Re barrel a rifle to 5.45X39...how costly?

Te Anau · April 16, 2008, 11:57 AM

If I were to stumble across a Remington or Savage with a bulged barrel or some other barrel issue,and could get it cheap,how much would it cost to re barrel it to the AK-74 round of 5.45X39?

Scorch · April 16, 2008, 12:47 PM

There will be two main issues to deal with:
* The bolt face- head size on the 39mm rounds is smaller than the "standard" head size of .470" (30-06/308 size), so you would have to find a 223 Rem rifle and have a smith rework the bolt. Sounds moderately expensive.

* Bore size- 5.45X39 does not use a standard .224" bullet, it uses a .219" bullet IIRC. This means a custom barrel from someone who is willing to make a one-of-a-kind barrel. Sounds very expensive to me.

Perhaps the best option would be to buy a rifle in 7.62X39 (Rem 798 or CZ)and have it rebarreled to 22 Waldog or 22 PPC, which use the 39mm case but use a .224" bullet. Or just shoot it as a 7.62X39 and enjoy.

Te Anau · April 19, 2008, 08:58 AM

Sounds $$$$$!.Oh well.

April 16, 2008, 11:57 AM	#1
Te Anau Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2004 Location: Somewhere south of the No Posts: 3,824	Re barrel a rifle to 5.45X39...how costly? If I were to stumble across a Remington or Savage with a bulged barrel or some other barrel issue,and could get it cheap,how much would it cost to re barrel it to the AK-74 round of 5.45X39? __________________ "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." --American author Mark Twain (1835-1910)

April 16, 2008, 12:47 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	There will be two main issues to deal with: * The bolt face- head size on the 39mm rounds is smaller than the "standard" head size of .470" (30-06/308 size), so you would have to find a 223 Rem rifle and have a smith rework the bolt. Sounds moderately expensive. * Bore size- 5.45X39 does not use a standard .224" bullet, it uses a .219" bullet IIRC. This means a custom barrel from someone who is willing to make a one-of-a-kind barrel. Sounds very expensive to me. Perhaps the best option would be to buy a rifle in 7.62X39 (Rem 798 or CZ)and have it rebarreled to 22 Waldog or 22 PPC, which use the 39mm case but use a .224" bullet. Or just shoot it as a 7.62X39 and enjoy. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 19, 2008, 08:58 AM	#3
Te Anau Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2004 Location: Somewhere south of the No Posts: 3,824	Sounds $$$$$!.Oh well. __________________ "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." --American author Mark Twain (1835-1910)