Yeah, I know. 7,62x39 wouldn't normally be my first choice, but the only rifle I have with magnified optics on it is my AK, I don't want to go the crappy scout/LER mount on my M39, and drilling/tapping it is also a no go. Also not interested in buying a new/used rifle and having to stock yet another caliber.
Besides, KS says you can shoot deer with any centerfire rifle now, we don't have a caliber limit anymore, and I'd prefer the x39 over a 5.56 anyway.
So, what I do have right now is about 150-ish rounds of the 125-grain Silver Bear SP ammo. Mostly I got this because it shoots pretty much exactly the same as the 124-grain GT FMJBTs that I normally shoot, and everything I've shot them into that I could recover them from had them expanding.
Would I be better off with the 154's (necessitating a rezero), or will the 8M3 work okay? I'm curious as to if it will penetrate deep enough for this use.
I am also considering the Hornady SST's, but they are dang expensive; is it really worth 2x the price of the 123/154 SP's or 8M3? Especially in a non-reloadable case.