In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Advice from 7.62x39 Veterans

vol fanvol fan Member Posts: 301 ✭✭✭
edited April 2002 in Ask the Experts
Anybody have any advice,experience, or loads they would recommend, for the 7.62x39 on game up to deer-size? I'm thinking hogs, javelina, maybe deer to 150 yards.

There seem to be two choices: collect a lot of stars.........or have a life!
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • GreenLanternGreenLantern Member Posts: 1,647 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This was the first year I used the 7.62x39 for whitetail up in WI. Dropped a 9-pointer with one shot but it wasn't more than 50 yds. I used Federal Classic 123 gr HI-SHOK soft points from a SKS. I had a hard time finding the bullet path when I was field dressing him. All I noticed was a decent hole in the liver. I could pretty cleanly poke my finger through it. But I would have thought there'd need to be more damage than that to put him down with one shot. Since most of my shots are under 100 yrds it's a good guess that I'm going to use it again next year. Maybe another deer or two will give me a little bit better idea of the destructiveness of the round.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ammo guyammo guy Member Posts: 810 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The 7.62X39mm has about the same terminal ballistics as the .30-30 from a hunting prespective, it should work fine out to the ranges you mentioned, I would suggest staying with commercial hunting ammo.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vol fanvol fan Member Posts: 301 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't believe it- over on the other forum there's been two weeks of arguing about shooting deer with .223s, but apparently nobody here's tried it with a 7.62?????

    There seem to be two choices: collect a lot of stars.........or have a life!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'd expect more expansion from the Speer bullet. Their jackets are thin copper plate over soft lead cores. No one seems to make a hollow point except the Russians and their performance is an unknown quantity.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bigdog1bigdog1 Member Posts: 193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have 2 Georgia Whitetails under my belt with the 7.62x39. Both were shot from a Ruger Mini-30 with the Federal Hi-Shok ammo. Both traveled a short distance before expiring, but to be honest. I think they would have gone as far with a hit from a 300 mag. I beleive it is a fine shorter range deer caliber at least equal to the venerable 30/30....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.