Moose with 7.62 X 39

Where I hunt, overgrown clear cuts, re gen and swampy creek bottoms a long shot is 100 yards. I just might invest in a CZ 527 and try it out. Of course I will pick my shots and likely get a shot at a whitetail as quick as a moose. Can only shoot calves anyways.....


Darryl
 
The 7.62X39 has similar power to a 30-30, but the 124 grain soft points that the ammo comes in is only fit for deer at closer ranges. If Barnes were to load 140 grain TTSX ammo for the 7.62X39, that would be different, and would make the round useable for moose out to 100 yards. As it is, I agree with others that the minimum you should use is a 30-30 with bonded bullets...and preferably a .308, 30.06, 7mm RM, .300 WM, etc, with bonded or mono metal bullets.

The magic number for 7.62x39 seems to be 123 grains @ .310 dia and yes Barnes makes it in TSX...

h ttp://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=BX31012
 
Calum, you are the bringer of hope. I wonder if that bullet is available in Canada.

Darryl

They are available. You can order them from Wholesale sports.

I've not shot a moose with 7.62x39, but I've seen a handful of posts over the years here where guys stated they personally did, and had no problems.

I think the "7.62x39 for moose" discussion (it does come up once a year or so) comes down to people who have never done it claiming it can't be done (or shouldn't be) vs. people who have actually done it claiming it worked just fine.

So draw your own conclusions.
 
Of course it is fine for moose. The question should be how far and what bullet. Few would question a 30 06 at 300 yards. A 7.62x39 at 40 yards would be about the same.
 
Can it kill? Yes, I heard of a guy back home in NFLD who got a young bull with a .22lr to the brain last fall that was in his backyard.


But like others have said, a clean lung shot is more than ample but keeping it within 75 yards would be logical.
 
Okay then, a Barnes TSX bullet would make it do-able for moose, but I agree with Shep in that the shot shouldn't be taken unless it's well under 100 yards.
There are many many options that are much better for moose, get a .308 or 30.06 and don't limit yourself!
 
Took a Caribou at 200yrds with my CZ. Fast kill too with 123gr Winchester SP's.

Never tried on Moose but 30-30 takes them down just fine so i don't see why 7.62 wouldn't.
 
Took a Caribou at 200yrds with my CZ. Fast kill too with 123gr Winchester SP's.

Never tried on Moose but 30-30 takes them down just fine so i don't see why 7.62 wouldn't.

It's not about the fact that it CAN, it's the fact that it also has a pretty good chance of just wounding the animal causing undue suffering.

The point is there is no reason TO choose 7.62x39 instead of a more powerful cartridge.
 
i think it would be ok in the thick brush up north its not hard to get close too a moose (or have the moose get close to you ) id use the sks if i was up to it its the gun i use for bear

too many people think animals have gotton tougher then when our grandfathers and even fathers hunted them well they have not common cals used to be a .30-30 and .303 here in canada common cals in europe 6.5x55,7mm mauser,7.5x55,7.62x54r,9x57,9.3x57,9.3x62 and quite a few more everyone thinks you need a magnum

i have a 9.3x57 and well its now my moose gun maybe even bear gun(althrough i would like to keep the fur intact so maybe not bear) its slow but it does the job and has for years
 
While it is likely to kill a moose with a well-placed shot,
I would not be taking the 7.62x39 out on a moose hunt purposely.
There are so many superior choices.
Eagleye.
 
I'd take my 243 with 100g bonded corelokt over a 7.62x39. 243 prolly produces more ft/pds at 100yds than a 7.62x39 at the muzzle...:eek:....if those were the only two I had.......:popCorn:
 
And still no one with actual experience lol.

I don't, but a close friend has (whom I trust when he tells me things) put a 123sp through a moose at 85yds. One shot.

broke a rib going in, took off top of heart, exited through the brisket ahead of the front leg.

I laugh when I hear about "Get a Bigger Gun" theory.....

Where does it stop??? I personally have killed two moose with a 338WinMag.

one penetrated about 6 feet of moose with a "Texas Heart Shot" and one hit the neck, and deflected into the cavity. Broke the neck but that 230gr FailSafe, at 50yds DID NOT PENETRATE A MOOSE NECK!!!!

using the second example, I'd suggest a 338WinMag with Winchester FailSafes is simply NOT adequate for moose, as it won't penetrate...... but if one were to look at the first example.... well, do the math.

I once met a Conservation Officer in Manitoba who said if it was legal, he'd use a 17Rem for WTDeer, as they kill faster than ANY other round he'd seen used in culling herds.....
 
Back
Top Bottom