Suggestions on 7x39 wildcat build

I really don't know if I'm going to go through with this, but it does intrigue me...

I've enjoyed my 7.62x39 model 10 immensely, but can't help but think how much better a hunting and target rifle it might be if it were necked down to take 7mm bullets.

The bonus to me is that I could use the same bullets in both my 7x57 and this 7x39

I have a donor short action on the way soon. So how would I proceed with building, and loading for a 7x39 wildcat?

I presume I'd need to contact a barrel maker who would build the barrel. Would I use 7x62x39 go/no-go gauges for the headspacing?

I guess I'd need to have a 7x39 FL sizing die built as well.

Is this more work than I want to get into, or is it a relatively small project?

Or should I just scrap the idea and drop a 6.5 Grendel barrel on my model 10 instead?

The Grendel hands down, although your wildcat sounds like a fun experiment.

Definitely go with the Grindel. +2

I guess I should have done more research on the Grendel. I didn't realize it was essentially a 7.62x39 necked down to 6.5 - only .5mm from what I was imagining. The fact that cheap steel case ammo is now available for it is really a game changer.

Owning a 6.5 Creedmoor and a 6.5 Grendel could be very convenient indeed.

I am wanting to eventually have 3 rifles in "low, medium and high" power, that could potentially use the same bullets. So like a 7.63x39, .308 and 30-06, or 7x39 wildcat, 7x57 and .280/7 mag, etc. For that reason, a 6.5 Grendel and 6.5CM won't leave that possibility as open.

Right now I load for 7.62x39 and 7x57 and wish they could use the same bullets at times.

I've got the Grendel in an AR, the Creed in Savage 12 VLP and a 35 Whelen in Mauser 3000, cream of the crop. All three I built myself, "low, medium & high" power and there all just right.

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Originally Posted by 65Whelen

I've got the Grendel in an AR, the Creed in Savage 12 VLP and a 35 Whelen in Mauser 3000, cream of the crop. All three I built myself, "low, medium & high" power and there all just right.

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I suppose I could do the same with my 7.62x39, a .308 and a 30-06 but I sure like that 7mm bullet in my 7x57. So I was thinking I'll keep the 7x57, and add a 7-something on either end. Maybe a .280 on the higher end, but just not sure what it would be on the lower end though.

Take a good look at your shooting interests. If they include game weighing more than about 1500 lb, then the 30 caliber baseline is good even though the only pleasant shooting cartridge will be the 7.62x39.

If your hunting interests include game weighing less than about 1500 lb, then the Grendel is an absolutely enjoyable cartridge to shoot out to surprising ranges with the Creedmoor filling in most of the rest of the niches. You can add the 6.5-284 Norma for a larger case volume or go with something really attention getting and add the 26 Nosler.

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Originally Posted by JASmith

Take a good look at your shooting interests. If they include game weighing more than about 1500 lb, then the 30 caliber baseline is good even though the only pleasant shooting cartridge will be the 7.62x39.

If your hunting interests include game weighing less than about 1500 lb, then the Grendel is an absolutely enjoyable cartridge to shoot out to surprising ranges with the Creedmoor filling in most of the rest of the niches. You can add the 6.5-284 Norma for a larger case volume or go with something really attention getting and add the 26 Nosler.

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Solid advice. Thanks. Eventually my pursuits will include game over 1000 lb. but maybe not 1500. I know my 7x57 us up to the task for elk under 300 yards but if I take a rifle after elk, I want more horsepower than either a 7x57 or 7mm-08 can muster. It really is a shame we don't have a fairly common small cartridge in 7mm. Even lighter 7mm bullets have really good BC's that beg them to be loaded in low-recoil shorter range deer rifles. I'd think a 7mm Nosler BT 120 running around 2400 fps. would be a pleasure to shoot, and deadly on deer inside 200 yards.

Of course, there's nothing saying a person can't load a 7x57 or 7mm-08 down to that velocity (or less) I suppose.

Just an idea.

See if you can get a 30 caliber barrel with a 7.62 x 39 Chamber.

That would get you full commonality. You can get 7.62 bullets, some in the old 303 come very close to being right.

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Originally Posted by RC20

Just an idea.

See if you can get a 30 caliber barrel with a 7.62 x 39 Chamber.

That would get you full commonality. You can get 7.62 bullets, some in the old 303 come very close to being right.

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Already have it. I have a model 10 "Scout" in 7.62x39 that is a true .308 bore that gets used a LOT.

Just couldn't help but think I'd like that caliber more if it were necked down to take bullets that had a decent BC...

I may just scrap the idea and go with the 7.62x39/.308/30-06 alignment, although the reason I turned loose of my .308 to begin with, is that it and the 7x57 were pretty redundant.

If you have the '06 and the '39 you don't need the .308 Win.

Also, to keep you from landing just yet, look at the 140 gr lead free and 160 gr classic bullets in the 6.5 caliber. Then go here to see what they're good for: http://shootersnotes.com/ideal-bullet-weight/.

Well, I think I just got one step closer to my answer... LOL

Came across a big brother "twin" to my 7x57 - a Ruger Hawkeye 77 stainless in .280 - and couldn't lay off of it. So I have my "big" rifle on the way now.

I think I'll just keep that 7.62x39 for what it is - a great shooting, fun shooting plinker and short range hunting rifle for friends and family. It's so cheap to shoot and shoots so good with $6/box steel case ammo. I can't reload for that price. And inside 200 yards, my handloads are deadly on deer - as one of my young friends proved this year.

I'm nearing completion on a year's worth of load formulas for my 7x57 stainless RSI, and am satisfied that that will be my medium range deer killer from now on.

So now I have the long range/big game killer to start working up loads for... Another year at the bench I'll look forward to. At least I'm familiar with the bullets and powders I'll be using for it.

Being able to use the same powders and bullets between the 7x57 and the .280 was a big factor. I'm looking forward to that.

The 280 is excellent caliber which is to often overlooked. Good choice.

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Originally Posted by 65Whelen

The 280 is excellent caliber which is to often overlooked. Good choice.

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Thanks. And the fact that it's a functional twin of my 7x57 only makes it better. The familiarity between the two rifles will be very useful, I think.

I'm excited about it. My Valentine's day gift to me. ha, ha.

Now I really need a 7x39 to complete the set! :D

Nah, not really. The last time I bought 4 boxes of steel case 7.62x39 ammo from Academy for $6/box, and it shot under 1.5" at 100 yards, I realized how little time I should spend handloading for that caliber. There are gains to be had there (accuracy and terminal performance), but the juice is hardly worth the squeeze when you do the math.

I can see myself having a good amount of IMR 4350 and 139 and 154 grain 7mm interlocks on hand in the future. ;)

there is a guy on ar15.com (kurtz aka 7.62x40mm) he developed a 7x39 but with a blown out case called the 7mm ARk

http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4600

Oh, that is really nice! I want!