-3x.htm

Being a lefty, I like that the mount doesn't hang down below the receiver and in the way of the trigger at all.

Inspired by your thread, I swapped a 10x SWFA onto my x39 AR to see what it's capable of. Have some Geco FMJ, and Prvi RN and SP to try. I'll post it, even if it's fuggly!

It's a great little round. I've never had a AK47 type rifle but, had a Chinese SKS Type 56 years ago, and have wanted to kick my ass several times for selling it. But, have shot a few more and good little rifles. An upper for an AR would be interesting too.

I really liked my CZ 527 that was chambered in 7.62 x 39 once I rebarreled it to 6.5 Grendel 5 years ago or so. Last year she got another barrel this time in 6mm ARC. So Ill say in my opinion the 7.62 x 39 is ok, 6.5 Grendel is good & 6mm Arc is great.

I am a reloader type of shooter so this may shed some light on my opinion.

The 7.62 x 39, 50 round ammo boxes are cool as well once filled w 6mm ARC ammo.

You bet, I'll be interested in seeing your results. I haven't tried any handloads in the AK, it seems to be about 3 moa on average, with the steel cased ammo.

I have zero bragging with a trifecta.... All I can say is that I got it on paper at 100. That's it until I can get my chit together! The Geco ammo sure is clean.






This ammo, in 20 round packaging, although I got it elsewhere.



https://www.targetsportsusa.com/geco-762-39mm-ammo-124-grain-fmj-265840020-p-55743.aspx


https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting...124gr-fmj-rifle-ammo-20-rounds/p/1641425

That'll work!!

7.62x39 is my go to caliber early wipe. But as soon as I can move up I usually switch around to 5.45 or m80

Any idea if most of the available uppers use a barrel with .308 or .310 bores?

I bought a Ruger ranch in 7.62x39 for a lite recoiling deer rifle and cheap practice ammo. Using once fired Norma brass, Winchester LR primers, Hornady 123gr. SP and 26.8 gr. RL 7 I was able to get a pretty decent group. Pretty sure it will work for deer out to two hundred yards. I've got a spare lower, thinking of getting a 7.62x39 upper.

I have picked up 2 Palmetto State Armory AKs in the past 2 months.I have been very happy with them. Especially the last one I bought. Magpul extendable stock has the prefect LOP for me fully extended. I just put a Midwest Industries side mount for optics and put a Holo Sun on the gun and shot 4 shots into about 2 inches. Not bad for a 1 power red dot. There prices are decent. Made here in the USA and flat out run. I only have a few hundred rounds thru them so take that into account.
I got the Grey Stocked AK47 and a Grey cerakoted PSA Dagger which is a Glock 19 clone for 750.00 plus shipping and tax. The pistol shoots fine as well.

These PSAK-47 Blem GF-3 rifles for $599 are a pretty nice deal.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/blem-psak-47-gf3-forged-classic-polymer-rifle-odg.html

The boy shooting my (his?) 762x39…
I put it together for no other reason than a different and fun way to shoot cheaper steel ammo and it doesn’t disappoint!

Great pic, Cert.

Couple of mid 60s Chinese SKS.

Bores like new.

Love 'em.

Started handloading brass to expand ammo cache should factory offerings become scarcer.

I'm a fan. don't own now but looking.

Good thread. Makes me want to take the SKS to the range next time out. I was at a LGS last weekend and saw a Ruger Ranch rifle and 200 pcs of new starline brass. I almost bought the brass, but remembered I have plenty.

I put an 7.62x39 upper together with a blem receiver from 24cf add, Odin works handguard, and 16" fluted Bear Creek barrel. Shot some 123 SST with AA1680 some of the Berry plated bullets. SST shot a couple of good groups.

Back about 2007, I went into a LGS looking for a semi auto pig hunting rifle. I found what bnb I was looking for in a Ruger Mini 14. Discussion g with the store owner why I wanted the rifle, he said, "Think about this one. Same price!".
It was a Ruger Ranch in 6.8mm Rem SPC!
That's what I ended up buying.
I love my 6.8, and yeah, it has the pre "II" chamber, but it still shoot very well. I've killed deer, hogs and coyotes with it and it performed admirably.

I won't sit here and blow smoke about which is better, 6.8mm or 7.62mm, but what I will bellyache about, is Ruger dropping the 6.8mm from it's production list.
The 6.8mm is every bit as good a deer cartridge as the 7.62mm.

I put an AR Stoner from Midway on a Stag lower and have loaded 308 bullets exclusively, it's been fine.
It's good with Prvi soft point ammo too.
Sorry, I've no idea if most US made barrels are 308 or 310.

I have a Colt AR, a PSA AR, Chinese SKS, Yugoslavian SKS, Bulgarian SLR100 and a Rock River Arms LAR 47, a 15" Encore pistol barrel and a Howa Mini Rifle in the 7.62 x 39 Russian round. My favorite by far is the LAR 47 and the Encore pistol barrel.

Steve........

I see Green Mountain is now making a couple 8 twist barrels, 8.5" and 16.5". The dorks don't specify bore dimensions! A lot of possibilities if they'd work good with a range .308 bullets.

Follow up
Per GM sales
GM-M46 16.5" 1 in 8" 7.62x39
Bore: .300"-.302"
Groove: .310"-.312"

Yeah. I like 7.62×39.

Romanian GP WASR 10/63. Geiselle AKT trigger, ERGO Sure Grip, Definitive Arms Fighter Brake, Kreb's safety.



Arsenal SLR107FR side folder. Geissele AKT trigger, Primary Arms 1-6×24 with ACSS illuminated reticle, RS Regulate mount. Eastern bloc buttstock extension, AK74 style muszle brake.




Custom built AK purchased from Chris Horn before he went to work for Gary Reader as one of his gunsmiths. Built to my specs and his recommendations. Geissele AKT trigger added later. (Top)



Yugo under folder. Pre-ban. Bone stock.

ARs in 7.62 russian...the worst of both worlds.
DI with filthy surplus ammo.
Flip the script.
Get a Zastava in 5.56.

Someone earlier, mentioned Bear Creek Uppers in 7.62x39. I have to say I have about 10 of their uppers in .556, and 3 in 7.62x39, and a couple in Blackout. I have nothing bad to say about them.. All good. Never a problem, and they shoot better than I do. Wallacem in Ga

I like the cartridge and several of its offspring like the grendel and arc and the pic's.


Bb