r/canadaguns • u/Significant_Step_517 • May 23 '26

Buy recommendations Ruger American Scout 7.62x39 or 5.56?

I’m seriously considering picking up a Ruger American Scout Gen. 2 in 7.62x39. I love the idea of shooting cheap surplus through it which I’m well stocked in. Might also be a great rifle to tag the odd deer.

But, I’m also thinking the 5.56 would be a great option too. Any major reasons I shouldn’t go with X39?

12 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

13

u/KalashnikovParty May 23 '26

I would do 5.56 for the simple fact that it takes stanaag mags. In a hypothetical shtf scenario, ammo and mags will be easier to find since 5.56 is widely issued as we are a nato country

4

u/Canadian-Footy-Fan May 23 '26

That is what I plan to have one of each. They are the most plentiful centrefire rounds - and should be for a long time.

2

u/mischling2543 May 24 '26

Imo doesn't make any sense to plan around scavenging ammo in some Walking Dead scenario because if society has collapsed to the point you can steal military ammo, you can just steal a C7 or C9 instead

1

u/_MlCE_ May 24 '26

Agree but at the same time... The 7.62x39 version takes AK mags.

And magpul AK mags are easy enough to find.

Also being 30 caliber, would be more conducive to hunting larger game if need be.

I myself got the 5.56 because I plan to just plink and reuse my stanag mags.

4

u/FireteamOrcale May 23 '26

Mines 7.62 and I’ve been enjoying it. As others mentioned 7.62 is good for deer and there’s lots of surplus around as well if you are close to crown land or a range that lets you shoot it. It’s a pretty solid rifle I still need to do more testing with it and eventually get to either crown land or an outdoor range to really put it through its paces. I bought mine due to the eventually thought of hunting (I just got my license) and just the overall availability of ammo for a decently powerful round that’s not super expensive.

4

u/gspotcowboy May 23 '26

Team 556

Although my RAR doesn't like 55gr bulk. Shoots 62gr green tip at 1.5ish MOA tho

1

u/Significant_Step_517 May 23 '26

Interesting, yea I’m really feeling 556 is looking good, and the STANAG mag is a massive advantage. Think this rifle could do well with 77gr or heavier? I’m a reloading fiend and will naturally want to push this thing to maximum range possible…

1

u/Penguinbotxv May 24 '26

My RAR loves 55 gr from FH does 0.8 moa 5 shots at 100m. Give it a try

2

u/Bull-RunTheJewels May 23 '26

Have you been able to find one anywhere?

1

u/FireteamOrcale May 23 '26

I drove two hours to pick one up 🥲

2

u/Murray3-Dvideos May 23 '26 edited May 23 '26

My route was to get a scout in 7.62x39 and a manual "cope AR" in 5.56.

7.62x39 in a scout configuration is a wonderful little sub 200m deer gun. I reload so im hoping i can feed the scout gun starline 7.62 brass loaded with 123gr campro bullets for less then PMC .223 prices. Press in SSTs for deer hunting and leave all my steel cased 7.62x39 for the SKS.

4

u/Canadian-Footy-Fan May 23 '26

Next week I am getting a Tikka in 223 (a bolt so shoots 556 as well). I am debating trading my SKS for a bolt 7.62x39 - probably a Howa 1500. The idea of another cheap ammo option in a basic bolt is appealing to me and the novelty of a semi centrefire is giving way to the idea of another light and accurate bolt.

1

u/Booj52 May 23 '26

As someone with a 7.62, go 5.56

1

u/Significant_Step_517 May 23 '26

Guess those 10rd LAR mags would work nicely as well?

1

u/Smiley119 Artillery Only May 24 '26

Assuming the mag well is the same as the other gen 2s you couple probably order an ar mag well for the 7.62X39

If you're doing deer 7.62 if targets 5.56

2

u/Iokua_CDN May 23 '26

I'm a 7.62 x39 guy.

But I see reasons  for both.

For 7.62 x39  There is still plenty of non corrosive available. Norinco is the cheapest but there are a few more creeping onto the scene too. And of course, brass case like PMC is only $1. And it's used by other countries as a military round, so assuming some more peace comes our way, there will be more Surplus, and more of it being made.  Also, some provinces won't allow deer hunting with 223, so 7 62 x39 let's you deer hunt everywhere. And lastly, it's a nicer Boom in my humble opinion. I dislike the loud crack of the high speed 223, but 7.62 x39 is more tolerable.

But for 223 Longer range and flatter shooting mean your 223 can  be a semi long range plinking round. Shoot out past 400 meters with no worries, where as 7.62 x39 is dropping too much. Small ammo, usually more common magazines and larger magazines  available. And more manufacturers for cheap non corrosive rounds. Pmc is cheap, like 60 cents and plenty of other makers in the 60-80 cents range. Tons being made in the States especially for civilians, ans tons used in other countries as well. Super common ammo type,  and probably will stay easier to find then 7.62 x39.

Ideally, I think you should have one of each, a 7.62 x39 gun and a 223 gun. Lots of Canadians already have an Sks, so getting a 223 bolt gun makes perfect logical sense to me.

That said, I have an sks, and i bought a 7.62 x39 bolt gun. Because I like the round and I'm confident it will remain decently available for a long long time.  Maybe a 222 will be the next gun I get, with the Turkish semi autos available, or a lever action like the Henry supreme, there are more options for 223, where as 7.62 x39 is basically Sks or Bolt action only.

1

u/MourningWood1942 May 23 '26

I have the 5.56, I kinda wish I went 7.62 so I can shoot surplus ammo

My thoughts are 5.56 is a smaller and lighter round, great for carrying in multiple mags which is great for semi auto burning through them so fast.

7.62 works good for deer. I prefer bolt for deer and I’m using significantly less rounds with no need to carry multiple mags.

For just target shooting it’s just preference. 7.62 surplus is cheaper and has more bang, but less accurate and requires more cleaning.