7.62x39 Advice

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  • Last Post 17 October 2018
Scearcy posted this 10 October 2018

I have a CZ 527 carbine inbound to my FFL cronie so it is time to think about loads. I have never owned a 7.62x39 before so I have no brass, dies, etc. I guess the good news is that I haven't made too many mistakes yet either.

This rifle does have a .311 bore. 

I know a few of you have devoted some time to this cartridge. Any input you have would be useful.

Jim

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RicinYakima posted this 10 October 2018

My CZ 527 is about 15 years old, one of the early's. It will shoot any of the cast 30 carbine bullets very well, except 311410, with 4.0 grains of WW231, Unique, SR4756, etc. If you don't mind loading one at a time, the 150-170 30/30 bullets work well, but depending upon the throat, the gas check will be below the neck. Any of the faster single base rifle powders seem to work well. I have never shot ball powders in it, so don't have any experience with that.

I find it a great walking around gun, very quite for the amount of power you get, pretty wood to look at and more accurate than I can hold offhand.

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Tom Acheson posted this 10 October 2018

I've always wondered how a bolt action in 7.62x39 would do in our CBA Bench Rest matches. For several years I shot a 30 Kern in an XP-100. I used Lapua cases but those use the large primer. The 7.62x39 is the parent case for the 30 Kern. Maybe re-form 220 Russian cases into 7.62 x 39?

The CZ website says the carbine weighs about 6-pounds (no scope). Seems like it would giving up too much (only a 18.5" barrel) to be used in Production but maybe could be used in Hunter category?

Has anyone used this gun in the CBA matches?

 

Tom

 

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GP Idaho posted this 11 October 2018

Well Jim, I'm not a competitive shooter and don't know a thing about what class the little CZ Mauser would fit into. I have owned one in 7.62X39 for a couple of years and will say that you'll enjoy your new purchase. These were built to use the inexpensive eastern bloc surplus ammunition and do very poorly if using .308 bullets especially cast. I've only fired mine with powder coated cast bullets and .313 or .314 work equally well for me.  Enjoy. Gp

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frnkeore posted this 11 October 2018

My only help, is with jacketed, 150 gr .311 spitzer bullets (303 Brit), in my AK. My best load was 25 gr RX7 (as it was called in the olden days ). It's still in the CB velocity range.

The powders that I'd suggest for velocity's in the 1600 fps+ range is, the above, along with 4227 and one that I think would excellent for this cartridge, Alliant 300 MP. It has a burn rate almost, in the middle, between 4227 and RX7. I think 18 - 20 gr would be a place to start, with CB's.

Frank

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lotech posted this 11 October 2018

I bought two (special run for Davidson's) MKII Ruger 77s in about 1992. I did lots of cast bullet work using about eight bullets ranging in weight from around 160 grains to maybe 210 grains. I'd have to look at my old notes, but I think most of the bullets shot accurately. The only one I use now is cast from the Lyman #314299. The mould has been hollowpointed and bullets weight right at 200 grains when cast of wheelweight alloy. I shoot these at about 1,700 fps. 

As for jacketed bullets, I've had good luck with many, but I prefer the heavier bullets designed for the .30-30. 

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 11 October 2018

as tom a. mentioned, those lapua x39 brass are little jewels ... but have large rifle primers ... might try large pistol primers just for fun ... they require a little tinkering to seat them properly , but your cz will probably fire them fine.   and of course the different primers might not make a difference.

ken, eating my heart out over your cz toy.

i do have a mystery barrel in x39 for a small ring mauser ... could it be a lucky barrel ?? ...

 

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lotech posted this 11 October 2018

As for small rifle primers vs. large... I had a lot of Remington brass with the small pockets. Bought this when working with SKSs years ago. Many years later, I acquired some Winchester brass with large pockets. I did a side-by-side comparison of the two using the same load in my Ruger bolt-action. Surprisingly, the accuracy, velocity, and point-of-impact at 100 yards were the same. At least in this one rifle, using CCI rifle primers, the two cases are interchangeable. 

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Scearcy posted this 11 October 2018

"My" CZ is no longer inbound. The internet retailer decided someone had posted the wrong price, after they charged my credit card and emailed a receipt. So they voided the transaction and told me to be happy and take a hike. I will leave them nameless but I am pissed off to say the least.

Perhaps a Ruger ranch rifle would make me feel better.

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John Alexander posted this 11 October 2018

When I receive bad service and mention it here I name the culpert so others will know.  Maybe your experience wasn't bad enough to justify "outing" them.

Joh

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 11 October 2018

as a shootin' tool, the ruger american works very well ... and still a steal at $400 ...  but do they have a soul
?? ...  maybe you could sink a nice piece of fancy walnut into the buttstock ?? ....

or some sticky-back walnut veneer ?? ...

just trying to help ...cool

ken

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Scearcy posted this 11 October 2018

Well I have given up hope of owning the CZ. I have not given  up hope that there may be something they are willing to put on the table. I can tell you internet retailers reserve the right to void any sale where they later deem the price to have been incorrect. Did I not see that when I read their terms and conditions before I checked out, he asked? Well no I hadn't seen that provision but I am not surprised it was there.

I am still trying to decide if I should offer to kiss and make up for certain considerations.

Jim

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M3 Mitch posted this 12 October 2018

I would think most any local gun store could order you a CZ.  Having bought Ken Campbell's stash of Lapua brass, and having seen a new CZ carbine for sale at least once at a local store, I am planning to ask them to order one for me. 

At the end of the day, I am not that concerned if I pay $20 more than I might have got from some Internet outfit that might just give me the same runaround that Jim is getting.  Worth it to me to keep a local outfit in business. 

Thanks for starting this thread, it may motivate me to go put the gat on order.

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Scearcy posted this 12 October 2018

In this case the listed price was a savings of $280 which is why I ordered immediately. The price looked too good to be true and it turned out that it was. Even now their corrected price is savings of  over $100  relative to my local gun store. My rule is that I will pay $50 more to do business locally but not $100 or more.

I like the CZ to be sure but I am seriously looking at the Howa mini actions which cost  $150 less than the CZ.

This thread is drifting way off topic. I apologize.

Jim

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 12 October 2018

howa actions ... a sleeper there .... not sure why they don't get more respect ..... 

... and because of that lack of range-worshipers you can find some real deals on them used ..... even at gunshops i have seen them tagged at $325 or so ... not bad for a gun that only lacks the weatherby stamp for twice that $$   ...

they have metric barrel threads, which not all gunsmith lathes ( such as my southbend ) do not cut ....  but that is a minor consideration in general .

they take essentially remmy 700 mounts, which for many of us eases the pain further.

you could even get a howa bbl-action, put a " richards " stock on it and have a real cutie to play with .

ken

 

 

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GP Idaho posted this 12 October 2018

Jim: For all those gunsmith types out there, there is the option to build the just right rifle using the best quality or the best economy one can put together. I truly wish I had the talent and machinery to accomplish that task.  For the rest of us off the shelf shoppers we just have to look for the best we can find for the dollar. I'm sorry to hear that your on-line source didn't have the respectability to honor their advertised price. I would wright them off my options list. Everyone who have shot my CZ have remarked about what a nice little walkabout package the lite Mauser action and the 7.62X39 cartridge make. I hope you will keep looking for one at a fair price, they are a step above the Ruger Ranch rifle in my opinion.  Gp

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Scearcy posted this 12 October 2018

Yes I have a Ruger Ranch rifle in 300 Blackout and I also had one in 223. They are serviceable and reasonably accurate. the trigger is good and the stock is terrible. I also have 2 Weatherby Vanguards which of course are Howas with a cheap Weatherby stock. They shoot well and I like the 2 stage trigger. I have replaced both stocks as the POI walks as the barrel heats up with the factory stock. Since I can't get the CZ at the fantastic price I will probably go with the Howa and save $180. The super sales price on the CZ is no longer driving my cartridge choice, so I am considering options other than the 7.62x39. I do like small bores.

Jim

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 12 October 2018

the mini howa in x39 is described as a " heavy " barrel ... if true, that would be pretty attractive ....  plus under $350 for a new one is just way too hard to not at least check one out ...

ken

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2kbill posted this 13 October 2018

This is a moot post since your CZ didn't pan out, but yes I have one and have shot it a couple of CBA matches - always won because nobody shoots Hunter class in Charlotte   The 527 carbine isn't ideally suited for benchrest competition.  It is very light - I think w/scope it may still be under 6 lbs.  That coupled with the european style stock and splinter fore end makes it a handful on the bags.

That said, in the hands of someone skilled with hunter type rifles, I think it could make the varmint rifle shooters who squeak into Hunter class take notice.  CZ barrels are quality, and the single set trigger is a joy to use.  Best bullet I have found is the "30 Hunter" from NOE, 311188F.  I use lino and size it to .314, and load it with 16 grains of IMR 4227.  Here's a 100 yd. 5-shot group I shot from last year.

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Scearcy posted this 13 October 2018

Perfect timing I could not get the CZ out of my mind. I just ordered one about an hour ago - from a different retailer. I did buy the  rifle version rather than the carbine. I could argue for either but strangely enough the rifle was $40 cheaper than the carbine. I will take notes from your post.

Jim

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2kbill posted this 13 October 2018

Great!  I think you'll like it.  I highly recommend the NOE bullet, which I also shoot in my 03A3 in Military - sized to .311.  You need a fairly short bullet for the 7.62x39.  If I can help in any way, let me know.  

 

Bill

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