7.62x39 Quandry

[Herb in Pa]

I've been trying to locate a 7.62x39 Bolt Gun for cast boolits.......and on a lark decided to try a cartridge adapter from MCA Sports that converts .308 Win to 7.62x39. I installed the adapter in my Swiss 1896/11 that had previously been convered from 7.5 Swiss to .308 Win by rechambering and installing a 2 groove Springfield barrel. This thing is turning into a real frankenstein.

I loaded up 4 different loads of Reloader 7 with the RCBS 168 Sil boolit at .310" and scurried of to the range this afternoon. I just shot 6 shot groups @ 50 yards because I was thinking I would be hard pressed to keep them on the paper.

Lo and behold the largest group went .909" and the best was .408" (all groups measured center to center).

Now the quandry......do I buy a bolt gun chambered in 7.62x39 or let well enough alone??

I'm going to load up some of the best load (19 Gr ) and try to get back out tomorrow for some 100 yard testing. Rifle is scoped.

[Scrounger]

Good information; I just may have to buy one of them... Although the logic alarm is screaming: If you want those ballistics, why the F don't you (Me) just down the .30-06????? :veryconfu

[trooperdan]

I wonder if I could get them to make one of these adapters for a 7.62x54R chamber? Might make an interesting use for one of several M44 carbines I have. I'd like to use surplus ammo as well as reloads and cramming a .310 - .311 bullet down a tight Swiss bore makes me a little nervous.

[Scrounger]

I wonder if I could get them to make one of these adapters for a 7.62x54R chamber? Might make an interesting use for one of several M44 carbines I have. I'd like to use surplus ammo as well as reloads and cramming a .310 - .311 bullet down a tight Swiss bore makes me a little nervous.

That's a good thought. I have a 7.5 Swiss that I don't want to load for and there is no cheap ammo available. A chamber insert to 7.62X39 or even .308 would be really handy for that. I wonder if they make one?

[Maxthompson]

I asked Ace about this adapter for my MAS 36. He said just use the 308 adapter?

Mike

[Herb in Pa]

Here's the website for the adapters.................

http://www.mcace.com/

[bruce drake]

I sent a purchase order for a 7.7 Jap to 7.62x39 adapter to MCACE in April and I am still on back order. They send their work to China for production and then it comes back when they have a largest enough shipment.

Best bet might be to find an outfit that has them in stock already.

Bruce

[Herb in Pa]

I guess I was fortunate enough to order the right conversion at the right time. I think the total turnaround time was about 2 weeks (this month). I was a little skeptical about how well it would work, but I'm more than satisfied so far.

[bruce drake]

I guess I'll give them a call to remind them of the 7.7 Jap converter they owe me.

Bruce

[bruce drake]

I take back my previous messages. It seems his machinist is trained and in Alaska with them and they are back in production. I called him this afternoon and he remembered me and agreed to send the adapter out today. SO... in a week or so, I should be giving you a report on the 7.7JAP to 7.62x39 adapter. Now I guess I better go load some 7.62 Russian Shorts tonight.

Bruce

[bruce drake]

I wonder if I could get them to make one of these adapters for a 7.62x54R chamber? Might make an interesting use for one of several M44 carbines I have. I'd like to use surplus ammo as well as reloads and cramming a .310 - .311 bullet down a tight Swiss bore makes me a little nervous.

They have the 7.62x54R to 7.62x39 adapter in stock.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I have a 308 target rifle I must try one of these in.

[Teach]

Any machinist who can read a set of dial calipers can probably knock out an adapter like that. The bore size needs to be similar, but practically all .30 caliber molds throw slightly oversized bullets, so the .308/.311 problem can be dealt with during lubing and sizing. I just built my granddaughter a 7.62X39 small-ring Mauser with a barrel and magazine adapter from Gun Parts Co. I'm casting a gaschecked 130 grain bullet for plinking, with Red Dot powder.
Jerry

[lar45]

Where on their site did you find that?


Any machinist who can read a set of dial calipers can probably knock out an adapter like that. The bore size needs to be similar, but practically all .30 caliber molds throw slightly oversized bullets, so the .308/.311 problem can be dealt with during lubing and sizing. I just built my granddaughter a 7.62X39 small-ring Mauser with a barrel and magazine adapter from Gun Parts Co. I'm casting a gaschecked 130 grain bullet for plinking, with Red Dot powder.
Jerry

[Cayoot]

How difficult would one of these be to remove if you wanted to shoot the original cartridge in it? Would it be practal to switch back and forth between calibers as the mood strikes?

[Scrounger]

How difficult would one of these be to remove if you wanted to shoot the original cartridge in it? Would it be practal to switch back and forth between calibers as the mood strikes?

The company claims they are easily removed by using a Ruptured Shell Extracter for the parent cartridge (.308, .30-06, whatever). Those are inexpensive and easy to find for American calibers and there might be some cartridge inter-changability in them, so it sounds reasonable to me but I have never done it, so you're on your own there.

[Jeffreytooker]

All of this is very interesting. For the 7.62X54 by 7.62X39 adapter, how does the original extractor work with the smaller case head. Does one have to extract the case by hand? Is there an adapter from 7.5X55 Swiss to 7.62X39?

Jeffrey

[Scrounger]

All of this is very interesting. For the 7.62X54 by 7.62X39 adapter, how does the original extractor work with the smaller case head. Does one have to extract the case by hand? Is there an adapter from 7.5X55 Swiss to 7.62X39?

Jeffrey

I too wondered about the extraction. An email to the company informed me that they could do the 7.5 Swiss for $35, shipping included. They said they custom make their adapters in their shop so they can really do anything they can get chamber specs for. This sounds like a real opportunity for owners of some of the oldies there is no ammo for. I can't give you an example of that because I have studiously avoided guns that didn't have ammo available, no matter how interesting or cheap. Buckshot for one likes the old weirdies, this might be the way to go to get a chamber adapter and use readily available ammo.

[El Pistolero]

Howdy! Didn't know they was so many adpters out there!
I just got hold of a small ring mouser action and barrel and started building my own.
Gotta get a stock though...
Sights will be my last consideration.

[Herb in Pa]

I got a chance to shoot the 19 grain load in my "frankenstein" conversion on Friday and was amazed. The 10 shot group measues 1.094" center to center with 8 in .455'! Now if i can repeat this I'll be a happy camper!! Distance was 100 yards......

[Jeffreytooker]

Herb in Pa. I would like to know how the spent cartridge is extracted when you use the 7.62X54 to 7.62X39 adapter? I have a 30 Kern (blown out 7.62X39) in a 1909 Argie action. The Mauser extractor is long enough to extract the smaller spent case.

The reason for my concern is that my MN M-44 has a long reach into the case head if it is to be extracted by hand.

Jeffrey

[Herb in Pa]

Jeff, the extractor on my 1896/11 is sufficiently long enough to engage the case for extraction. Of course my rifle is chambered in 7.62x51 not 7.62x54.

[Jeffreytooker]

HERB IN PA:
I have two K-31's. I don't know if I want to put an adapter in either one. I do have an M-44 MN which I will probably try with a 7.62X39 adapter later this year.

Keep Well.

Jeffrey