7.62 x 39 MM bolt gun

[Pistol Packin Preacher]

I have a Russian SKS and so I already shoot 7.62 x 39 MM.

The two days ago I saw that CZ makes a carbine (18.5" barrel) in this caliber and I thought - Wow! I can shoot the less expensive ammo out of a bolt gun.

Then a small dealer I am friends with told me he has a Mauser action that was sporterized and has a 22" barrel on it.

Sounds great.

But my question is what would that cartridge be good for?

Not a lot of charge behind the heavy bullet.

Would this be a possible ground hog closer range gun or what?

Also, how far out might this effectively reach?

I am trying to determine if this would be a fun firearm to own and shoot.

I already have a .223 to shoot less expensive ammo from.

What are your thoughts from your experiences or what you have heard?

Thanks.

God bless!!

PPP

[SavagePump]

I have a CZ bolt gun in .223 (along with a few in .22lr) and it shoots like a dream. The bolt was stiff at first but after 50 rounds its like butter. The trigger broke clean and crisp at what I think is under 4lbs. The set trigger is thought activated. I love mine and have often thought of getting the carbine in 762 to shoot the cheap ammo, just havent gotten to it yet.

[nfafan]

As an aside - and unfortunately - an Aussie company was building Enfield "Jungle Carbines" in 7.62x39 with a 20rd mag, but they dissappeared from the market.. Great Enfield action in the carbine form factor with an affordable cartridge - couldn't go wrong.

http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/554...e-7-62x39.html

and...

http://world.guns.ru/civil/austr/aia-m10-e.html

[mp517prct]

Zastava makes a "mini mauser" in 7.62x39mm and has been imported over the years by Remington (as the Mdl.799), by Charles Daly, and by Interarms.

[Hersh5317]

7.62x39 is slightly less powerful than the 30-30. It makes a great hog and deer round with proper bullets and knowing its limits. For plinking I would get an SKS, but if you want to use it in PA for hunting, the CZ is a fine choice. The 527's set trigger is great, the overall quality is excellent, and you can load up some good 125 gr bullets if you roll your own.

[Bama Man]

I built a Mauser '98 in 7.62X39. I built it because I wanted a his-hers rifle, one in 30-06 (his) and one in 7.62X39 (hers). I have finished the "hers" rifle, but not the 30-06, which I've decided will be a 300 Savage.
The 7.62X39 is a sweet round to just go out and "plink" with. It has such a mild recoil, but I can still practice shooting with a "High Powered" rifle, for tigger pull and sighting.
I can shoot all day and not have to face the recoil of heavy rifles.
It's just a sweet shooting rifle, well worth the cost of re-barreling to the action to this caliber.
I am surprised that major companies have not offered this caliber as much as they do.
Ammo is plentiful, and , for reloaders, readily available.
I pull bullets from surplus ammo and then pour the powder into a bowl, and reload the powder with an absolute measurement. This way I am sure they are all the same. For plinking, I load 123 grainers, which can be had in bulk.
I your re-barreling a surplus Mauser, you can even go with a .308 bore, and use the .308 sizer pin that comes with most reloading dies.
I kept my bore .310, so that I can shoot surplus from the box.
In my opinion, this is a good cartridge choice for a bolt rifle, even for hunting in your state where ranges are not an issue, with the 150 grain bullets.

[Pistol Packin Preacher]

Hersh5317:
I do have an SKS.
This is one of the reasons I am strongly considering a bolt gun in this caliber.
Thanks for the input.

Bama Man
It is good hearing that the recopil is managable.
My wife shoots also and this will encourage her to shoot more (that is the plan!)

God bless!!

PPP

[Fazer6PA]

Ruger makes a M77 Compact and Savage makes a Model 10 Scout.
The Remington Zastava model is prob the most affordable.
As Hersh5317 said, the 7.62x39 round is as devastating..if not more...than a 30-30 on deer. If I could hunt with my SKS, I would. :-)

[tabasco_joe]

I use a single shot 30-30 for deer loaded with 125 grain bullets. The loads aren't maxed out so I'd say they are just a tad above a 7.62x39 if loaded with the same bullet.

[JLR666]

I have a Carcano rebarreled to 7.62x39 and its a nice little gun. Light and compact, and does a number on ground hogs. But i have been using my Micro 7 in 300 Blackout it has less recoil and alittle more punch. Have taken 5 ghogs so far this spring with 110 vmax loads and it really lays them out.