7.62x39 build questions

[curlymaple42]

Hey everyone!

I did a search and didn't really find what i was looking for, but I have a friend who wants a 7.62x39 bolt gun. He may have a donor rifle in his collection, but I have questions. I am assuming the short action is what is needed, a 223 or 308 gun. I think it is a special bolt head correct? Pretty sure my 6.5Grendel shell holder is different than anything else I have, which is the same shellholder as 7.62x39. So what about magazines for the x39? That stupid taper I am sure is the problem with mags, correct? Where is the best place to get a budget minded barrel? oh, and is it a 308 barrel or a 310/311 barrel?

Thanks all!!

[Hotolds442]

You'll have to build off of a centerfeed action to make the factory 7.62x39 parts work. The magazine below fits only the centerfeed action.
The bolt head is part number 108659 and the magazine is part number 108664. For some reason I didn't grab the part number for the follower or the rifle serial number back when I found these so you might have a tough time looking through the Savage Parts Finder to find a 7.62x39. It might be that I didn't grab the follower because it's a standard one.

[curlymaple42]

I noticed it appears there is a x39 magazine available, which may be the one you reference. Bolt heads are available also. Now is the question of where to get a barrel and does one get a 308 or a 310/311 barrel? I guess it depends on what is available already made. I don't think my buddy want some crazy expensive custom barrelled deal, so paying $500 for a Lothar Walther barrel or something doesn't make sense.

[jonbearman]

Get the .308 barrel so you have a better selection of bullets and make sure if you get dies such as rcbs which comes with a .310 expander and a .308 expander. My barrel for my 7.62x39mm gun is a mcgown and it shoots real well. It is a poor mans 30 br which is really accurate. By the way mine is built on a long action but you cant put more than 2 in the mag or it wont feed. My gun was originally a .223 staggerfeed and that is the mag and follower I used.