7.62x39 deer loads?
- Thread starter QueensHorseman
- Start date
There was a good thread on this last week. It may not answer your question completely, but some good info.
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1619777-High-performance-7-62x39
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1619777-High-performance-7-62x39
Oh that thread is nowhere to start lol. SST are good for hunting medium game within range. Jackets are thinner for controlled expansion, just take good lung and heart shots.
I'm working on hand loads with hornady components, but even hornady SST steel case will do the job fine.
I'm working on hand loads with hornady components, but even hornady SST steel case will do the job fine.
There's a Youtube video of 7.62x39 SSTs being fired into ballistic gelatin. The recovered bullets were in very good shape, with good weight retention. There are also all kinds of accounts of 7.62x39 SSTs being used for deer hunting with very good results. I have a few boxes of SSTs I plan to load up and use for deer hunting, in my SKS.
Basically any of them? I can't think of a 7.62x39 load I wouldn't shoot a deer with. For deer it's a 200 yard max cartridge, anything that shoots within 4 MOA will do the job.
Get either of the 4198s and whatever 125 grain bullets are the cheapest.
I don't even bother reloading x39, can't beat the price of just pulling down Barnaul, uniforming the powder charges and reseating a 125 grain Sierra pro hunter. Done and done.
Get either of the 4198s and whatever 125 grain bullets are the cheapest.
I don't even bother reloading x39, can't beat the price of just pulling down Barnaul, uniforming the powder charges and reseating a 125 grain Sierra pro hunter. Done and done.
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Egad gents! My 7.62x39 Ruger No.1 can handle pressures well above what any bolt action or autoloader safely could!
With an SKS good results at close range with 150gr Hornady SP bullets at about 2100 fps MV using Hornady load data. Also good results with Winchester 123gr SP factory loads. One of the most memorable shots I have made to date was a totally unaware Deer I nailed at about 250 meters with my SKS and a Winchester factory load. Gave it about a foot and a half holdover, the bullet went through the brisket, the Deer took a couple of steps and fell over dead.
With an SKS good results at close range with 150gr Hornady SP bullets at about 2100 fps MV using Hornady load data. Also good results with Winchester 123gr SP factory loads. One of the most memorable shots I have made to date was a totally unaware Deer I nailed at about 250 meters with my SKS and a Winchester factory load. Gave it about a foot and a half holdover, the bullet went through the brisket, the Deer took a couple of steps and fell over dead.
Were those .308 150gr SP interlocks?
Egad gents! My 7.62x39 Ruger No.1 can handle pressures well above what any bolt action or autoloader safely could!
With an SKS good results at close range with 150gr Hornady SP bullets at about 2100 fps MV using Hornady load data. Also good results with Winchester 123gr SP factory loads. One of the most memorable shots I have made to date was a totally unaware Deer I nailed at about 250 meters with my SKS and a Winchester factory load. Gave it about a foot and a half holdover, the bullet went through the brisket, the Deer took a couple of steps and fell over dead.
TSX are awesome, but haven't loaded them yet. I have some hornady gmx in 30-30 for bear.
Ya I need to brush up on the x 39 as well.
I put in a treestand this year and am hunting inside a max 50 yard range for medium sized deer, black bearand those pesky wolves. I usually use .303 , .308 and in a pinch my 7mm rem mag but that is hunting from the ground. Problem is i want a real nice short barrelled rifle for shooting from the stand. I thought 7mm-08 would be good for the wife and I'd just use it too but if she's with me in the stand that will be a problem.
Are the standard hunting loads these days still in the 123gr sizes or has anyone stepped up to offer a 140 or 150 in .311..... guess i could use google. I remember when black hills used to make factory 150gr 7.62 x 39 SP but that was many years ago now.
for those of you who "have" been successfully punching tags with your 7.62x39 firearm , what seems to be the optimum barrel length and I'd like to hear more about loads as well. I'll probably be looking at a bolt action of some kind.
I put in a treestand this year and am hunting inside a max 50 yard range for medium sized deer, black bearand those pesky wolves. I usually use .303 , .308 and in a pinch my 7mm rem mag but that is hunting from the ground. Problem is i want a real nice short barrelled rifle for shooting from the stand. I thought 7mm-08 would be good for the wife and I'd just use it too but if she's with me in the stand that will be a problem.
Are the standard hunting loads these days still in the 123gr sizes or has anyone stepped up to offer a 140 or 150 in .311..... guess i could use google. I remember when black hills used to make factory 150gr 7.62 x 39 SP but that was many years ago now.
for those of you who "have" been successfully punching tags with your 7.62x39 firearm , what seems to be the optimum barrel length and I'd like to hear more about loads as well. I'll probably be looking at a bolt action of some kind.
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
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Due to it's use of fast burning powders and light (mostly) bullets the 7.62x39 is not hugely affected by shorter barrel lengths. 13" AK variants still get 2000 fps with 123 grain mil surp loads. I am looking to buy a Ruger American ranch in 7.62x39. The 16.5" barrel gives up little to a 20" barrel. I will have it when I hear back from my local gun shop owner. Heavier bullets require sufficient speed to expand reliably. That speed decreases at a faster rate than with 123-130 grain bullets. The result is a shorter effective range. It would depend on what distance you expect to encounter game. I will use mine out to 175 yards ( 123 grain PRVI soft point round nose or spritzer). That is plenty far for this old timer.
Darryl
Darryl
it's funny, suggesting using a 7.62x39 to hunt deer with would have caused quite the schitstorm a few years ago on CGN
Some people seem to still get in a panic about using a .223 though, so the internet never dissapoints....
Some people seem to still get in a panic about using a .223 though, so the internet never dissapoints....
it's funny, suggesting using a 7.62x39 to hunt deer with would have caused quite the schitstorm a few years ago on CGN
Some people seem to still get in a panic about using a .223 though, so the internet never dissapoints....
attaboy Gatehouse.... that was an outstanding jab LOL
don't worry I can take it as good as i dish it out
as far as how i view the .223 vs the 7.62 x 39 , sectional density kills more than speed if that makes sense. In many many years of dumping blacktails to the ground in very steep terrain, I prefer to have a bullet dump all it's energy inside the animal. Desiring that energy to put it down on the ground as close to point of impact as possible. In my world, the .223 is not in that category at all when it comes to the deer I hunt where I hunt them. The x39 though, inside 50 yards and usually much much closer, the x39 will certainly do the job i want it to do. I think that's hard to argue from any angle. That said, if i was shooting yotes on the ice at 100+ yards..... the .223 is a damn fine choice though i've been using a .308 for that fun.
It wasn't a jab at anyone in particular, it's just how a few years ago people would be up in arms about using a x39. Now, more people are ok with it. I never had any issue with it. Just like a .223 or any other cartridge, use within it's limits and you get a dead deer.
