What's a good 7.62x39 factory load for deer hunting?

Federal Hi-Shok 123gr soft points work well if you can find them.

I shot a doe with 124 hp a few years ago and it worked fine. Basicaly exploded in the lungs and it dropped. I wouldn't want to try one on the shoulder but like most animals, deer won't go far without lungs.

Wolf makes a 154gr softpoint that shoots really well in my SKS

Many believe the 154 gr SP is the best for closed range hunting .

http://www.bulkammo.com/bulk-7-62x39mm-ammo-762x39154grsptulablack-20

Wolf makes a 154gr softpoint that shoots really well in my SKS

Click to expand...

Yep, and Tula 154 is the same load. Very effective on hogs to 100 yards. This stuff is more accurate than the 123 grain stuff in my SKS, too. It shoots 2 moa, a full moa better than the best 123 grain stuff.

I have hunted with a Ruger Mini 30 for years. I use Federal 123 grain soft point Power Shock. Have taken most deer with one shot and they don't run much. Most shots are 75-100 yards.

Tula 154 grain soft points.

I've used Brown Bear 125 gr soft points with satisfactory results, but next year I'm going to give these a try. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/11...n-762x39mm-123-grain-sst-steel-case-box-of-50

I used PMC 123 gr soft point for years in a Mini 30----took many deer all about 80 to 100 yds

I use 123 or so soft points. American hunting loads give better accuracy in my Saiga. I never found a load that shoots well in an AK or SKS, others can help with that. Several on here do but I don't know what guns prefer what.

My AK shoots 2MOA with Golden Bear 124gr soft points. I am mulling using it in the morning, so I may have more to follow.

I shot a doe with my SKS, using the 154gr load, a couple years ago. One shot, one doe. For close range it is deadly. If you are shooting to 200 meters go with the Hornady load as it shoots a lot flatter.

I just use wolf soft points

None of the steel cased hollow-points are good for hunting. Most of the steel cased soft-point ammo is ok, though the jackets are tough so on smaller critters you may get minimal expansion without hitting solid bones. All of the american made brass cased soft-points work really good for small to medium sized game. Fusion 123 grain softpoints is probably the best 762x39 ammo you will find for deer hunting. Obviously cost more than imports, but frankly that $20 is money well spent for reliable performance and it isn't like you're going to be firing pallets of them at a deer or two.

I don't know what exact bullet weight or manufacturer, but some foreign made soft point bullet is what I killed my second deer ever with. At about 40yds in an SKS it was very effective. I remember it was in an unpainted, plain box 25 years ago.