7.63x39 in BOLT action rifles

Rule303 · October 15, 1999, 10:34 AM

I'm contemplating a Ruger M77MkII in 7.62x39. FWIW I believe the barrels are a true .308. Has anybody loaded for one? Is it worth fooling with 150gr projos? Anybody try cast bullets? Powder choices? Thoughts? TIA, R303.

BigG · October 15, 1999, 10:47 AM

I wouldn't be surprised, since I understand on good authority that the Ruger Mini 30 had a .308 bore rather than the correct .311 that the cartridge calls for. Hmmmmmm? My COLT AR15 is .311... Maybe all the COLT flamers should buy Rugers?

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Remember: When you attempt to rationalize two inconsistent positions, you risk drowning as your own sewage backs up... Yankee Doodle

zot · October 16, 1999, 12:27 AM

Blc-2 or H335 is what I use in a AK, both
ball powders that flow well with powder measures, I shoot a 160 gr. gas checked cast
lead bullet, full power, and Lee manual says
fps is around 2000 fps, I beleive its more like 1800, but yeah you might be able to shoot deep seated 180 gr. bullets with another powder for reduced loads, I shoot the same bullet with 10 or so grs of Unique
which won.t work the action but sounds like a light .38 special and still penetrates
cans and 4 inches of wood at 100 yards, its
my favorite plinking rifle cartridge, :]

tim · October 16, 1999, 08:38 AM

I own a ruger KM77MKII 7.62x39 bolt rifle and a mini-30. I wrote to ruger to find out the bore on both and it is .311 for the bolt and .308 for the mini-30.

Rule303 · October 16, 1999, 11:07 AM

Tim: I take it your KM77MKII is from the original run of 1992 or so. The current run is the ultra light with a 20" bbl as opposed to your 22". Having said that, I bet the bores would be the same. Pity, for there are far more .308 projos about than .311. I was also thinking of trying the sabot trick: the 7.62x39 being a very good candidate for this procedure. Thanks for the info. R303.

October 15, 1999, 10:34 AM	#1
Rule303 Junior Member Join Date: October 12, 1999 Location: NC, USA Posts: 10	I'm contemplating a Ruger M77MkII in 7.62x39. FWIW I believe the barrels are a true .308. Has anybody loaded for one? Is it worth fooling with 150gr projos? Anybody try cast bullets? Powder choices? Thoughts? TIA, R303.

October 15, 1999, 10:47 AM	#2
BigG Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,334	I wouldn't be surprised, since I understand on good authority that the Ruger Mini 30 had a .308 bore rather than the correct .311 that the cartridge calls for. Hmmmmmm? My COLT AR15 is .311... Maybe all the COLT flamers should buy Rugers? ------------------ Remember: When you attempt to rationalize two inconsistent positions, you risk drowning as your own sewage backs up... Yankee Doodle

October 16, 1999, 12:27 AM	#3
zot Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 1999 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 566	Blc-2 or H335 is what I use in a AK, both ball powders that flow well with powder measures, I shoot a 160 gr. gas checked cast lead bullet, full power, and Lee manual says fps is around 2000 fps, I beleive its more like 1800, but yeah you might be able to shoot deep seated 180 gr. bullets with another powder for reduced loads, I shoot the same bullet with 10 or so grs of Unique which won.t work the action but sounds like a light .38 special and still penetrates cans and 4 inches of wood at 100 yards, its my favorite plinking rifle cartridge, :]

October 16, 1999, 08:38 AM	#4
tim Member Join Date: December 16, 1998 Location: kent, wa Posts: 31	I own a ruger KM77MKII 7.62x39 bolt rifle and a mini-30. I wrote to ruger to find out the bore on both and it is .311 for the bolt and .308 for the mini-30.

October 16, 1999, 11:07 AM	#5
Rule303 Junior Member Join Date: October 12, 1999 Location: NC, USA Posts: 10	Tim: I take it your KM77MKII is from the original run of 1992 or so. The current run is the ultra light with a 20" bbl as opposed to your 22". Having said that, I bet the bores would be the same. Pity, for there are far more .308 projos about than .311. I was also thinking of trying the sabot trick: the 7.62x39 being a very good candidate for this procedure. Thanks for the info. R303.