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3/20/2010 9:54:51 PM EDT
I am thinking about buying a Finn M39. I was reading about the "B" barrelled M39s and read that M39s have a larger bore diameter- .310" instead of .308".
Since the Russian surplus ammo is 7.62x54, does the bore diameter cause a loss in accuracy?
I know the M39s are considered to be very accurate rifles. What ammo do the M39s shoot accurately? I don't want to have to handload only. I want to be aboe to use surplus ammo in it.

Thanks,
Jim
3/21/2010 3:45:20 AM EDT
[#1]
Jim,

I have two M39's and have always used surplus 7.62 x 54R ammo (147 grain light ball) with no issues.

Regards,
Gary
3/21/2010 4:25:02 AM EDT
[#2]
My m39 shoots well with any of the milsurp 7.63x54 and prvi ammo. I also reload .311 dia sierra and .312 dia  hornady bullets and have good results with IMR 4064 powder. I have read that some guys are getting acceptable accuracy reloading with .308 dia bullets, but I have not yet tried them.
3/21/2010 5:00:02 AM EDT
[#3]
Norma Ammunition is VERY accurate but also very expensive. It is also boxer primed and reloadable.
3/21/2010 5:28:40 AM EDT
[#4]
The M39 should shoot any surplus or commercial 7.62x54r ammunition without issue. If you are handloading, you may want to slug the bore to get a more accurate diameter, as they can and do vary. Typically, their bore diameter will be .309-.311, at the grooves. I have one one that will not chamber a .312 bullet, but the barrel is in nearly new condition. I don't know of any surplus ammo that has a diameter bigger than .311. Which ammo will shoot best in YOUR rifle cannot possibly be stated, until you have tried it in YOUR rifle.
3/21/2010 12:17:33 PM EDT
[#5]
Haven't cleaned up mine to shoot it yet, but have read several reports that the Bulgarian HB ('50s mfr, was available from Widener's in zinc cans 300/$45 for a long time) shoots very accurately out of their M39s.  There was a lot of this ammo available for several years but I don't know where to get it now.
3/23/2010 6:26:36 AM EDT
[#6]
The Russian surplus ammo is .310-.311, so there will be no issues there.

My M39 is my favorite bolt-action rifle and is an absolute tack-driver.
3/25/2010 2:07:29 AM EDT
[#7]
My 1942 "B" shoots the heavy ball better than the light ball. The best surplus heavy ball I have is the Yugo M30(J). And yes, a Finn M39 is a probably one of the most accurate mil surps you can buy. Mine is only second to my K-31. But the surplus K-31 ammo is much better then any surplus Mosin ammo.

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