While I'm glad to see the Ruger American chambered in 7.62X39, it doesn't interest me much as-is because the really cheap 7.62X39 ammo is no longer available. I'm talking about when it was about 50% to 75% of the cost of 223. Nowadays the cost of 7.62X39 is about the same as 223.
My real interest in the rifle lies in the possibility of re-barreling it to .357 Maximum. It's been suggested in another thread that the 77/357 could simply be re-chambered for the Maximum, but I'm not sure that's true. The Maximum is about 0.40" longer than the Magnum, with an overall max length of about 2". The 77/357 action opening is about 2.1" and the bolt travel is about 2.3". However, the ejector operates at an opening of about 1.8", so ejecting a loaded round would likely be a problem. And I don't believe the existing ejector could be "moved" (ground off) far enough back to work with a 2" long cartridge. Additionally, the magazine length is a major problem with the 77/357. It can handle cartridge lengths up to about 1.7" only.
The action of this new RAR in 7.62X39 is long enough to handle the .357 Maximum, and the bolt face is probably usable as-is also. The magazine would very likely be an issue however.
My real interest in the rifle lies in the possibility of re-barreling it to .357 Maximum. It's been suggested in another thread that the 77/357 could simply be re-chambered for the Maximum, but I'm not sure that's true. The Maximum is about 0.40" longer than the Magnum, with an overall max length of about 2". The 77/357 action opening is about 2.1" and the bolt travel is about 2.3". However, the ejector operates at an opening of about 1.8", so ejecting a loaded round would likely be a problem. And I don't believe the existing ejector could be "moved" (ground off) far enough back to work with a 2" long cartridge. Additionally, the magazine length is a major problem with the 77/357. It can handle cartridge lengths up to about 1.7" only.
The action of this new RAR in 7.62X39 is long enough to handle the .357 Maximum, and the bolt face is probably usable as-is also. The magazine would very likely be an issue however.