Hi-Standard
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I'd like to know why people compare a 7.62x39 with a 30-30, when a 30-30 has a 300 ft/Lbs advantage?
7.62x39 for bear
- Thread starter LiGuang
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Cartridges of the World, 13th Edition, Frank C. Barnes. Page 57
"Better handloads and factory ammunition using soft point bullets up to about 150 grains place this cartridge far ahead of any reasonable .30-30 load, in terms of delivered energy beyond 100 yards."
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canadaman30
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I'd be careful about how that was interpreted. I suspect that the comment was directed to spitzer bullets in the 7.62X39 and flat or round nose bullets in the .30/30. The rule is to load blunt bullets in rifles with tube magazines, but that can be ignored if you're willing to carry your 94 or 336 as a 2-shooter, and their respective powder capacities put the .30/30 well ahead of the X39 when equal weight bullets are loaded to similar pressures. The difference would be even greater if both cartridges were loaded in bolt actions, with bullets heavier than 150 grs.
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Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Myself, I would not even use FMJ on jackrabbits.
I am using this context in belief that the OP is planning on using surplus spire points of military origin.
Thanks, Boomer. That's exactly how it is interpreted. If you cared to search a couple of thousand posts, you would find I have posted this exact info myself in a similar thread. I have loaded 165gn bullets in my father's M94 Winchester, being sure to only carry the requisite 2 rounds. This was problematic with my father for several reasons: reloading is voo-doo and the rounds will blow up; those aren't the bullets that were made for the gun, so they'll blow up; the magazine must be loaded to the max in order to function properly, otherwise why would the design it that way?
I have loaded 180 gn rounds for my own 340 that bring me into the realm of .303Br factory 180gn velocities and performance, something the x39 can't even come close to.
That being said, the basic fact still remains: a factory loaded 150gn bullet in the x39 outperforms a factory 150gn .30-30 past 100yds and that's why people keep comparing them.
I use FMJ on 'yotes and other fur bearers. Drops them if well placed, doesn't cause damage to hides, keeps their value.
I don't advocate that the 123gn x39 is a moose round, but it is a terrific deer round, just not using an FMJ. I have dropped several deer with an SKS and a Remington 799. My wife took her first deer using an SKS and 125gn mex-matched bullets (I then bought her a rifle in .243Win). When she evinced a desire to hunt moose and elk with me, I got a P-14 reamed out to .303Epps, am cutting down the barrel and stock (already sported and bubba'd guys) for her rifle.
I would put a million dollars that a well placed shot with a 7.62x39 will out perform a bad shot with a 300 mag or even a 458 mag. How many hunters are there out there that close their eyes when shooting a magnum rifle.
I didn't compare the two cartridges. I said that where I would use one, I would use the other.
I totally agree, but it takes a good man (or woman) to make that call. Really, what's the difference between 1200 ft lbs at 100yds with an SKS or 1200 ftlbs at 300yds from a .300 WinMag.
That being said, I have had better personal experience with a 165gn bullets on moose than I have with the 150gn.
Sorry, that took longer than I thought. COAL, when chambered to the lands in that rifle the round still fit in the magazine, seated a bit deeper and the length was 2.213"
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Myself I am from the school of thought that a quicker opening varmint bullet is meant for varmints.
A rapid energy dump from a calhoon double hollow point, often translates to quicker and more humane kills with no exit wound, with a much better margin of error then FMJs IMO.
Yep, and I use Hornady V-Max bullets in my .308, my .243, and even in my x39 when I am using my 799. But, the SKS throws mostly FMJ.
Just to be clear on my opinion on the matter:
I wasn't arguing in favour of x39 for bear, of any sort. If I was ever inclined to go for bear (and the inclination has never struck me, so... ) I'd want something with more punch and reach - in the .308, 30-06, 54R type of cartridge.
But for deer? No question, it will do the job.
BUT, you need to use a good hunting round. My "go to" x39 for deer is the Hornady SST rounds. Not because the rest are bad, but because I know it works, so why mess with it.
Anyway, this thread has gone WAY too long, I think the OP gave up on watching us bicker about 10 pages ago.
I wasn't arguing in favour of x39 for bear, of any sort. If I was ever inclined to go for bear (and the inclination has never struck me, so... ) I'd want something with more punch and reach - in the .308, 30-06, 54R type of cartridge.
But for deer? No question, it will do the job.
BUT, you need to use a good hunting round. My "go to" x39 for deer is the Hornady SST rounds. Not because the rest are bad, but because I know it works, so why mess with it.
Anyway, this thread has gone WAY too long, I think the OP gave up on watching us bicker about 10 pages ago.
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So when I went to the mail yesterday I picked up the latest Calibre magazine, and they have an article on a side by side comparison of the CZ and Zastava mini Mausers in 7.62X39. Anyone interested in purchasing one of these rifles could benefit from the author's observations, and no its not a slam dunk for one over the other.
