Author Topic: Help me understand wanting a 7.62x39mm? (Read 3023 times)

carbineman · « **on:** January 30, 2011, 12:54:36 PM »

While it has surfaced that there are some extra 7.62x39mm barrels left, with all the problems that surfaced with those trying to fire steel cased ammo, and the caliber being discontinued, why would you want one when the 30-30 will do everything a 7.62x39mm will do only better, with cheaper and more plentiful and readily available ammunition.

Wouldn't you be better off with a 30-30?

cwlongshot · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2011, 01:02:32 PM »

Personally I have had a couple in my hands and passed on them. Generally the guys who have them, love them. They reportedly, shoot very well.

But you are correct, they are a bastard size and they really truly don't do anything a 30-30 doesn't do better. BUT, this is a slippery slope, as thinking this a way will eliminate many of the calibers available to us today.

Between my 32-20 and my 30-30 I have it covered...

As I have said many times, with a 22RF, and as long as you hand load, a 223, 30-06 and a 12Ga will do anything 99% of what any sportsman could or would need...

So do your part and help the economy,

order one up and see what you think!!!

CW

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2011, 01:08:50 PM »

Be careful as you are asking ?? that number of bbl's on hand is slipping away. Kurt

bigbird09 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2011, 01:16:26 PM »

They stop making 7.62x39 ammo? or just the barrels? I'm still finding 7.62x39 wolf ammo cheaper and more plentiful than 30-30 around me. (just checking to see if I need to stock up on sks ammo. THANKS!)

Levi

manatee1947 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2011, 01:23:54 PM »

If you do not understand, you may not understand........ this is my rifle, there are many like it, but this one is MINE.
It is kind of like my wife. We have been married for 35 years. There are any number of women who can do what she can. I do not love her because of what she can do, but because of who she is. She is the ONLY person who IS her. ( I know, grammar)
I personally want a 32/20, or a 327. Because that IS what I want. I would find it odd if there were nothing that you want. So, what is it that you WANT ? Whatever it is, I understand. Have a good day.

carbineman · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2011, 01:26:50 PM »

Quote from: bigbird09 on January 30, 2011, 01:16:26 PM

They stop making 7.62x39 ammo? or just the barrels? I'm still finding 7.62x39 wolf ammo cheaper and more plentiful than 30-30 around me. (just checking to see if I need to stock up on sks ammo. THANKS!)

Levi

Nope the ammo is still being made and lots of it. The steel cased ammo is what is problematic in a Handi. FTF FTE problems were commonplace with steel cased ammo. That was the reason they discontinued the new rifles from what i can tell. If you have to purchase brass cased ammo you might as well purchase 30-30 as you can get it in several different bullet weights.

I'm for making all the different calibers in Handi's and don't want any discontinued or done away with. I'm for making more calibers that are not available now. I'm just wondering with all the problems why one would want one in 7.62x39mm? Unless there is brass cased ammo available at the 30-30 price. Around here you can still buy 30-30 for 10 to 14 dollars per 20 on sale.

Yak Angler · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2011, 01:28:18 PM »

The surplus 7.62x39 ammo is way cheaper than 30/30 or any other centerfire ammo in my area $ 250.00 for 1200 rounds works out to 20.8 cents per shot. Other than the price difference i would rather have the 30/30 but it is $1.00 per shot roughly around here so the price savings is substantial when i compare the two.

petemi · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2011, 01:30:12 PM »

I was fortunate enough to find, thanks to members here, a brand new 7.62x39 and got it home. It is beautiful in it's matched, nicely grained pallet wood stock and forend, and dumps bullet on bulllet at 100 yards.

Yeah, I've got a 30-30 Handi too, and it also is wonderful. If you don't reload, you can shoot the Russian/American a lot cheaper than the .30-30.

Just my thoughts,

Pete

gendoc · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2011, 01:47:47 PM »

for the real low-down.... read my last post on dinny's... "which post" a few posts down.
and its no-brag, just fact !!!!

Littlepage · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2011, 01:53:07 PM »

yugo 7.62x39 surplus can be bought for 24 cents a round. brass case, berdan primed, corrosive. made by Prvi Partizan

Dinny · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2011, 02:13:10 PM »

Quote from: petemi on January 30, 2011, 01:30:12 PM

I was fortunate enough to find, thanks to members here, a brand new 7.62x39 and got it home. It is beautiful in it's matched, nicely grained pallet wood stock and forend, and dumps bullet on bullet at 100 yards.
Pete

I remember that rifle, it is truly a beauty! Now I wish I would have bought it but, much like right now, I didn't have the funds so I did the next best thing...tell my friends.

Thanks, Dinny

xhare · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2011, 02:23:30 PM »

If there is one thing I don't, it's question another person's gun choice. My gun choices will have some logic and reason involved, but are also based on the "something different" factor. In fact, if a gun does not have some quality of different, it probably won't find a place in my case.

Spanky · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2011, 05:50:10 PM »

We'll start seeing some of these new found 7.62x39 barrels on the classified's here pretty soon. Guy's will be spouting on about how rare and desirable they are and asking $200 or more for them.

I've got a 7.62x39 and two 30-30's. I'll take the 30-30's any day.

Spanky

Dinny · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2011, 06:00:45 PM »

Quote from: Spanky on January 30, 2011, 05:50:10 PM

We'll start seeing some of these new found 7.62x39 barrels on the classified's here pretty soon. Guy's will be spouting on about how rare and desirable they are and asking $200 or more for them.
I've got a 7.62x39 and two 30-30's. I'll take the 30-30's any day.
Spanky

+1 for that!

Spanky, you can send me your x 39 anytime now. I'll give it a home where it is more appreciated.

Thanks, Dinny

Spanky · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2011, 06:03:38 PM »

You don't want mine Dinny... it's a Rossi.

It is a pretty good shooter though.

Spanky

Dinny · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2011, 06:05:20 PM »

Quote from: Spanky on January 30, 2011, 06:03:38 PM

You don't want mine Dinny... it's a Rossi.
It is a pretty good shooter though.
Spanky

You're right, I'll pass on a Rossi.

Thanks, Dinny

tmccray45 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 31, 2011, 01:59:20 AM »

While some don't appreciate the 7.62x39 and prefer the 30-30, I'm in the opposite camp.

Don't get me wrong - there's nothing wrong with my 30-30 Handi. It's accurate, it swings well, it doesn't punish me.

HOWEVER, my 7.62x39 Handi is just better. It makes me shine as a shooter. If I HAD to choose and could only take one into the field, there would be no hesitation on my part. It would be the 7.62x39.

Now, I have to stipulate that I hand load the 7.62x39. I don't believe I have ever pumped any Wolf down the barrel and maybe that's the reason for my success.

So to the original poster, I'd advise you to get your 7.62x39. Mine is the best Handi of the bunch and I've got 10.

And, that's why we have horse races - you can bet on the bay, while I can bet on the chestnut.

petemi · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2011, 02:30:45 AM »

The Newberry, MI Sprtsmans Club sponsored the annual Maki Predator Challenge from Jan 21st til yesterday. I didn't hunt it because I had two very serious and dedicated friends hunting it on my land. They can take out more yotes in a day than I can in a month, so I just stayed home and out of the way. But....today, it is over. I haven't heard the results yet, but the 7.62x39 and I are taking a stroll to see if we can find any leftover coyotes.

And yes, I'm pleased to say mine is a wonderful rifle......among my best. Having owned three Russian SKSs in the past, I can safely say the Handi shoots much more accurately and somewhat harder.

Pete

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2011, 01:17:19 PM »

Yes Spanky the days of 5 cent Cokes and 85 cent gas have gone away just like the $80 used bbl

Kurt

Deerhunter#1 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 31, 2011, 02:50:14 PM »

Well i just sent in for one of those found barrels. My thought process was based on the recoil. I will reload for it and my youngest will use it as her first 100 yard deer gun . Was going to use the 22-250 but this falls between the 250 and 30-30 with recoil and I am confident that the 125 grain bullets will do the job under 100 yards. So as others have said never to many calibers I have 223,22-250,270,7mm-08 and the new one coming. Only question is What to get next?

Dinny · « **Reply #20 on:** January 31, 2011, 03:06:18 PM »

Quote from: Deerhunter#1 on January 31, 2011, 02:50:14 PM

So as others have said never to many calibers I have 223,22-250,270,7mm-08 and the new one coming. Only question is What to get next?

With stubbing, rechambering, reboring and the list of available calibers, your possibilities are endless.

Thanks, Dinny

jather · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2011, 04:21:09 PM »

ok, got it. this round not exactly desired based on relative performance. sound logic. sure makes me feel foolish for paying a pretty penny for a 22 rem jet topper barrel recently. boy, do i have egg on my face.!!! regards, jather...

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2011, 04:42:34 PM »

My x39 came out of the box so accurate that it is one of the few bbl's that I did not polish and like Tim's .223 mine shoots Factory Ammo (American Eagle 123gr SP) so close that I can not even begin to think of how I can improve with hand loads. Although Stimpy says Sierra Pro Hunters are the ticket. I even bought a box of Wolf just to make sure that it was bad and was 4 for 4 on FTF. Have not ever had a FTF or FTE with the Federal Eagles. Kurt

Littlepage · « **Reply #23 on:** January 31, 2011, 04:48:56 PM »

Were the FTF problems due to the hard berdan primers?

Spanky · « **Reply #24 on:** January 31, 2011, 05:25:16 PM »

Quote from: PHATINJUN on January 31, 2011, 01:17:19 PM

Yes Spanky the days of 5 cent Cokes and 85 cent gas have gone away just like the $80 used bbl Kurt

I'm way too young to remember 5 cent Cokes and 85 cent gas.

The only reason used barrel prices are so high is because some people are foolish enough to overpay for them. Remember the two 7.62x39 rifles that were listed on here a while back? I think they were both listed at $425 or $450 and said to be "rare as hen's teeth". That's kind of pricing only hurts the market.
I think $100 is a fair price for a used barrel in excellent shape and no modifications. Just my opinion and most won't agree with it... that's OK.

Spanky

fredster22 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 31, 2011, 06:16:28 PM »

I have two 762x39's. One is a Handi that I purchased thanks to Dinny, the other is a 12"
Bullberry Contender barrel. Both are are tight bored .3094 in the H&R and 308 in the TC &
both are extremely accurate with a load that I got from Gendoc. Both are a pleasure to shoot
by me and my family. Bought a couple 100 commercial S&B and Hansen and have used them
for reloading since no problems. 7-8$ box, 30-30 has gotten insane like everything else around
here. I have two 30-30's also but don't see that much difference for what I use them for.
Spanky, do you think that 160 is a bargain for barrels(NEW)? The price for lightly used barrels
is not that bad if you you don't have to put up with all the BS. Try and buy the 7x57 I just got
cheap though some would say who needs it if you got a 7mm-08. As they say Beauty is in the
eyes of the beholder.

Spanky · « **Reply #26 on:** January 31, 2011, 06:35:04 PM »

Quote from: fredster22 on January 31, 2011, 06:16:28 PM

Spanky, do you think that 160 is a bargain for barrels(NEW)?

No.

Spanky

petemi · « **Reply #27 on:** February 01, 2011, 02:21:49 AM »

Sitting here and meditating on this thread, I think I'm gonna pass on another 7.62x39. 160 for the barrel, and at least a hundred I have in the frame, makes it 260 without the wood. If I recall correctly, fredster, myself and another member bought the complete rifles new for less than that. I bought Wolf steel cased ammo at Dunham Sports a while back on sale for under six bucks a box. I had no stuck cases or FTFs......and it is accurate in my rifle.

Dinny, thanks for the clue on that rifle. That was superb of you.

Pete

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #28 on:** February 01, 2011, 04:50:25 AM »

Thats one of the reasons I always say a bbl or a gun is worth just what you can get someone to pay for it. How much do you want it? I have probly over payed by some folks standards for several rifles and bbls here . But to me to have in my stable they were worth it to me.I Like to play with differant flavors and these fit the bill. 17HMR versa Pack, 22Rem Jet, 7.62x39, 7x57 Mauser, 7x64 Brennekke and now the Shikari. I did get lucky on the x39 though IIRC I got it out the door from Gander for $217. The best part of this is that the Hen's teeth are nearly all in my stable now. With just a few that I am looking for . Anybody got a National Trapper Assotiation .223 they are looking to get ride of

I say buy the bbl cause in 2 yrs folks are gonna be saying "sure wish they would find some more of those lost bbl's" just like the stocks and all steel hardware like in the past Kurt

Sourdough · « **Reply #29 on:** February 01, 2011, 06:19:41 AM »

I shoot nothing but handloads, so cheap ammo does not mean anything to me. With ballistics comperable to a 30-30, why bother with a 7.62X39. No good for anything bigger than Deer, so I'll never need one.