308 to 7.62X54R and other questions

[watchdog]

First excuse my ignorance, I searched and couldn't find what I was looking for, but imagine it has to be here, so sorry, I am new, and will learn.

I am interested in getting a 308 H&R, I am looking at the new handigrip as well as the survivor. I have heard that the survivors can't do barrel swapping, is this true?

Also could a 2nd 308 barrel be reamed to run 7.62X54R effectively? Would I need to modify the ejector? Any help or links would be appreciated. I am not new to firearms but am brand new to h&R, break action and single shots. 

[Darreld Walton]

Without having chamber specs right in front of me, I've gotta guess...so, here goes a WAG.  I'm not entirely certain that you'd get a .308 chambered barrel to clean up and give a 'good' 7.62x54 chamber.  I know you could use a .30-30 barrel and achieve the results you want.
The SB2 frame will handle the round, and yes, you'd have to modify the extractor.  Can't answer your question about stainless/plated receivers and the accessory barrel program.
Biggest question I personally have (and I KNOW there's gonna be a ton of responses that pretty much state I just don't have a clue), is WHY?
The surplus ammunition is not necessarily really good stuff, other than it can be inexpensive.  It is loaded with a steel cased bullet that's .311 diameter, is loaded with corrosive ammunition, and the steel cartridge case is Berdan primed.
Wouldn't it still be WAY more cost effective just to pick up a Mosin with a decent bore to fiddle with? 
Forgive me, but I still have no use for Commies, nor their combloc crap. 

[gcrank1]

The objective is?
If its to have that cartridge, well.......
If its to have a rimmed 30cal., do the 30-30 and handload it to better ballistics with aerodynamic bullets than the factory, tube feed stuff. You could even do an 'improved' chamber, if you just gotta do some reaming (30-30 A.I. maybe?).

[Spanky]

I'd like to have a 7.62x54 Handi too. There's some good soft point hunting ammo on the market and it's cheap. I've been thinking about sending a 223 or 22 hornet barrel to Wayne to have the work done.



Spanky

[1NEFsofar]

I'll +3 on wanting a 7.62x54R.

[watchdog]

I'd like to have a 7.62x54 Handi too. There's some good soft point hunting ammo on the market and it's cheap. I've been thinking about sending a 223 or 22 hornet barrel to Wayne to have the work done.



Spanky

Who is Wayne and what does he do? Does he ream/rechamber barrels? Sending this to someone would be easier for me.

[Troyboy]

7.62x54 is almost a rimmed 30-06. The better question would be why not? I can not say for sure but I would think the .308 chamber would clean up. A rechamber would be less than a rebore and rechamber.

[wtroger]

You can't do it with a 308 win I just measured it won't clean up the shoulder. The 308 is bigger a the shoulder  A 30-30 would clean up. But you still have the .308 verse .310-.311 bullet issue. Pressures would be up in a .308 barrel although Ruger did it all the time with the mini 30. Realistically there is a lot of soft point 308 win ammo out there for a reasonable price from the same importers. And spending $300-$400 for a rebore and rechamber to 7.62.54r just to shoot some cheap ammo doesn't make a lot of financial sense to me. I can buy an awful lot of 308 win for that kind of money. But if that is what you want go for it.

[gcrank1]

IIRC I 'heard' a story about a guy shooting .308s out of his Red-Gun at a range; he said the ammo fit so, of course it was 'right for it'. 
I certainly do NOT endorse this behavior, but if it is true, a .308 chamber 'should' clean up in a ream job.
But since a .308 is 'almost' a 30-06 too, why bother? Because the ammo is cheap? Is it as cheap and perform as well as good handloads?

[srussell]

if you reload go on and do the 30-30 barrel to 762x54. then you ll have a. 308 diameter re barrel

[Spanky]

I'd like to have a 7.62x54 Handi too. There's some good soft point hunting ammo on the market and it's cheap. I've been thinking about sending a 223 or 22 hornet barrel to Wayne to have the work done.



Spanky

Who is Wayne and what does he do? Does he ream/rechamber barrels? Sending this to someone would be easier for me.

Wayne York of Oregunsmithing. He was a site sponsor here and has done alot of work for site members.
He does rebore/ rechambers.



Spanky

[handishooter]

David White does offers a rechamber service for the .308 barrel to 7.62x54r, he will only do it on the .308 barrel not on the 30/30. I have never used his services but I have seen a couple of the barrels he has stubbed and the work seems to be of very high quality. Another option would be to get a 7.62x39 barrel and have it rechambered. It is my understanding that there are still a few barrels available through the barrel accessory program but they are not listed on their website, you must call and ask.

[bikerbeans]

watchdog,

attached are the cartridge drawings for the 308 Win & 7.62 x 54R.  I didn't look to see if your rechamber might work.  You would need to do a chamber cast of your 308 Win to verify the actual dimensions, should also slug the bore to see that diameter and decide if a .311 steel core bullet is going to work out.

BB

[Jimbo47]

Two words,.... Mosin Nagant!

But to each his own?

[Dixie Dude]

What about a .303 British?  Little more powerful than the 7.62x54 Russian.  Ammo might be higher though.  .303 Brittish can be blown out straight to make brass .410 shotgun shells. 

[ironduke2]

I used a 7.62x39 to do mine. Bob

[gstewart44]

I'd like to have a 7.62x54 Handi too. There's some good soft point hunting ammo on the market and it's cheap. I've been thinking about sending a 223 or 22 hornet barrel to Wayne to have the work done.



Spanky

Who is Wayne and what does he do? Does he ream/rechamber barrels? Sending this to someone would be easier for me.

Wayne York of Oregunsmithing. He was a site sponsor here and has done alot of work for site members.
He does rebore/ rechambers.



Spanky

Does Wayne do .311 bores?   I thought about it for a .303 British but didnot see that listed at his website?    Boy I sure would love it if he does.....