The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

Wasper · March 6, 2011, 05:42 PM

The first problem with rechambering a Russian M44 for 7.62x51 or 7.62x39 is that the 7.62x54r has a rimmed case. The cartridges in question are both rimless. This would require modification of the extractor & bolt face. Second, the barrel would need to be set back or rebarreled. The 7.62x54r bullet dia is .312, &7.62x51 is .308 and 7.62x39 is .311 so accuracy would probably suffer. Add to that the question of whether or not the new & shorter cartridge would feed reliably from the magazine. This is not my specialty so I'm sure there might be other work involved as well. The cost of the work (if feasible) would be much more than the $100 rifle is worth. I'm sure Mr. Keenan or one of the other pro's on this forum can go into more detail about the feasibility of such a project but like I said, it would run more money than the M44 is worth.

March 6, 2011, 05:42 PM	#3
Wasper Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Posts: 56	The first problem with rechambering a Russian M44 for 7.62x51 or 7.62x39 is that the 7.62x54r has a rimmed case. The cartridges in question are both rimless. This would require modification of the extractor & bolt face. Second, the barrel would need to be set back or rebarreled. The 7.62x54r bullet dia is .312, &7.62x51 is .308 and 7.62x39 is .311 so accuracy would probably suffer. Add to that the question of whether or not the new & shorter cartridge would feed reliably from the magazine. This is not my specialty so I'm sure there might be other work involved as well. The cost of the work (if feasible) would be much more than the $100 rifle is worth. I'm sure Mr. Keenan or one of the other pro's on this forum can go into more detail about the feasibility of such a project but like I said, it would run more money than the M44 is worth.