7.62 = .308??

[newgun]

Please tell me the difference between 7.62x54 and 7.62x39. I've never owned a 7.62 but was thinking of getting one of the cheap SKS or mosin-nagants that are frequently on sale.

[Aught Six]

The 7.62x39 is the AK/SKS round. The cartridge length is 39mm, hence the metric name. The 7.62x54R is used in the Mosin-Nagants and SVDs, among other Com-Bloc rifles. As the name denotes it has a 54mm case length with a rim.

They are two very different rounds (the 54R was developed in the early 1890's; the 39 in the early 1940's), but both useful to the plinker, and in some circumstances, the hunter as well. In terms of ballistics, the 7.62x54R is similar to the .308 Win. On the other hand, The AK cartridge is a bit underpowered for hunting, although anything is possible with perfect shot placement.

I've not owned an AK or SKS, but they are very fun to shoot during an informal plinking session. I have owned a Mosin (first rifle, just sold it a couple of months ago), and it's a whole other beast. It's very heavy (about 10 lbs. loaded), very long (I believe it was a little over 48" butt to muzzle), and the sights are awful. Cheap, but I wouldn't use it to hunt unless I had no other choice.

[Rick Teal]

The 7.62 in these cartridge names refers to the bore size. This converts to .30 or .300 calibre. The second number refers to the length of the case in millimeters.

These two Soviet/Russian cartridges shoot bullets that are .311 in diameter. The Soviets cut their rifling a little deeper than is the norm in western Europe and North America.

The sporting cartridge commonly known as the .308 started life designated as the 7.62 NATO or the 7.62X51. However the rifling was cut .004 inches deep rather than the .0054 that the Soviets used. This meant the bullet was .308 in diameter as are almost all of our western .30 calibre cartridges.

For some reason, when Ruger was developing the "Mini 30", they decided to rifle the barrel so that you must use .308 bullets rather than the standard .311's for thr 7.62X39.

[Leverdude]

ORIGINAL: Rick Teal

The 7.62 in these cartridge names refers to the bore size. This converts to .30 or .300 calibre. The second number refers to the length of the case in millimeters.

These two Soviet/Russian cartridges shoot bullets that are .311 in diameter. The Soviets cut their rifling a little deeper than is the norm in western Europe and North America.

The sporting cartridge commonly known as the .308 started life designated as the 7.62 NATO or the 7.62X51. However the rifling was cut .004 inches deep rather than the .0054 that the Soviets used. This meant the bullet was .308 in diameter as are almost all of our western .30 calibre cartridges.

For some reason, when Ruger was developing the "Mini 30", they decided to rifle the barrel so that you must use .308 bullets rather than the standard .311's for thr 7.62X39.

Does that mean if you have a mini30 you cant use the mil surplus ammo thats around?
I dont have one, I'm just curious.

[rkbo]

I used to shoot the .311 cal. stuff in my mini 30 and it never complained. It never shot well with any ammo so I got rid of it. My mak 90 always shot better than my mini 30.

[glock29rd]

dont buy an sks... for about 200.00 you can buy a russian sporterized ak 47 deemed the SAIGA .. it is imported from the EAA corp www.eaacorp.com they are damn accurate and the reliability is 2nd to none. people do turn them back into hi cap ak47's.. its a 12 step process.. just takes time and effort.. i own the 16 inch barreled model but it does come in a 20 inch barrel and different calibers.....223-.308-30.06-.270-

i also own a m38 nagant rifle with a 20 inch barrel... talk about an accurate rifle... wolf has 200 grain soft point huntinag ammo .. www.jgsales.com $4.50 a box and 59.99 for
a nagant rifle m38 - m44 - m91/30