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View Full Version : Cast boolit plinker, which cartridge 7.62x39 or 7.62x54r



adcoch1
10-17-2016, 03:59 PM
Hello all, I have a question. I am building a barrel for my h&r shotgun out of a 310 bore barrel blank originally intended to be an ak47 barrel. The question comes down to what chamber to cut? It is a 1/12 twist, and is supposed to be 310 bore, but I haven't slugged it yet. So which case is gonna be best for some cast boolits? I would prefer to avoid gas checks for this project...

I am just getting in to casting, so everything is up in the air and everything is an option at this point. I will say that I will end up casting for the 7.62x39 for other guns, but why limit myself to ONE oversized 30 cal...

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Yodogsandman
10-17-2016, 04:49 PM
My first thought is whether the H&R shotgun frame can handle the pressure. Which frame? I have an older H&R Topper model 20 ga shotgun that also has a matching 30-30 win barrel. But, that runs at lower pressures than both your choices.

adcoch1
10-17-2016, 05:09 PM
The cheapo Rossi shotguns are available in a combo pack with a 243 barrel, and my shotgun is a whole heck of a lot better built gun than the Rossi. I could be wrong, and please feel free to inform me if I am, but I was under the impression that any cartridge in the 40k pressure range would be OK in a break action. Max pressures in x39 are around 43k if I remember correctly.

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adcoch1
10-17-2016, 05:15 PM
Looks like I ended up with a new england arms pardner, NOT an h&r. I've had too many of these single shots over the years.....I also have a Winchester 37a, but that one is staying a 410...

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Mohawk Daddy
10-17-2016, 07:25 PM
Go to Greybeard outdoors and surf through the forums there to learn which H&Rs and New Englands can handle cartridges like 7.62X54R, 35 Whelen, 30-06, etc and which cannot. I'm no expert, but some of the later actions can handle it and some of the older ones can't. The "big Russian 30" can be loaded from mild to wild, but I would be uneasy about chambering for a cartridge that crowded the capabilities of the action or one that required only mild loadings. I would also study loading tables to compare pressure limits for cast loads in the 7.62X39 vs. the other Russian cartridge. The fact the 7.62X54R has a rim is a plus (I think) in a single shot, but it requires an odd shaped bolt face. Yes, I know a break open single shot has no bolt. I'm over my head, and I think you may be too. Careful research is recommended. Good hunting.

GhostHawk
10-17-2016, 09:06 PM
Comes down to the action and the only real way to know which you have is to take the butt plate off and remove the stock bolt.

SB2 frames are not solid, they are steel investment cast. They will work without problems on any caliber issued originally by H&R. Including .444 marlin, 35 whelen, .30-36, 45-70 and a wide range of others.

SB1 frames are cast, solid except for the stock bolt hole, and are fine for shotguns, and pistol calibers such as .357 and .44 mag.

But as mentioned above the real source for all things H&R is the Graybeard outdoors forums which has a dedicated H&R centerfire forum.

On top of that I will add that I have a single shot in one of the hard to find 7.62x39 caliber and it shoots fine.

.300BO and .30-30 are also fine calibers but normally both shoot .308 boolts which will not work well in a .310 bore, especially not cast.

The only other real option would be the 7.62x54r. Which I think would be a handful in a handi rifle.

adcoch1
10-17-2016, 09:06 PM
I am still in the early stages of research on this project, so don't worry too much. If I have to buy a different single shot to pursue the idea I will. I would be nervous about having a gun too weak to handle a certain cartridge even if I was using it downloaded, pretty much the same way I avoid Ruger only 44 mag loads unless I am shooting them immediately. Wouldn't want to see someone get hurt.
That being said though, I really would like a single shot cast shooter in a 30 cal, and since I have this blank I am working on it.

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GhostHawk
10-17-2016, 09:10 PM
As to gas checks that comes down to the load you choose more than anything else.

My self I like 4.6 grains of Red Dot below a cast boolt of 90 to 155 grains, have shot them both with and without.
7.62x39 will take both less powder and lead as a general rule.

runfiverun
10-17-2016, 10:40 PM
7.65 argie would be perfect.
easy brass.
good pressure window.
data for cast is everywhere [308 win works perfectly]

adcoch1
10-17-2016, 10:52 PM
I hadn't thought about the Argentine... Good idea.

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Landy
10-18-2016, 03:57 AM
What about going small and surely safe for the action with .32-20 or .32 H&R?

adcoch1
10-18-2016, 03:48 PM
So it looks like I have the SB1 frame on my shotgun, so nothing over 40k on this frame. Maybe the Argentine or a 32 win SPL or 32 h&r, or 30 tokarev. All are gonna require a new set of dies.... Hmmm, back to the drawing board... Unless anyone has a handi rifle to trade...

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Oklahoma Rebel
12-29-2016, 03:14 PM
30 tokarev or 7.62x25 develops quite a bit of pressure, probably ok, but I would check, my father has a cz52 and I shoot it any chance I get,accurate and lots of muzzle blast, as load as the sks is probably!

Tackleberry41
12-29-2016, 03:38 PM
The tokarev for its size is a high pressure ammo. For what the OP intends to do, a cast plinker, pressure wont be much of a factor, wont be running anywhere near what factory ammo is. Op will just have to remember, only cast handloads.

For a plinker, x39 will use less powder than the 54r. But 1-12 will limit weight. I have a 30-30 bolt gun thats 1-12, it cant shoot anything over 180gr. Where my factory mosin with 1-9.5 can shoot 230gr cast.

Oklahoma Rebel
12-29-2016, 05:46 PM
my mosin is a 46 90/31 do you know what rifling pitch it would have in it?

Oklahoma Rebel
12-29-2016, 05:47 PM
sorry its a 1937

tomme boy
12-29-2016, 09:59 PM
1-9.5 twist

Outpost75
12-30-2016, 12:09 AM
The .32 S&W Long in a rifle with 10-inch twist barrel stabilizes Acccurate Molds 31-155D subsonic with 5.5 grs. of Alliant #2400 and also shoot factory 98-grai LRN well.