Ideal barrel length for 7.62x39?

I've got a 14.5" 7.62x39 upper, with Remington Cor-lok soft points I was un-happy with the terminal performance on a 150ish lb deer. The round did not expand as expected, was a pass through and acted like an fmj. The deer ran approximately 80yds with zero blood trail. Shot placement alone was what put the deer down (double lung). So I know that the cor-lok bullet is a much better projectile than anything Russian made, and if 14.5 isn't enough powder burn for optimal terminal velocity, I would recommend at least 16". Keep in mind the 762x39 was developed for the sks with a full length 22" barrel.

@fiskunkape That’s interesting, thanks for sharing.
it’s funny you mention cor-lok, I’ve been looking for x39 deer hunting rounds and can’t find anything. Underwood had something that looked promising but it sold out long before i got any. On paper x39 could be a decent short-medium range deer round but all of that is irrelevant if nothing is available when it’s time to hunt.

That it is I bought most of a 10 box case of the cor loks at my LGS right at the beginning of the COOF, thinking it would be the ducks nuts for deer hunting but only shot the one, and wasn't super impressed. With a 150gr 308 95%+ of the deer I shoot drop where they are standing. That being said I would try the x39 again but would want one of these new bullets for subsonic expansion to ensure its going to open up. I would also consider a round nose bullet loaded into the x39 case, something kinda like a 30-30. Once I move in a few months I'm going to be able to set up my reloading bench and my hunting ammo options in the caliber open up substantially...

Also I hope some American ammunition manufacturers pick up the slack and start sending out more brass x39 options. But I don't think the demand is there yet.

Flskunkape said:

Also I hope some American ammunition manufacturers pick up the slack and start sending out more brass x39 options. But I don't think the demand is there yet.

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Palmetto State is apparently trying to buy the equipment to manufacture steel cased x39 in the US. Just hope it’s not like Horandy’s steel that is as, or more, expensive than their brass offerings!


To the OP’s question…I have a Galil Ace Gen1 in x39 with an 8.3 inch barrel. While fun to shoot in short stretches (think blinding fireball in full sunlight 🤣), I would say it is far from ”ideal” (though that means different things to everyone). Suppressed isn’t bad though and is quite fun and soft shooting with a KNS adjustable gas piston.

Probably depends on what you're trying to do and what you're comparing it to. Take a 55 grain FMJ M193 5.56 round out of a 16" bbl and shoot a standard 8x16" cinder block. The 5.56 round will only go through the first wall into the empty chamber in the middle. By contrast, my 7.75" Mini Draco in 7.62x39 122 grain FMJ will punch completely through the block, cracking it in half in the process.

No idea what "ideal" is.....But for SBR lengths, it appears that most off the shelf ammo comparisons will net more ft-lb energy with pretty much any X39 length vs. 5.56.

@Sean K. thats pretty much the kind of thing I was hoping to hear about.
I have enjoyed shooting x39 with a bolt action with a 22” barrel, so I’ve been thinking about what barrel length I’d like for an XCR-L conversion kit. If a barrel under 8” can do as you described, I wonder what the advantages would be of longer barrels for x39 and what length is the point of diminishing returns.

Northern said:

@Sean K. thats pretty much the kind of thing I was hoping to hear about.
I have enjoyed shooting x39 with a bolt action with a 22” barrel, so I’ve been thinking about what barrel length I’d like for an XCR-L conversion kit. If a barrel under 8” can do as you described, I wonder what the advantages would be of longer barrels for x39 and what length is the point of diminishing returns.

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If you do a quick search for velocity drop on shorter bbls with x39, you'll find very little loss (30ish fps per inch IIRC on 16 inch bbls shortened down to 8ish; even less on 24" to 16"...about 90 fps total). For me, the 9.5" bbl in the XCR-L with the standard upper is a good size. It's one of my favorite configurations actually.

I have a 12" x39 barrel (66 rnds through it) with standard length gas if anyone wants to trade for a 9.5". Op rod and tube will trade as well of course. I want to get the suppressor to the end of the handguard. Sean? You have more than one??? Lol

SheffieldTactical said:

I have a 12" x39 barrel (66 rnds through it) with standard length gas if anyone wants to trade for a 9.5". Op rod and tube will trade as well of course. I want to get the suppressor to the end of the handguard. Sean? You have more than one??? Lol

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More than one what? x39 XCR? Yeah....3 bbl lengths actually; a 16", 9" and 9.5". Long story.

I’m looking to trade a “new” 12” you interested??

I have a 9.5" blackout 7.62 kit coming [SOON]
I'd be willing to trade, you just keep the bolt/firing pin

SheffieldTactical said:

I’m looking to trade a “new” 12” you interested??

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Sorry...no. The 9" may be going to a friend (he doesn't have any cans....I prefer the way it looks in 9"...only thing sticking out is the brake, but you can't put a can on without pulling the bbl) and I love the 9.5 in the standard upper and my 16" is in a competition upper.

Good luck. Sucks right now trying to source anything RA. Appears an 8 month wait is kind of standard issue right now.

EDIT Looks like you may be able to work a deal with roflcopters. Good luck!

Sean K. said:

Sorry...no. The 9" may be going to a friend (he doesn't have any cans....I prefer the way it looks in 9"...only thing sticking out is the brake, but you can't put a can on without pulling the bbl) and I love the 9.5 in the standard upper and my 16" is in a competition upper.

Good luck. Sucks right now trying to source anything RA. Appears an 8 month wait is kind of standard issue right now.

EDIT Looks like you may be able to work a deal with roflcopters. Good luck!

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I don’t blame you. I’d be ok with the 9” as the direst threads have a hex threaded bottom that sticks down from the suppressor an inch or so but the 9.5 would look really good with the qd mount. Yeah we got a trade arranged so we’re both happy. I hate loosing the extra length, I really like 12” for a minimum but I’ll sacrifice whatever FPS I loose for the flush look. I’m not shooting past 100 hardly ever anyway so I can’t believe it’ll be that much different.

SheffieldTactical said:

I don’t blame you. I’d be ok with the 9” as the direst threads have a hex threaded bottom that sticks down from the suppressor an inch or so but the 9.5 would look really good with the qd mount. Yeah we got a trade arranged so we’re both happy. I hate loosing the extra length, I really like 12” for a minimum but I’ll sacrifice whatever FPS I loose for the flush look. I’m not shooting past 100 hardly ever anyway so I can’t believe it’ll be that much different.

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Really wish there was an intermediate upper for 11 and 12" bbls...slightly longer than the standard upper, a little shorter than the competition on the Ls. Wish the M had longer than competition length upper options....

If wishes were fishes though.

Northern said:

I’ve been trying to figure out the ideal barrel length for 7.62x39, excluding close quarter maneuverability as a factor. What is best for accuracy and velocity for use at 75-200 yards? Any experiences or insights?

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I've dropped over 80 deer with this round. All but 2 dropped in their tracks. I used Hansen 123 fr SP rounds on about half of them. The rest were dropped with 130 gr HP reloads. My shortest shot was approx. 80 yds and longest just over 200 yds. All with an SKS rifle. It's not a pretty rifle, pretty beat up, but it's a deer slayer.
All shots were through and through. The 2 that required a second shot left a very nice blood trail.

Sean K. said:

If you do a quick search for velocity drop on shorter bbls with x39, you'll find very little loss (30ish fps per inch IIRC on 16 inch bbls shortened down to 8ish; even less on 24" to 16"...about 90 fps total). For me, the 9.5" bbl in the XCR-L with the standard upper is a good size. It's one of my favorite configurations actually.

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Currently trying to convert my 16” x39 to something shorter but was worried i wouldn't be able to fit a can on the end if i went anything shorter than the 11” with standard upper. Are you able to fit a can with standard length upper and the 9.5” blackout setup?

Pop quiz said:

Currently trying to convert my 16” x39 to something shorter but was worried i wouldn't be able to fit a can on the end if i went anything shorter than the 11” with standard upper. Are you able to fit a can with standard length upper and the 9.5” blackout setup?

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Yes....I have a 9" bbl and 9.5" bbl in x39 with the mini length buried Type 3 gas block/dial....and both will fit a direct thread can (though b/c I use a specialty jam nut to keep my muzzle devices on, I have to remove the bbl on the 9" to install the can). A QD can mount should work on a 9.5" but may not on a 9".

I use QD mounts on 9.5” barrels, buried gas block, with standard upper. Not sure how exposed gas block may affect what you are asking about.