7.62x39 Stevens 200 Bench gun, first range report

[R.W.Dale]

I've alluded to the fact in other threads that I was building a heavy barreled bolt gun in 7.62x39 around a Stevens 200 action. Well this weekend I finally got things put together and made it to the range for some break in time. All 5 shot groups except for one were fired through a squeaky clean bore except for one. It was fired through a fouled bore and was the best group of the day Measuring under 1/2 MOA:neener: None of the groups fired measured over an inch, which leaves me pretty excited as to whet this gun can do with more load development and a new trigger. Especially once my neck turning equipment arrives.

  The stats on the rifle are as follows

Stevens 200 SA that started life as a .223
Shilen Match bull BBL 26" 1-15" twist on a .308 bore chambered for 7.62x39
SSS recoil lug
ScoreHi benchrest follower.
Modified factory bolt head compliments of Dan Burnside
Choate ultimate varmint stock
Leupold mounts and rings
Leupold VXIII 4.5x14x40AO scope
Stock trigger


 In the velocity dept this bbl really puts it on my much shorter CZ527 carbine's tube
Loads that average 2325 FPS in the 18" CZ blast out at an impressive 2595 FPS from the Steven 200's 26" pipe. With a load that's 2grs from MAX:D

[nomosendero]

Interesting report, thanks. How close can you seat the Bergers to the lands?

[R.W.Dale]

Interesting report, thanks. How close can you seat the Bergers to the lands?

 I had the chamber custom throated. I can get both the v-maxes and bergers into the lands with a good bit of the bullet shank still inside the case.The v-maxes shot above were less than .015 off the lands

[kevthebassman]

Now this is interesting.  Benchrest accuracy with the humble and unassuming 7.62 Soviet.  Let us know how this goes!

[Brithunter]

Congratulations 

Even though I dislike plastic stocks I think I could get by with that one.

   Perhaps it's because I like odd balls that I find this whole thing appealing, bit like my 30-30 bolt gun. You proved the nay sayers wrong  .

[chutesnreloads]

Interesting project.While spending all that $$$  would love to hear how you decided on the 7.62x39.

[R.W.Dale]

Interesting project.While spending all that $$$  would love to hear how you decided on the 7.62x39.

 Actually the rifle build was a bargain compared to what building a remchester would cost ya. I bought a 223 stevens 200 NIB for $275 I then sold the OEM bbl and stock for $110, the replacement Choate stock only cost $180 and the shilen bbl and recoil lug was $340 lastly the bolt face mod was a freebie! for a total of $685 Or only slightly more than what a bargain basement on sale rem 700 varmint would have cost. For something completely to my tastes and totally unique.

 No gunsmiths were used in the building of this rifle also saving a fistful of cash

 As to why 7.62x39mm..... I just wanted one I like shooting great groups on the cheap in terms of bullets shots per LB of powder, brass and reloading die costs. I have a CZ carbine in this chambering and it gave me a taste of what this round can do. This rifle is everything I wanted the CZ to be. And while it may technically be cheaper to shoot .223 you just don't get the same satisfaction from a 22 that you get from a 30 caliber rifle.

 

[alan in ga]

Way to go,,,,great fun project. I bought [another] CZ 527 in 7.62 x 39 a few months ago. I've shot several of the 7.62 x 39s as a friend owns a custom gun company and buys a lot of CZs for custom rifles. Anyway I bought one because, well, as you say, I WANTED one. I"ve had dozens of rifles and own 2 12x36" metal lathes just for rebarreling whatever I want to. I was actually going to rebarrel this rifle to a 30 [308"] PPC just for the heck of it. Well, as some of us do,,I shot the carbine 'as is' and now want to keep it in the origional chambering and tinker with it some more. One thing I DID do was to take the barrelled action out of the walnut CARBINE stock since it has MORE DROP to the comb for use of the carbine's open sights. I have an extra CZ 527 walnut stock from a 22 Hornet American that was rebarreled to a 17 Ackley Hornet and put into one of the Kevlar CZ stocks. Now the 7.62 x 39 carbine is perfectly aligned for scope use. I removed the barrel and open sights, turned it in the lathe to remove the rear sight dovetail 'dog knot' so it was a perfect fit into the CZ American stock without having to inlet the slim forearm for the barrel knot. While off the action [boy are they on TIGHT!] I dialed in the muzzle to under 0.001" runout and cut a new angled crown. As good as the barrel shot before, it did have some burrs visible only under magnification. Have Lathe, Will Crown~!
A friend has a box of Hornady Vmax bullets made in .310" caliber just for this round. I have been promised a box of them for testing. Hornady made a limited run of them if I understand right.
Anyway,,,GREAT fun to read about your experiment. Here a 30PPC reamer has been made, but I am having too much fun with this factory barrel to pull it and replace it. Isn't it amazing how such a NON MAGNUM round can be so much fun. I've made mention before but will repeat here: My longest standing position kill shot at deer was made with a 4X scoped SKS at 125 yards. High straw grass made kneeling impossible. One shot, one nice venison doe. The 7.62 x 39 is very capable for deer in my opinion and experience.
Will watch your posts.

Projects in mind for consideration:
.308 PPC [reamer now purchased, used by others and VERY ACCURATE~!]
7.62 x 39 Improved [still .310 factory bore]. One question is: what would steel cased ammo do if fired in an improved chamber?
Longer barrel in same [you've done just that].

[beemanbeme]

That's quite a job on the bolt face. How did you do that?

RE: shooting steel case ammo in an AI chamber; I don't know that there would be enough give in the steel case to conform to the chamber. The case may well split which might lead to flame cutting.  I don't think I'd risk it in a custom chamber. IMO

[R.W.Dale]

More groups fired today With 110grn bergers

[chickenlittle]

Interesting build. I am starting to consider this cartridge for a deer rifle for my fiance. There are some nice but limited choices available off the shelf (CZ and imported Remingtons). Since I'd end up restocking something for her with a shorter length of pull, this might be a way to go for us. I have a few questions.

Can you comment on your choice of the .308 vs .311 barrel? I don't reload so I'm wondering if a .311 barrel would be a better choice or is there hunting ammo available with .308 bullets? Are .311 barrels easily sourced?

What machining had to be done to the bolt face?

Thanks,
CL

[R.W.Dale]

more results

Can you comment on your choice of the .308 vs .311 barrel? I don't reload so I'm wondering if a .311 barrel would be a better choice or is there hunting ammo available with .308 bullets? Are .311 barrels easily sourced?

.

 Match bullets and barrels sized for .310 and .311 are practically nonexistent hence the .308 bore