hunting ammo in 7.62x39

ThurnYTaxis

ThurnYTaxis

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I've been looking at setting up for deer hunting in Southern Ontario. I don't expect any long shots will present themselves given the terrain, and after some reading the two calibers I'm considering are 30/30 and 7.62x39. Very similar cartridges and both up to the task but the rifles available are quite different. I would like something short, light and with iron sights; if necessary I might mount a 2.5x forward scope, but I really don't think that will be all that useful given where I'll be (mixed young hardwood forest with some cedar groves).

I would be happy with a bolt-action, but I'm left-handed. I shot wrong-sided bolt actions when I was young but I'm not interested in buying one now when I have some choice. The Ruger Gunsite Scout fits the bill, is available left-handed and .308 is great all around cartridge. For my needs, 50-100yd deer shots, it just seems like more than is required. Ammo is plentiful and not terribly expensive, but it isn't something I would take to the range and shoot all day. Not saying I wouldn't go with it, but I've been looking at lighter calibers.

The lever gun is the classic choice for what I'm describing I think, 30/30 is great, and if I wanted to shoot a little further there's the fancy Hornady LEVERevolution which makes it perform even better. Ammo is cheap and plentiful with a huge variety of hunting bullets out there. So this is a good option, but as "classic" as the lever gun is, I'm not drawn to them. Again, not saying I won't go with it but still considering options.

Looking at semi-autos, there is a lot of choice, and the Ruger Mini-30 would probably be just right. Which (finally) leads me to the question I want to pose here:

Where can I find good hunting loads for 7.62x39?

Just a few days ago this post pondered the same question. Searching the 'net I can find plenty of references to some very good looking ammo:

The trouble is I can't find anyone selling any of these. I don't need lots of hunting ammo, I would mainly shoot the bulk stuff, but for deer hunting I want a decent bullet designed for the task.

Thanks,
/t
 
I have shot Igman and PRVI 123 grain soft point hunting loads. They are as good as any and reloadable. (decent brass) I reload and right now I am shooting .308" 130 Hornady soft points in my Savage Scout rifle. Very accurate but no deer have been shot yet to determine how well they kill. The 7.62 x39 is a good deer killer and like the .30-30 it doesn't do anything spectacular so there is little written about it. (for deer hunting) The mini 30 is not known for hair splitting accuracy but then again in your hunting scenario that is not needed.

regards, Darryl
 
Since you don't have the gun yet, you would be far better off with the .30/30 over the 7.62X39... And better off with the .308 over the .30/30... I shoot and reload all three and have tested many loads at ranges out to 250 yards (.30/30 & 7.62) and 500 yards (.308)... But even given ranges under 100 yards as you are anticipating, there really is no good reason not to get the ballistically superior .308... Cost of gun and ammo is likely the same, but you will have more options. For deer the Hornady 7.62 123 SP or 123 SST will do the job... Given good shot placement in the lungs on a broadside animal under 150 yards.
 
I sold my mini-30 specifically because I could never find a local source for hunting ammo.

It just didn't make sense to me to order online and pay shipping for small quantities of ammo that I didn't know if I (or my gun) would like.
 
While i like the 7.62x39 and don't want to discourage you from getting one, it is alot easier to find 30/30 ammo than it is hunting 7.62x39. If you have your heart set on the 7.62x39 though like the other have already said, S&B, PVRI, and many others make soft points, it's just harder to come by
 
Yes, thanks for the response folks, it is helpful to hear some real experiences finding the stuff. It is kind of what I expected, so more info to think about. I'm not in any rush, I won't really need the rifle till the summer so I've got time to research.

When looking at lever guns the other thing that occurred to me was .44 mag, just to further cloud the question :D

/t
 
Try looking at a Browning BLR in .243, .260, 7mm-08 or .308. Also, there's nothing wrong with a marlin 336 in .30-30. Both are scope friendly.
 
Prvi Partizan 123 grain soft points are not hard to find. Just stock up on it.
I know Al Simmons in Hamilton carries it. I also recall a nuter selling a whole whack of this stuff on EE.
Look around.
 
I picked up a gently used Marlin 1894 cowboy in 45 colt. With an aftermarket peep sight I consistently put 240 grain xtp into a 6" circle at 100 yards. You should get a bit more whallop with 44 mag :) (watch the marlins... I've heard recent made by remington aren't as nice as older ones)

added bonus, if I ever decide to try cowboy action, I've got 1 gun ready.

I am also looking at a BLR in either .270 or .308 for more open terrain. But then I do like my lever actions.
 
.44 Mag will do what you need out to 100 yards... we only use ours in thickets... they are set up with NDS-38 peeps and Williams one-piece Fire Sight ramps... out to our max visibility of approximately 50 yards... they do a great job with 240 XTP's and 265 FTX's... I would still go with the .308 though.
 
I don't know where you are in southern ON, but Al Simmons in Hamilton usually has 7.62x39mm hunting ammo. I've bought the federal 123grn there and I think they have PPI as well.
 
I am a tinkerer type, and handloading is something I might get into. madrapper mentioned shooting Hornady .308" bullets in a Savage Scout, which is an interesting possibility. If whatever I end up with will shoot .308" bullets allright in handloads that opens up possibilities.

Yesterday I emailed Corbon and asked them about Canadian distribution, and I heard back. Their National Sales Manager reports they are working out Canadian exports and hope to be shipping here in summer, which is promising.

I'm up near the Bruce Peninsula so Hamilton is a bit of a trek, but I do get down to Toronto and Guelph once in a while. I could swing through there and pick something up from Al Simmons, too. Come to think of it, I didn't call the shop in Owen Sound yet either. So it looks like a little bit of effort to get decent ammo for hunting, but it is out there.

I will think a bit about handloading, too. I happen to have my Grandfather's 1st edition of Whelen's "Why Not Load Your Own" on my shelf, I should read it.

Thanks again for the help. I'll keep updating as I find out more.
 
Accuracy Plus in peterborough and Em's sports in lindsay carry 7.62 soft point. shouldnt have any issues with it on deer. Canada Ammo and sfrc should be able to set ya up with some as well
 
Pretty much any shop which sells SKSs will have Winchester Super-X Soft Point ammo for it... We know how hard it is to find SKSs in Canada f:P:
 
ThurnYTaxis said:
I am a tinkerer type, and handloading is something I might get into. madrapper mentioned shooting Hornady .308" bullets in a Savage Scout, which is an interesting possibility. If whatever I end up with will shoot .308" bullets allright in handloads that opens up possibilities.

Yesterday I emailed Corbon and asked them about Canadian distribution, and I heard back. Their National Sales Manager reports they are working out Canadian exports and hope to be shipping here in summer, which is promising.

I'm up near the Bruce Peninsula so Hamilton is a bit of a trek, but I do get down to Toronto and Guelph once in a while. I could swing through there and pick something up from Al Simmons, too. Come to think of it, I didn't call the shop in Owen Sound yet either. So it looks like a little bit of effort to get decent ammo for hunting, but it is out there.

I will think a bit about handloading, too. I happen to have my Grandfather's 1st edition of Whelen's "Why Not Load Your Own" on my shelf, I should read it.

Thanks again for the help. I'll keep updating as I find out more.
Click to expand...

Of course .30/30 and .308 are shooting .308" bullets, but I also shoot 160 grain hard cast RN's in my 7.62 as reduced and squib loads... plus I get good accuracy with max loads in the 7.62 with NBT 150's... so yes... there are many reloading options for 7.62... but I still think you are better off with the .308... if you go to a single shot rifle and or only load one in the magazine, you can shoot the spire point bullets in the .30/30, which really makes a difference ballistically... the 150 NBTs in my .30/30 single shoot like a dream.
 
If levers aren't your thing there are single shot rifles in 3030 as well as other short range calibers. Ruger #1. HnR. Thompson center contender. Cva.
I like the x39 but I'd go 3030 (or 4570)in a lever with ghost sights or a 2.5x20 scope
 
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