[BattleRifleG3]

Does anyone use this caliber at all? I've considered looking into reboring an SKS or AK and wonder if anyone has experience with the cartridge. Accuracy Systems Inc rebarrels Mini-30s for it, but that's a little pricey for me.

 

[JohnD]

never heard of it but it would make one heck of a defence round when loaded with hollow point ammo.

 

[BattleRifleG3]

My reasons exactly. Less penetration, higher knockdown. Ability to use the variety of 9mm, 357, and 358 caliber bullets available. All it would take is rebarreling or reboring.

 

[JohnD]

but where do you get Brass/dies or factory ammo?

 

[BattleRifleG3]

I was hoping someone here might know that too. I 'd assume you'd adapt 7.62x39mm cases. Dies may be expensive. But, after the initial expenses are done, reloading costs would be normal.

 

[JohnD]

expanding them to 9mm would weaken the brass too much I would think. I thought the germans had something like 9X33 or something like that, that was before the 7.62X39 was invented.

 

[J.A.]

No one is going to touch a chrome lined SKS or AK barrel to rebore it. The chrome lining will eat up a lot of drill bits. A new barrel will be your only option. Then you will have to have it turned on a lathe to match the several different diameters of the ouside of a SKS or AK barrel. Check your rifle notice how the largest diameter is the shank that goes into the receiver/barrel trunion. Then it is smaller in diameter to the gas block,then smaller still to the front sight and smaller at the muzzle.
The Germans in WW II used a 7.92x33mm cartridge in their Mkb-42 and this is what the Russians used as a model for the 7.62x39mm. Sizing a 7.62x39mm up to .350x39mm would be no problem as all the people using 30-06 cases to make 35 Whelen don't have a problem.
The Russians are making a 9x39mm rifle now.
http://www.gunsworld.com/ak/as_val_us.html

 

[Big Dog]

J.A. makes a good point about the chrome bores. Sounds like a good project for a Yugo SKS, as it has no chrome lining. The added weight up front with the grenade launcher/sight also would tame the added recoil of the heavier bullet. The Yugo stock is also heavier and stronger than the Chinese version. With the gas-valve, you might also work up an adjustable system to tune it for your load. Just a few more ideas. (I like the Yugos.)

 

[lefty o]

if you did a yugo sks you might like to consider the 300whisper. just rechamber. no reboring/new barrel( i think), and the cartridge is slowly becoming more available. just a few points to ponder.:assult:

 

[BattleRifleG3]

Yep, it was the Russian 9x39mm cartride that inspired me. And yes, I was thinking of the non-lined Yugo for that application. Only problem is installing enough US parts to do the other things I'd want to it. Anyone know if reboring would kill its C&R status?
And anyone know if TAPCO's US made piston will fit? The tube won't.
Funny thing is that reboring it would cost more than the rifle itself. The tough part would be deciding what grade of rifle to use. Being a project, I would think the lowest grade would be the way to go. But if I want it to be a quality piece after reboring, I'd want a higher grade.
Oh well. Not like I can afford it anyway. Or ammo for it.

 

[JohnD]

Its always the money. What is the reason for having it in 9mm again? It would definately overpenatrate anyway. Maby some fragmenting balistic tiped 7.62 would break up good enough for safe home use? Probably not though. Oh well we can always dream can't we.

 

[BattleRifleG3]

The thought isn't as much stopping in the intruder as stopping in the plaster and wood. The 9mm pistol bullets could include hydrashoks and hollowpoints, which aren't designed for wood-boring. Also, the 9mm bullets would have a much greater impact on the intruder. Not that 7.62 wouldn't, but a 9mm hydrashok travelling at 7.62 velocities would be quite an effective round. Not that I'm real eager to use it anyway, just something neat to have. Which is why I'm not sinking my last dollars into it.

 

[JohnD]

Do you hunt? My .270 blows 4" holes in the coyotes I shoot so at rifle velocity it real dont matter what diameter the bullet is. Anyway The bullet would travel through many houses at 7.62 velocity mabe only 2 houses instead of 3 or 4 or five with the 7.62

 

[BattleRifleG3]

I have yet to hunt, but definitely plan to when I get the chance. I'm hoping to do some penetration tests some time soon, because everyone has different ideas about what penetrates how much.

In any case, if I ever used a thirty caliber rifle for defense, I'd try to shoot at as low an angle as possible so that the bullet would go into the ground after the evil villain.

 

[JohnD]

Actualy bullets fired into game tend to not go where you expect. So you have never actualy shot a animal? What kind of hunting do you plan to do? White tail deer? Well I think the 7.62X39 is not the most ideal gun for the job but it works on midsize deer out to 100 yards. And shot placement is the key. Anyway I onece shot a coyoted from behind with a 7.62 fmj, Actualy it was my last round after my friend fired 5 soft point shells(runing shot) and hit it in the leg. All that was on me was 1 fmj. Well the thing was slowly getting away and Then I loaded the shell and fired well he died right there up one end and out the other more less.
I have shot some dear with the 7.62X39 and it works all of them droped on the spot but I like the .270 because it can handle the bigest of them and out to 400-500yards at that.

 

[JohnD]

Oh the penatration is not somthing to worry about even with a 7.62X39 as long as the bullet expands and will not fly apart it will go thrugh the vitals of most dear at any angle except when shooting from the rear. Use good soft points and not balistic tip or hollowpoint. Good luck and make the first shot count!!

 

[BattleRifleG3]

Actually, the 7.62x39 or 350x39 wouldn't likely be for much hunting. In Pennsylvania, you can't hunt with semi-autos. For hunting I'm planning to get a 300 Remington Ultra Magnum. For long range marksmanship, penetration tests, and other stuff, I'd use full loads. For Whitetail, I'd load down to 300 Win Mag or 30-06 levels.
The 350x39 (or 9x39) would primarily just be used on targets of all varieties, maybe for certain hunting expeditions, and if absolutely necessary, for defense.

 

[JohnD]

Can't hunt with a semi autos??? We can here in canada. You have a 300 rum? Would you not loose accuracy loading that down? Anyway I would use full power loads, just use a tough bullet that will not fly apart. You will not have much meat left if you use normal soft point ammo on a dear. Penatration tests? What are you planing to hunt? elephant? Explain these penatration tests more? Are you going to use balistic gel?

 

[Tony @ WCG]

.35x39 is nothing new. I built one for a guy almost 10 years ago. This one was built on a bolt action (mini mauser Mark X originally in 7.62x39). Dies were custom made by RCBS (big $), might also try C&H. Actually this is only a 100 yard cartridge, less power than a 35 Remington but still an interesting item.

 

[Mike southers]

The .300 Whisper is normally a .308 bullet. The 7.62 x 39 is .311. Some slop there.
The .357 bullets should expand enough to lose most of their velocity and energy in the bad guy. (9mm is .355, btw).
I would start with a high grade rifle. That way a new barrel, etc., wouldn't look out of place. Heck, the 7.62 x 39 moving that weight of bullet (125-200 grains) could make it a subsonic.
As for expanding the case neck, I have a .35 Whelen which is an '06 expanded to .357. Not much shoulder, but enough to headspace on. No problems with brass thickness in the neck.