Author Topic: 7.62x39 arrived (Read 3747 times)

Robert · « **on:** July 01, 2005, 06:22:01 AM »

I got my barrel yesterday. I have been waiting to see wheter I could use big bast bullets in it and also to try milsurp. So far....I tried cast 200 gr spitzers. These are seated just slightly below the shoulder, but are very light lods, so they worked just fine. I have not had a chance to test them for accuracy....still need to fine tune the scope. But I have some 123 gr spitzers ready for zeroing in. I tumble lubed some 175 gr Lee Round-nose bullets, and will try and load some up later today and see how THEY chamber. I think that they will probably be more accurate than the cast spitzer.
I also tried Wolf ammo, and none of it would fire. Someone was saying earlier that some of the Wolf ammo misfires due to having 'very hard primers'....that might be true...but I think most of the problem with this ammo is that the primers are set so deeply, they are actually rebated....quite a bit lower than flush. So I did not have the opportunity to test them for whether the laquered cases would get glued into the chamber or not.
When we bought this rifle, the previous owner had trimmed the end off the hammer to allow for the scope. (duh) I mentioned to NEF that I would like it replaced if it was easy to do....they did it with no extra charge...very nice. I used the same scope that was on the original barrel, and got it to fit perfectly with the same exact rings that were on it. The only problem was that the front bell was hitting the base, so I just bevelled the front of the base slightly so it would not touch. I still cannot understand why someone would cut off a HAMMER to fit the scope, rather than get proper rings and scope.....as it turns out he just did not know what he was doing. But I am very happy with my progress so far.
The exterior of the barrel is a little rough....not exactly pretty, it has faint tooling marks that look like 'lathe marks. I am not sure how they make these...I guess I was assuming that they were rolled.
Hopefully I will have time soon to get back to my shop and out to the range for more testing...But I DO Beleive that this barrel is going to be everything that I had hoped for.

myarmor · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2005, 07:03:38 AM »

Glad to hear you finally got your 7.62 Robert.
I know you have been holding out for a while. I believe I will wait from buying one for now.
I have heard all the same things about the Wolf ammo too.
But with hand loads you should be able to get some good stuff out of it.
Have fun.

click4spam · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2005, 02:37:14 PM »

robert . . .

interesting observation about the depth of the wolf primers.
i noticed that too. in fact i actually sorted out the rounds that
had "more or less" a flush primer -- those had a much higher
ignition rate than those which were seated deeper.

i haven't had access to anything but wolf and olympic
but at $7.00 a box for the olympic, i passed. hmm . . .
anyone have any 7.62x39 surplus they could take a look
at to see if the primers are seated more flush?

thanks for the post!

!!!!! update 07.02.2005 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i bought some of the greek brass-cased, 124 grain fmj
(olympic brand). turns out it was $7.00 for a box of 40
(a buck more per 20 than wolf in single box purchases).

the primers are crimped and virtually flush with the
bottom of the cartridge. IIRC these are boxer primed,
but the brass looks pretty crude. don't know if it be worth
trying to reload?

i won't be able to get to the range to test these for another
week . . . so if anyone gets a chance to try some olympic,
please post your news!

the "cheap" ammo project may still have some life left in it!

thanks for the post!

-- C4

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2005, 12:28:18 PM »

Robert, got a load for you when you get around to it. UMC cases, Win SR primers, .311 Sierra 150 Pro Hunters, and 27.5 grains of H 322. That's about a max load so use due caution. If it gives you groups even double what it's giving me in my CZ, you'll be one happy camper.

3006bluffhunter · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2005, 04:53:27 PM »

does it extract or eject

Robert · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2005, 05:16:44 AM »

It is an extractor. I am very pleased. Now if I could just get time to shoot.............

Longcruise · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2005, 06:08:52 AM »

The deep set primers seems to be tyical of the russkie ammo. I found that the silver bear, barnaul and wolf all to be that way. There is some south african stuff that was better but can't remember the maker. Had a spotted leopard pattern on the box.

ONE HOLE 4570 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2005, 06:48:07 AM »

I think that spotted box is cheetah 40rd box aprox $6 & is a brass case. Does fine in my semi auto don't have a 762x39 hindi

MtJerry · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2005, 09:25:51 AM »

This might be common knowledge already, but I suspect that primers on most "inexpensive/cheap/surplus" .762 ammo is due to the high possibility of slam-fires on AK's. They are notorious for slam-fires and I suspect the deep-seated primers are an attempt to prevent this.

Makes the case for reloading you own a better option.

Longcruise · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2005, 04:58:07 PM »

Quote

I think that spotted box is cheetah 40rd box aprox $6 & is a brass case.

Cheetah it is, and my apologies to both the Cheetah and the Leopard.

Quote

Makes the case for reloading you own a better option.

Yup, specially with a single shot rifle like the NEF. I have loaded some specialty ammo for my SKS, but it's not for rapping off like one does with the cheap russkie stuff.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2005, 04:40:37 AM »

What is the barrel accessory number for this barrel.

And is it a .308 dia or .311 dia barrel?

Several SKS owners would like to know as some have H&R rifles

Robert · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2005, 05:00:31 AM »

I can't find the number right now, I am on a different computer. But the bore is .310 with a 1 in 9.75 twist.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2005, 05:14:49 AM »

Robert

Thank you... I did find a previous post several pages back about the barrel and its number. I posted it over at http://www.surplusrfle.com forum area.

I may end up ordering one of these barrels myself, just to go along with the Russian SKS that my son got for my birthday. I'd swear this was locked away in someones safe somewhere.

Surprize to many, but my favorite cartridge starts with 7.62 not .458

Don't get me wrong the .458 has its place and merrit, but is not a good tactical cartridge

kombi1976 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 25, 2005, 05:31:46 AM »

Is NEF actually making these barrels in 7.62x39 as they aren't listed on the site?
If not, who is?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2005, 05:38:29 AM »

They are part #R03490, $82 plus $15 fitting plus $10 shipping. And yes they are making them, several members here already have them, Robert included!! :wink:

Tim

Cottonwood · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2005, 07:56:06 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo

They are part #R03490, $82 plus $15 fitting plus $10 shipping. And yes they are making them, several members here already have them, Robert included!! :wink:

Tim

Tim

Has the dia been confirmed as .310 or is this a .308 dia for the 7.62x39?

It seems that if the dia was .310 it should handle mil surp well. But I have read that Wolf is not so good. It seems that they H&R would have done much better making this for the US market using factory loads anyway.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2005, 08:17:00 AM »

Jon,

As Robert stated, they are .310 and this has been confirmed by H&R by email, whether they actually measure that, I don't know.

That's one caliber I don't have and don't plan on getting since apparently cheap milsurp ammo isn't going to shoot well in it according to this post...

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=65952&highlight=7+62x39

And I already have a .30-30!! :wink:

Tim

Cottonwood · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2005, 10:12:40 AM »

Well Tim, theres always the good ol 7.62 in just plain .308 that I don't think anyone has had a problem with then :-D

quickdtoo · « **Reply #18 on:** July 25, 2005, 10:29:03 AM »

Got one of them too, a Japan built BLR, made back when the BLR was nice handling and looked good, too!!!

Tim

kombi1976 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 25, 2005, 03:13:18 PM »

Kind of ironic that the desirability of the '39 in many circles is that it has plenty plinking mil-surp ammo available and yet the H&R won't really fire it successfully. :|
Between that and the wider range of bullets in .308 cal available to the reloader you may as well buy a .30-30.
Just my opinion though.
I hope the '39 works well for you.
Are you sticking to open sights or will you fit a low power or red dot scope to it?
What sort of game do you plan on hunting with it or is it a "play gun"? :wink:

Robert · « **Reply #20 on:** July 25, 2005, 04:21:06 PM »

Actually, what I have heard is that they do not recommend milsurp for any of their rifles. I guess I am just weird. This barrel is a dream come true...about 3 years in the waiting and narrowing it down to the 'perfect' project gun. Get a reloading press dude. Learn what real shooting is about.

Robert · « **Reply #21 on:** July 25, 2005, 04:25:53 PM »

P.S. I tend to agree. The venerable old 30-30 is still a miracle..always will be. It is cheap to shoot if you don't re-load....but.....a lever -gun brings out it's true beauty. Works pretty good in Contender too.

kombi1976 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 25, 2005, 06:09:55 PM »

Actually, I already have a press.
Makes ammo HEAPS cheaper here in Oz.
When prices for factory fullbore centrefire ammo usually begin at around $1 a round and you use wild cats(303/25) and military rounds SAAMI has castrated(8x57) it soon makes lots more sense to "roll your own". :grin:
Heaps more fun too...... :mrgreen:
BTW, are there other barrels that H&R/NEF have started making that aren't listed on the website? :|
Not that i'd have any access to them since I live outside the USA. :x :cry:

quickdtoo · « **Reply #23 on:** July 25, 2005, 06:21:56 PM »

204 Ruger, 500 S&W, 22-250 blued and stainless aren't on the internet list, I think thats's about it..

Tim

Longcruise · « **Reply #24 on:** July 26, 2005, 08:01:19 AM »

Quote

SAAMI has castrated(8x57)

They sure have.

Have just started loading for the 8X57 and would be interested in any recipes you may have tried. Loaded to saami specs, I can't get a load together that will cycle a Hakim regardless of gas adjustment.

Kmrere42 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 25, 2005, 03:48:12 PM »

Hi,

Picked up my new handi in 7.62x39 last week. The bore miked at .3103 with a 4 grove rh twist. I had a lot of problems with some misc, ammo including some russian surplus. I even had a misfire with winchester USA whitebox fmj's.

After sitting down and really looking things over I think that the misfire problem is that the firing pin does not strike out far enough when struck by the hammer.

Has anyone thought of removing some metal from the hammer where it impacts the frame. Seems to me that this would be a better option than trying to change anything else..

kombi1976 · « **Reply #26 on:** September 25, 2005, 04:26:12 PM »

Quote from: Longcruise

Quote
SAAMI has castrated(8x57)

They sure have.

Have just started loading for the 8X57 and would be interested in any recipes you may have tried. Loaded to saami specs, I can't get a load together that will cycle a Hakim regardless of gas adjustment.

Here's a couple, Longcruise.
I use ADI's AR2206H powder which is re-packaged by Hodgdon as H4895 so these loads will be the same.
Just keep in mind that they're about 5% off max and loaded for a M98.

170gn Speer Semi-Spitzer - 46gn H4895
180gn Nosler Ballistic Tip - 45gn H4895

Good luck! :wink:

myarmor · « **Reply #27 on:** September 25, 2005, 04:42:23 PM »

Quote from: Kmrere42

Hi,

Picked up my new handi in 7.62x39 last week. The bore miked at .3103 with a 4 grove rh twist. I had a lot of problems with some misc, ammo including some russian surplus. I even had a misfire with winchester USA whitebox fmj's.

After sitting down and really looking things over I think that the misfire problem is that the firing pin does not strike out far enough when struck by the hammer.

Has anyone thought of removing some metal from the hammer where it impacts the frame. Seems to me that this would be a better option than trying to change anything else..

Welcome to GreyBeards Kmrere 42 good to have you on board
I think you might be on to something. I don't have a 7.62x39 barrel but I"ve been following most of the threads about missfires like here.
How does yours shoot? Have you tried this yet?

JPH45 · « **Reply #28 on:** September 25, 2005, 05:14:13 PM »

Robert, I'm interested in hearing more about your cast experiences with your barrel, hope you'll post about how it is shooting for you, be brutally honest, I' could be interested in one myself, but I'm not interested in investing good time and money in a mediocre barrel.

Robert · « **Reply #29 on:** September 26, 2005, 05:15:28 AM »

So far, I haven't shot a lot of cast through it. I have mostly used Hornady 150 gr roundnose .308 bullets and 123 gr .310 bullets. I have only played with the cast bullets with reduced loads for close shots. They seemed plenty accurate, but I will need to take a batch to the range and see what they do on paper. I have been pretty busy lately with work and every spare moment has been with my lady....having a few problems and planning on a little time away from each other....so I will have the time soon to shoot more....plus the weather is cooling down finally.
P.S. I have not had ONE MISFIRE. I am pretty sure that it has been made clear on this forum that MILSURP ammo IS NOT RECOMMENDED in these barrels. I AM surprised that the Winchester White Box was a problem...most of the problem is with ammo that has recessed primers and/or very hard primers that are designed to help protect against 'slam-fires' in semi-auto weapons. If the primers are seated flush..and if the brass is sized properly for headspace, they should not be a problem. I have not taken any special care in seating my primers....just handle them like any other cartridge...and I have not had ANY problems whatsoever.