Hunting with a Cetme (308)

[ArnoldSKS]

I just ran across a Cetme and was thinks about using it for hunting deer. It's a 308, which is a great round for deer, just wondering if any one has used a Cetme for hunting.

Hey guy, please give you opinion.

P.S.

Share your photos

 

[bullseye308]

I don't hunt, but I know a lot of others that do and a few of them use their CETME for deer. Keep in mind that commercial ammo is not reccommended in them and military brass is preferred. Having a commercial case rip in half will ruin your trip. Get some military loads then replace the bullet and powder and you are good, unless you reload then you already know what to do. PM me if you need more info on this rifle.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Bullseye,

Is the problem with commercial brass the softness?

 

[jmorris]

I have never had a problem with commercial ammo in my CETME but have heard others have. They have enough accuracy to get the job done. The only thing that kept mine in the safe is the fact that I could carry two regular rifles a case of beer and a B-B-Q grill or for the same weight one CETME. It will work and be a workout at the same time.

 

[Z71]

Don't own a Cetme , but a Polytech M14 works fine. I just bought myself a couple 5 shot mags, tried some softpoints for function, and away we went.

Some will say the Cetme cartridge, 7.62 Nato, and .308 Winchester are not the same cartridge. Thats true, and I have no idea how it relates to the mechanics and such of the Cetme.

The Polytech M14 is marked ".308" and has functioned perfectly with everything from Egyption ball to Remington roundnose .308 Winchesters!

The Poly is a heavy beast! Like jmorris say's, a regular rifle is much easier to tote!

Better check the game laws in your state regarding mag capacity and semi-auto's.

 

[Art Eatman]

The only difference between commercial .308 and military-specification 7.62 would be in the brass of the cartridge case. It might be that the military brass is a bit harder, insofar as any extraction issue. The thickness of the rim, front to back, would have to be the same, since ammo is not designated "For Cetme only".

Most of the para-military rifles don't strike me as good walking-hunting deer rifles, but I don't see any problem if it's mostly a sittin' and waitin' sort of deal. All that really matters is being able to place the shot properly...

 

[bullseye308]

The problem with commercial brass in the CETME is that it is thinner in the web than military brass and can rip in half due to the violent extraction, leaving your chamber partly plugged for the next round. If your CETME is running right, you should have extraction of about 40' to 50'. You may get by for a while shooting commercial in it but doing that will get you a stuck partial case at some point, whereas shooting mil brass SHOULD NOT have that problem(with quality brass). I reload for mine as it is gentle on the brass but that is not the case for most owners. If you plan on shooting much commercial in it get a stuck case extractor and be familiar with it's use. Look here for any info you need on this rifle, it used to be cetmerifles.com.
http://www.militaryfirearm.com/Forum/forumdisplay.php?f=23

 

[4v50 Gary]

When I was at HK, I read a letter that was posted in the employee lunch room. A hunter had injured a bear which fled into the brush. He didn't dare pursue the wounded beast and returned the next day with his HK-91. They found one another and several quick shots put the bear down. He stated that he wouldn't have even tried but for having his HK.

 

[vpost]

It is indeed the thin wall of . 308 commercial ammo that is the problem, but also the CETME chamber is fluted and .308 can and does expand into the flutes causing case head separations at unpredictable times. bad juju.


Vince

 

[Dave R]

If you reload, its no problem. Just use hunting bulltets in military brass. No problemo.

I have run such loads through my CETME, just to say I've done it. Accuracy was great.

I have not hunted with it, though.

Brass looks interesting after its been through the fluted chamber twice.

 

[86thecat]

CETME's and G3's can beat up the nose of some soft point bullets badly, but the Remington 150 gn PSP Core loks feed well with little damage, are good hunting bullets and pretty accurate. Add some Varget and a mil case, you'll be good to go. Have only taken a couple coyote with mine.

 

[onebigelf]

I use commercial ammo in my CETME for hunting annually. Stay away from heavier bullet weights and you shouldn't have a problem with the cases. Stick with 150gr loads. The 180's will bite you in the butt. I've used Federals and S&B's SPCE's. Federals are better. The SPCE is really more of a dangerous game round, but will work for deer in a pinch.

John

 

[Dave R]

but the Remington 150 gn PSP Core loks feed well with little damage, are good hunting bullets and pretty accurate.

I was gonna say that I never saw a problem with dinged softpoints in my CETME. Then I realized that's the bullet I'm using. You're right, it works well in the CETME.

 

[86thecat]

I made up some test dummies to check loading of different soft points in the G3 aluminum mags. The bullet tip lifts the cartridge up as it begins to leave the magazine, too wide of a nose and it will shave lead on the reinforcement strip then bounce up sometimes missing the chamber. The PSP's are a protected point with a narrow enough nose to feed right. Also when reloading stay away from the slow powders.