So your saying a 7.62x39 will do everything a .44mag will... like hit as hard??
Ruger 44...
- Thread starter Waterfowler
- Start date
So your saying a 7.62x39 will do everything a .44mag will... like hit as hard??
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Yep, identical as both cartridges have identical muzzle energy and in fact the 7.62x39 has the same or far better SD as the .44 Mag. A 123gr 7.62x39 bullet has the absolute identical SD as a 240gr .44 bullet, and a 180gr in 7.62x39 both shoots flatter than a .44 Mag and has a far higher SD, higher than even a 300gr .44. You can push a 180gr to 2,000fps in the 7.62x39 safely, and with it, there is absolutely nothing a .44 will kill it won't kill equally well. Out the the two, for versatility, the 7.62x39 is a clear winner as well as you have everything from $200 per 1000 FMJ to Hornady SST and VMAX 123gr for deer and predators respectively, up to 180gr if you wanted to go bigger with a little gun. The .44's neat, but it's a very niche gun.
Well the 7.62 may be sligthly more versitile there's no way a .308 cal 180gn at 2000fps will hit as hard as a .429cal 240gn bullet at about the same velocity. It's clear the best a .308 cal can do is open up to approx the same size a .44 does before it expands. From what I've seen a .44 under 100yds generally goes right thru a deer, making a big hole, not that your 308 cal can't, but sure not as consistant.
Play numbers all you want but it's clear
180gn bullet can not equal a 240gn bullet at equal velocities until you stretch distances out well beyond a 100yds.
I've heard the same numbers played to indicate a .224 cal will hit as hard as a 45-70...ya ok.
Play numbers all you want but it's clear
180gn bullet can not equal a 240gn bullet at equal velocities until you stretch distances out well beyond a 100yds.
I've heard the same numbers played to indicate a .224 cal will hit as hard as a 45-70...ya ok.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
We're splitting hairs in a serious way, I'm sure I've never met an animal a .44 would kill that a 180gr .30 cal bullet at equal or more velocity wouldn't. Same class of game suitability, and I'd suspect exact same effectiveness. I have a .475 Linebaugh (400grs bullets) and I really doubt even the .475 would show me any more effectiveness on game in the deer class than a 180gr 7.62x39. Nothing wrong with a .44 carbine (as mentioned, I'd enjoy one), but the 7.62x39 is a very viable alternative for folks looking for a current production Ruger semi for deer that wouldn't see a fellow lose any deer for the choice.
