GS455

So far I worked the bolt and lugs slathered in bore paste for what must have been hundreds of times. Without magazine installed it does indeed seem improved, however, mag loaded wi snap-caps it still and awful action. pushing and pulling the bolt. Turning bolt down and up with mag installed it still quite difficult. I was wondering/thinking with the action in a chassis allowing for AR version Duramags or similar it could be better but that's a pretty expensive rabbit hole to run down as a test. Anyone have any other ideas? It just NOT a pleasant experience cycling. In fact I'm pretty perturbed at how awful it is.

To be clear, I understand some lapping compound or JB Bore paste applied to the bolt lugs and worked over and over should accelerate aging/break-in/smoothing of that function of the action (turn and unturn of the bolt). And I’ll try that. Still, pushing/dragging it across a loaded magazine is a clunky chore. If I fall in love with this thing I may try trigger springs or even drop in a Timney. I understand it is supposed to be 2-stage, however, their product description page does not say. https://timneytriggers.com/replacement-trigger-for-the-ruger-american-centerfire/

RAR in 762x39 - First day out, First impressions. I put a Nikon P-300 BLK 2-7x32 BDC Scope with SuperSub reticle for trial. It’s mounted via ARMS 22 (low) throw rings (love these things) Have previously used this on an SKS-D but been on the shelf for years. The BDC reticle is for 300BLK ballistics and should more or less match 7.62x39, HOWEVER, I probably should have read up on the BDC aspects of this reticle. I zeroed at 100yds and easily hit my marks at 100 and 200 (at 1st hash mark down) but couldn’t hit a thing at or beyond 300yds. I’ve since read up and this reticle is meant to be zeroed at 200. But this is another matter. ACCURACY Thus far I have NO complaints about accuracy and expect I can do better. I grabbed some Barnaul FMJ as well as some Republic for the day. I’m guessing the latter is the same Vympel marketed as Golden Tiger (looks identical). They performed identically as far as I could tell. There was virtually no distinction between the two regarding POI and group size. I didn’t measure but I estimate all these groups mainly to be under 2” @ 100yds. It will be interesting to see how the old corrosive milsurps performs (later). http:// TRIGGER I don’t know why but I was under the impression the RAR had a two-stage trigger –no. Out of the box the trigger was unpleasant @ 5lb, 6oz with a gritty creep just before break. I ran the adjustment screw in/out a few times playing at several adjustment points and got it down to 3lb,10z but no better. Nice clean break but still a slight grit before the break. ERGO It’s a light handy rifle with moderate recoil and while the stock is really as cheesy as others have reported the form-factor / pistol grip is quite fine for my hand. Wood in the same format would be nicer. I may or may not think about that later. Frankly, I’m on the fence about even keeping this or perhaps contacting Ruger about the following. I believe I mentioned I do have an RPR in .308. That rifle’s action, while not exceptional, is very satisfactory/good. Beyond this I have little to no experience with new, production rifles. I mainly collect and shoot 20th century milsurps. After firing the RPR I can easily flip up the bolt handle with a couple fingers to cycle the next round with my eye barely leaving the scope’s site picture. One of my PU Snipers is as nice and perhaps smoother (depending on ammo) ACTION The action is miserable!!! Rough, chalky, dry feel with many bumps and obstacles to get the bolt forward and gturned to fire. A MAJOR effort to unbolt, draw back and cycle between rounds. I literally have to take my left hand and hold the buttstock to cycle the action. Much rough + kludge to force the bolt across the magazine and feed in the next round. The magazine drops easily when empty but I can sometimes, unintentionally force the bolt past the BHO follower feature. Seating the magazine up takes a bit of force and I’m not always sure it’s seated because, either way, it seats loosely. Several times I cycled nothing into the chamber realizing I needed to slam the magazine up into locked position. Again it’s always loose. CONCLUSION In the end I could live with the ergonomics and trigger. Shoots well, in fact, GREAT grouping for 7.62x39. I would think about investing in a better stock/chassis and perhaps alternate scope selection, but I’m not sure I can get past the action as is. It’s really awful. Cheap, crappy feel, like a toy! I know it’s not a top tier match gun but I find the RPR to be a pretty decent value for $1,200. Again, I have little experience with new, outta-the-box firearms. Was I expecting too much for a $450 bolt gun? Very unpleasant operating this thing. Someone mentioned cycling a thousand times by hand to smooth out. Not sure I’m up for that. Should I be? Any word on how to deal with this action? I’m all ears.

So I finally pulled the trigger (pun intended) for an RAR. $429 + $19 shipping and didn’t get charged sales tax. https://www.familyfirearms.com/prod....62x39mm-flat-dark-earth-16976#product_detail I made this post on several of the forums I frequent. Scrubbed through them all, adding up the number of recommendations/feedback on the three primary models I’ve been considering. I really wanted to go with the HOWA (i.e. longer barrel, etc) but the assets of Ruger RAR overtake it (for me). Magazines were a biggie. I’d be glad to detail. No doubt plenty will be telling me my rationalizations are wrong and why. And that’s fine. Opens up debate and public learning for others to observe and make up their own mind. Not unlike the old arguments about “having” to clean up after a day shooting corrosive is no a big deal. I’ll run it to the range as outta the box first but 90% sure I’ll be going with a chassis of some kind. Picking up tomorrow and getting stock version to the range the next day or two for trial.

I've made this post on several of my favorite forums. Tons of great feedback and info (thanks all). I'm leaning towards a Howa or a Ruger I think (very little commentary on the new CZs). Both probably going into a match type or chosen stock whether wood, laminate or poly. Howa has a broad variety of stock options but, as noted, can also just purchase a barreled action (for less $) and toss it in a stock of my choosing. I do have a lead on a used 527 but when I have some time in town I'm going to see if any of the major gun retailers carry any of these new models. I'd love to feel the actions and triggers. Surprisingly kind of strange for me because with a closet and safe full of 20th century Milsurps I've rarely ever bought brand new firearms at retail. Not over a counter anyway.

Okay, not a precision caliber BUT I’ve really been digging my PUSnipers and RPR in .308 this last year. Seems my semi autos rarely make it to the range anymore. I do have some x39 projects in the works but thinking about all the corrosive x39 I have squirreled away and I just never use it anymore b/c I don’t want to HAVE to clean up after all-day at the range + an hour in each direction. Corrosive through a bolt gun is only a few minutes to swab the bore/bolt/action after unpacking I kick myself for not grabbing a CZ527 back in the day but alas I’m finally getting around to scratching this itch. Doesn’t seem like there’s much out there. So far I’ve found: CZ527 : Do I start the search for a used one? Can mags be found ? Not nuts about a single stack 5rd mag so would probably want several backups (not cheap). I’ve read scoe fitment can be a bitch. And what’s with that rear site? Looks like these things are going for about a grand if you can find em. CZ600 Trail: Not terribly interested in the stock config. Loose ? Tight? Perhaps a bit too tacti-cool for my tastes, although, I REALLY do like the idea of the adjustable two-stage trigger. Wonder if it could retro into the other models (prob not). Plus it declares as a 2MOA gun (?). CZ600 Alpha: Price is better. Better accuracy. I’ll probably hate the plasticky stock. Don’t need irons for what I’ll be doing and the integrated rails seem nice. Still only 5rd single stack. Suppressor one day? Ruger American Ranch: The stock alone is literally almost a deal breaker for me. What were they thinking? That thing is as hideous as Avacado colored appliances from the 70s. Aftermarket options (more money)? I really like that there are more mag options although Ruger mags are spendy. Website doesn’t specify single or dual stage trigger although is adjustable. Looks like a cheek riser will be a need. Howa Oryx by MDT: Very interesting. Never heard of this company (I’m mainly a milsurp collector),although, this could sit nicely next to my RPR. Adjustable “everything” outta the box. Scope mounting options are not clear on their website. Is 20” too long for x39? I thought 16-18” was about it for max length. No info about spare mags and what they cost Thoughts ? Ideas? Experiences?

I don't know if it's kosher here to post links to another forum but lots of chatter and history about M1A/M14s here: https://www.gunco.net/threads/is-the-m-14-rifle-obsolete.116903/ OP should chime in and let us know where he stands - just sayin

Was a decision or purchase ever made? I don't think the OP really provide enough information on his interest or use of rifles. Personally, I'm a collector of 20th century battle rifles and stand by a lot of the 308 MBR details shared above. Having all mentioned above I would also include from my collection the suggestions of a PTR 91 and any variant of an AR10. Mine's a Rock River LAR8 Elite Operator. And it's probably the only 308 MBR type rifle I have that beats my M1A. On another topic, and within your budget range, I would strongly suggest a Ruger Precision Rifle in 308. The thing is a tack driver right out of the box. It's one of the few non milsurp rifles I own and I love it to death. Just have to slap a quality high mag optic on it and you're ready for competition level shooting. My wife got me one for Christmas a few years ago and it's probably the best Christmas present I ever got since my Apollo 5 speed when I was 12 years old.

I'm mainly a bench rest plinker with long arms. I strongly recommend Magpul PRS or PRS light if you have long arms and are concerned about good scope acquisition

Yeah, there's a drama thread going on about this over on the CMP forums. Probably a buck a round or whatever is just under new manufactured 150gr. You can find 1960s non corrosive boxer Turk out there for about .74 cents around.

Uuuuh, Well, that was interesting . I'll resemble that advice.

Preciate it, yeah, I dodged a bullet big time. If that clot was just a little bit bigger it would have shut down a good chunk of the left side of my brain for good. AND my blood sugar was 420 when I came into the ER. So now I'm a diabetic to boot. I need to get my fat a$$ together and lose 85 lbs, quit smoking (FOR GOOD this time) stop eating ice cream and cereal before bed, get on a treadmill every morning for a half hour and do more shooting on the weekends.

Somewhat of a digest from the other forum: This is a rifle I’ve been struggling with for a couple years never able to get any kind of reasonable performance out of it. Once in a while I’d get it out of the rest and be able to hit steel or some reactionary target reliably after figuring out a hold but could never really print groups. I detailed the poor performance last October when trying different new ammo out of it. Today I ran this stuff: https://ppu-usa.com/ppu/7-62x54-r-match/ Tried to print and as in the past just spattered 4-5” groups from a couple mags. Put it down (disgusted) for an hour, picked it back up and hit 100yd 12” steel 8 out of 10 rounds (WHAAAAT?). Put it back into the sled and shot the 5rd group you see on the upper right. I'm thinking “okay, I’ve finally got a group I can dial in” I took the elevation down a couple inches and windage to the left by in inch and shot the 6rd group you see lower left. I literally touched nothing else on the rifle but dialed the turrets of the Trijicon Accupoint. I didn’t even change mags (11th round was a stray I hand fed into the chamber) So, After all this grief - Is this scope toast ? Well, I described the situation to Trijicon. I sent in the scope and they eventually told me they were replacing it. Never said why but it took 9 months (middle of lock-down / supply chain era) In the end it wore another optic and I finally got the Accupoint back on it . Shoots for crap-. To this day I have never been able to reproduce that 5-shot group (nor hit 100yd steel 8 outta 10 rounds) again. But it did shoot well once. Thus "bizarre accuracy issues"

Speaking of Chattanooga. I was just transported from Nashville to CHI Memorial last night. I had a minor stroke Thursday night and the ER that I went to doesn't have a neurologist on staff. No hospitals in Middle Tennessee with a neurologist on staff had any beds to take me. Waited 24 hours and finally got a 3-hour ambulance ride down to Chatanoo. Happy New Year's. Glad to be alive. Are you able to see the thread on the AKFiles?

Yes and no.

Yea my PSL isn't exactly a tack-driver either. Do you have an acct on the AKFiles? The long saga is reviewed here.... https://www.akfiles.com/forums/threads/my-54r-vepr-woes.442967/ I am in the process of getting the stock hopefully better bedded. The Ironwood Design (RIP) stock set I have only has two top screws (tang and in rear of receiver) and clearly is not enough o keep it tight.

I was at Guns n Leather yesterday talking to the smith about getting better stock bedding on a 54r Vepr currently wearing an Ironwood Designs stock set that continually works itself loose. Anyway, this rifle has had bizarre good/poor accuracy issues since I've owned it and after trying much I was hoping to get a very knowledgeable AK guy take a look at it. One of the guys at the counter said a guy comes in a couple times/yr (wi a heavy foreign accent) buying some expensive accessories/parts for AK type rifles and that the guy is a builder in Nashville. Anyway, looking to find a builder type in town to take a look at this girl.

I'd be good with that out of any of my milsurps

Wow, that was a fast turnaround. You think it was the actual gun? The particular ammo you were using? Or just that 762x39 round doesn't present for accurate shooting

Interesting, I might start a thread over on the AK Files about this maybe cast a wide net for information. That CZ model looked pretty interesting to me a few years back

Did you end up getting it? This is a post/write up I did on my M77 over a year ago on a different forum (AKFiles). Course mine is probably 8 or 10 years old and came into the States originally in an ugly thumb hole stock. Anyway, FWIW............ My Yugo collection is almost the same as Hansellhds. Love em. Best Comblocs (I think). One day I need to line em up for a family portrait as well. I had the good fortune of picking up an M77 a few years ago already dressed in M76 furniture for $850. Put an Arsenal “two stage” in it, combo hider/brake, RSRegulate side mount and one of those Primary Arms FFP 6x BDC scopes, squared the back of the receiver and invested in Csspecs 20rd mags. I even managed to get a cleaning rod mounted under the barrel to have it present as an actual DMR (even though they never were). Probably the most I ever invested in dressing up a Barbie doll before seeing what she was like in bed ! Based on the great experience with my M48 (sniper repro wi ZRAK) and M76 I had high hopes for the 77 but I could never do better than 3+” groups making it nearly useless for the plinking fun out to 400 yds. It was horrible past 200 yds. I don’t reload and shoot mainly stockpiled new M80 and an assortment of stockpiled NATO milsurp. These various ammos have always done much better in my M1A (best), FALs, Galil, LAR8EO and others, at least satisfactory for plinking out to 400. The M77 was such a disappointment I was considering off’ing it or just shelfing it at the back of the safe BUT THEN……. The other day I happened to load up some untried Lithuanian into four empty M77 mags. The other four had Austrian STG58 NATO in em. Grabbed a random mag and went to proof the rifle on paper. I was astonished to see I was getting better than 2” groups. It was the Lithuanian. I grabbed a mag of the Austrian and sure enough it opened up to almost 4”. Back to a mag of Lith and I was hitting six outta ten on 12” steel at 400 yds. WTF !!! Maybe it was a dream? Looking forward to a next day at the range to reconfirm. Soooo, how is it all my other 762NATO rifles can do typically so much better with average milsurp ammo? That same day my M1A proofed 1.5” on PPU M80. The M77 shoots for crap for two years and outta nowhere this Lithuanian turns out to be 2” tighter than anything else I feed it. Again – WTF !!! I know some rifles “like” some ammo better than others but statistically speaking this situation is a bizarre outlier. Almost like there’s some Communist cosmic connection here between Lithuania and Serbia/Yugoslavia each once part of the USSR (and they like each other)? BTW and PS: I was coveting those M91s coming out one day and “settled” for the M77. Now, I may have dumped another $800 dollars into this thing and if she shoots 2 MOA I’ll be ecstatic but I just can’t stomach the thought of spending $2,400, $2,500 or $3,100 on what’s basically a better dressed 54r version M77 or PSL.

Intesting, I've often thought about getting a bolt gun in x39 as I too have a crap ton of assorted steel ammo. Then I always realize how mediocre the accuracy is at least in all my Comm block semiautos. Course I'm not shooting dollar a round x39, nor will I. Your rifle seems to like whatever "Win" and "AE" are. what's happening at 3 or 400 yards? what are all the brands of ammo on your target? I can't make them all out although several look like spendy ammo. I'd love to see a comparison of all the run of the mill steelcase that everybody has access to such as, Tula, Golden Tiger, Barnaul, the Tigers, the Bears, Red Army, Yellow Army, whatever, etc. I don't think I'd ever go out and buy brass cased expensive x39 ammo for bolt gun target shooting. I get that these may be handy lightweight solutions for pests and varmints on the farm, or a good dear gun under 100yds. BUT if there was reasonably improved accuracy out of a bolt gun for the lifetime of Steel x39 that I already have I might be tempted to get one. Didn't CZ make a pretty nice one as well?

A-okay. Cycled normally !!!

Out to the range tomorrow. We'll see how it does in real life.

BAM !!! New parts in and working!!! Piece of cake. Years of minor frustration behind me. Noooow why couldn't the "gunsmith" have done that. No, he had to pry and bend at it making it worse. Thanks all