Best 7.62x39 platform? ACCURACY and reliability.

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

I recently made a decision to get a REAL 7.62x39 rifle. I have a Romanian WASR 10. This thing is a flimsy stamped sheet metal JOKE. Its NOT accurate. I'm interested in getting a nice rifle chambered in this caliber.

I build ARs and tried my hand at a 7.62x39 platform once. As many others who have tried this, it didn't work out so well.

I have a ton of AK mags and parts, but am not opposed to passing them off if a different platform is better (more accurate and solidly built) I have several thousand rounds of 7.62x39 so am very interested in sticking with this cartridge...

Unless you feel a different caliber would serve me better?

I have a couple AR15s: A PSA Freedom and an AR556 I traded my SR556 for (I got cash on that trade) BUT Im wanting a bigger caliber for defense/SHTF.

I'm in the process of building an AR10 but would also like the option on keeping my 7.62x39.

Considering an SKS and Mini 30 platform.
any advice on this subject would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[frankenfab]

I think SKS's are great. But a large factor in 7.62 X 39 accuracy is the ammo. Surplus is not intended to be accurate, but you can handload with the correct diameter projectiles and fix that.

Never had a Mini-30, but a hear they are better accuracy wise than they used to be.

To me, the ultimate is the SKS that takes the AK mags. I had one, and stupidly sold it.

 

[toysoldier]

An SKS properly bedded, with a little (easy) work on the trigger, can be very accurate. Mine is. Simple, sturdy, reliable (if you avoid the AK magazine conversions). A 5-round magazine fits flush, and lets you carry the rifle at its balance point. Makes a great deer rifle.

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

Kinda leaning towards the SKS already, 2 in favor of it so far, looks promising...

 

[WAYNO]

And I'm on my second Mini 30. Very acceptably accurate. Flawless function. Problem is, not all the Mini's like the Berdan primers found on Commie-Bloc steel cased ammo. If you're planning on shooting quality ammo, with brass cases and Boxer primers, the Mini 30 is a good choice.

WAYNO.

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

Been pricing SKS and Mini 30 rifles. Prices are all over the board, but I can get a mini 30 for just a tad bit more than an SKS...

When did SKS prices go stupid crazy?

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

And I'm on my second Mini 30. Very acceptably accurate. Flawless function. Problem is, not all the Mini's like the Berdan primers found on Commie-Bloc steel cased ammo. If you're planning on shooting quality ammo, with brass cases and Boxer primers, the Mini 30 is a good choice.

WAYNO.

I have several thousand rounds of that ammo of which you speak.

My AK is more "pray and spray" and eats it right up.

I'm looking for something more accurate.

I can find a mini 30 in the 700 range
The SKS prices are stupid now, lol. Like $500+

 

[WAYNO]

And I'm on my second Mini 30. Very acceptably accurate. Flawless function. Problem is, not all the Mini's like the Berdan primers found on Commie-Bloc steel cased ammo. If you're planning on shooting quality ammo, with brass cases and Boxer primers, the Mini 30 is a good choice.

WAYNO.

I have several thousand rounds of that ammo of which you speak.

My AK is more "pray and spray" and eats it right up.

I'm looking for something more accurate.

I can find a mini 30 in the 700 range
The SKS prices are stupid now, lol. Like $500+

Further...My first Mini 30 ate up any and all steel cased ammo I put in it. Second Mini 30, roughly 20% fail-to-fire with steel cased ammo. Just didn't like the hard primers. I know I can install a heavier mainspring, just never got around to doing it. :mrgreen:

WAYNO.

 

[martyj]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=480960142
These are very good ones with FEG Hungarian receiver. Will last you a life time.
If you want a really good one Arsenal Arms is the best and they are accurate.

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

That AMD is in the right price range, I have shot one before at a buddies place, it wasn't much more accurate than my WASR...

 

[mikem2]

Mini 30. Change to a hogue overmould stock. Basic optic. Likes wma and wolf ammo with no firing or cycling issues.

 

[frankenfab]

An SKS properly bedded, with a little (easy) work on the trigger, can be very accurate. Mine is. Simple, sturdy, reliable (if you avoid the AK magazine conversions). A 5-round magazine fits flush, and lets you carry the rifle at its balance point. Makes a great deer rifle.

The AK magazine guns I'm talking about weren't converted. We always called them "Paratrooper SKS" but I'm not sure if that is the correct nomenclature. They were carbines, that could be bought for $189.00 20 tears ago. Wonderful machines. They are about $800.00 now on GB, when you can find them.

 

[volshooter]

SKS all the way! Have several, some from 30 years ago. With open sights and surplus ammo I can bust cinder blocks right at 300 yards. I have harvested many white tail deer using the SKS with soft or hollow point, both easy and cheep to buy, out to 125 yards.
I also have a AR in that round that will not produce same results. AR costs 4 times what any of the SKS's I own.
In my opinion, the SKS is the only platform the 7.62x39 is 100% reliable and accurate with factory ammo. I have started dozens of youths with the SKS. Great little surplus rifle with cheep ammo that will get the job done if you do your job. Outstanding unmodified rifle to hunt with for deer under 150 yards.

 

[frankenfab]

I meant to say "years" and auto-correct made it "tears". I'm gonna leave it at that, because "tears" is accurate also.

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

They can't be imported anymore?

 

[Mobuck]

"I build ARs and tried my hand at a 7.62x39 platform once. As many others who have tried this, it didn't work out so well."
More specifically, what was the problem(s) you encountered with the 7.62x39 AR? I currently have 3(2 factory and 1 home built) that seem to be OK.

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

"I build ARs and tried my hand at a 7.62x39 platform once. As many others who have tried this, it didn't work out so well."
More specifically, what was the problem(s) you encountered with the 7.62x39 AR? I currently have 3(2 factory and 1 home built) that seem to be OK.

Issues with reliably feeding the next round after extraction of prevous round. Accuracy seemed to suffer when the upper receiver got hot.

Which factory units do you own that exhibit good traits? I MUST know!

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

They can't be imported anymore?

Nope.

Government by Executive Order...

EO 13662

All Russian AKs and Saigas are banned along with all imported ammo for these firearms...

It's targeted at Russians, but drives prices of everything else up.

ETA:
I'm under the impression that this ban was broadened beyond Russia, but my attempts to find a link keep blowing up my browser.

Well I have several thousand rounds of Wolf and Tula ammo. Stuff runs great usually. If I can find a better (more accurate/durable) platform that's not a "rattle trap".. I'll be pretty happy

 

[xtratoy]

Back when my eyes were younger I could put 3 shots into 1"@ 100 meters with my SKS and the iron sights with cheap Norinco ammo. I had the trigger lightened and smoothed up. I never had any problems with reliability with my SKS.

 

[cruzerlou]

As a rule an SKS will out shoot an A.K. unless you want to spend the money my an Arsenal milled A.K. one great option is the CZ527 bolt action in 7.62x39.
High quality rifles and cone with Timely single set triggers and with hand loads are more than accurate enough for hunting .
One thing to keep in mind is that so far as I'm know all SKS/ A.K. 's have a bore diameter of .320/311 and I think the CZ does too.
Last time I checked there was only one bullet manufacturer making a .311 bullet which limits you to using .308 bullets .that 4 one thousands difference will have a huge impact on accuracy.
I'll do a quick search to find out who makes a hunting bullet in .311 and post it.
Lou

 

[cruzerlou]

Srear makes one bullet, a 123 gr Spitzer soft point with 0.31 diameter but they don't say if its a .310 or 311 that won't make that much difference.
Seriia makes 4 ,a 125,150,174 and 180 all .311 .The 125,150 and 180 are all SPFB bullets the 174 is their Match King.
Hornady makes 4, in .310 , the SST, Z MAX S.P.F.B and a FMJ all!in 123 gr.
So you have more choices than I did ten years or so ago.
There may be more out there but you should be able to find one of these that will shoot good out of what ever rifle youchoose.
The CZ is in their youth rifle line and retsils at $733.00 but their very nice guns .
You can add a thicker recoil pad if the leinght of pull is too short for you.
I've done some shooting with one of these and thing they make a great brush gun for deer sized game.
Lou

 

[Mobuck]

I had a Colt A-2 that was as accurate as I could shoot with open sights BUT it required a specific bullet in brass cases to do so. I traded it for an Olympic that shoots decent groups with common Hornady SST ammo and not too bad with European stuff. I assembled one using a Red-x(?) barrel that is OK-hasn't been shot with handloads to see what it really is capable of. The newest is a Hardened Arms upper which has only been test fired a few times with Wolf ammo to assure function. I sort of sidelined the 7.62x39 project when the 300BO hit my doorstep and haven't spent much time on it lately. That doesn't change the fact that the platform works.
I'm not saying that 7.62x39 AR mags are as good, strong. or cheap as AK mags but there are AR mags that feed the 7.62 properly.Feeding is no problem with C-Products mags and some (can't remember brand) of plastic 10 rounders. I got some "frankenmags" with the Colt but sold them as soon as C-P came out with their mags.

 

[Mega Twin]

Model 77?

 

[Blackmore]

VZ2008. A pound lighter than an AK even with a milled receiver. When they developed the VZ58, the Czechs were giving the middle finger to the Soviets - we can make a better rifle. One of the builds that Century did right. Love mine!

$399.99 with free shipping at PSA through Sunday - http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...-rifle-vz2008-2-mags-cleaning-kit/category/4/

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

As a rule an SKS will out shoot an A.K. unless you want to spend the money my an Arsenal milled A.K. one great option is the CZ527 bolt action in 7.62x39.
High quality rifles and cone with Timely single set triggers and with hand loads are more than accurate enough for hunting .
One thing to keep in mind is that so far as I'm know all SKS/ A.K. 's have a bore diameter of .320/311 and I think the CZ does too.
Last time I checked there was only one bullet manufacturer making a .311 bullet which limits you to using .308 bullets .that 4 one thousands difference will have a huge impact on accuracy.
I'll do a quick search to find out who makes a hunting bullet in .311 and post it.
Lou

Gonna do some research on this CZ527

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

VZ2008. A pound lighter than an AK even with a milled receiver. When they developed the VZ58, the Czechs were giving the middle finger to the Soviets - we can make a better rifle. One of the builds that Century did right. Love mine!

$399.99 with free shipping at PSA through Sunday - http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...-rifle-vz2008-2-mags-cleaning-kit/category/4/

A buddy of mine was telling me about this recently. He was trying to find one online but it looks like you nailed it.

Yep, these are milled, solid, and rate/review a LOT higher than the AK.

I'll have to trade off my AK mags but this may work. Hopefully they are more accurate.

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

Model 77?

Wasn't aware of one in 7.62x39. I'll have to check it out.

 

[Heliman]

I would go with the SKS hands down for reliability. Bought a Norinco SKS in the 90's along with 1000 rounds of Russian steel cased ammo. I shot about 450 trouble free rounds through it with out cleaning. Sold it and the ammo for about triple what I paid in lieu of the Y2K scare in '99. It was accurate enough for pinking, but not on par with my Mini 30. Just my experience....

Dave

 

[Rabon]

The best AKs made are the Bulgarian Arsenals with the milled receivers, they started producing stamped guns a few years back and many prefer them. The Chinese guns have often been called the Rolls Royce of the AKs, the good ones are extremely collectable and can never be imported again under any circumstances (Poly Tech Ledgends) as well as many others. If you want accuracy as well as reliability you could look at the VEPRs.

 

[volshooter]

I bought my first Chinese SKS in Atlanta long ago. It was wrapped in heavy brown paper and completely encased in heavy grease. The salesman said "take it home, clean it with hot water and oil it, then load it with a stripper clip and throw a hand full of dirt into the chamber, and shoot it. If it fails to function I will give you your money back". I did as he said. I heard 5-6 empty shells hit the ground after the first full mag. I was sold. I still have that first one. Changed the stock to fit us bigger Americans.

Only problem was when I fired bout 500 rounds of surplus ammo and forgot to clean it. Next time I shot it the firing pin stayed out on the first shot and emptied the mag like a full auto. Unexpected but fun. Yes I did examine the cause, manually pushed the firing pin back, reloaded and emptied another mag.... or three. Simple cleaning corrected the problem.

I paid $89 for a unused SKS and 500 rounds of ammo. In 97-98 you could still get one for way less than a C note. November 99 they were fetching $400-500. I didn't sell any. May they rest in peace....