Now that ammo is available for a somewhat reasonable price I think they'd make a great Trail Gun for a hiker on a budget. Plenty of power to take game for the pot or to ward off predators.
I"m still doing research on trying to figure out more about loading the 7.62x38r cases. I might still give some Starline 32-20 brass a try, I've read that you don't have to mod the gun to get it to work properly. I'd like to find out if I can use just 30 Carbine dies or if I'd need the Lee sizing/decapping die as well. I know RCBS makes the shell holder for the actual cartridge, it's running $21 bucks from Midway USA, ouch!
I remember all the fun I had with my last one working up loads and stuff. I like messing around with stuff like this.