Has anyone considered rechambering AK-type rifles?

[shep854]

As I've looked over the "AK vs Boar" thread, I found myself wondering if any enterprising 'smiths have looked into chambering an AK-clone for something in the, say, .40s, to improve on its advantages as a brush gun.

I'm not hunter, so I don't know if something like the .444 is compatible, but I can see where something with more short-range punch than the 7.62x39 (which is pretty much equal to the .30-30 Win) would be dieirable in close cover.

given that such a rifle would have to overcome the AK "assault rifle" stigma, would it be practical?

 

[Jim K]

Reworking semi autos to another caliber is very tricky, and rebarrelling or rechambering is the least of the problems.

First, the receiver has to be of the right length. To use your example, the .44 Marlin case alone is longer than the 7.62x39 whole round, so the larger round would not fit in the magazine or into the receiver.

Then the round chosen has to have the right pressure curve to operate the mechanism without damaging the rifle. The pressure generated by, say, a .22 LR couldn't possibly operate an AK-47 gas system, and the pressure of a .378 Weatherby would destroy it. So semi-autos operate within a fairly narrow range of cartridge size and pressure.

FWIW, I don't think a caliber change would remove the "stigma" from the AK-47. That "stigma" was created by greedy gun dealers appealing to the loony fringe by advertising those guns as "assault rifles" (a direct translation of the the German "Sturmgewehr", applied to the StG.44). The "assault rifle" term did not come from the anti-gun gang, it came from our side, just like "Saturday Night Special". Had they called the guns "sporting rifles" we would have fewer headaches, but then they would not have sold as many guns, and that was the idea and to hell with everyone else.

Jim

 

[No4Mk1*]

I think a very reliable self loading high powered rifle would make an excellent gun to go into thick brush in search of wounded dangerous game. I have had a bolt action Mauser jam on me but never an AK.

 

[Zorro]

6 X 39 and 6.5 X 39 Wildcats have resulted in Ballistics quite close to the 243 Winchester.

I suggest commercialization of one of them.

 

[G.I.Jew]

Well, there are lots of big bore Ar-15 type rifles, so I would imagine that it would be possible to convert a SAR-3(5.56) to .458 SOCOM or .50 Beuwolf. However, I am not sure about the modifications that would be necessary to the gas system to make this work.

 

[chevrofreak]

How about a 9x39 AK?

 

[JShirley]

How about a 6.5x39mm, as Zorro said. I'm pretty sure one could find such a round.

John

 

[max popenker]

9x39 is a niche round;
if you want something close, i suggest a .35x39 or .338x39...

 

[iamkris]

Wait a second. The .30-30 is the quintessential brush gun cartridge. Brush gun doesn't mean "the bullet punches through brush"...all brush will deflect all bullets to some extent.

The classic "brush gun" is defined as a light, short handy carbine in a sufficiently powerful caliber with fast follow-up shot capability. That is typically defined as a Winchester 94 in .30-30...seems like an AK in 7.62x39 fits that bill quite nicely (minus the instant stigma associated with carrying an AK around in the woods)

 

[MrMurphy]

The Saigas are AK actions chambered in .308, among other things. They use the slightly longer RPK action for that.


You're going to get funny looks for hunting with any military rifle regardless of who's country it came from. Most hunters are gonna eyeball a guy hunting deer with an FAL a little.......

 

[Skofnung]

7.62X39s coming out of SKS rifles have dropped many a big boar (and almost anything else for that matter) around these parts. It makes a good "brush round."

iamkris made the right point. It is not for punching through brush. People shouldn't shoot through "brush" to begin with. If I can't see my target, I don't shoot. If there is a bush or a tree limb in the way, I wait for my quarry to show itself. Not doing so is a prime reason for hunting "accidents."

That said, wildcatting an AK could be fun. It would be expensive though, and I thought the point of the AK variant is to be an inexpensive bullet squirter...

 

[Dr.Rob]

That new EAA Saiga in 30-06 would certainly be cool... but I doubt it's "light".

I have a few friends that hunt with a Remington 742, I think there were a small number made in .35 Remington, I know the 760 was.

I'd bet a beefy saiga action could be made in .458 but again, you'd end up with a rifle that wieghed a ton if it fired the full power ammo.