So hunting only up to 200m? Would anyone ever hunt further animal? Sorry im new
What other caliber would you recommend thatvis stronger?
Still be good to have such, that gives you flexibility to have a lot of fun at the range for cheap, but would work well during hunt.
Big Game Cartridges and Rifles . . .
The primary advantage the 7.62X39 has over other .30 caliber cartridges that are normally deemed suitable for big game hunting, is that it can be had in a small light rifle, that doesn't produce an obnoxious level of recoil or muzzle blast. Smaller, lighter, hunting rifles were the premise behind the .308 over the .30/06, the .300 WSM over the .300 Winchester, the .375 Ruger over the .375 H&H, and the 7.62X39 bolt gun has a size advantage over it's larger kin, while having the terminal performance necessary to kill medium sized big game in a humane manner. The .30 Carbine cartridge is unsuitable for any big game hunting, the .300 Blackout has ballistics similar to the X39, but .300 Blackout ammunition is tougher to find. The .308 is a general purpose big game cartridge, whereas the X39 is a niche cartridge, with a defined purpose much narrower in scope. If you want more versatility than can be had from the 7.62X39, cartridges beginning with those in the 6.5X55 class, without exceeding the .30/06, which might prove to be too much of a good thing for a novice, are better choices.
IMHO, the right rifle for an individual wanting to hunt in southern Saskatchewan, is one that will dive a bullet with a high ballistic coefficient (meaning its pointed so it can more easily overcome air resistance) that weighs between 130 and 150 grs, and has a muzzle velocity between 2700 and 3000 fps. You might choose a .260 Remington, a 7-08 or a .308 if you prefer a short action rifle, or a 6.5X55, a 270, a .280, or a .30/06 if you prefer a long action rifle. The rifle would typically wear an optical sight; the advantage of a scope is not magnification, its that the aiming point and the target appear in simultaneous focus on the same focal plane, whereas irons sights and the target can only be individually focused upon, since they are each at a different distance from the eye. Thus the scope is more precise even at 1X, where its field of view is widest, and the field of view is reduced as magnification increases. In the field of view of a high powered target scope or a varmint scope, you might not even be able to see the entire animal at close range, and if the animal moves, it would be impossible to track it with the scope. While quality iron sights are desirable on a hunting rifle, for most hunters they limit the maximum range to 100 yards or less, so the correct choice of scope, goes hand in hand with the correct choice of rifle. A fixed 6X scope is reasonably affordable, compact, lightweight, and is suitable for hunting big game in the open country found across southern Saskatchewan. Look for a Remington 700, a Winchester M-70, a Weatherby Vanguard, or a Ruger 77 or Hawkeye. If you are unable to find an affordable new rifle, check out a used rifle in the EE or from Tradex. The Tradex link can be found at the top of the page; they'll treat you well, and will guide you towards a good rifle that you can afford if you ask them to.
Big Game Hunting Ranges . . .
The range at which a hunter can engage big game with a rifle is limited by his competence, his self imposed limitations, and by his equipment. There is a small percentage of hunters who can ethically shoot game beyond half a mile; they have made the investment in equipment and training to reach and maintain that level of competence. Shooting is a diminishable skill, so what you could do last year does not necessarily reflect what you can do today, if you haven't shot on a regular basis. Speaking frankly, a hunter has no business shooting at game beyond his ability, and he doesn't know what his limitations are unless he's done it. So the guy who sights in his rifle to hit a couple of inches high at 100 yards, with the idea of being able to hold right on out to 250, doesn't know if he can hit anything at 250 yards, or 200 yards for that matter, unless he shoots at those longer ranges, in a variety of light and environmental conditions, with that sight setting, and with that ammunition, from field shooting positions. I believe that given a little practice, shots on big game out to 300 yards are within the ability of anyone willing to take the trouble to learn how.
