Here's my dilemma. I love to shoot but I can't afford to shoot as much as I like (I'm a student). Even surplus .308 ammo is much more than I can buy the Wolf ammo for($2.00 for a box of 20 on sale). I would like to find a bolt action sporter/hunting rifle that can accurately shoot Wolf 7.62x39. I realize the russian ammo will never be as accurate as the more expensive stuff but I hope there's something out there that will at least shoot circles around the SKS. If there is such a rifle, what kind of accuracy can I expect from it? The only rifle I know of chambered for this round is from CZ but I don't know if it will shoot good with the Wolf ammo. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Need Help finding accurate bolt action in 7.62x39
- Thread starter G23
- Start date
A good rifle is only half the equation. It is best to get a good rifle, like the new CZ, or one of the Ruger MKII stainless if you can find them. I believe Howa used to chamber a bolt gun in this caliber, called the Mini Mauser X. There is a lot of surplus ammo on the market. I would try some of each plentiful in your area. Wolf fmj and hp may shoot differently. Sellier & Bellot makes affordable ammo, not much more than the Russian stuff. They make a fmj and sp. Pretty accurate in the calibers I have tried.
The major drawback is the lack of match grade ammo in this caliber. Also, the above rifles aren't dirt cheap. You might look into a Savage in a .223 or .308. They can both be had for reasonable prices if you scout the gun shows and Shotgun News. A bolt gun in 7.62x39 will probably be twice as accurate as an SKS, but still will only be good for a short range hunter and plinker.
The major drawback is the lack of match grade ammo in this caliber. Also, the above rifles aren't dirt cheap. You might look into a Savage in a .223 or .308. They can both be had for reasonable prices if you scout the gun shows and Shotgun News. A bolt gun in 7.62x39 will probably be twice as accurate as an SKS, but still will only be good for a short range hunter and plinker.
Forgot,also. You might look into a used Ruger Mini 30. They come set up in the ranch style with the built in scope base and rings. With a scope, I have seen them shoot at least half the group size of an SKS. You should be able to find a used Mini 30 and be able to put a scope on it for the same price as a CZ or Ruger bolt w/o a scope.
Sheesh. Get a Savage 10FP in .308, with your choice of scope.
Now to take care of your ammo bill.
Lee press and manual - $50
Lee Deluxe collet die set - $35
Lee powder scale - $25
Dial Caliper - $25
Lee trim kit - $7.50
Lee Perfect powder measure (optional)
100 rounds of brass - $25
8 pounds surplus 4895 - $80
1000 primers - $25
Pick your own bullets - I suggest 165 gr. Noslers
You'll shoot BETTER ammo than store bought, with more accuracy potential, and you'll be able to shoot more of it. That 100 rounds of brass should last for at least 10 loadings, if not more.
Now to take care of your ammo bill.
Lee press and manual - $50
Lee Deluxe collet die set - $35
Lee powder scale - $25
Dial Caliper - $25
Lee trim kit - $7.50
Lee Perfect powder measure (optional)
100 rounds of brass - $25
8 pounds surplus 4895 - $80
1000 primers - $25
Pick your own bullets - I suggest 165 gr. Noslers
You'll shoot BETTER ammo than store bought, with more accuracy potential, and you'll be able to shoot more of it. That 100 rounds of brass should last for at least 10 loadings, if not more.
Cpt. John Park
New member
Dear Friend,
I have been wanting a short-barrel rifle in one of the inexpensive light calibers, and I fell in love with the new CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39. It is so small and light, and so well finished that I just love it. BUT, it was selling for $519 at the big gun show in Dallas this weekend, compared with $350 for a Savage in .223 or $375 for a Remington synthetic. There was no 7.62 match ammo available for any less than $15 for 20, whereas match .223 could be had for $20 for 100. I figured I could buy a Savage, have the barrel cut down to 16", buy 200 rounds match .223, and still come out cheaper than the CZ. I haven't decided for sure, but that's the way I'm leaning right now.
JP
I have been wanting a short-barrel rifle in one of the inexpensive light calibers, and I fell in love with the new CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39. It is so small and light, and so well finished that I just love it. BUT, it was selling for $519 at the big gun show in Dallas this weekend, compared with $350 for a Savage in .223 or $375 for a Remington synthetic. There was no 7.62 match ammo available for any less than $15 for 20, whereas match .223 could be had for $20 for 100. I figured I could buy a Savage, have the barrel cut down to 16", buy 200 rounds match .223, and still come out cheaper than the CZ. I haven't decided for sure, but that's the way I'm leaning right now.
JP
You could get a cheap Savage or Remington in .308 or .30-06, and shoot 7.62X39 by using a "chamber insert" (do a search on that term for more info. I believe the company that makes these is called "MCA Sports"). It's a semi-permanent device that is removed using a broken shell extractor to return your gun to its original chambering.
Don't know if anyone here has experience with these---accuracy?
Personally, I'd agree with Cpt. John Park. .223 ammo is dirt cheap, even good stuff like Winchester "white box", PMP, or commercial reloads. And it's cheap to reload, and has good inherent accuracy. Rifle choices abound (I'm looking for a stainless .223 right now, probably a Ruger for $399+tax).
If you're dead set on a heavier bullet, re-read bogie's post. I'd only differ in one way. Instead of buying brass, I'd buy a bunch of Hirtenberger milspec ammo (brass case, boxer), shoot that up and reload from there....best, weegee.
Don't know if anyone here has experience with these---accuracy?
Personally, I'd agree with Cpt. John Park. .223 ammo is dirt cheap, even good stuff like Winchester "white box", PMP, or commercial reloads. And it's cheap to reload, and has good inherent accuracy. Rifle choices abound (I'm looking for a stainless .223 right now, probably a Ruger for $399+tax).
If you're dead set on a heavier bullet, re-read bogie's post. I'd only differ in one way. Instead of buying brass, I'd buy a bunch of Hirtenberger milspec ammo (brass case, boxer), shoot that up and reload from there....best, weegee.
I've shot one of the new CZ rifles chambered in 7.62x39, and by chance we were using some of the Wolf hollow point ammo now available. It's perfectly adequate for, say, deer hunting or general shooting.
Don't remember which model CZ it was, it belongs to a friend at my range. But my overall impression was very favorable - I think CZ puts out a good product at a modest price.
You might be able to order one of these rifles cheaper than the price you'll find at a gun show, if you have a dealer willing to receive it for you.
I'm interested in some of the premium 7.62x39 ammo that Federal is now producing - I understand you can buy it with either Nostler Ballistic Tips or Barnes bullets.
Ken Strayhorn
Hillsborough NC
Don't remember which model CZ it was, it belongs to a friend at my range. But my overall impression was very favorable - I think CZ puts out a good product at a modest price.
You might be able to order one of these rifles cheaper than the price you'll find at a gun show, if you have a dealer willing to receive it for you.
I'm interested in some of the premium 7.62x39 ammo that Federal is now producing - I understand you can buy it with either Nostler Ballistic Tips or Barnes bullets.
Ken Strayhorn
Hillsborough NC
thequickad
New member
Ruger has the M77 chambered for the 7.62x39. The price for the rifle is about $470. Thompson also makes a bbl for 7.62x39.
These are the only two I know of. The Ruger is the only bolt rifle for 7.62x39 and the review on it was quite good. About 1.75 to 2 MOA. I don't personally own one but was interested and done extensive research on it. gunsamerica.com has several posting for sale.
These are the only two I know of. The Ruger is the only bolt rifle for 7.62x39 and the review on it was quite good. About 1.75 to 2 MOA. I don't personally own one but was interested and done extensive research on it. gunsamerica.com has several posting for sale.
Steve Smith
New member
Tune the ammo to the rifle...not the other way 'round.
I agree with bogie's post as well. Since I've been reloading, I've decided that shooters who want to shoot more and shoot accurately but don't reload are just plain stupid. I can't make it any simpler than that. If that hurts someone's feelings out there, I'm sorry, but your Federal Gold Match at $22 a box is no better than my "Steve's Gold Match" at $4.80 a box. So, G23 to avoid stupidity, you should REALLY look into reloading. Granted, that 7.62x39 Russian stuff is cheaper than reloading, but it won't give the accuracy, either. I think trying to find a rifle to accurately shoot Wolf (or any other brand) is going about it the wrong way. Tune the ammo to the rifle, not the other way 'round. Every rifle shoots differently...there is no way anyone can look at a rifle and know whether it will be accurate or not. And besides, who's to say that the rifle will be accurate with a particular type of ammo? Rifles are finicky if they're anything at all. It could take several hundred dollars of different ammo brands and weights to find the perfect ammo for your rifle. By that time, you'd have bought a press accessories, components, and you'd be making your own,that were custom tuned to your rifle. Buying a rifle to match the ammo is like buying a car to fit some tires your "Uncle Eddie" gave you for helping him around the house. How do you find such a rifle? Considering finding someone who owns a rifle chambered in that caliber (rare) will let you shoot it and then sell it to you would be pretty tough. Dealers won't let you shoot a new rifle, so finding a known good one there is not possible. What happens if your favorite ammo manufacturergoes under, or is told that they can't import their ammo anymore? Then you're left with a rifle that's only as accurate as an SKS. When you pay higher prices for better "grade" ammo, you're buying consistancy. Consistancy = Accuracy. Making something consistant = more $$$. The Wolf stuff has NO consistancy...that's why its cheap. It doesn't need to be consistant, and you're not paying the company to MAKE it consistant.
You might as well choose a caliber that you LIKE, rather than something that's just cheap. Get into reloading, and buy some of the cheaper stuff to start off. Make the ammo consistant yourself, and that way you're not paying advertising costs for the ammo companies.
P.S. Lee's 35th Anniversary set is $74 through Midway right now...I think all you'd need after that is a set of calipers, a case trimmer, and a set of dies. Bogie's price list is correct on those items...You're looking at a total of less than $150 + components to get started, and the satisfaction alone will be worth that.
Remember,when it comes to stupidity, JUST SAY NO!
BTW, I also agree with Bogie on the rifle and caliber choice!
I agree with bogie's post as well. Since I've been reloading, I've decided that shooters who want to shoot more and shoot accurately but don't reload are just plain stupid. I can't make it any simpler than that. If that hurts someone's feelings out there, I'm sorry, but your Federal Gold Match at $22 a box is no better than my "Steve's Gold Match" at $4.80 a box. So, G23 to avoid stupidity, you should REALLY look into reloading. Granted, that 7.62x39 Russian stuff is cheaper than reloading, but it won't give the accuracy, either. I think trying to find a rifle to accurately shoot Wolf (or any other brand) is going about it the wrong way. Tune the ammo to the rifle, not the other way 'round. Every rifle shoots differently...there is no way anyone can look at a rifle and know whether it will be accurate or not. And besides, who's to say that the rifle will be accurate with a particular type of ammo? Rifles are finicky if they're anything at all. It could take several hundred dollars of different ammo brands and weights to find the perfect ammo for your rifle. By that time, you'd have bought a press accessories, components, and you'd be making your own,that were custom tuned to your rifle. Buying a rifle to match the ammo is like buying a car to fit some tires your "Uncle Eddie" gave you for helping him around the house. How do you find such a rifle? Considering finding someone who owns a rifle chambered in that caliber (rare) will let you shoot it and then sell it to you would be pretty tough. Dealers won't let you shoot a new rifle, so finding a known good one there is not possible. What happens if your favorite ammo manufacturergoes under, or is told that they can't import their ammo anymore? Then you're left with a rifle that's only as accurate as an SKS. When you pay higher prices for better "grade" ammo, you're buying consistancy. Consistancy = Accuracy. Making something consistant = more $$$. The Wolf stuff has NO consistancy...that's why its cheap. It doesn't need to be consistant, and you're not paying the company to MAKE it consistant.
You might as well choose a caliber that you LIKE, rather than something that's just cheap. Get into reloading, and buy some of the cheaper stuff to start off. Make the ammo consistant yourself, and that way you're not paying advertising costs for the ammo companies.
P.S. Lee's 35th Anniversary set is $74 through Midway right now...I think all you'd need after that is a set of calipers, a case trimmer, and a set of dies. Bogie's price list is correct on those items...You're looking at a total of less than $150 + components to get started, and the satisfaction alone will be worth that.
Remember,when it comes to stupidity, JUST SAY NO!
BTW, I also agree with Bogie on the rifle and caliber choice!
Poodleshooter
New member
I'd have to agree that you should learn to reload. As for the 7.62x39 cartridge, leave it where it belongs in AK's and SKS's. I have an AK that will group about 2-3" at 100yds. That's as good as I can shoot offhand with iron sights, so it really doesn't make much difference to me. For the accuracy and price you want, you'll have to step up to .223 or .308 in a bolt gun. Just out of curiosity, where are you getting your ammo prices from? .308 at gun shows can be much cheaper when it is bought less the shipping charged by internet vendors or the overhead premiums charged by gun shop owners.
Accurate and cheap?
You want a good, bolt 7.62x39?
Buy a 7.7 Jap arisaka rifle.
Have your friendly neighborhood gunsmith re-chamber it to 7.62x39. The way my friend explained his, I don't think he even had to remove the bbl, cut off existing chamber, re-thread, chamber and install.
His will hold 1.5-2" at 100 yards, with 110 gr. handloads.
You want a good, bolt 7.62x39?
Buy a 7.7 Jap arisaka rifle.
Have your friendly neighborhood gunsmith re-chamber it to 7.62x39. The way my friend explained his, I don't think he even had to remove the bbl, cut off existing chamber, re-thread, chamber and install.
His will hold 1.5-2" at 100 yards, with 110 gr. handloads.