M77 Hawkeye Compact (7.62x39) Question

[craigcpa]

Am seriously considering buying one of these and have looked at the CZ527, but leaning to the 77. One question remains: do all the 77 models use rotary magazines? I see the 77/44 and 77/357 do, but don't see that info for a 7.62x39. Thanks for the answer.

 

[rangerbob]

FYI, the 7.62x39 Ruger uses an internal box magazine with a hinged floorplate. The Ruger uses a 308 size action. The CZ uses a true very short action for their 7.62x39 and a detachable metal magazine that protrudes from the bottom. The CZ comes with nice iron sights, the Ruger 77 does not. Bob!

 

[welder]

I had the CZ 7.62X39 and it was a great little rifle. Wished I had not sold it. The sights were indeed good and the bolt smooth as butter.

 

[dfletcher]

I have a CZ 527 carbine in 7.62X39 and find it to be very accurate, even with lousy steel cased ammo. I like the well polished steel and as mentioned the action is just the right size for the cartridge. The set trigger is nice but I hardly use it because the regular trigger can be adjusted. Nice stock too.

I mounted a 2 to 7X Burris scope on it and enjoy it quite a bit. If I don't feel like reloading I grab a bag of cheap stuff, that's primarily why I bought it, but I do reload with the .310 diameter Hornady 123 VMax.

 

[stmichps]

I too have been looking at the Hawkeye short action in 7.63x39 but not sure if I want to go this way or look at either the CZ 527 or the Zastava Arms M85 Mini Mauser?

While each has their advantages and disadvantages, I find myself leaning towards either the M85 or the Hawkeye. The Hawkeye being American made and some of the features that I would like (claw extractor, 3 position safety) that the M85 doesn't have. But then the M85 has the weight as well as the price advantage over the Hawkeye.

Seeing that I plan on having the rifle re-caliber at some point down the road to either .264 LCB or 6.5 Grendel and some other functional work like having the rifle converted to accept AK detachable magazines (5 & 10 rds) and the ability to be broken down. I don't know if it really matters if it comes with a 3 position safety or claw extractor as a push feed probably would work better with a detachable magazine?

I guess I'm here to ask your opinion and input before I go down a rabbit hole that someone else may have already travel only to find out that it not worth the effort.