Hello all!

Was referred here by the folks at the 24Hour Campfire.

I'm looking for a left handed bolt gun in 7.62x39

I know Zastava makes them in the M85 model, but no one seems to have one in stock. I heard (but haven't seen) that the Savage Scout was made in 7.62x39 with a LH available by custom order.

Does anyone else make them?

Also, anyone have luck actually finding someone who has some in stock?

We had a group buy here last year, but the importer is no longer interested in such a thing after dealing with Zastava last time.

No one else I know of makes one for sale in the U.S.

Considering its ballistics, why would you want one when you can load a .308 Win. down to 7.63x39 velocities?

George

Because:

1) I don't handload
2) 7.62x39 is still cheap
3) 7.62x39 is a minimum caliber which can be used to hunt medium sized game

I'm wanting a bush gun I can take backpacking with me and use as a plinker but in a pinch can be used as a hunting rifle.

My main concern is cheap (and plentiful) ammo, hence the 762x39. Bolt gun because I like bolt guns, and where I'm from yuppies are less likely to call the cops on you than if you had an AK or SKS style rifle.

You can call Savage and they have a service where you can special order a rifle with any component parts that they currently have in stock. It cost extra but I don't know how much.

IIRC, Effie is the woman's name who takes the orders. They don't call it a Custom House they call it something like Special Order desk or something.

Check in at Savageshooters.com they can get you all the info on that.

I bought one. The stock was rough and was not happy with the rest. It is now ending up as a 6.5 grendal.

quote:

Originally posted by Leadslinger585:
Because:

1) I don't handload
2) 7.62x39 is still cheap
3) 7.62x39 is a minimum caliber which can be used to hunt medium sized game

I'm wanting a bush gun I can take backpacking with me and use as a plinker but in a pinch can be used as a hunting rifle.

My main concern is cheap (and plentiful) ammo, hence the 762x39. Bolt gun because I like bolt guns, and where I'm from yuppies are less likely to call the cops on you than if you had an AK or SKS style rifle.

1. Start handloading.
2. 7.62x39 "plinking" (123gr. FMJ) rounds are about 32 cents each; .308 "plinking" (147gr. FMJ) rounds are about 52 cents each and you have reloadable brass. Also, hunting ammunition is not all that cheap (~$1 per round (123gr. PSP) vs. .308 (150gr. SP) at .50 per round), and I know of NO lead-free hunting factory loads for it (seeing as you live in Kommmiefornia, you must hunt with lead-free bullets).
3. True, but so are several other medium bores - .243, .25-06, et al.

George

George,

How'd you know where I am from? AFAIK I haven't listed where I'm from. Spooky

As for lead-free 762x39 rounds, there are several. Cor Bon and Double tap both make a brass-cased Barnes TSX round for the 7.62x39. Not inexpensive, but no hunting round is...

Why the dislike for the 762x39? Frankly I think it'd make a great low-cost bush gun.

I don't dislike the round per se, but LH rifles so chambered are uncommon, and the 7.62x39 has less velocity, bullet weight and energy than the .300 Savage.

George

Below is an early shot of my LH 7.62X39 Zastava from the K-Var import. I cut down and reshaped the stock. Since this photo was taken I removed the grip cap and installed a thinner one and also installed a wood butt plate. Currently it has a set of Talley bases and a 2.5X Leupold in Talley quick release rings. I carry it more and more as it is light weigh and quick handling. For deer it is all I need for the close range shooting I do at home.

quote:

Originally posted by Leadslinger585:
Hello all!

Was referred here by the folks at the 24Hour Campfire.

I'm looking for a left handed bolt gun in 7.62x39

I know Zastava makes them in the M85 model, but no one seems to have one in stock. I heard (but haven't seen) that the Savage Scout was made in 7.62x39 with a LH available by custom order.

Does anyone else make them?

Also, anyone have luck actually finding someone who has some in stock?

Sounds like an interesting project. I was tempted to barrel a LH Mini Mauser for one

quote:

Originally posted by Leadslinger585:
George,

How'd you know where I am from? AFAIK I haven't listed where I'm from. Spooky
...

He is a moderator, so I'd presume that he has access to the IP information of where you posted from. Nothing spooky about it.

quote:

Originally posted by Leadslinger585:
George,

How'd you know where I am from? AFAIK I haven't listed where I'm from. Spooky

George has a secret source of information and great knowledge.
He can call upon the Most Knowledgeable and All-seeing source of shooting, hunting information, and internet coding. Few have ever seen or accessed this great source of information. It is known only to a limited few.
It is the Great and Almighty Walter!
Sincerely,