Author Topic: 308 to 7.62x39 (Read 1012 times)

Awf Hand · « **on:** June 27, 2006, 05:55:32 AM »

Hey all,

Who would sell the bolt face and extractror pieces that I'd need to properly convert a Savage 11 from .308 to 7.62x39?

Thanks in advance!

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2006, 07:10:09 AM »

That doesn't strike me as a very practical conversion. The current barrel has a 52mm chamber and you're wanting to convert it to a 39mm chamber. You'll have to chop a good deal off the chamber end of barrel and rechamber and cut new threads for the barrel. Unless it's a straight untapered barrel it will no longer fit the stock. Are you going with a new barrel?

Awf Hand · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2006, 07:18:41 AM »

Yes GB this is getting a completely new (med/heavy-weight) barrel with the chamber cut to 7.62x39. I left a lot of details out as to why, and how, I'm doing this. I'm just starting to look for the needed bolt items.

Thanks,

gunnut69 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2006, 07:24:43 AM »

GB's right about the barrel. It would have to be replaced.. As to parts, Brownells, Midway and even Savage carry replacement parts.. Although I don't know if you'd need to replace the bolt head.. the 7.62 Russian short is between a standard and a 222 Rem casehead diameter but would likely work with the standard if the extractor can reach the extractor groove. The barrel will have to be replaced and would most likely be a custom job as I've never seen a Savage replacement in the Russian cartridge.. My guess would be that by the time you're done it would have been cheaper to buy a used CZ527 carbine in 7.62 Russian short..

Awf Hand · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2006, 09:10:43 AM »

Okay the full scoop is this. I needed to come up with a gunsmithing project that I and my wife's 84yr old (retired machinist) grandfather can work on for a Friday eve through Sunday morning project. The conversion will create a rifle that will suit my needs, and have low recoil for grandpa to enjoy when he visits and shoots it.

We will be doing the cutting, threading, crowning, and chamber-reaming on a .308" barrel blank with a 1:10 or 1:12 twist. My first thought was to do a 308x1.5" Barnes, but I can get a chamber reamer and the gauge set for the 7.62x39 from a friend. I thought it would be fun to have a low capacity cartridge which could shoot my .308 lead bullets accurately. The loads/loading density on the shorty is right about where I want it for my best loads for the 196gr truncated cone, gas-checked bullets.

By my math we will have $130 into the Shilen blank (w/ my FFL discount) and about 20$ into the bolt face. I always get my buddy a little something (another 30-40$ in cash or microbrews) for loaning me the reamer and gauge set. -Last year grandpa and I built a 32-40 by cutting and stubbing a Handi-rifle.- The rest of our "costs" will consist of working side-by-side for several hours in grandpa's shop.

How many of you guys would pay 130$ + 60$ for a weekend spent with your grandfather doing something you're both interested in? He got to shoot the 32-40 a couple of weeks ago (he lives 6hrs away) and asked me then what our next project would be. I told him I had some thinkin' to do, -but I was down to 3 or 4 different ideas. That got his attention!!

Our last project was a trigger-stoning jig, where you slip the trigger onto a pin and can change the sear engagement angle by turning a set-screw, and stoning the surface that is exposed. That works very well, but was only good for about 2 hours of chatting, er, uh shop time.

My initial thought was to (buy and) open the .223 Rem. bolt head up until it could accept the 7.62x39's head.

It's more about the journey, rather than the destination. Sure I could buy a CZ or Tikka or a barrel for one of my Mausers already chambered in 7.62x39, but I don't want to.

Grandpa raised 7 children when he got home from WWII (Navy Pilot) and I want to spend time with him before he's gone. Sitting around drinking beers doesn't work for him (or me) as he's gotta be teaching, working, and thinking to feel conversational. On top of that, every one of his seven children (wife's 6 uncles and 1 aunt) told me how much grandpa loved working on that (32-40) rifle with me. It gave him something to think about, a reason to clean his shop (you could eat off his floor when it's messy), and something to REALLY look forward to...-shooting it!

I have until early October to put together the plans and components needed for this project.

Does anyone have thoughts on the proper way to make my bolt head fit a 7.62x39? Grandpa's no gunsmith, but he knows the "wrong" way when he sees it!

tryit · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2006, 12:32:49 PM »

Awf Hand, I have the same problem with my Father. He loves the projects that I come up with. We built a couple of rifles one in 25-20 and another in 32-20. They came out quite well and we had all sorts of fun building. He often calls me and asks if I have any other projects that I have started. I bought two cast actions from Rodney Storie and bought blue prints for both. We build the Stevens 441/2 first and it came out beautiful. Before I left I placed the second action a cast Winchester high wall and the prints on his chair he takes coffee every morning. He has studied the prints and has began to fit the block. I get calls every night as to the progress he has made and I visit as often as possible. I have a Ballard cast action now and I plan to suprise him on the next visit. It is well worth the money to get such good time with my father and we get some guns out of the deal. Tryit.

bluebayou · « **Reply #6 on:** June 27, 2006, 04:05:00 PM »

Sharp Shooter Supply sells a bolt head for the 6mm PPC which is the same case as the 7.62x39.

http://www.savageshooters.net/sharpshooters/FactoryParts.html

Nobade · « **Reply #7 on:** June 27, 2006, 04:14:55 PM »

They also sell a longer extractor that lets you use the factory .308 bolt head with 7.62x39. They recommend not using the ejector with it, though. For fun you could also bush the bolt face to make it really fit properly, it wouldn't be tough and would add some conversation time to the project.

grousehunter · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2006, 05:18:06 PM »

My ACCOLADES to you!!!!!!! I wish my grandfather were still here to do these things with! Keep it up as long as he or your father is around! It is something you will never regret!!!!!!!!!

Mikey · « **Reply #9 on:** June 28, 2006, 11:46:01 AM »

Why don't you just e-mail MCA Spsorts and see if they have 7.62x39mm chamber adapters for the 7.62x51mm round. Insert the 39mm round into the adapter and chamber the adapter like a regular cartridge. I think they make them and I believe I read a recent article about that. This would sure save you a lot of time, effort and $ and give your Granddad something to play with right off. Mikey.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 28, 2006, 08:05:18 PM »

I'd give more than a few hundred,, My paternal was gone before I was born and my maternal passed when I was old ehough to know him.. and Dad was not the kind to get friendly with.. I had an uncle though who sorta saved my bacon.. I totally understnand. Rather than buy the PPC head I'd bush the 308 one. It'll add to the time spent.. Have a grat weekend.. I envy you.

gunnut69

tallyho · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2006, 09:15:31 PM »

Awf Hand, as my Australian friends would say "Good on ya mate!" :agree:

I 'get' the the desire for connection time with your grandfather-in-law. Building a rifle together is the icing on the cake.

I am sure I am not the only one on the forum who has a bit of envy for you. And in my case there's an extra dash of it because I have been a pilot since I was 17 (a long time ago) and have always made heros of any WWII pilot (or any aircrew) I encountered throughout my life.

I hope my son and grandson (haven't got one of them yet) treat me the way you treat your grandfather-in-law... and I trust I have enough to offer them that they want to hang out and 'converse' with me!

Cheers
Kerry

Awf Hand · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2006, 02:25:30 AM »

It sounds like most here understand why I'd rather take the long way 'round and not just buy a 7.62x39 shooter ready to use. Grandpa is a great guy, and I hope these will be the first few of MANY projects with him. :grin: Our range/shooting time is spent with earplugs in and doesn't provide either of us with much companionship.

My gunsmithing questions:

Can I buy the bolthead (from Midway or Brownells or whoever) for the .223 and open it up to the 7.62x39 base diameter? They're 19$ vs. 55$ for the ready to use one from SavShooters.

Do I then buy the extractor from the, referenced in this link, (GREAT site by the way!) supplier to fit the PPC line, or is there another way?

I like to "make projects" and we both like to make shavings, but I don't want to have an extractor that won't work or fabricate/modify one for hours that could've cost 10$. :oops:

Thanks all again!

Nobade · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2006, 03:15:06 AM »

You could either bush the one you have and not have to buy a bolt head at all, or buy a .223 one and open it up. You can either make the extractor if you have a way to heat treat it, or buy one from Fred at SSS. Tell him what you have and he'll sell you the right one. He has 2, one for a opened up .223 bolt and one for a .308 bolt. If it were me, I'd just do the whole deal at home and not have to buy anything.

Awf Hand · « **Reply #14 on:** June 29, 2006, 05:04:10 AM »

Thanks Nobade!

Heat treating would be a problem for us. We have access to a lathe, a vertical mill, assorted grinding/polishing tools and a take-out menu from one of the best Chinese restaurants around.

I'll contact SSS today!

Thanks a bunch, ALL of you guys! I may have other questions prior to our October project weekend, and I'll be sure to let everybody know how it turned (no pun there) out. :grin: