Hunting with 7.62x39?

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So I've heard this cartridge can be adequate for deer, but I'm wondering whether it's also adequate for most of the other big game in Canada (moose, elk, etc.)? No, I'm not going to try and take bear with it.
 
That carbine that CZ has in 7.62 x 39 is supposed to be a very good shooting rifle. I have some brass and a die set, bunch of bullets, and one of these days I'm going to buy one. FS
 
I've been thinking of a 7.62X39 conversion kit for my XCR in 223 that should be here next month and yes I would use it for hunting...

Just need to use/load .310" bullets.

I also feel that the 30-30 is a more powerful round than the 7.62X39 so I would keep my shots to max 150 yards and maybe 125 yards.
 
I would use an SKS on BLACK bears long before I would use it on a moose. (I took my SKS bear hutning last spring, although I ended up using a 12 gauge to get one).

If you are hunting bears over bait, you are shooting at maybe 30 yards. You could probably kill one pretty handily with a .22 lr, certainly a .22 magnum, if you can place it in his lungs, heart, or spine (not that I recommend trying, but I bet you could).

Moose are shot at a lot longer distances, I believe (I have never had a moose licence).

I wouldn't use an SKS on a bigger bear, although I bet there's lots of natives that do.
 
I remember Geologist on this site posting that when he is Russia the camp guards carry SKS type rifles loaded with 10 rounds of military FMJ 7.62X39 and that they shoot the largest bears with this combo.
 
7.62x39 is an adequate hunting cartridge for deer & black bear when using the proper bullets & within it's range limitations. As Gatehouse pointed out, Barnes has a great TSX bullet for the 7.62x39. As in all hunting situations, shot placement is the most important thing. Remember that most milsurp ammo is full metal jacket & is unsuitable for hunting & illegal in most places also. Keep it for target shooting.
 
glang1 said:
7.62x39 is an adequate hunting cartridge for deer & black bear when using the proper bullets & within it's range limitations. As Gatehouse pointed out, Barnes has a great TSX bullet for the 7.62x39. As in all hunting situations, shot placement is the most important thing. Remember that most milsurp ammo is full metal jacket & is unsuitable for hunting & illegal in most places also. Keep it for target shooting.
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I agree... I didn't even know that Barnes made that bullet until GH posted about it I'm thinking it would work very well except what do you need such an expensive bullet for in such a low velocity round?

I'm thinking a standard core bullet will hold together and perform very well @ a fraction of the cost of those Barnes.
 
I've shot quite a few deer with both the 7.62x39 and the 30/30 winchester.
Its true that on paper the 2 cartridges have very similar ballistics.
In my experience they differ quite a bit in the way they work on deer though.

The 30/30 within 150 yards and assuming proper bullet placement is very much a "bang,flop" for me. The deer don't go more than a couple of steps before expiring.
The body reaction of the deer also make it very obvious (usually) that they are hit.
This is with 150 gr. silvertips
The 7.62x39 on the other hand tends to "pencil thru" the deer without alot of initial shock and sometimes the deer don't even react to being hit.
This has resulted in several cases of "follow up shots" that weren't needed.
This is with Remington's 123 gr soft points.
Just my experiences, for what its worth.
HTH
Eric
 
Camp Cook said:
I agree... I didn't even know that Barnes made that bullet until GH posted about it I'm thinking it would work very well except what do you need such an expensive bullet for in such a low velocity round?

I'm thinking a standard core bullet will hold together and perform very well @ a fraction of the cost of those Barnes.
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I guess it depends on an individuals budget. Some people don't have much money, so I would suggest they use the best they can afford.

I don't think Barnes are expensive hunting bullets, so I opt for the best bullet I can find for the cartridge in question.
 
I know that a Prvi 123 gr sp will exit on a good sized whitetail buck at about 90 yards leaving an excellent wound channel. The bullet went through one shoulder and the boiler room.
 
Gatehouse said:
I guess it depends on an individuals budget. Some people don't have much money, so I would suggest they use the best they can afford.

I don't think Barnes are expensive hunting bullets, so I opt for the best bullet I can find for the cartridge in question.
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My point was at the low velocities of the 7.62X39 that a Barnes TSX is basically a waste of money because I cannot see it giving better performance than a lead core bullet that costs far less...

Wasn't talking about anyones budget...
 
I imagine it might be a good hunting round for the bush, with soft point bullets. Providing you keep the distance under 100yds. Course, how often in the bush are you going to get a 100yds?
 
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