7.62x39 improved

[meles meles]

We have just read the following in another place and wondered if a clever ooman - ovenpaa maybe - would comment on it.


Is there a 7.62X39 Improved cartridge? This is simlpy the parent with a 30 degree shoulder matching the angle for the 22 and 6MM PPC, but not pushing the shoulder back.

The 7.62X39 is one of my favorite cartridges to reload, because the industry specs call for a max of 50,000 CUP while factory loads are held to the 40-44,000 CUP range in deference to the AK and SKS actions out there. I load mine for a CZ Carbine bolt gun with 18 inch bbl and easily generate 2000 FPE with 130 gr Hornady PSPs @ 2650 fps. That's good for 2130 fps and 1300 FPE at 200 yards and a 4.9-inch drop sighted in at 100 yards.

2800 fps is within reach of this case, improved to hold 33 grs of water with a seated 125 or 130-gr bullet. Coupled with a 1 in 14-inch twist, this is a 0.25 MOA round. Most 7.62X39 rifles are 1 in 10 or less, which is way too fast for .308 to .311 bullets less than an inch in length. Might as well design it for a .308 bbl while we are at it. Think of it as a .308 Win with a 1-inch powder column length, designed to shoot bullets less than 1 inch in length.

I also use sabots and 55-gr .224 Hornady BTs in the 7.62X39, with remarkable results. Lil'gun easily drives these to 3500 fps and delivers 1.0 MOA. Pressure is moderate. Note that this is well over a .223 and close on the heels of a 22-250. The improved version will duplicate the 22-250. However, the suggested 1 in 14 twist would limit us to .224s lighter and shorter than the 55-gr spitzers. A 45 gr BT will do 4000 fps, guaranteed.

In the end you have a neat little rifle, 5 lbs in weight with 18 inch bbl and 2.3 inch bolt throw, covering varmints through deer, that is inexpensive and fun to shoot. You win the lightweight hunter class at your range every year and your bore and shoulder last forever.

[dromia]

What really is there to say, I'd have a 7.62 x 39 or 7.62 x 39 improved rifles made in if I could find a decent single shot action to hang the barrel on. Great cast boolit cartridge.

Anyone know if there are any 7.62x 39 Improved reamers around?

[northumbrian]

Off the self options may be 6.5mm Grendel, it's parent cartridge is the .220 Russian, which is a necked down 7.62x39mm.

So my two pence worth is .220 Russian & 6.5mm grendel.

Reamers are available.

[snayperskaya]

I just shoot x39 milsurp because its cheap,does what it says on the tin and theres less faffing about involved than reloading.Just my opinion of course :)

[meles meles]

We quite like the idea of a pawdy* carbine in 7.62x39, maybe even wildcatted to shoot something big an dheavy. We're a fan of thumpitty rounds, especially subsonic - like the Russian 7.62 x 39 necked out to fire a 9mm round for subsonic applications. What might be possible, oomans ?

The diagram below suggests to our tiny mind that it might be possible to seat a nice big 198 gn Spitzer bullet (maybe a cast boolit !) from a 7.92 Mauser in the case if the bullet were seated deeply.




and we've just found these, based on a 7.92x33 Kurz case, to keep Dromia happy



* handy, in bald monkey terminology

[ovenpaa]

It would be interesting to make a 7,62x33 as opposed to the 7,62 Kurz and maybe even blow the shoulders out a tad. I would say shoot it in a Mosin Nagant type action with a modified bolt face, I did the drawings for such a thing a while ago and on paper it is quite possible however it involves some work on the extractor system.

[Sandgroper]

Put 7.62x39 improved into google and lo and behold - plenty of info!

Image from http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=50353

[dodgyrog]

It would be interesting to make a 7,62x33 as opposed to the 7,62 Kurz and maybe even blow the shoulders out a tad. I would say shoot it in a Mosin Nagant type action with a modified bolt face, I did the drawings for such a thing a while ago and on paper it is quite possible however it involves some work on the extractor system.

So the wheel goes round - my 7x33 is a 70 year old concept!
The only drawback (if it could be so considered!) is the twist rate that suits lighter (less than 90gr) boolits.
Not a problem in my eyes as it will see off vermin and small deer.
It also suits light cast boolit loads to shoot at 25yds

[meles meles]

We can sense another project gun here - once Ovenpaa has finished our P14 we may be looking out for a base rifle to suit this subsonic thumpitty carbine project. maybe a Mosin Nagant M44, re-barreled with a Lothar Walther stainless barrel with a suitable twist for a big heavy boolit? We're sure Dodgyrog and Dromia will approve...

[dodgyrog]

We can sense another project gun here - once Ovenpaa has finished our P14 we may be looking out for a base rifle to suit this subsonic thumpitty carbine project. maybe a Mosin Nagant M44, re-barreled with a Lothar Walther stainless barrel with a suitable twist for a big heavy boolit? We're sure Dodgyrog and Dromia will approve...

I prefer a Mauser (large ring) action otherwise whatever turns you on.