I've alluded to the fact in other threads that I was building a heavy barreled bolt gun in 7.62x39 around a Stevens 200 action. Well this weekend I finally got things put together and made it to the range for some break in time. All 5 shot groups except for one were fired through a squeaky clean bore except for one. It was fired through a fouled bore and was the best group of the day Measuring under 1/2 MOA:neener: None of the groups fired measured over an inch, which leaves me pretty excited as to whet this gun can do with more load development and a new trigger. Especially once my neck turning equipment arrives.

The stats on the rifle are as follows

Stevens 200 SA that started life as a .223
Shilen Match bull BBL 26" 1-15" twist on a .308 bore chambered for 7.62x39
SSS recoil lug
ScoreHi benchrest follower.
Modified factory bolt head compliments of Dan Burnside
Choate ultimate varmint stock
Leupold mounts and rings
Leupold VXIII 4.5x14x40AO scope
Stock trigger


In the velocity dept this bbl really puts it on my much shorter CZ527 carbine's tube
Loads that average 2325 FPS in the 18" CZ blast out at an impressive 2595 FPS from the Steven 200's 26" pipe. With a load that's 2grs from MAX

I like that .467 group! Looks like it should shoot great!

Totally Impressed. Nice project. From that twist is it safe to assume you're going to use light for caliber bullets? Do you have any plans for cast? roger

Krochus..
I wouldn't have a clue why someone would put together a project like that....
( but then again, don't ask me about some of the weird ideas I can come up with also...)

Notwithstanding tho, the project turned out to be a pretty darn impressive completion...

I like those of us who think 'outside the box' on some of this...

Great results...

I think you have a definate winner there.. Love the 110 weight. Surprised that you went with the VV 120, as AA 1680 is mighty fine as well. You might consider IMR 4227, the Remington brass with the small pockets is way more pressure resistant... FYI! Then again I shoot heavier bullets in my Wiseman/Sako 7.62 x 39 which has a 1 in 12 twist.

From some of your projects I wonder if we share the same gene pool? roger

I cannot imagine how small a group you could shoot with a higher magnification scope; like my Bushnell Elite 4200 in 8-32X or a straight 36X. There is something to be said for a scope with enough magnification to let you hold off half a bullet hole at 200 yds.

Congrats on assembling a nice accurate rifle.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

quote:

Shilen Match bull BBL 26" 1-15" twist on a .308 bore chambered for 7.62x39

Did this barrel arrive ready for you to install? roger

quote:

Did this barrel arrive ready for you to install

Yes it did! Threaded and fully chambered ready to roll with the proper bolt face modifications. LOL and since you drug my thread back to the top I'm gonna slap you up side the head with some more great groups.

How's that MAS shootin?

quote:

Originally posted by Krochus:
How's that MAS shootin?

If it is supported directly under the magazine it shoots great. If it is supported under the hand gaurd the group really opens up. But it sure looks nice. I feel a little fogy from all that head slapping but not enough not to recognize some great performance. roger

quote:

If it is supported directly under the magazine it shoots great. If it is supported under the hand gaurd the group really opens up. But it sure looks nice. I feel a little fogy from all

On my MAS I have the barrel bedded TIGHT inside the upper and lower handguard and also have a bbl mounted recoil lug. My rifle suffers from no such issues

Excellent! I keep trying to tell people that the 7.62X39mm is a very accurate round, and all one need do is use it in an accurate rifle!

You have proved this.

The bottom group, although only three shots, is typical of my CZ 527, but as you note, it only gives 2300 FPS (150-grain, .308" Sierra bullet w/H335).

Serious interest!!!! What powders are you going to try next? roger

I'm thinking this is pretty interesting too. I looked back over this discussion, and didn't see what brass you are using. I'm curious because some have said the Rem brass with the small primer pocket is best for accuracy? I dunno?

It's also interesting the accuracy is impressive at 300 meters, considering the really slow twist rate you are using. Obviously the bullets are stabelizing out there.

I have a CZ and a Ruger in 7.62x39, neither are .308 though, .311 instead but close enough to compare. I haven't shot the Ruger yet, but the CZ is very accurate.

I thought about making one up with a .308 barrel, but I don't think I'll do that. It's too difficult to replace an accurate barrel for .003.

KB

But --- I also have a mini-mauser action with the correct bolt face for the 7.62x39, and I bought a Gentry three-position safety for it. Yes they make one. I have the MPI stock for it, which should make up into a really light, and compact rifle.

It's interesting to consider the options of going with a .308 barrel with a slow twist rate. I think the twist rate options with .311 barrel is limited to just one choice per mfg. Another good choice is the 6.5 somethingorother, which would solve the precieved problem of having the same cartridge on the shelf (or maybe in the magazine) with two different bullet diameters.

KB

quote:

What powders are you going to try next?

The only other powder worth trying would be aa1680 that I happen to have a couple lbs of. BUT in all honestly I cannot imagine how it would preform any better than n-120. Velocity for both bullets was in the upper 2700fps range.

quote:

I'm thinking this is pretty interesting too. I looked back over this discussion, and didn't see what brass you are using. I'm curious because some have said the Rem brass with the small primer pocket is best for accuracy? I dunno?

I'm using sorted remington cases for all loads.Just be prepared to discard a lot of cases as the weight on RP brass is all over the place

I bought a box of 100 Lapua brass, because I learned to trust it in other cartridges. At the time I didn't know there might be a difference in performance, depending on primer size. I just figured Lapua knows what they are doing. I'm not planning on discarding any of the Lapua brass.

I have some winchester and remington brass too.

Anyway, just curious.

KB

Your selection of parameters is genuinely estute for the light bullets. JMHO.Maybe you have the best powder already but playing with h110 thru acc1680 would be interesting. roger

As an interesting experiment I tried to make the 7.62 x 39 shoot the 110 V-Max with LiL Gun thinking what a great powder LiL Gun is in the hornet, and it's also good for the .44 Mag etc... DON'T GO THERE! While I still can't believe it didn't perform miracles... back to AA 1680 only 17 more pounds to go.

In my experience heavy bullets work well with VV 130 and T32.

I have a bolt action 7.62x39 on the way (Mini Mark X w/factory 20" barrel). I'm planning to try Hornady .308 130's in it initially as it is intended as a Hill Country deer rifle. I have some AA 2200 still on hand which looks like a good bet. Also have on hand H-335/WC-844, AA1680, H4198, IMR 4198, IMR 4227, and Lil Gun. I'd appreciate hearing some loads and velocities from bolt guns in this caliber. While pressures should be held to 40-43,000 for the military autos, I see no reason a modern bolt gun can't be run at 50,000 without problems.