7.62x39 for deer

i believe FMJ is illegal.


btw anybody knows where to buy hollow point 7.62x39 ? Are they legal. (i only have only seen soft point and fmj 7.62x39 yet)
 
I have taken a bunch of deer with my Mini-30, and have to say that the 7.62X39 is a fine deer round...Not too sure on the availability of factory ammo right now, as is became scarce the past 5+yrs or so with the U.S export laws on 7.62X39 ammo..I bought a whole bunch when this started so I wasn't effected...

There are a few companies chambering this in bolt guns, and the mini-30 is still an option..As for an SKS, that has to be the worst option out there...It's heavy, poorly balanced, has chitty sights, and a poor optics mounting system...The only thing the SKS has going for it is price...
 
Basically my options are get a tavor in .223 or get a xcr in 7.62 if i can use if for deer as well. Most of my shooting is coyote and smaller game but come deer season it would be nice to be able to take one with my regular truck gun.
 
Rick911 said:
Yes, SKS and SP is the poor man's way to get meat. :D (dont shoot from too far away XD)

Anyone can confirm ?
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SP 7.62x39 is more than sufficient to harvest medium sized (deer) game. If you reload Hornady and Speer both make excellent .310" bullets for this. As previously stated if you're using an SKS try and be 100yds or less from the game. I believe American Eagle makes SP ammo for the 7.62x39, I've seen Remington and Federal as well.

As Cap stated the Mini-Thirty is a good truck rifle and has decent accuracy.
 
IMO, the 7.62x39 will perform similar to a 30-30. Just keep the shots within reasonable range and it should work fine!
 
Cleftwynd said:
IMO, the 7.62x39 will perform similar to a 30-30. Just keep the shots within reasonable range and it should work fine!
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I see this comparison regularly and can't understand where it comes from. A low sectional density 123gr bullet @ 2400fps is not at all like a much higher sectional density 170gr @ 2100fps. That said, at closer ranges (<150yds) the 7.62x39 will be fine if the shooter does his part and puts the bullet in the boiler house.


Mark
 
I used my XCR in 762 39 for deer this year with factory prvi 123gr. From what I noticed the deer went down as fast with either, but the 170gr 3030 did a bit more damage inside
 
I guess I should have stated "with similar bullets". Anyone I know that hunts with the x39 handloads, as the milsurp crap is less than useless for hunting purposes.

Also, by saying "similar" I meant intended use and distance. The 7.63x39 would be used in similar hunting situations as a 30-30, as compared to a 308 or 7mm RM.

The two rounds are far from being clones, but they both will work in similar hunting venues when using comparable hunting bullets.


Does that help clarify what I meant? I don't want to hire an English specialist and a lawyer to proof read all of my replies, I can not afford it.
 
captonion said:
There are a few companies chambering this in bolt guns, and the mini-30 is still an option..As for an SKS, that has to be the worst option out there...It's heavy, poorly balanced, has chitty sights, and a poor optics mounting system...The only thing the SKS has going for it is price...
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Worst option for you perhaps. :rolleyes:

I say if someone can shoot well with an SKS at common hunting distances which are well within 200 meters and is not interested in drinking the optics koolaid then I say go for it.

Hunting ammo exists in 7.62x39 and plenty of people reload for it...IIRC barnes even makes a TSX for it. Use it like a 30/30 brush gun and enjoy.

They are tough an reliable rifles.
 
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I carried a Ruger Mini 30, which is 7.63x39, with 139 gr Hornady bullets this year. I would have no doubt that, within the range I hunt, it would have been sufficient.

My 30-30 with 165 gr leverevolution was good enough and the ballistics aren't that different. And the bullet isn't that much bigger.
 
762x39 is great for deer within range. I carried a mini 30 as well for my thick bush gun, and 3 other guys in my part shot x39. Look for the privi ammo, should be easy to find. If in southern ontario, call lanz shooting supplies.
 
So what you are saying, compared to the other rifles offered in 7.62X39, the SKS isn't heavy, is well balanced, has good sights, and a great optics mounting system?

You are correct on the SKS's faults IMO as well. Got one too, it's great fun. But it's a bit of a beast due to the above mentioned faults.
 
tokguy said:
You are correct on the SKS's faults IMO as well. Got one too, it's great fun. But it's a bit of a beast due to the above mentioned faults.
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Agree...I've had a few..They are what they are...Fun to shoot, yup....For hunting they do work. Shot a couple with one myself...I was just comparing them to other rifles chambered in the cal. Ruger,Zastava,CZ and Sabatti, have nice bolt guns chambered in 7.62x39...Ruger has the mini-30...If cost is an issue the Norico Bush Ranger can be had under $300 new, under $200 used...All more user friendy for hunting than the SKS...All sould shoot better also...Better than the SKS 6''+ groups @ 100 with given sights..

Calum said:
I say if someone can shoot well with an SKS at common hunting distances which are well within 200 meters and is not interested in drinking the optics koolaid then I say go for it.
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Ever try to consistanly hit a 12'' gong @ 200 with an SKS? I've ''tried'' with a few...
 
Yep. I can't see why the old Russki couldn't take deer...and there is something oddly gratifying and satisfying about harvesting game with chit house milsurps.

Back in the day working stiffs like us couldn't afford good sporters, we got by on Enfields, Garands and whatever cheapies were in the bargain bin.
 
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