7.62x39 (or similar) bolt gun decisions

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Originally Posted by Marty Henry

I've seen a Chinese one bisley I think was the brand name. Interesting rear locking bolt very slick to operate. Usual wood for a Chinese rifle the owner used it as a general purpose gun on a station up the back of Wanganui shooting goats, pigs, deer, bearing ewes etc.
That got me started thinking about converting a 303 to this cal, so far I've only got the donor rifle though.

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There is nothing wrong with the 303 as an option, especially as you already have one. most ammo's are already at the same speed as a 7.62x39 (2400-2500fps ish) so trajectory is very similar.

As for reducing recoil, downloading is an option, but I can throw a much easier option at you too.....Decent ear muffs. Believe it or not, the body associates the BANG with the push to the shoulder, and if the BANG gets louder the subconscious associates the louder noise with a bigger push, even if the push remains the same.

So if setting up young shooters, a suppressor and ear muffs tames the recoil to a manageable level without (in most cases) actually making any actual difference to the shove.... all down to the noise reduction and they way the brain works....This is also why when you shoot an animal with a rifle, the recoil does not fel the same as when you ar eat the range. Even though you know it is. The mind is concentrating on "other" things and does not notice the noise as much. (adrenaline helps too....)

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Originally Posted by Tentman

Hello Guys

I recently sold my Howa Mini 7.62x39 . . . it was an accurate, functional little rifle but I just couldn't get to like it (and it was the second time I've done this with a Howa mini), I really don't think they are a bad rifle, they're just not me.

Anyhoo since I sold it I've been taking a friend's 10 year old lad hunting a bit and he's shot the 223 a couple of times with good effect. Now its time to chase a Red and whilst this time I'll be doing the shooting this weekend I'm thinking of the future and bugger it, I just need a nice light suppressed 7.62x39 (or better still something about the same power with a 308 bore, or maybe a Grendel).

So - thoughts on the options, given a Howa doesn't really do it, what are the pro's and cons of the rest - CZ 527, Ruger American plus any others in the sub $1200 sorta bracket ??

Edit @PommyMcPomFace wrote me an excellent PM on his thoughtsbetween the Howa and CZ which would be good to see here . . . .

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What ranges were you normally hunting at?
I've both a Mini Howa x39 & 6.5 Grendel & apart from the mag catch (Which is a right pain. No real active hunter would design it this way) it works fine for me.Very accurate & light. Shot a red hind @20 mtres yesterday in the neck with Norinco FMJ. Bang/flop. The 300blk & Grendel's good but you'll need to reload as the ammo's expensive compared to x39.
How about a standard 308 down loaded then if you want to hunt longer range you'll have the legs for it?

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Originally Posted by Tararua Phil

What ranges were you normally hunting at?
I've both a Mini Howa x39 & 6.5 Grendel & apart from the mag catch (Which is a right pain. No real active hunter would design it this way) it works fine for me.Very accurate & light. Shot a red hind @20 mtres yesterday in the neck with Norinco FMJ. Bang/flop. The 300blk & Grendel's good but you'll need to reload as the ammo's expensive compared to x39.
How about a standard 308 down loaded then if you want to hunt longer range you'll have the legs for it?

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Nothing wrong with the Howa's - I just didn't get along with them, I'm not much of a bush hobbit, and with a lad doing the shooting ranges won't be long either, so a lot of cartridges would fill the bill - especially if reloaded appropriately. I've traded for a Rem Model Seven in 260, I have a spare stock for it which I will shorten down a bit for the lad, and I'll reload it at Grendel velocities till he gets comfortable . . . . (and yes , it will be suppressed and I make sure he wears good earmuffs as well on the range)