Cheap bolt-action rifle for the 7.62X39?

Status
Not open for further replies.
P

peacebutready

Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2011
Messages
1,026
Location
South West
CZ has a bolt action for the 7.62X39 Russian cartridge. Howa has one as well. Both are not inexpensive. The attraction of these rifles is the cheap ammo. I'm surprised a manufacturer has not come out with a cheaper bolt-action chambered for the 7.62X39. I guess they would sell. Anyone hear anything about why a budget bolt-action rifle doesn't exist for that caliber or if there will be one coming out in the future?

Zastava made the M85 but it doesn't seem to be around anymore, not to mention there have been issues with that model.
 
I would assume guys buying guns just for cheap ammo would usually go for a semi.
The case size/length is different enough to require its own bolt face milling or bolt head, and magazine boxs/followers...or the gun has to be a dm that takes ar or ak mags....since pretty much all this has to be made from scratch and cant be cobbled together from existing parts. it would be hard to make a low cost bolt gun for a limited market.

The only gun on the market that i could see being easily convertable atm would be the Mossberg MVP, all you would need to do is open the bolt face and change the barrel.
 
If you get it to work that MVP should fit the bill nicely. I have played around with one in 223 a bit, the 16 inch version with iron sights on it. Shot well, good for what it is. Action was not like a smooth hunting style rifle, but I think the type of magazine and feed setup make it that way. Not bad by any means, and I would love to have one in 300 blk or 762x39.
 
I agree. Except I'd like a Russian cowboy... lever action 7.62x39. 16" barrel. I think it'd make a great ranch/brush gun
 
I've heard lots of good stuff about those CZ carbines (forgot the model number) in 7.62x39 and they look real interesting. CZ claims they can even handle the steel case ammo with no problem. But they don't fit into budget rifle territory, was the MSRP on them someplace around 6-7 hundred ? I forgot but I still wouldn't mind having one, as I hear they are real shooters and I already have 7.62x39 dies, cases, and bullets.
 
I have the zastava gun (minimauser, remington 799, etc) in 223. I can't recommend it. I got it work work eventually, and it is pretty and accurate with the right bullet weight, but the bolt is super sloppy and rough, there wasn't enough handle clearance for a scope, the magazine follower bound badly, and there are no parts available if you say, lock up an action screw bedding a rifle for the first time ever.

nice blueing, and a good adjustable trigger though.
 
The main reason that I can think of for the lack of a budget rifle is that the gun manufacturers don't believe there is enough of a demand. The round it self isn't all that spectacular of a performer either. If you want to shoot cheap, reload.
 
I agree that there just isn't any significant demand for a bolt action 7.62x39. There is nothing stopping Savage from making a $300 Axis in this caliber if they thought there was a demand.
 
theblakester said:
I agree. Except I'd like a Russian cowboy... lever action 7.62x39. 16" barrel. I think it'd make a great ranch/brush gun
Click to expand...

You really want to put pointy bullets in a tube magazine? Most lever actions are hamstrung by limited bullet selection that can be used safely in tube magazines, and most surplus ammo does not fit the bill.

One other option if you want a cool project. Get a POS Mauser and use a Rhineland Arms kit to convert it to 7.62x39.
Look about half way down this page.
http://www.troupsystems.com/mauser45kits.htm


.
 
zaitcev said:
This thread had a few others mentioned, in addition to Howa and CZ:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/7-62x39-bolt-rifles.561019/

Aussie M10A
Remington 799
Bars-4-1
Savage Scout

This was before the recent wave of Howas in 3 action lengths. If I wanted one though, I'd just get a nice SKS.
Click to expand...

The Remington 799 was discontinued, I think due to issues related to quality or reliability. The Bars-4-1 is expensive. The previous version of the Savage Scout was available in the caliber but was not cheap.

I like the CZ 527 but it's more than I care to spend right now.

Thanks for the forum link.
 
MAKster said:
I agree that there just isn't any significant demand for a bolt action 7.62x39. There is nothing stopping Savage from making a $300 Axis in this caliber if they thought there was a demand.
Click to expand...

The Axis uses the same receiver for short and long actions. the 7.62X39 is even shorter than the .243/.308. It may be too much of a stretch to use the Axis length receiver for the 7.62X39.
 
How well does steel cased ammo extract in bolt actions? It almost requires a mallet with my Mosin, but how much better is a new rifle?

There's still some corrosive 7.62x39 floating around, and corrosive primers sneak into current production ammo every now and then.

The manufacturers might not want to deal with abused barrels.
 
I had one of the Remington 799s and after less than 100 rds the extractor broke and of course no replacement parts. Fortunately the shop took back the rifle and I purchased a CZ 527 much nicer rifle. You might want to check around for a Ruger M77 MK II used there were runs made for Davidson's in both blue and SS
 
highlander 5 said:
I had one of the Remington 799s and after less than 100 rds the extractor broke and of course no replacement parts. Fortunately the shop took back the rifle and I purchased a CZ 527 much nicer rifle. You might want to check around for a Ruger M77 MK II used there were runs made for Davidson's in both blue and SS
Click to expand...

The Remington 799 was made by Zastava. There was also Zastava's branded one. It's unfortunate they couldn't make it reliable. With the other 7.62X39 bolt actions going for more than a small amount of money, they could have undercut those prices and maybe sold many.

Zastava makes the M70A, M88A, and M57 pistols.
 
I really have no idea why the Ruger American Ranch wasn't chambered in 7.62x39 I think it would sell a ton and be a great little rifle.

There may not be enough demand for that caliber in a bolt action only because not many people have ever shot that caliber in a bolt action. My Savage 10 in 7.62x39 is regarded by everyone who shoots it as one of the best rifles they have ever shot. Every single person I've let shoot it falls in love with it. Accurate as any rifle I own (MOA or better all day long with even the cheapest steel case ammo) and just the right amount of recoil for a deer rifle.

The obvious rifle would have been the American Ranch, instead of the (IMO) stupid .300 BO bolt action. But nobody asked me.
 
Sort of reminds me of the old Savage/Stevens bolt action rifles in 30-30 Winchester. Accurate, not much to look at, but they never did sell very well. Shame, that.
 
again major issue is the bolt face and mags, the .223s a given in any budget gun line up, so the 300aac is a easy option that adds some variation with little expense....even if those stumpy heavy headed rounds nose dive in some mags....


honestly I'd love to see a cheap tube gun gun type upper that replaced the BC with a simple sleeve with a bolt handle attached that held standard ar bolts, barrels, and handguards. Even if the uppers run 150 whole gun could be built for 400 or less, using ar mags and lowers...if I had any machining skill and tools, it would be a project I'd try.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
7.62X39 bolt action
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
shevrock
S
T
  • Locked
  • Poll
M85 vs CZ-527
Replies
9
Views
4K
greyling22
greyling22
N
  • Locked
7.62x39 bolt action finally getting some legs
2 3 4 5 6
Replies
132
Views
16K
jtmaster6
J
sappyg
  • Locked
The other 7.62x39 bolt gun
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
sappyg
sappyg
O
  • Locked
Bolt Action .223, 5.56, or 7.62x39
Replies
24
Views
3K
Hizzie
H
Back
Top