Something a bit smaller for a change...

[Homer]

G'Day Fella's,

FYI, here is a post I placed on the Nosler forum, about the new Howa model 1500 Mini action, in 7.62x39.
https://forum.nosler.com/viewtopic.php? ... 16#p374316

I hope this may be of some assistance

Merry Christmas
Homer

[Homer]

G'Day Fella's,

Finally got a scope on this little rifle.

DSCN1784.JPG (521.14 KiB) Viewed 6359 times

and shot some (50 meter) groups.

DSCN1786.JPG (428.24 KiB) Viewed 6359 times

DSCN1788.JPG (385.97 KiB) Viewed 6359 times

I think the Howa Mini is a keeper and Homer is a Happy Lad!

Doh!
Homer

[in2anity]

This calibre in this exact rifle really interests me - you have an insane amount of options considering its a 30 cal and the smaller case size means it's ideal for reduced loads. Whats the twist rate on this exact rifle?

[bladeracer]

This calibre in this exact rifle really interests me - you have an insane amount of options considering its a 30 cal and the smaller case size means it's ideal for reduced loads. Whats the twist rate on this exact rifle?

Actually, 7.62x39 doesn't use .308 bullets so options are fairly limited, at least that's my understanding of it.
In my opinion, 300BLK is a better choice if you aren't willing to simply load down .308.

[in2anity]

This calibre in this exact rifle really interests me - you have an insane amount of options considering its a 30 cal and the smaller case size means it's ideal for reduced loads. Whats the twist rate on this exact rifle?

Actually, 7.62x39 doesn't use .308 bullets so options are fairly limited, at least that's my understanding of it.
In my opinion, 300BLK is a better choice if you aren't willing to simply load down .308.

<EDIT> ; tight twist - the bullet diameter could be close depends on the actual bore size of the howa. It's just like a 30/30 can shoot spitzers (so long as you don't load more than one in the mag ). I mean I can't claim that I've done it - but google it dude. I'd try lead through your rifle tbh - gas checked slightly oversized RN 308 lead over Trail Boss should work well with a 1:10, and very economical and fun for plinking, if not a mid burn like 2207 or 2206. Maybe I'm wrong though that's why I asked

[bladeracer]

Umm the cartridge can use any 308 projectile from 110 to 220 man; tight twist - the bullet diameter is the same. It's just like a 30/30 can shoot spitzers (so long as you don't load more than one in the mag ). I mean I can't claim that I've done it - but google it dude. I'd try lead through your rifle tbh - gas checked RN 308 lead over Trail Boss should work well with a 1:10, and very economical and fun for plinking, if not a mid burn like 2207 or 2206. Maybe I'm wrong though that's why I asked

I'm sure you can load .308 bullets into it but do they work as well as the correct diameter bullets?

[brett1868]

This calibre in this exact rifle really interests me - you have an insane amount of options considering its a 30 cal and the smaller case size means it's ideal for reduced loads. Whats the twist rate on this exact rifle?

Actually, 7.62x39 doesn't use .308 bullets so options are fairly limited, at least that's my understanding of it.
In my opinion, 300BLK is a better choice if you aren't willing to simply load down .308.

Umm the cartridge can use any 308 projectile from 110 to 200 man - the bullet diameter is the same. It's just like a 30/30 can shoot spitzers (so long as you don't load more than one in the mag ). I mean I can't claim that I've done it - but google it dude. I'd try lead through your rifle tbh - gas checked RN 308 lead over Trail Boss should work well with a 1:10 and very economical for plinking, if not a mid burn like 2207 or 2206. Maybe I'm wrong though

According to the ADI site it'll take a .310", .311" & .312" projectile like the good old 303whereas the usual 30Cal is .308". Plenty guys running .308" projectiles through the .303" so it should be similar with the 7.62x39. Pity about the timing though as I used to buy spam cans of Russian ammo to feed my SKS & SKK.

[bladeracer]

Actually, I just had a bit of a Google, and it seems some modern manufacturers when chambering for 7.62x39mm are using a .309" bore. That would probably work okay with .308" bullets.

[in2anity]

Umm the cartridge can use any 308 projectile from 110 to 220 man; tight twist - the bullet diameter is the same. It's just like a 30/30 can shoot spitzers (so long as you don't load more than one in the mag ). I mean I can't claim that I've done it - but google it dude. I'd try lead through your rifle tbh - gas checked RN 308 lead over Trail Boss should work well with a 1:10, and very economical and fun for plinking, if not a mid burn like 2207 or 2206. Maybe I'm wrong though that's why I asked

I'm sure you can load .308 bullets into it but do they work as well as the correct diameter bullets?

<EDIT> - misread OP as 7.62 x 35; 308 may fail to stabilise in 7.62 x 39; one needs to test the concerned projectile.

[in2anity]

Actually, I just had a bit of a Google, and it seems some modern manufacturers when chambering for 7.62x39mm are using a .309" bore. That would probably work okay with .308" bullets.

I think it would vary from manufacturer to manufacturer - the official spec for 30/30 is .308, but for example marlins are .309" - they will shoot .308" bullets though

[bladeracer]

According to the ADI site it'll take a .310", .311" & .312" projectile like the good old 303whereas the usual 30Cal is .308". Plenty guys running .308" projectiles through the .303" so it should be similar with the 7.62x39. Pity about the timing though as I used to buy spam cans of Russian ammo to feed my SKS & SKK.

I haven't had success with .308 bullets in my .303.
Maybe a long, blunt bullet might work though.

.264" spitzer bullets don't work in my .268" Carcano at all, but the .264" Hornady 160gn RN does fatten up enough to build pressure.

[bladeracer]

I think it would vary from manufacturer to manufacturer - the official spec is .308, same as 308W and 30/30, but for example marlins are .309" - they always shoot .308" bullets though

The official spec for the 7.62x39mm bullet and barrel is .310" or .311", not .308".

[bladeracer]

The diameter is the same 0.308 inch (7.8mm) you should get into handloading (if you're not already) it's a lot of fun

No it isn't.
.308 is 0.308" diameter.
7.62x39mm is 0.310"-ish.


I started handloading in '83 with my first centrefire rifle.

[in2anity]

According to the ADI site it'll take a .310", .311" & .312" projectile like the good old 303whereas the usual 30Cal is .308". Plenty guys running .308" projectiles through the .303" so it should be similar with the 7.62x39. Pity about the timing though as I used to buy spam cans of Russian ammo to feed my SKS & SKK.

I haven't had success with .308 bullets in my .303.
Maybe a long, blunt bullet might work though.

.264" spitzer bullets don't work in my Carcano at all, but the .264" Hornady 160gn RN does fatten up enough to build pressure.

Yes because the 303 is officially 4 thou bigger than 308 - actual 303 barrels may even be 5 or 6 You need at least a .311 for proper obturation in a 303

[bladeracer]

I just noticed
Go back to photos in the first post and note the bullet diameters Homer is using - .309" and .310".

[bladeracer]

Yes because the 303 is officially 4 thou bigger than 308 - actual 303 barrels may even be 5 or 6 You need at least a .311 for obturation in a 303

That's almost correct, .303 is usually specified at .3105" - mine is .311". And it's the same situation for 7.62x54R, and almost the same for 7.62x39mm (official bore diameter for the 7.62x39mm seems to vary a bit, but not as tight as .308").

[in2anity]

Yes because the 303 is officially 4 thou bigger than 308 - actual 303 barrels may even be 5 or 6 You need at least a .311 for obturation in a 303

That's almost correct, .303 is usually specified at .3105" - mine is .311". And it's the same situation for 7.62x54R, and almost the same for 7.62x39mm (official bore diameter for the 7.62x39mm seems to vary a bit, but not as tight as .308").

Lol righto stat-man I didn't realize you were the almighty technicality judge https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.303_British - I say it varies between rifles. Anyway I'm not here to argue about 303s; we're side tracked - point is the 300 BO will shoot most 308 projectiles fine. I really want a nice 1:10 HB BO to plink lead with!!

[in2anity]

I think it would vary from manufacturer to manufacturer - the official spec is .308, same as 308W and 30/30, but for example marlins are .309" - they always shoot .308" bullets though

The official spec for the 7.62x39mm bullet and barrel is .310" or .311", not .308".

Wait, are we talking Russian or 7.62 x 35 (300 BO)? If it's Russian x 39 indeed you are correct - i was thinking 300 BO. What is homers howa?

[bladeracer]

Lol righto stat-man I didn't realize you were the almighty technicality judge https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.303_British - I say it varies between rifles. Anyway I'm not here to argue about 303s; we're side tracked - point is the 300 BO will shoot most 308 projectiles fine. I really want a nice 1:10 HB BO to plink lead with!!

Stat-man????

How did 300BLK come into a discussion about a Howa in 7.62x39mm?

Yes, 300BLK is .308", but you stated "This calibre in this exact rifle really interests me - you have an insane amount of options considering its a 30 cal and the smaller case size means it's ideal for reduced loads. Whats the twist rate on this exact rifle?" - regarding a Howa rifle in 7.62x39mm...or the numerous times I referred specifically to 7.62x39mm...

[in2anity]

I just noticed
Go back to photos in the first post and note the bullet diameters Homer is using - .309" and .310".

Well damn it can handle the 309! I wonder what the official diameter of that barrel is!

[bladeracer]

Well damn it can handle the 309! I wonder what the official diameter of that barrel is!

Also note - it is chambered in 7.62x39mm not 300BLK.

[in2anity]

Lol righto stat-man I didn't realize you were the almighty technicality judge https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.303_British - I say it varies between rifles. Anyway I'm not here to argue about 303s; we're side tracked - point is the 300 BO will shoot most 308 projectiles fine. I really want a nice 1:10 HB BO to plink lead with!!

Stat-man????

How did 300BLK come into a discussion about a Howa in 7.62x39mm?

Yes, 300BLK is .308", but you stated "This calibre in this exact rifle really interests me - you have an insane amount of options considering its a 30 cal and the smaller case size means it's ideal for reduced loads. Whats the twist rate on this exact rifle?" - regarding a Howa rifle in 7.62x39mm...or the numerous times I referred specifically to 7.62x39mm...

Sorry was confused between the two - my bad. The whole time I was imagining 300 BO for some reason.

[bladeracer]

Sorry was confused between the two - my bad. The whole time I was imagining 300 BO for some reason.

No worries, at least your side of the discussion makes sense in that light

[in2anity]

Sorry was confused between the two - my bad. The whole time I was imagining 300 BO for some reason.

No worries, at least your side of the discussion makes sense in that light

Yeah I read OP as 7.62x35 (aka 300 BO) instead of x39. That changes things completely; I'm not nearly as interested in the rifle now I need to go back and strike through my posts as a disclaimer. Sorry Homer, ignore my rambling. Although interestingly it did stabilize a 309"... maybe strangely there is some truth to running 308s through it.

[bladeracer]

Yeah I read OP as 7.62x35 (aka 300 BO) instead of x39. That changes things completely; I'm not nearly as interested in the rifle now I need to go back and strike through my posts as a disclaimer. Sorry Homer, ignore my rambling. Although interestingly it did stabilize a 309"... maybe strangely there is some truth to running 308s through it.

I read that Ruger did the Mini-30 with a tighter bore to allow Americans to use .308" bullets, and that was a fair while ago.
I'd also be interested to know if the Howa is using a tighter-than-spec bore diameter for similar reasons.

[in2anity]

Here you go straight from the horse's mouth:

(for Howa rifles)
7.62 x 39:
land to land = 0.300
groove to groove = 0.311"
308 win:
land to land = 0.300"
groove to groove = 0.308"

What does this mean? In short you are ok to use .30cal projectiles with the only variance you’ll get will be velocity. No guarantee when it comes accuracy however.

[Oldbloke]

IMHO. You would be better off buying a 308, or other more common calibre and down load. Less common calibres are often problematic when it comes to availability and cost.

Popular calibres are popular for a reason.

[in2anity]

IMHO. You would be better off buying a 308, or other more common calibre and down load. Less common calibres are often problematic when it comes to availability and cost.

Popular calibres are popular for a reason.

Agreed. If only Howa offered 300blk... I just like the idea of a smaller case matching reduced loads (which I predominantly shoot); I'm not a big fan of case filler.

[Gwion]

Get a Howa mini and have it rebarrelled to 300blk.

[in2anity]

Get a Howa mini and have it rebarrelled to 300blk.

Would you need to have the action/magazine altered to match 300blk? What would be the best calibre + Howa gun to start with if you wanted to do this?