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7.62x39 BIG ENOUGH FOR DEER?

SPRINKLER*MANSPRINKLER*MAN Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
edited February 2002 in Ask the Experts
Is the Ruger Mini 30 (7.62X39) big enough for white tale deer? How about the 7.62X54?
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Comments

  • gunnutgunnut Member Posts: 724 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Most people will say no, however I have seen several deer taken with the 7.62x39. I would however keep shots under 100yrds. Hope this helps.
    ~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
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  • jdb123jdb123 Member Posts: 471 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    7.62x39 plenty big enough for deer under 150 yds in my opinion and as far as 7.62X54 not only yes but hell yes. its comparable "i use that term loosely but use it nonetheless" to a 30-06, according to various ballistic charts
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  • king999king999 Member Posts: 450 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The little Russ is about the same as the 30-30 out to about 100 yds and slightly better to 150
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    The 39 is sufficient but go with the more powerful one and be merciful. The 54R with proper bullet and handloading could drop a bull elephant and so is more than fine for deer.
    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.
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  • TeamblueTeamblue Member Posts: 782 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have taken three NE Missouri whitetails with my SKS. All shots were under 100 yards with Winchester 123 gr. soft points. It worked well, but I doubt I would take a shot at any range much beyond that.
    1*
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If an arrow is big enough for deer a 7.62x39 is way big enough.
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  • steve45steve45 Member Posts: 2,940 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Use good ammo, I dont think those Russian hollowpoints expand at all. If you can get quality soft point ammo It would be fine.
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  • gap1916gap1916 Member Posts: 4,977
    edited November -1
    The 30-30 has been taking deer for over 100 years. I believe the russian round will do well at a range under 200 yards.
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  • nonmcnononmcno Member Posts: 1 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    As regards Saxon Pigs comments on the 7.62X39 and the 30-30. If you cant cleanly kill a deer with a 30-30 and commonly leave them wounded and blame the round, perhaps a look in the mirror will disclose the true problem. Any hunter worthy of carrying a rifle in the field can cleanly take a deer with either the Russian round or the 30-30. It is true the Russian HP rounds dont expand reliably but tumble like crazy upon impact causing massive trauma, as do the Russian FMJ rounds. In 1970 I took a round to my right side at belly button height and it exited my back almost 6 inches higher than it entered and took 4 feet of intestine with it on its irregular passage thru my innards along with a goodly amount of muscle and two ribs. It dropped me thats for damn sure and I didnt get up for almost 3 months. A decently placed shot on a game animal the size of a Deer would have immediate and terminal effects, just forego the belly shots. The round maintains plenty of power out to 200 yards
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  • TOOLS1TOOLS1 Member Posts: 6,133
    edited November -1
    I am curious as to why you are asking about these rifels in particuler. The Mini 30 is a very eye catching rifel with its milatery looks and all, And the 7.62X54 are very commen and inexpensive. I am guesing that maby you are looking for your first high powerd rifel as this is how I got started collecting a few years ago. I was asking the same questions and looking at guns in the same way. If this is the case I would like to sugest a NO4 Mk1 enfield .303. Thay are very afordable (I have found them in pawn shops for as little as $75.00 with scope and mounts.) .303 Ammo is avalable in mil surplus and in hunting rounds ( I use Winchester for hunting And cheap mil surplus for target pratice.)I know that I have proubly opned up a new can of worms. But I just thought I would add my thoughts as you sound like me a few years ago. Good Luck Hunting.
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  • Shootist3006Shootist3006 Member Posts: 4,171
    edited November -1
    While I agree that the 7.62X39 will kill a deer (at close ranges), will it kill cleanly? Does it have enough punch to insure a clean. quick kill? Will it penetrate both shoulders? How about a stern shot?Some have compared the 7.62X39 to the 30-30 but the 30-30 (a good, in close deer round) has about 50% MORE energy (at the muzzle) than the 7.62X39 (7.62X39, 123 gr. @ 2250 fps gives apx 1400 ft lbs compared to the 30-30, 170 gr @2300 fps giving about 2100 ft. lbs). In my book the 7.62X39 is, at best marginal for deer.
    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
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  • KadaverKadaver Member Posts: 333 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I thought about using it once.....but im not sure how someone would feel about the picture of me posing with game after i got it. Ya know, me squatting down, holding the dear in my camoflauge with the AK-47 leaning against the rack.....>=)....
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  • jager22jager22 Member Posts: 197 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    the sks is very good round and can take many medium size game such as sitka black tail, alaska black bear and caribou. Many shots were under 100 yards but some as much as 300yards good luck.
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