Best 7.62x39 rifle for cast?

[singleshot]

Gents, I'm looking at a new 7.62x39 bolt action for cast. Would you recommend the CZ527 or the Ruger 77? What are the bore diameters of each? I've heard various rumors of .308 bores for this cartridge, can anyone confirm or deny?

Thanks in advance!

[Haggway]

I have the 527. Having not slugged the bore I can't help there. It is great shoot rifle and with hand loads I can hit a 6 " round target on a regular basis at 200 yards. Thats using j-bulets.

[338RemUltraMag]

My 527 slugs out at .310 and has a great balance and feel IMHO much better than a 77 with my hand loads it shoots an honest 3/4" 5 shot group at 100 from a solid bench.

[excess650]

I didn't slug my 527, but it likes cast boolits. Lee C-309-150-F sized/GCed in .313" die with lube in groove ahead of GC only. These are near "full throttle".

[rhbrink]

Savage was going to make some at least there was a model in their catalog, wonder if any actually hit the streets? I would bet that they would be on the standard .308 barrel with a big throat to handle oversized bullets just might be a great setup for real boolits? Sure would like to see a report on one.

[hicard]

I have both and prefer the Ruger for feel and balance. Both shoot cast good but haven't been fine tuned yet.

[lawboy]

I have the CZ527. Mine shoots cast very well. I shoot a 185gr gc bullet a 1850fps into 1.25 inches at 100yrs reliably. I have a thread in this forum with a lot of detail on this rifle. A simple search should find it.

[Dthunter]

I own the Ruger Hawkeye 7.62x39.
Very compact rifle!
Shoots cast very well (1.25-2") or better at 100 yards.

I also shoot .308" jacketed 150 gr. Flat based, Sierra pro hunters through it, and they group close to an inch. No fouling issues, nothing.
Barrel slugged out at .308"
This really opens up the bullet selection!

I have even shot the 208 hornady A-Max, at 1050fps. I got 1/2" groups at 100!
Now that was fun!!!

[GBCAPT]

I have a CZ-527 and love it!

Barrel slugged .310

Sighting options are a bit tricky. Had to send my bolt handle to CZ for "recontouring" to get clearance to mount an older Leupold 3-9 AO Compact to fit with WARNE rings.

I haven't tested the rifle from a bench, but can tell you it shoots far better than I can shoot it!!!!

The single set trigger is fantastic, but don't set it until you are on the target, ready to fire. It is way too light to carry in the set mode. I have discharged it unintentionally once while wiggling down into full setting position.

The length on the magazine is a bit of a negative for me. I would gladly give up a couple of rounds of magazine capacity for a flusher magazine fit. I know this can be accomplished "after market", but haven't pursued it.

[miestro_jerry]

I like the Remington 700 series rifle in 7.62 x 39. It slugs out to .310

Jerry

[lawboy]

Sighting options are a bit tricky. Had to send my bolt handle to CZ for "recontouring" to get clearance to mount an older Leupold 3-9 AO Compact to fit with WARNE rings.


Here is how I have mine set up, no bolt handle work needed. I also use a weaver v-3 on it and bolt handle clearance is fine. That is a 20-moa biased weaver rail on top.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd221/behightower/cz527gilmore001.jpg

[rollmyown]

lawboy, that is a neat setup, what sight picture do you get, what magnification does it have, and what size groups are you shooting?

[lawboy]

lawboy, that is a neat setup, what sight picture do you get, what magnification does it have, and what size groups are you shooting?

That is a Leupold Gilmore red dot sight. 4MOA dot. No magnification. I have the gun sighted dead on for 100yrds. The gun and load will stay inside 1.25 inches at that range. I use it for offhand steel plate shooting and it will not miss a 4-inch diameter, round plate offhand at that distance so long as I do my part. It is a VERY neat setup that I will never sell.

[PB234]

Interesting that those who slugged the 527 came up with a .310 bore as the CZ web site states, "527 in 7.62x39 uses a .311" bore".

[armoredman]

I use the 527M, modified to the 527 CSR, with both lee boolits and the NOE 129 gr boolit, with good results. Since this is a zombie thread resurrection, it would be nice to know, singleshot, did you make a choice?

[Hickok]

I have a Ruger Hawkeye Compact in 7.62 x 39, and it is a great little carbine.

[singleshot]

I use the 527M, modified to the 527 CSR, with both lee boolits and the NOE 129 gr boolit, with good results. Since this is a zombie thread resurrection, it would be nice to know, singleshot, did you make a choice?

Yes! I've been looking for a CZ but haven't found one yet. For now, I've been using an SKS.