Lets talk 7.62x39

[golfish]

Happy Tuesday to all. I purchased an SKS a few months ago. Its old and beat up but I really like it, I like it so much that I'm thinking about getting another one. I'm already doing a little reloading for it too.

I know some of you guys have this cartridge in bolt action guns. Is it a good gun to use for deer and pigs ? I'm asking only for my son and grandson. I want to make sure and leave them with some good guns to hunt with. Should I just stick with the 308?

Apples, IIRC, you have one in bolt action.

[splithoof]

I have a CZ-527 in "Scout" configuration, a very accurate rifle that is dandy for hunting. However, if I were looking to the future hunting needs of son and grandson, a .308 rifle offers considerable more power that can be used for longer shots than should be attempted with the Russian Short. You can always download the .308 for other game if needed, but you cannot "upload" the Russian Short. With the correct bullet, it will work well for hogs and deer, but you must know it's limits.

[JackEllis]

I don't own one but looking at the muzzle velocity and energy specs, I'd say it might be a bit light for deer and there's no margin for error shooting pigs with it.

I guess you can use .308 bullets so finding a lead-free option should not be a problem but the small case length means you probably can't drive the bullet fast enough to open up properly. IIRC both Barnes and Hornady recommend at least 2,000 FPS on impact. That really limits your effective range.

[200Apples]

I guess you can use .308 bullets...

Depending on the bore. For example, the CZ 527 Carbine has a .310 bore. I like to shoot ammo that is loaded with a (.310/.311/whatever they are) bullet.

I have laid in a stock of pure copper BARNES TSX spitzers in .310, 124 grain bullet weight. I've yet to handload any. I've been using Federal's American Eagle red/black box "7.62 X 39 RUSSIAN" (.310 bullets) when target shooting. I love that little rifle.

I envy splithoof's scouterized 527, though. What a neat piece!

Ballistically, the round has been compared to the .30WCF (.30-30) for range, roughly 150 yards.

[splithoof]

I don't own one but looking at the muzzle velocity and energy specs, I'd say it might be a bit light for deer and there's no margin for error shooting pigs with it.

I guess you can use .308 bullets so finding a lead-free option should not be a problem but the small case length means you probably can't drive the bullet fast enough to open up properly. IIRC both Barnes and Hornady recommend at least 2,000 FPS on impact. That really limits your effective range.

Using .308" bullets usually gives very poor results. The cartridge calls for bullets of the .310"- .311" size. That limits your options. Because he vast majority of the rifles chambered for it require that size, and are of foreign origin, that is what one finds most of the time. I also have a Ruger Mini-30 Tac stainless, and it also prefers .311" bullets; for hunting, you can find a very few suitable bullets; Barnes makes a TSX that weighs 123 grains, and it is sized .310". That is the best (IMO) option for lead-free hunting. It's part # is 30391. I have also found plated .311" 123 grain by Berry's; those have worked well for range practice. Interestingly, I found frangible .311" 123 grain made by Sinterfire, which I needed for use at school for some indoor simulators. Like the Barnes, those were more $$ than the cheaper plated versions from Berry's.

[oak18]

7.62x39 is extremely similar to 30-30 in performance and .30-30 is one of the most popular deer calibers of all time. It’s plenty for deer, especially here in California. That being said, your effective range with it is limited. I wouldn’t use it past 200 yards personally.

Also, I wouldn’t be hesitant to use it on pigs either.

[deckhandmike]

It’s a hell of a 200 yard round but a no go for CA as the cheapest 7.62x39 is like 40$ for 20 rounds and it’s hard to source. It’s got no lead free love. You can get lead free .308 all day everywhere.

That being said my practice ammo is dirt cheap and surprisingly accurate out of both my AK and 7.62x39 AR. So the cost of hunting ammo becomes a wash. I say do it as every lead free hunter helps drop the price of ammo.

[bubbapug1]

It's a glorified pistol round. Like what? 2000 fps?!?!

Perfect for maiming a person. Perfect for pissing off a pig. Perfect for wounding a deer.

[Bisley]

It's a glorified pistol round. Like what? 2000 fps?!?!

Perfect for maiming a person. Perfect for pissing off a pig. Perfect for wounding a deer.

Using that same ignorance, so is the .45-70. Remember the Colt Walker and Dragoon were both pistols shooting a .454 ball behind 70 grains of powder. Guess we better stop shooting pigs and deer with our .45-70's. Bummer, until your post they used to be great rifles......

[kevins750]

If I recall I read an article that had info from barnes that had a 20" barreled rifle with H4895
And an MV of 2500fps. The website doesn't reflect that but a tech at barnes sent the guy a email about the testing.

That being said there are better choices for a hunting caliber.

[G38xOC]

Howa mini action 762.x39 . Good shooter . Cheap and fun

[plumbum]

I’ve watched multiple deer downed with 7.62x39 - with hunting ammo and a clean shot, you wouldn’t be able to tell if the deer was dead from a Soviet round or the sacred ‘06 - it works just dandy on CA black tails. I also know guys that have taken pigs just fine.

Out of a good bolt action, it would be a nice lightweight walk about rifle, with plenty of inexpensive range fodder available. One of these days I’m gonna grab a Ruger Ranch that takes the mini-30 mags.

[golfish]

I've thought about getting a mini 30 for years but they're so darn expensive.

Thanks for all the info.

[scotty99]

[golfish]

That CZ527 is a beauty.