Author Topic: 7.62x54R anyone? (Read 812 times)

merwin · « **on:** January 12, 2005, 10:32:24 AM »

Hello everyone.

I've been thinking about a 7.62x54R conversion with an existing 30 caliber barrel like a 30-30 or a 7.62x39 when they become available. Between the abundance of cheap surplus and availability of good Lapua brass it could be a lot of fun (I have a Mosin Nagant already but it's just not the same....). I expect that I would have to watch the pressure issue with surplus due to bore size however.

Don't know if a reamer wold be available or if the rim size would be an issue.

Is this a feasible conversion? Has it been done?

Thanks for taking time to read my post.

PS
I've tried a search but keep getting errors...

Buckeye · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2005, 01:32:15 PM »

You better stick with the 7.62X39 conversion, Bore Dia. is .310-.311 with the 7.62X54r. same as the 7.62X39.

MGMorden · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2005, 01:58:36 PM »

Quote from: Buckeye

You better stick with the 7.62X39 conversion, Bore Dia. is .310-.311 with the 7.62X54r. same as the 7.62X39.

If H&R uses a .311" bore on their 7.62x39 barrels. Ruger used .308" bores on their early 7.62x39 guns. Accuracy was bad, but the gun will function.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2005, 02:46:20 PM »

I stole your thread merwin and posted on gunsmithing about it. If it doable and the price is right I may have to order two 7.62x39 barrells.

Dose the maddness ever end? :-D

Lets hope not :twisted:

Big Blue · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2005, 03:26:58 PM »

While a 7.62x54R Handi would be nice to have, I can't see the cost. I could have 2 or 3 Mosin Nagant rifles for the cost of the Handi, not to mention the cost of a conversion barrel. If you were to make these rifles today, they would have to run $1000.00. They are that well built. I love Handis, but they aren't built like a Mosin Nagant. For 7.62x54R, they have to be my only choice.
Don

merwin · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2005, 04:19:18 AM »

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Waiting to see the the bore size on the 7.62x39 was one of my primary considerations. I'm not sure what to expect since all the other 30's have the same twist rate (all the same barrel blanks contoured and chambered differently). Cost of manufacturing will obviously need to factor into this.

Don, I most certainly agree regarding the economics of the Nagant but this is a "want" rather than a "need" as many such projects are prone to be.

I suppose patience is the first order of business until the 7.62x39 barrel specs are released.

fish280 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2005, 05:38:26 AM »

i have two m-44 mosin-nagants. love 'em. got two handi's, too. i think a handi in 7.62x54r would be a far better choice than the 7.62x39. here's a curiosity for you: the old-fashioned lee loaders in 7.62x54r sizes for a .308 bullet, NOT the .311. so, you could go the .30-30 route, rechamber, bag you a lee loader OR get lee or rcbs or redding or somebody to twist you up a custom .308x54r die set. you'd have to do some ejector work, too.
OR you could re-chamber/re-ejector a .30-30 to .30-40 krag and get 7.62x54r ballistics. if nef were to chamber for the 7.62x39 or 7.62x54r, i'm thinking the .303 british wouldn't be far behind. in fact, even though i no longer own a lee-enfield of any stripe, i'd be all over a handi barrel - or whole rifle - in 303 british. it and the krag, in my view, are the perfect handi big game chamberings 'cause they got that wonderful rim. but until that happens, i'm gonna handload my .30-'06 handi to 30-40 krag/303 british ballistics, not that it doesn't shoot rem factory core-lokt ammo just fine. mid-levels pressures/ballistics and the handi seem a match made in single-shot/ejector heaven. :lol: