Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Do Americans have a new found interest in the 7.62x39?

NEF makes rifles for everything, since it's cheap and easy for them to do. And if the round doesn't work out, they'll just bore the chamber for something else. Not much loss there.

CZ...don't know, except it's possible they have a much bigger market in their home area than they do over here and the ammo is even cheaper. Why not ship some extra ones here?

Remington is a good example of bad decisions. Why did they invent Electronix? Why did they bring out their classic in 8mm Mauser? Why did they try to create a market for the 6.8 SPC?

You're forgetting Ruger, which makes the Mni 30, whch hasn't scorched to market.

I think they may be feeling around the edges for interest in the round. Right now, I don't think there's enough to support a LOT of rifles, but there's always that few who want something different. And, it is a pretty good deer round.

I haven't read any accuracy reports on any of the rifles you mentioned. I would like to, though.

aha! missed it, lee ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the response Gene. No, I didn't forget about Ruger's Mini 14. I want to forget about it, but cannot. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I think that they're sniffing around as well. I doubt that they'll bother with different weight bullets, but one never knows how far they're willing to push things.

It has a better chance IMO in areas where shots won't be long. Sales would likely be small in most of the western US. It might make a good eastern coyote killer too. Almost big bore by varmint standards. Perhaps something around 110 to 120 grains.

I have a CZ527 in 7.62x39mm and I love it. To me it is a model 94 with cheaper ammo, better trigger (plus a set trigger), less recoil, better accuracy (about 1.5" with cheap ammo - no kidding), better craftsmanship, integral bases, and is still short and light.
I have it topped with a compact Leupold 2.5X in Warne rings, but also have shot it with irons.
I think it will make a beautiful first deer rifle for my boys when they are old enough.

Hi. It sounds like you're happy with it. That's excellent. I will likely be testing a new, made in 2006, Australian International Arms M10, which looks like an old Lee Enfield. Parkerized with a 20 in barrel. I'll be putting an Elite 3200 2-7 on it. I hope that I'm as pleased with it as you are about your CZ.

Do you mind if I ask a few questions? Thanks!

What part of the country are you in?
How long have you had the rifle?
Have you shot hunting ammunition from it yet? Did it group okay?
Have you taken any game with it? If so, what?

I love stories!

Safe Shooting! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Steve Redgwell
303british.com

Steve,
In case you haven't heard ... some of those M10s (.308Win)are scary accurate for "an old rifle design".
Regarding the 7.62x39 ... I think one of its problems that limits its "main-stream" adoption is the 40k psi limit placed on the ammunition. Ammunition must be safe for use in the autos, plus cheap ... which hamstrings it in the bolt-actions where accuracy is number one. Loaded to modern pressures ... I think it would surprise many but then some-one will blow-up an auto and blame someone else.
Cheers...
Con

Yes, that's why I cannot wait for mine to arrive. I have that rifle coming shortly as well. The No 4 Mk IV.

The 7.62x39 model is supposed to hit our part of the planet sometime in the fall. I'll load it to approx. 51,000 PSI - the CIP standard. This round needs a fast burner like 4227 or similar so that's what I'll feed it. My goal is to get around 2500 fps with a 125 grain bullet. On paper, that equates to a good 150 yd. deer rifle. You have to start somewhere so I worked out a bunch of the data at my desk. At 150 yds with the 125 gr. SP bullet, it should have close to 1200 ft/lb of spunk.

As well, I might make some of my own jacketed hunting bullets in .311 and work up some loads for a 110 - 115 grain bullet. Varmint bullets for our resident coyotes. They should be beauty. That cannot happen until the winter at the earliest.

Safe Shooting! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Steve Redgwell
303british.com

I am in Alberta and have had the rifle for about a year and a half. The only hunting ammo I have shot was the cheap imported stuff, not American made. It groups about 1.5" with the cheap stuff. I haven't handloaded for it yet. I probably will at some point just for the heck of it, and to really get seroius about checking its accuracy. For the ranges this caliber is suitable for, 1.5" is totally adequate though, and even cheap bullets won't come apart at 2300fps.
I have taken two whitetails with it so far. Both were less than 100m. One travelled about 10m, the other bang-flopped. Neither bullet was recovered.
In the zone where I hunt, you are allowed two doe only tags, plus one buck, and deer are all over the place. In early season, I like to fill the freezer with my doe tags, then concentrate on the buck the third week of November, usually when start to really move around here. For my buck tag, I probably will hunt with my semi-custom 7-08, (unless I happen to be holding the CZ when the B&C monster steps out), but the does I will definately take with the CZ.
There definately more "serious" hunting rifles out there, but the CZ is an absolute joy to use. Just be aware of its range limitations.
BTW I like the CZ enough that my next rifle will probably be a CZ 550 in 6.5x55.

Thanks Bowie. I've always wanted one but up until recently the only rifles that were available were the Norinco Bush Rangers. They are truly POS. I played with a few and put 10 rounds through one at the range. Horrible triggers, dismal stocks and poor workmanship. The rifle felt cheap.

The Chinese have no intention of taking over the western world by force. That's what they have Walmart and the dollar stores for.

Milarm had a NIB Zastava Mini Mauser listed for a long time. I inquired and it was gone. The old Yugo plant being bombed out really put a cramp in things. It's up and running again though. That's where Remington is getting their 798s and 799s from.

Steve,
When out Govt "compensated" us for taking our autos/pumps away ... a few SMLE's and No4s were rechambered to make use of the bucket-loads of cheap ammunition on offer. Personally I feel that's part of the reason the 7.62x39 is not taken seriously ... its almost always put into crappy rifles fed crappy ammunition. I'm also surprised it hasn't received greater interest from the cast bullet community. Regarding Chinese POS rifles, I know of a Norinco rebarrelled to 30BR that can shoot up a storm ... but it still looks like a POS with a "balsa-wood" stock!
Cheers...
Con
PS: Forgot to add ... has the PPU ammunition appeared in the USA/Canada yet? Its another option for those after a 123gr SP hunting load.

Yes, that was in 1996 or 1997 wasn't it? I recall Bruce Gentner saying something about using the buy back money to help fund their first effort. He said they made a Lee Enfield styled bolt in 7.62x39 because the gov't had taken away the SKSs or AKs but you had tons of this ammunition laying about.

Give the boys something to burn it all off. With some of the pests down your way, this would be a great rifle. Especially cats and pigs. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I hope that the M10 is as rugged as the model it was designed after.

My own belief about the lack of development interest with this round is the sheer numbers of military surplus and similar rifles available. That and literally tons and tons of surplus ammunition. My feeling is that they would have wondered what the point would be to do any work with it when there were so many other deer rifles and cartridges available.

If you can burn money creating WSMs, WSSMs and Ultras, then spend a few bucks improving what's already been made too! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

If someone were to try to market the 7.62x39 as the next hot short range deer cartridge, they would have to step over the bodies of many failed cartridges to enter a crowed market. The utility of the 7.62x39 lies in its ubiquity makeing it inexpensive, because there is no substitute for trigger time.

Well I probably get slammed for this-(???? another site)
sorry all, but good info
To gain some insight on what can be done with this round when it is reloaded in a quality firearm try a bounce over to leverguns.com
A Mr paco Kelly has some intresting writings on this round in the CZ and ruger rifle. It can be found under articles and the
author is paco kelly. article is unintended circumstances
gotcha. http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/762x39.htm

Nailed it!

BMT

It doesn't seem silly to me. It makes sense and I believe that I said something to that affect in an earlier posting. If we've learned anything, it should be that the naysayers will descend from their mountains and poop on us mere mortals. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It is practical? Affordable? Sensible? My answer is yes. In as much as industry is willing to spend many dollars developing Super Ultra Whiny Short Mags, why not spend a little money and experiment with an existing cartridge?

Oh, somebody's done that already! Not with the 7.62x39 but with the 308 necked up to a 338 - the 338 Federal. Not everyone is trying to "re-invent something unique". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'm all for playing with the 7.62 x39. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The CIP standard is approximately 51, 000 PSI. Close enough for government work. That should work well from a bolt gun.

there are too many cartridges that are equal and better. and the odd bore size sucks . as there are not enough variety of bullets for it . even the 30/30 can match it. but if you have more Dollars than sense.( as my gramps used to say) then go for it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well, at least the local Gander Mtn. finally got some Wolf 122gr HPs in again. The stuff has been fairly scarce in these parts all summer. Haven't told the Mini 30 yet, figure it'll be happy to get some range time again.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Price kinda got nasty since the last time I bought any though, $3.99 per 20 now. Paid less than $2 per box for the last batch. Compared to other rounds of similar performance, that still ain't much of a price to pay for 20 centerfire cartridges.

One could say that about the 308 or 300 Min Mag or the 416 Rigby, Hubert. Around here, having another (equal) cartridge that you can use for the same thing doesn't seem to be position from which to mount a credible charge. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You don't need dollars to reload for this thing. The reloading dies cost the same as the common cals like 308. Bullet selection is the only area that could be improved. You have what amounts to two weights - 125 and 150 grains. But for what you'd use it for, that might just be enough. Or, go the .308 route and use a couple of other weights like 110, 130 grains.

Fun is the biggest reason for doing anything. Just do it!

I bought a NEF last year when they wee in the middle of their run in 7.62x39. Bore slugs out at 0.308 which suits me fine because this gun will see mainly cast bullets. Many NEF's will not shoot surplus ammo reliably something to do with a heavier hammer spring needed or a recessed primer, I have heard both opinions. With a 2.5x weaver this is a 0.75" shooter 10 rds at 50 yards 155 gr cast. Gianni.