5.45x39

[wayne]

I want to build an 5.45x39 out of an axis 223. I know an armory that will do it for $250 but I was told I can just buy the barrel and bolt parts? I am sure this has been covered but I can't find any other info.

[bootsmcguire]

I am not up on the 5.45x39 but I am guessing that it is just a 7.62x39 that basically is necked down. If that is the case then yes it should just be a matter of acquiring a barrel and a bolt head for the 7.62x39 case (same as a PPC). You will most likely have to go aftermarket to get that bolt head. Sharp Shooter Supply or PT&G are the only sources I am aware of.

[D.ID]

I love the 5.45x39 in the 74 platform.
Please oh please tell me your not doing this to shoot corrosive surplus ammo in a bolt gun................
Bean down that road and it just aint worth it.........your better of with 223.

[Stockrex]

nein nein mein boots, das 5.45x39 ist nicht based on 7.62x39 (how was that for an impersonation of an east german border guard?)

for bolt head, take a 223 bolt had and mill it out a bit?
problem will be finding a barrel

What barrel was your smith going to buy?


I have a few bookmarks from the my days of day dreaming of a bolt in the same caliber.

here are some specs:
Bullet diameter 5.60 mm (0.220 in)

Neck diameter 6.29 mm (0.248 in)

Shoulder diameter 9.25 mm (0.364 in)

Base diameter 10.0 mm (0.394 in)

Rim diameter 10.0 mm (0.394 in)

Rim thickness 1.50 mm (0.059 in)

Case length 39.82 mm (1.568 in)

Overall length 57.00 mm (2.244 in)

Rifling twist 255 mm (1 in 10 in)

Primer type Berdan, small rifle

Maximum pressure 380.0 MPa (55,114 psi)

[Stockrex]

I love the 5.45x39 in the 74 platform.
Please oh please tell me your not doing this to shoot corrosive surplus ammo in a bolt gun................
Bean down that road and it just aint worth it.........your better of with 223.

DID, what is los with shooting corrosive ammo? with the DEA banning it, they are more than regular ammo now ;-)

[wayne]

from what I understand they're not banning surplus corrosive ammo. They are banning the steel core that can be shot through a pistol which would include your 5.45 X 39 7N6. I have shot corrosive ammo through my AR 4 years and have no pending or problems just have to clean when you get home from the range

[wayne]

the reason I would like to build this rifle his I have more 5.45 X 39 then I could shoot in a lifetime

[Stockrex]

from what I understand they're not banning surplus corrosive ammo. They are banning the steel core that can be shot through a pistol which would include your 5.45 X 39 7N6. I have shot corrosive ammo through my AR 4 years and have no pending or problems just have to clean when you get home from the range
amen, nothing wrong with shooting corrosive ammo,
7n6 was about the cheapest you could plink with.

can you find out what barrel your smith can get?

[wayne]

CMP armory does the conversion nut its been a week and I have not received a response. I am new to bolt action buildsand this will be my first so I will say sorry know if I ask dump question!!
With that said is a barrel blank a blank I know the guy that Did my AR barrel said he saw the blanks for sale..

[wayne]

Wow sorry can't write well on my phone today

[clintsrv]

Your project would be completed easier on a Savage 10-16 action.

Bolt head is available thru Gunshack. I used that part for a 6.5 Grendel build. I found that a SF action with 223 mag works best. Otherwise, finding a donor rifle in the Scout 7.62x39 will be almost impossible.

Have you found a supplier for barrel?

[wayne]

Its 5.45 not 7.62 case on a 7.62 is .442 and 5.45 is .394.

[wayne]

CMP armory does the conversion nut its been a week and I have not received a response. I am new to bolt action buildsand this will be my first so I will say sorry know if I ask dump question!!
With that said is a barrel blank a blank I know the guy that Did my AR barrel said he saw the blanks for sale..

[clintsrv]

That's correct.

I always thought it was a necked down 762x39 case. I considered an AR build at one time.

[wayne]

I have a couple ar in that caliber. I get a lot of advice from people who assume that it is a neck down 7.62. if I I am correct the 762 part refers to the diameter of the case

[clintsrv]

The 39 is what I always referred to to think it was a 762x39 Russian case.

[bootsmcguire]

Your project would be completed easier on a Savage 10-16 action.


I have to disagree. Now that I have looked, yes you will need to open up a .373" (223) bolt head or get a custom one built. The AXIS uses the same SA bolt heads as the 10-16 series and also uses the same CF mag bodies and followers. Other than the obvious crappy trigger (which could be upgraded) and fewer choices for aftermarket stocks, I see no reason not to do it in an AXIS.

[D.ID]

DID, what is los with shooting corrosive ammo? with the DEA banning it, they are more than regular ammo now ;-)

Sorry, I meant "cheap" surplus russian ammo.
Nothing wrong with corrosive except the need to re-foul the barrel every-time do to a need to over clean all the time. My real issue is just do to a lack of options in this caliber (for a custom bolt gun).
For instance with a 223 if your barrel does not like the 55 grain XXX you can switch to the 69 grain XYX that it does like. With the 5.45: if it likes 1982 60grain X: Great. If it does not: you end up with a custom built bolt rifle that does not shoot as good as a run of the mill 74.
.
I know hornady is now/or was making ammo for the 5.45 and that may add some options but I would not invest in a custom bolt action rifle in this caliber without a variety of ammunitions available or reloading options.
If you are going to be happy with whatever 1982 60 grain produces: you would probably be just as happy with a 74.

[clintsrv]

My statement was made at first not knowing the rim diameter of the 545 case. Also with the abundant inexpensive 10-16 actions available, they, to me only, would be better. The Axis is equally a great building point.

Most of my reasoning was established by mistake to begin with. I had not reasearched that round thoughly and assumed the case was the same a 7.62x39. Then I believed with off the shelf bolt heads that it would be easier. Then I did not know Axis and 10's shared the same bolt heads. Axis rifles have not yet interested me.

Valuable information on this site daily.

[bootsmcguire]

If you read my first reply I was in the same boat of not being totally familiar with the round, so I hear ya.

Around my area, the Savage 110 style action pool has kinda dried up since I started preaching the joys that are Savage. With base 110 type rifles selling new for $400 on up it makes it harder for me to justify one when the Axis can be had locally for less than $280. That said, so far I have not bought myself an Axis because I started stocking up on Actions a couple years ago, but the well is starting to dry. Couple more builds and it will be AXIS time. I'll probably rebuild a bunch of rifles at that point and start migrating my hunting guns over to Axis actions and keep the 110 types for target builds just because of my personal stash and the availability of all the aftermarket parts for them.

Didn't mean to hi-jack. OP, my apologies.