I recently saw a Mauser actioned rifle chambered in 7.62x39 on one of the auction sites and it got me thinking that such a combo would make a dandy truck gun- a beater rifle chambered for a cheap to shoot cartridge, ready made for taking out the occasional vermin one encounters out on todays roads (skunks, coons, muskrats, etc).
Such a unit would allow me to keep my Kimber 223 intact.

Then I got to thinking of the mechanics of it.
A) how would one get around the Case head dimensional differences? (I.E., .470 for the mauser, .445 for the 7.62)
-Would the case align properly with the boltface - I suppose it would, once it is chambered-if one doesn't run into feeding problems.
B)magazine/feed issues. How would one shorten the magazine up to feed these stubby cartridges properly. Shorten the follower and use a spacer to plug the gap (ala the original Ruger 77 in 22/250)? How would one keep the cartridge aligned on the boltface to ensure it feeds squarely into the chamber?
Would such a cartridge extract reliably?

What do you guys think? I have a crusty Vz24 with a shot out barrel sittin in the basement, waiting.

CAL

Been there, done that, won't do it again...

Since the cartridge base is a little smaller, I simply swapped around extrators until I found one a little longer than the others. After that extraction was fine. Some folks weld the extractor to lengthen.

Slow feeding was ok with an unmodifed magazine. Gun Parts Corp. (www.e-gunparts.com) sells what they call a "drop in feed kit" for this that consists of a shorter follower, spring, and a mag well spacer.

All told it was an ok project, but I wouldn't waste a decent VZ-24 action on it.

If you want something in 7.62x39 for a truck gun, pick up one of the freshly imported Yugo SKSs for under $200. You'll spend much more than that on a Mauser conversion and it won't be as much fun to shoot.

Good luck!

Tried it on a jap 38 action. It works, like said above , if you feed it slow. I didnt bother shortening the mag box as it's only 3" . With a take off .308 barrel and the work done myself it was worthwhile for a plinker.

How is accuracy with these? Can either of you tell what your results were? Is 2 MOA to about 150 yards reasonable/realistic?

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Disclaimer: The above opinions are not the comments of an expert, they are the opinions of a nut.

Using the current batches of cheap surplus ammo I mean.

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Disclaimer: The above opinions are not the comments of an expert, they are the opinions of a nut.

I have a 1910 Mexican M98 small ring short action, that was built by Century. I bought it about 8 years ago, it has a very lightweight 22" barrel in 7.62x39, they put a spacer in the magazine, and welded up the extractor. It shoots under an 1" at 100yds, feeds perfect, and is a delight to shoot.

[This message has been edited by GSF1200 (edited 12-08-2001).]

I built one-on the cheap. A $25 surplus Enfield bbl from Springfield sporters, used the guts out of a $3.50 5 round AK magazine, (spring has to be shortned quite a bit). A "second" stock from Boyds for $35. Fabbed a spacer for the magazine, to match the AK guts, welded more on the extractor lip, dremeled it to shape (took 2 tries to get it right). Drilled and tapped it with a Midway kit, put on cheap Weaver bases and rings. Polished it up and gave it a dose of Brownell's Ospho blue. Damn thing shoots 1" groups (with good handloads) and doesn't look any worse than some factory stuff you see on the rack...

Why not buy a beater Rem 722 222 for a couple of hundred or an old beat up 250 Savage 99 or even a M-94...Lots of beater guns out there cheap with good bores and shoot like a house afire...

My truck gun is a M-99F in 308, a real beater that shoots a lot of 1/2" clusters...

Come to think of it most of my guns are truck guns now, I been hunting with some of them for 50 years...Somebody always buys my really nice Custom rifles that I build for myself.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Ray- I already do have a truck gun- sort of. And it is a 250 Savage. It is a M111 with a synthetic stock. I had a Weaver 3x9 (el paso) on it. It didn't satisfy my accuracy requirements- My Yugo M48a was more accurate. I even tried my 12x Burris on it, tightened down the mounts. Nothing worked. I figured that if I was going to spend $17 a box for ammo, I had better be able to hit something with it. I bought a set of dies, but by that time I was so disgusted with it, I put it on consignment at the local store. I have other rifles, but I feel they are more specialized than my "truck" needs call for. I just thought this might be a neat way to fill that need. Plus give me a winter project to take my mind off that pre 64 M70 sitting at the local store for $649.
My wife thinks me toys are getting pricey.

Thanks for your input guys, you've given me ideas, and laid some to rest.

CAL

I'm building my first rifle right now, since it's my first project, I used the most rusted old beatup action I had. It's a GEW98, pitted below the wood line, but perfect on the inside paid $15 for it, I bought a military steeped .308 barrel for $25, will keep the military trigger, I'm using a Bishop stock that was given too me, it's was a friends first and last attempt at inletting, I will have to use a lot glass to fill it in. Doing all the work myself, I should have less than $60 in the rifle. I wanted a cartridge that is adequate, and I have lot's of military brass, and 1000 rds of Hirtenberger .308 softpoint I bought a few years back for $4.95 a box.

"If you want something in 7.62x39 for a truck gun, pick up one of the freshly imported Yugo SKSs for under $200. You'll spend much more than that on a Mauser conversion and it won't be as much fun to shoot."

SamB, I picked up two of those. They really do look like the best SKS out there. They were packed in the original grease. After you clean them up, they increase in value another $100!

I used to buy brand new SKS's for $59.

[This message has been edited by GSF1200 (edited 12-09-2001).]

I hear you GSF, I bought my first SKS for $69, and spent all day cleaning the cosmoline out of it. Then I bought 1200 rounds of steel core ammo for $79, and I tried to burn the barrel out of it!! I finally traded it for a ruger single six in 32 mag. <sigh> The good ole days of cheap SKS' are over. My thoughts. Good luck and good shooting.

I think the best truck gun you can find is a nice old beat up marlin or winchester lever gun in 30/30. ammo is as plentiful and cheap as the guns themselves (my friend just bought one for $180). Plus I understand a 30/30 mixed with 220 grainers at 4 feet can deliver quite a wollop.

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When in doubt, do a nuclear strike.

if you really want a cheap, powerfull, durable rifle, buy a M48 Yugo Mauser, I bought on for $69, blueing is about 50%, barrel is mirror bright, and does it shoot! 5shot 1" groups at 100yds with the iron sights, and Egyptian military surplus.

As far as cheap, you can pick up a used Handi-rifle in 223 for $150 or so. New for 200. Cheap ammo, accurate (enough). Why bother with all the work? JMO, Dutch.

HandiRifle? .223 too weak, only a single shot, $150 way to much money, nothing can touch a Mauser, and for the price it's a steal!

I had a Tikka 55 in 6mm rem and use it as a beat around rifle for shooting seagul, crows and gooses and other vermins. Why waste a action for building a 7,62X39?? That Wz-24 deserves to be something more than that.

The problem with the russian cartridge is that the dimentions are different to westy 7,62. Buy a AK 47 if you want to use the cartridge. I heard that in some neighbour hoods they use thoose as "truck guns" Quite often. Just Kidding....

[This message has been edited by JOHAN (edited 12-10-2001).]

For a truck gun used to bump off the occational varmint , nothing today will beat a plain .223 in my opinion .

Try grabbing a mouser bolt gun with one hand and pointing it out the window. Then do the same thing with a handi rifle. You'll get an appreciation of how "handi" that Handi rifle is. It's seven or so inches shorter than a bolt action. I never get a second shot, anyway. JMO, Dutch.