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Posted: 2/15/2007 10:39:13 AM EDT
[#1]
7.62x39 will kill a deer dead.
Personally, I've never shot a 7.62x39 rifle/ammo combo that I considered accurate enough for hunting (unless it was a survival situation, in which case all the rules go out the window). I prefer to hunt with MOAish or better. If the bullet doesn't hit exactly where I'm aiming (i.e. better than COM + track it down afterward) I want it to be my fault not the rifle's. |
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Posted: 2/15/2007 11:00:38 AM EDT
[#2]
The 7.62x39 is suitable for deer, so long as a suitable hunting bullet is used.
FMJ and most HP ammo is NOT suitable for hunting purposes. I would limit my shots to 100 yards or less with this caliber. |
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Posted: 2/15/2007 11:15:26 AM EDT
[#3]
Ive seen it put down deer effectivly. Just keep your shots close.
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Posted: 2/15/2007 4:50:57 PM EDT
[#4]
Yes--emphasis on using HUNTING ammo (bullets)--NOT the usual plinking stuff used to kill charging dirt clods. The 100 yard limit is about right, IMO. |
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Posted: 2/15/2007 4:54:38 PM EDT
[#5]
I forgot to specify good ammo like Winchester or Federal PSP.
Not some cheap junk. BTW, the Winchester has more energy at 200 yds than a 44 mag at the muzzle. |
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Posted: 2/15/2007 7:45:57 PM EDT
[#6]
I've killed a mountain lion and several deer with the 7.62 x 39 and using reloads with Nosler BT bullets all animal were DRT to ranges of 135 yards. This is afine round with good shot placement.
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Posted: 2/15/2007 10:29:18 PM EDT
[#7]
I have shot a few deer and alot of hogs with 7.62 x 39, most of it out of ak's, and never had a problem. I just bought my son a CZ in this caliber, and am looking forward to him trying it out. ( alas, he's only 13 months.)
+1 on decent bullet choice +1 on keeping shots within 100-150. |
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Posted: 2/18/2007 11:10:48 PM EDT
[#8]
7.62x39 is a better round than many are willing to give it credit for.
I know that a lot of the stories of inaccuracy come from AK type rifles. Some (or most, depending on how you look at it) AK's just aren't made very well. One of my favorite activities is to get (flat) head-sized pieces of sandstone from our pit and set them up at 50 to 100 yards. They just sort of pop  when a round from my AK smashes into them. It can feel very gratifying.Oh yeah, keep it inside the 175 yard range for deer. And if you are talking about an AK, I would suggest a scope. The front sight post was just way to fat on mine. |
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Posted: 2/19/2007 4:08:16 AM EDT
[#9]
The heart/lung area of most deer (assuming a perfect broadside shot) is 7-8"--about head-sized.  ETA: Velocity is the biggest issue with the round--with typical accuracy a close second. |
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Posted: 2/20/2007 11:34:17 AM EDT
[#10]
a friend of mine worked up a load for my russian SKS just for fun (remington SP's).
we got it down to 1.25-1.5" with the open sights. plenty good for a brush deer rifle. i just wouldn't ever use THAT rifle as a utility gun unless it really hit the fan. too dang purty. |
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Posted: 2/23/2007 10:39:23 PM EDT
[#11]
It has almost the same ballistics as a 30-30, so I see no reason not to deer hunt with it.
I did; 
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Posted: 2/25/2007 6:04:00 AM EDT
[#12]
I love it. Good looking women that shoot deer. With an "assault rifle" nevertheless. I gotta get my wife to shoot!! |
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Posted: 3/18/2007 6:00:54 PM EDT
[#13]
i use corbon 150 gr ammo in my mini30 and it works great,2 bucks and a doe so far
expensive ammo but good stuff roy |
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Posted: 3/18/2007 6:16:18 PM EDT
[#14]
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Posted: 3/19/2007 3:25:13 AM EDT
[#15]
THis is a dupe, but here goes again....
The 7.62x39 is just fine for deer. There are three limitations you need to be aware of: 1) It's not a long range cartridge. As others have posted it really is something of an adequate 100-150 yard cartridge. 123's at 2300 are fine, but they do shed velocity quickly and end up with relatively low energy beyond 150 2) Most rifles chambered for this round are not known as precision rifles. AK's, SKS's and mini -30's are minute of deer rifles. This keeps the effective range to teh same 100-150 yards 3) you absolutely MUST use the the right bullet: FMJ are obviosuly a no-no. Unfortunately we tend to think of all softpoints and hollowpoints as expanding bullets. This is not the case with the imported 7.62 A lot of the russian hollowpoints do NOT expand. A combination of poor bullet design and manufacture, with low impact velocity makes for hollowpoints that act like fmjs. I would have no problem using the litte 7.62 on whitetails. Treat it like you would a 30-30 or .44 carbine. And absolutely, positively use a decent softpoint load. Try Winchester's 123 SP.... If you don't want to spring for decent ammo then I strongly suggest you use a different caliber and rifle. I do not trust the usual Russian import stuff. Too many horror stories. |
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Posted: 3/19/2007 4:32:03 AM EDT
[#16]
Federal softpoints do a dandy little number on white tails.
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Posted: 3/19/2007 4:57:43 AM EDT
[#17]
I passed on a nice Norinco bolt action 7.62x39 at the gunshow and am kicking myself now
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Posted: 3/23/2007 11:27:58 PM EDT
[#18]
I saw a deer taken with a Ruger Mini-30 a few years ago. I have no doubt that it can do the job. But you don't empty the gun into the deer like my buddy did. His first shot was a solid kill shot, but he had the "Buck Fever" and kept firing. He hit the deer 5 times then used my .45 to "finish it off" twice before I grabbed the gun back. He was so proud of that deer he carried the head around in his truck for 2 weeks, unskinned. Needless to say I do not ride in his truck anymore.
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Posted: 3/29/2007 11:54:00 AM EDT
[#19]
I've done it...using a Ruger 77 bolt rifle and handloads. The handload has a Sierra 135gr. bullet doing 2400fps at the chronograph screens. Does a nice job on deer and varmints within the range limitations of the cartridge. For woods deer hunting, I think the 7.62x39mm is great. The biggest problem is having a suitable hunting platform for the cartridge. We need more short, light, handy bolt action rifles in this caliber.
dvo |
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Posted: 3/30/2007 7:30:30 AM EDT
[#20]
The only cheapie 7.62x39 ammo that fragments with any hunting potential is Wolf Military Classic HP (comes in the pseudo camo box, not the same as Wolf Black Box Performance HP).
Wolf HP Mil Classic has fragmentation qualities that would make it effective for deer hunting. Some research has been done about the frag qualities and has been documented in the AK section under the "ammo" topic heading, but the research has not yielded much if any info for max range for fragmentation or the minimum velocity threshold so definitely keep shots under 150, but more like 100 yards as already stated. |
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Posted: 3/30/2007 7:36:19 AM EDT
[#21]
For hunting purposes "fragmentation" is NOT what is desired--expanding is what's needed. HUNTING AMMO from the likes of Remington and Federal and Winchester is what is needed. |
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Posted: 3/30/2007 9:56:03 AM EDT
[#22]
wow. what's your dealer's name? i'd love to try whatever it is you're on. |
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Posted: 3/30/2007 6:00:04 PM EDT
[#23]
Hey, I'm just tring to help the OP about using x39 ammo for hunting, (ie not the most ideal round, but still useful). And yeah, typically expanding is great for deer hunting and the like, but some folks aren't all about controlled expansion with $18 per 20 round of rem-chester ammo. The framentation effects of Wolf MC would work just fine for hogs and such that are being "hunted" not for meat-on-the-table purposes, but because they are tearing up a field, eating crops, etc and they are just being eradicated. Ditto for coyotes. Fragmenting ammo will take care of these hunting needs. Sorry not to be on board with the Fudd-friendly ammo 
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Posted: 3/30/2007 6:05:52 PM EDT
[#24]
I wish somebody could produce some cheap good psp ammo! 90 cents per round it insane!
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Posted: 3/30/2007 6:16:14 PM EDT
[#25]
You apparently didn't read the title of the thread:
The idea is to not use a screwdriver to pound nails. "Fudd-friendly"? Hardly. 
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Posted: 3/30/2007 6:23:48 PM EDT
[#26]
Yeah, your right, I'm on drugs for shooting hogs with $ .17 per round ammo (Wolf MC HP) for hunting hogs. Yup, I should be using the $ .90 per round ammo for coyotes too. Way to contribute to the conversation. I was trying to give alternate ammo ideas besides the typical over priced Soft Point ammo. Oh, Brown Bear makes SP 125gr lacquer cased ammo that costs around $ .19 per round. AIM has some in stock up until a few or so ago. I'll end by taking the high road: nice pic of your sks and your deer. |
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Posted: 3/30/2007 6:34:25 PM EDT
[#27]
I did read the thread title, and I clarified in my 2nd post to reflect that SP is more ideal for deer, but it is not the only thing out there. I was trying to give info that their is an alternative (however un-ideal) for use in hunting applications (fragmentation for deer hunting not as ideal but work, frag for varmint=ideal) that will work better than the common FMJ ammo. Sorry, but short of the value towards reloading the spent brass x39 ammo, spending $18+ on 20 rounds to feed an SKS or an AK is freaking ridiculous, (ie in the realm of Fudd). |
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Posted: 3/30/2007 6:39:47 PM EDT
[#28]
I'm betting you're not a hunter--and I'd bet a LOT you've never killed a deer. The few rounds expended annually for both sighting in and killing deer aren't going to break anyone. Anyone who can't afford $20/yr. to deer hunt needs to stay on the porch. Again--the right tool for the job is soft point ammo loaded to hunting specs. |
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Posted: 3/30/2007 6:56:15 PM EDT
[#29]
Moving on... How does the Brown Bear SP perform? Has it been tested on animals? Gel?
I'm looking for something cheap that I can stockpile in case ammo gets outlawed or taxed 1000% or something. We've already determined it will work fine for my application (deer in TN) and now I need the most affordable supply. ETA: Internet rumor says that the Wolf 154 SP does not perform as expected so I'm still looking for a good choice that is affordable ( I would like a case or more) I would gamble a Uly hp into a deer's ribcage, I bet it will mess him up. |
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Posted: 3/30/2007 7:01:21 PM EDT
[#30]
You would be taking a bad bet: I've done my fair share of hunting what does that have to do with this  and I have "killed a deer" again, WTF? I am not some safari hunter by any means, but I am not some keyboard hunter or something that you are implying.I've never hunted with my SKS or my AK for a deer as I have (IMHO) better "tools" for the "job" (Not saying they won't work). I am coming from the angle that if one is using an SKS or an AK for a primary deer hunting rifle, they may be more inclined to try a cheaper alternative ammo since they are using a less than ideal rifle (IMHO). Sure $20 isn't going to break most peoples bank. But it is your opinion that they should "stay on the porch" if someone cannot afford the more expensive ammo...  Look, I'm trying to give some more info than just the standard, "use this $20 SP ammo or you teh uber suckage urban commando hunter". And I'm still not saying the M.C, fragmenting ammo is the best for deer; it is a cheaper alternative that will work better than FMJ in hunting appplications however much it is not the right tool for the job. Geez, you would think I said WOLF is match grade super sniper ammo that can make a 300 yard head shot  On a positive note: only a few more days until Spring Turkey Season!!! |
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Posted: 3/30/2007 7:11:31 PM EDT
[#31]
I wish I could provide more substantial performance info than this: I took my cousin out about a month ago, he took a coyote at around 75 yards (not exactly sure of the range as we don't have a range finder, but it was further than 50 and alot less than 100). Shot was a bit back and high, front quartering shot (his first 'yote hunt) with the Brown Bear SP ammo. It took about a dozen steps or so and that was about it. We didn't recover the SP bullet as it exited out into the snowy field, but the exit wound was substantially larger than the entrance wound indicating some expansion. This was with a Yugo SKS with the crappy scope mount on the upper receiver cover shooting the Brown Bear 125gr SP ammo that comes in the greenish box. IM me and I will send you a box of 20 if you would be willing to cover the shipping. I cannot speak to the Wolf 154 SP rumors, never run any of it. |
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Posted: 3/31/2007 7:01:34 PM EDT
[#32]
FWIW, my cousin hunts deer with an SKS and wolf 123 HP's. They do expand and they do kill. He grew up a hunter and I would consider him a very good hunter. He is also very cheap and his rifle and ammo is just that but does the job. Most of our shots up in the north are not long when you're tromping through the woods. That doesn't mean there aren't places where you could shoot a long ways, but typically speaking, those aren't the kinds of shots you get. If it were more the norm, he'd probably have a different rifle. I'm not quite sure why everyone's getting their underwear in a bundle about this. It's not much different than a .30-30, ballistically speaking. And in my opinion, soft points aren't death rays. Just another kind of bullet that can kill. But not the only kind.
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Posted: 3/31/2007 7:02:12 PM EDT
[#33]
my dad shot a deer year before last shooting a sks with a red dot scope on top. 235 yard lung shot and the deer only ran about 10 more yards. I think it suprised my dad a little though.
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Posted: 3/31/2007 7:08:57 PM EDT
[#34]
I have a ruger m77 bolt in 7.62 x39. think I try it out these year.
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Posted: 4/10/2007 8:21:04 AM EDT
[#35]
Back in the early 90's, whenever the SKS first came out (new for around $70), my brother took one out with Russkie HP and nailed a deer walking away with a spine shot. The bullet failed/blew up on the spine and failed to anchor the deer. He never did manage to catch up with it.
Several years ago, I neck-shot a deer with a russkie HP with BangFlop results, but the bullet had broken up and an extremely shallow depth and there were at least three teeny exit wounds on the neck. So the caveat on russkie HP bullets is valid, but in my experience, and that of my brother, they fail and break up without giving adequate penetration. I now use the Remington PSP 125gr on deer and they've performed beautifully on the three deer I've shot with 'em. Four deer with 7.62x39, all one shot kills, all under 50 yards. |
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Posted: 4/11/2007 8:45:32 AM EDT
[#36]
I'm committed now! C'on November!
 I'm going to try this out on Mr. whitetail |
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Posted: 4/13/2007 8:40:14 PM EDT
[#37]
That looks like older Wolf 154gr sp. It does not expand very well. As stated already, if you are hunting, buy some quality hunting ammo. |
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Posted: 4/14/2007 4:23:18 AM EDT
[#38]
8.1 grams =125 grains so it can't be the 154 stuff
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Posted: 4/14/2007 4:31:54 AM EDT
[#39]
With properly loaded (Hunting ammo) and a proper weapon. (Accurised ak or bolt rifle) Its right up there with 30-30 is a little on the lighter side.
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Posted: 4/14/2007 5:19:47 AM EDT
[#40]
Still, the grain weight isn't the issue. Wolf soft points DO NOT expand well regardless of weight. Again, buy some QUALITY hunting ammo. |
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Posted: 4/15/2007 5:54:41 AM EDT
[#41]
as i stated in a post above ,i use CORBON 150 GR HUNTING AMMO, i have used winchester and federal in the past and had marginal success with it, i did kill deer but it was not as effective at quick kills like the corbon, my feelings are if you going to hunt with it use good ammo, i usually get two seasons out of one 20 rd box of corbons and kill several deer a year
roy |
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Posted: 4/19/2007 7:39:05 PM EDT
[#42]
blah blah blah......as I said before...It'll work. Give me some time at home and I'll post pics.
I would buy some decent soft points. Which, apparently you've done. I usually try neck shots, if it's possible, but hogs, it isn't alot of times. But that doesn't mean anything, I try for head or neck no matter what caliber I'm using at the time. FWIW. I've shot hogs with 7.62x39 and missed vitals yet they stilled dropped and kicked. I've also shot shit with 30-06 and hit vitals and watched them run 75 yards or so. me thinks it varies from animal to animal |
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