just curious, has anyone hunted with this calibre? Ive one shot killed Moose with a 30-30 before so the rusky cartidge should be able to handle moderately big game right? I am getting the cz58 unrestricted and definitely want to utilize its potential as a hunting rifle. I hunt in fairly forested areas so most of my shots are within 200 yards. what do you guys think , is this gun enough for moose/elk?
hunting with the 7.62 x 39
- Thread starter jaywill
- Start date
I asked around about this before I bought my SKS. I even met a couple of hunters at Epps who have taken moose with their SKS. It is very similar to the 30-30. Obviously it's not the best for moose but one shot kills are possible with proper shot placement. I have yet to take mine hunting. I think for deer it would be excellent.
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
This is always a point of contention when somebody brings it up; but, the objectors always seem to object based on the IDEA of shooting bigger game with this little round, while guys WHO HAVE ACTUALLY TRIED IT seem to agree it works.
For my 2 cents...As long as you're competent with your rifle, the game won't likely be able to tell a 7.62x39 from a 30-30.
If you handload, I'd try heavier bullets if you're going for moose. .310 and .311 Bullets designed for 303 british will work perfectly, and quite a few guys have reported reloading regular .308 bullets in thier 7.62x39 rifles and getting good results.
I've got a batch of 165gr RN, loaded in 0.5gr increments, that I need to hit the range and try in my SKS. I have cycled them through my rifle and they (manually anyways) feed completely properly.
If you do get out hunting with your rifle, post some pics and some results. Results...the best way to sort out the age old - "Can I kill a moose with a 7.62x39" threads.
For my 2 cents...As long as you're competent with your rifle, the game won't likely be able to tell a 7.62x39 from a 30-30.
If you handload, I'd try heavier bullets if you're going for moose. .310 and .311 Bullets designed for 303 british will work perfectly, and quite a few guys have reported reloading regular .308 bullets in thier 7.62x39 rifles and getting good results.
I've got a batch of 165gr RN, loaded in 0.5gr increments, that I need to hit the range and try in my SKS. I have cycled them through my rifle and they (manually anyways) feed completely properly.
If you do get out hunting with your rifle, post some pics and some results. Results...the best way to sort out the age old - "Can I kill a moose with a 7.62x39" threads.
I havent actuallly got the gun yet, but as soon as I do its going hunting for something! Im on every call list in canada probably for the next batch of cz's. 7.62 is the same diameter a .308 right? I was hoping that it could load about 150 grains at least. agree shot placement is everything, Ive seen footage of guys wiping out alaskan grizz with 140 grain lead so 125 doesn't seem so bad.
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Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
Your eastern bloc 7.62 is most likely .310, not .308.
My suggestion that you'd probably be okay for Moose with well placed 7.62x39 rounds can't be extended to Alaskan Grizzlies!
Enjoy your rifle!
In a strictly metric to imperial conversion sense this is true but in fact most of the ammo used in SKS or AK type rifles use bullets that are .310" or .311" in diameter. I am not positive but I think that this comes from the European standard of measuring distance between lands and the North American tradition of measuring between grooves. Thus if you are reloading for loads such as the .303 British or 7.62x54R you should choose bullets that measure this slightly larger diameter.
As Northman999 said.....
Most places that carry reloading supplies have bullets for the .303 British, I know that Barnes, Sierra, Speer and Hornady make the larger .310 to .312 bullets in varying weights (125, 150, 170, 180) for those who reload the .303 British and so are sold under such names but can be used in other European 30 cal cartridges.
I have read of a lot of people using regular .308 bullets and having good success. I guess this would depend on each rifle but then the SKS is not know for great accuracy so it would have to be really bad to be noticeable. If I were going to reload SKS with heavier bullets I would maybe buy a few different weights of .308 bullets from a friend and see if they work. If the smaller projectile does not work then buy some .303 bullets.
I had an SKS a few years back and bought some hunting ammo for it, some was hollow point and some was regular soft point bullets, both in 125 grain weights.
For moose I would agree with others, its all about shot placement, but a heavier bullet will give a bit of piece of mind. A 170 grain bullet or the solid copper Barnes X 150 grain (both available in .311") might be something worth trying.
I guess I'll be the one again, i don't believe that weapon should be used on anything larger then deer and even then, I have my doubts. There are umpteen dozen different cals. avail. that have better accuracy, penetration, etc. including the 30/30 which has quite a bit more power. Exceptions can be made for lower powered guns that a very accurate, and in the hands of a cool hunter, the Russian rd. does not qualify as an accurate round. Use the Russian guns for fun at the range, or for posing, for big game hunting, you owe it to the game to use something that will provide a quick, clean kill.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
Its hard enough for me to Get a moose tag so Im sure that if get another one I wont be lobbing 125 gr. .311 bullets at one.
Unless its your only gun I dont' see the point at hunting moose with it other than wanting to prove that it could be done (and it has).
Deer hunting is a much better application for this chambering so If you are going to use it for moose / elk than I hope you handload and use the heavier bullets.
Unless its your only gun I dont' see the point at hunting moose with it other than wanting to prove that it could be done (and it has).
Deer hunting is a much better application for this chambering so If you are going to use it for moose / elk than I hope you handload and use the heavier bullets.
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It depends on where you hunt. When I go for deer I have most always been well under 100 yards and elk last year was about 60 yards away. At that distance it should not be hard to place a shot at all. But my terrain for hunting here allows me to get that close. In a more open area I would not want to rely on surplus ammo accuracy over 150 yards. Now with handloading that may bring the accuracy up to 200 yards easy but that will have to be a load it and shoot it for you. I plan on handloading my own so I can use my sks for hunting all big game, no bears, with comfort in the fact that a proper shot will do the job.
With cheap military surplus you could see 4 to 5 inch group at 100 yards. If you bought or loaded ammo I would hope to see 3 inch or , being really hopeful, better than 3 inch group. Depends on the ammo, condition or gun and parts, and the shooter. I was told my 17 hmr was too small to kill coyotes. There are quite a few that disagree. There are alot of things to consider though, it may or may not work for you.
I forgot to mention that I was hunting with a CZ858 with a holosight. It easily can bounce a coffee can at 300 yards with that thing. Geez I wish I could use it for a patrol rifle.... Everyone should have a CZ/VZ 58 as it does amazing things to piss off liberals that have seen me hunting with it. But, it has also given me the opportunity to explain that these types of rifles are very viable hunting rifles and that "looking scary" has nothing to do with the impact of these guns on society. Take your black rifle hunting!!!
