7.62X39 Bolt Guns for Cast Boolits

[CENTEX BILL]

I want to buy a 7.62x39 bolt gun for cast boolit shooting.

Three choices come to mind.

a. Ruger Ranch rifle with 1/10 twist- approx $400
16.5 barrel, threaded barrel.

b. Howa 1500 mini Heavy barrel. 1/8 twist approx $500, 20 inch barrel 0.730 muzzle dia.

c. CZ 527 carbine with 1/9.5 twist, 18.5 inch barrel.
approx $650.

I am leaning toward the Howa but will the 1/8 twist be too fast cast. I play to shoot 150-180 gr at 1500-1700 fps.

I would appreciate your comments on the pros and cons of each of these rifle.

Thanks,
Centex Bill

[Silvercreek Farmer]

The target trigger feature on the CZ is pretty cool.

[KLR]

Another option is to buy a barreled action and stock separately. If you put these in your cart and sign up for Brownell's email list, they will send you a code for 10% off within a week or so.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/receivers/barreled-receivers/1500-barreled-action-mini-action-lw-blue-7-62x39-prod94643.aspx

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/receivers/barreled-receivers/1500-7-62x39-20-heavy-barreled-mini-action-prod94579.aspx

[Chill Wills]

I think there is a mini Mark X rifle out there too in 7.62 x 39.

[sigep1764]

I have 3 CZ's, a Redhead Deluxe in 12 gauge, a CZ455 in 22LR, and a 75B in 9mm. A 527 is on my short list. My experiences with the other three have been nothing short of excellent. The quality of CZ in my opinion is extremely high even if they were twice the price. I doubt you'll go wrong with one.

[mcdaniel.mac]

The CZ is the classiest, IMO. If you're not gonna attach a quiet-maker, the CZ is worth the scratch.

The Howa barreled action would be my pick if you want to hot-rod with a chassis, but that's not what I grab a 7.62x39 for.

The Ruger is a good action and using Mini 30 mags means you can get a 10 or 20rd mag if you want. As a pseudoscout/ranch rifle it would be my pick, but the stock is hit hot garbage. You can reinforce the stock with some carbon arrow shafts, epoxy, or hopefully there will be some replacements from Boyd's soon, but even with the garbage stock on my 5.56 American Ranch I was able to hit soda cans with a hot bore and 55gr bulk ammo at 100yd as fast as I could aim and fire. Factory threaded barrel means you can brake it or, if you choose, make things quiet. I will say the Ruger is probably the most optics-friendly. I use a set of Warne QD rings with the scope and keep a red dot in the case on a QD mount, and it's fairly easy to swap out and have red dot. IMO the dot is more useful than a post and notch sight anyways.

[adcoch1]

Have the cz and its my favorite rifle, will be buying the ruger shortly. If I was getting one just for cast though I would go ruger

[Jeff Michel]

I have two of the three you listed.
The Mini Thirty does real well with jacketed bullets, I haven't found a lot of success with cast.
The CZ 527 shoots great with everything.

[JMax]

I have a CZ and really like the set trigger plus the wood is nice. I have a Leupold 2 x 7 and load the NOE 155 gr RN with 14.1 gr of IMR 4227. Love the whole setup.

[Nobade]

I have the CZ, really like it. It also has a very fast twist rate but it doesn't seem to hurt anything. Lately I've been shooting it with the NOE 240 gr. Blackout bullet over trailboss, and it's nearly a one hole rifle at 100 yds. The bullet hitting the steel is louder than the report of the rifle. Great fun.

[castalott]

I have the CZ and it has a wonderful cast friendly barrel. I wish the Cz 308 had this good of a barrel...

It takes several rounds to break in a CZ... A used gun would be my choice...

[RU shooter]

I don't think the 8 twist would be too fast . Look at the 300 BO a lot of members here are using cast in those at regular speeds and it's generally 8 twist .

[lotech]

I've had a Ruger bolt-action I bought new more than twenty-five years ago. I'm not sure on the twist rate, but I think it may be 1 in 10". It shoots a 200 grain bullet (Lyman #314299) with pretty good accuracy, about 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" at 100 yards. Muzzle velocity is 1700 fps.

[Hickok]

I own a Ruger Hawkeye Compact in 7.62 x 39, and it shoots jacketed and cast very accurately. Wouldn't sell it for twice the price.

Owning a CZ 527 American in .22 Hornet, I would also say they make an outstanding rifle. After fussing with Rugers and Savages in the Hornet, this rifle beats them on every count.

[Larry Gibson]

I think there is a mini Mark X rifle out there too in 7.62 x 39.

Yes there is.....that's what my bolt gun 7.62x39 is.

[PB234]

There was a fellow who used to post photos of targets from his CZ Carbine using cast at 100 yards and getting very small groups where the holes overlapped. If you go with the CZ PM me and I will see if I still have his load data. My experience with CZ products has been routinely excellent.

[nseries]

CENTEX BILL, this is a youth model with a 12.5" pull and 20" lightweight barrel. But for $332.49 shipped using the 5% off discount code "FATHER", I couldn't pass it up.

https://shop.whittakerguns.com/product/38252

They now have 2 in stock at this time.

[Driver man]

Norinco make a 7.62x39 model JW103 called Bisley Bush Ranger which I believe is a copy of the CZ. It is very cast friendly and a 215grain is one hole at 50m with 6.5g w231

[sparky45]

I recently had a Gunsmith (Goodsteel) re-bore my H&R 300 Black Out to 7.62 x 39 and it's a fantastic shooter now. I enjoy the little carbine and plan on using it for varmints this fall/winter and for general plinking year around. It's compact, light and the recoil is minimal with the 125 Vmax bullets over IMR4198. Going to load some 311041; 311299;311299 and 311359 and see how they perform.

[hicard]

I own both the Ruger Hawkeye and the CZ527 and favor the Ruger. Both are fun guns.

[nekshot]

CENTEX BILL, this is a youth model with a 12.5" pull and 20" lightweight barrel. But for $332.49 shipped using the 5% off discount code "FATHER", I couldn't pass it up.

https://shop.whittakerguns.com/product/38252

They now have 2 in stock at this time.

That Howa and that Cooper 6 mm Mannlicher push lust to new highs for me!!

[43PU]

The Ruger Ranch is the only way to go. I believe. I own a CZ and a mini Mauser in 7.62x39 but my Ruger our shoots them consistently. I have already killed 2 deer with my Ruger with the lee 309-150FN PCed over 20.5 grn of IMR4198 and I get sub 1” groups 222152
that is as fast as I could cycle and shoot at 125 yards... (why our range is 125 I will never know)


However my TC compass in 308 will do this.... 15 rounds yes 15 at 50 yards
222153

[nseries]

That Howa and that Cooper 6 mm Mannlicher push lust to new highs for me!!

Too bad they don't make that Cooper in 7.62x39...but it still would cost more than my truck, suv and "new" van combined.

[jaysouth]

I have the Ruger American Ranch bolt action in 7.62x39. Cast, Wolf, and Federal Amercian Eagle all do 2-3 min at 100 yards off a bag, bipod or lead sled. Accuracy does not improve with a lead sled.

[doctorxring]

Get a 308 Win and load it down to 7.62x39 velocity levels.
Never seen one that wouldn't shoot cast well.

Just a thought.

[Nobade]

Get a 308 Win and load it down to 7.62x39 velocity levels.
Never seen one that wouldn't shoot cast well.

Just a thought.Well sure that works, but then you don't have any excuse to buy a new gun.

[iomskp]

I purchased an old norinco bolt gun in 7.62 x39 the barrel was shot out, I was fortunate enough to pick up ruger 7.62 x 39 stainless barrel for next to nothing, it will be one of the last rifles I sell, its not a tack driver but it handles anything I feed it including cast.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I would go with the CZ. I recently purchased a Ruger American in .308 and it has become a very nice rifle after adding a Boyd's stock. But I've spent nearly what the CZ costs now and it is a far superior firearm with walnut and steel instead of plastic parts. And the set trigger is priceless. And the CZ comes with iron sights too.

[Marlin356]

The only reason I can see to but a 7.62x39 is to shoot cheap military steel case ammo. Otherwise a 308 will do everything better.

[rking22]

Efficiency, the case is the right size to get a midweight 30 caliber bullet to a good velocity for hunting and small enough to fit in a truly small action.
And a 358 Win does everthing better, better ��

[Reverend Al]

Yes there is.....that's what my bolt gun 7.62x39 is.

I built my custom bolt action 7.62x39 many years ago when Interarms in Britain was still distributing the Zastava mini-Mauser actions. I ordered a barreled action in the short Russian chambering, bedded it into a synthetic stock, cleaned up the adjustable trigger, and then topped it off with a 2x7 Leupold. It only weighs about 6 pounds all up. I built my rifle over 30 years ago and still have it ... and it's still one of my favorite little carbines!

[Hickok]

Reverand AL, you rifle nearly duplicates mine. I have a Burris 2-7x scope on mine.

My little Ruger Hawkeye Compact 7.62x39 is shorter and handier than my Winchester 94 carbine. It kills deer graveyard dead with cast boolits and Hornady 125 jacketed.

[JMax]

My CZ is also equipped with a Leoupold 2X7 and is very handy with the set trigger.

[tdbru]

mini howa 1500 in 7.62x39 has 1-9.45" twist. NOT 1-8. starting to work up cast for mine as well. it's a NICE action as far as the metal goes (barreled action). the cheap stock and plastic bottom metal were done to meet a price point and, unfortunately, distract from it in my opinion. but there are after market stocks and bottom metal that do make improvements. B&C has 2 stocks. M40 Style and sporter style. DIP and jefferson outdoors have aluminum bottom metal. i really like my mini howa in 7.62x39. the one reason to consider it for CBs as over a 308 Win or 30-06 or host of other 30 caliber choices is that the powder capacity is about 1/2 of a 308. so for moderate velocity loads (1600 - 2200 fps) which most Pb alloys can handle, the loading density is much improved. of course Lino can be pushed hard in any of the 30 calibers, but often learning to reduce leading >2200fps takes a more intense focus. 2K and under is, in my opinion, much easier to develop a good plinking load with CBs that doesn't lead and is reasonably accurate. and another reason is CB casting and hand loading is a good relaxing hobby. and something to do if we're asked to "shelter in place". as noted earlier, if bought at case volume levels, loaded ammo (wolf/tula) can still be acquired for about $0.23/round shipped. so those that say it's not cost effective to reload for this caliber, i understand your argument. however, for spending time at the range or in the field with a moderate caliber that doesn't leave your shoulder black and blue, is fairly economical, and, like all CB load development, gives satisfaction in developing an accurate plinking hand load, this caliber is not a bad choice, even if not as mainstream as say a 30-06. another thing is it is an excuse to get a new rifle and new moulds and to have more fun. yes the 30-06 can be down loaded, no argument. finding a powder that gives great accuracy at highly reduced charges brings it's own challenges. so for those that want to play with the 7.62x39, like i'm starting to, i'd still recomment the mini howa. it comes in 3 barrel profiles, or did. i picked the 22" standard profile. there's a 20" heavy profile, and they might still list a 20" featherweight profile too. Brownell's sells the barreled actions for those that know they're going to end up with the B&C stock and DIP or Jefferson Outdoors bottom metal anyway.

my 22" sporter factory barrel has shot 1 MOA with 123gr FMJ Lapua factory ammo (Lapua knows how to make accurate ammo) and a 4x scope at 100 yards. so i know it's probably more capable than i am. so if i end up with poor groups with cast, i know it's time to improve my cast load and it's not the rifle.
have fun
-tdbru

[ACC]

I have the Ruger with out the threaded barrel and my brothers hard cast 130 grain plain base will keep all shots in 1 to 1.5 inches at 100 yards. Taken many a feral dog and hog with it.

ACC

[smithnframe]

I have a Zastava mini-mauser that is an absolute tackdriver!

[Went2kck]

I have the Howa 1500. Use boolit 311410 Lyman Works really good. Keeps them in the black at 100 yards.

[jwhite]

I am big fan of the 7.62x39, especially in bolt guns, I have 4 of em! Got two of the Zastvas, one imported by Charles Daly and one by InterArms, and two Ruger, a 77 Hawkeye compact and an American Ranch. They are all accurate with anything i feed them, it is a great cast boolit round and really shines in a bolt gun. The Zastavas have great barrels and easily adjusted triggers, their weak point is poor extraction, they just don't extract well. Their wood stocks are nice and i like the 20" barrels, which in my mind is perfect. The Rugers are also very accurate with both cast and jacketed, the 77 will shoot any jacketed full power hand load into an 1" or less with any load I have tried. The only criticism i can find with the Rugers is the 16" barrel's, while very handy they are loud and I prefer a slightly longer barrel. For the money it is very hard to beat the American ranch rifle, I really like the mini thirty magazines, well proven and rugged and with an Mcarbo trigger spring installed a very good trigger. Defiantly the finish and stock of the american are utility grade but function and accuracy is fantastic. My usual woods walking load is 11.5grs of bluedot and either a 314440 or a 115gr ranch dog boolit, for deer hunting they are usually stoked with the 150gr Ranchdog bullet with either RL15 or Data68.