Those who've done the 7.62x39 conversion

[futurerider103]

I called savage to verify what I thought and they said the bolt head and extractor are the sand size for the 7.62x39 and the .308 so theoretically all I would need to do would have my 308 barrel cut at the chamber and have it reamed for 762 X 39 which I can have done for $100-$150 locally

[FW Conch]

Actually, your 308 bolt face is .473" and the 7.62x39 bolt face is .447". The 7.62x39 will fire on the 308 bolt face, and may eject, but it is best to get the proper bolt face. I have done a 6.5 Grendle conversion which uses the same bolt head as the 7.62x39. You can get one from GunShack. :-)

[futurerider103]

Yea I found the 7.62x39 bolt head from gun shack but when I called savage today the guy on the phone said the .308 bolt head and the 7.62x39 is the same part number but they no longer sell the bolt heads. I then asked if the extractor was different because on the switchbarrel Web site he said he needed a SSS unit because it was just a bit longer but once again the guy at savage said they were the same part number and offered to sell me it.

He did mention the bolt is black on the scout and that was the only difference.


Since the bolt head diameter is slightly larger on the .308 what would the adverse effects be aside of the extractor possibly not being long enough?
I would think that it should be fine since it's slightly larger if it were smaller I could see that being an issue with the bolt not shutting or if it did shut not having the firing pin close enough to strike the primer

[FW Conch]

I certainly don't want to argue with "the guy from Savage"! :-)

Or the "Man from Uncle"! :-)

[sharpshooter]

The guy you talked to at Savage doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. A .473 bolt head won't extract a .440 case head. The factory bolt heads for the 7.62 x 39 and the .308 are NOT the same.

[futurerider103]

Did you do the 7.62x39 conversion? Were you able to use the savage .308 barrel or did you have to use a barrel from a Remington like switchbarrel?

[FW Conch]

Do you know who you're talking to? And I don't mean me? :-)

[futurerider103]

Nope

[futurerider103]

Oh my bad I didn't see the user name was sharpshooter(I'm on my phone) and just just thought it was just you fw conch.
My bad

[Hotolds442]

I guarantee you that Savage is not using the same bolt heads in the 7.62x39 and the 308. Try this when calling customer service:
Bolt head, short RH black 7.62x39 p/n 108659

And the magazine box:
7.62x39 magazine box NFS p/n 108664 (NFS signifies centerfeed)

Magazine follower:
223/7.62x39 follower p/n 106253

Use the following serial number when ordering parts and they can see exactly which extractor you need:
H800634

Now you're all set.

[futurerider103]

Sweet. Thanks for that info

[futurerider103]

My plans are a short action 7.62x39 (medium contour barrel if i have to buy a new barrel sporter if i can use a savage factory barrel)with a ptg bottom metal/aics setup in this stock.

[futurerider103]

So can you use a factory savage barrel or when you cut the threads to re chamber it does that not leave enough there to safely attach the barrel

[Robinhood]

So can you use a factory savage barrel or when you cut the threads to re chamber it does that not leave enough there to safely attach the barrel

You are going to have a problem with most small shank barrels having enough material to cut threads after the set back.