7.62x39 for deer hunting?

[rc109a]

Ok, I have done some searched and really have not found a good response to this. I am looking at three different barrel configuration for my next AR build. I want to use it for deer hunting. The two calibers that everyone talks about is 6.8 and 6.5 (for the AR). What about the 7.62x39 in an AR? Just a thought...

 

[Bartkowski]

It will work on a deer, but the trajectory is like a 30-30. Also, the taper of the 7.62x39 case can cause problems in an AR.

 

[Omaney]

Can one get an AR in .243? The RAM in my brain is not working.

 

[rbernie]

It will work on a deer, but the trajectory is like a 30-30. Also, the taper of the 7.62x39 case can cause problems in an AR.

Dang - I've put THOUSANDS of 7.62x39 rounds downrange thru AR-platform rifles, and never had a single FTF/FTE or any other malfunction that could remotely be allocated to case shape.

I've dropped a BUNCH of critters using a 16" 7.62x39 AR-15 build.

Can one get an AR in .243? The RAM in my brain is not working.

243 is longer than 223/7.62x39 because it's based on the 308 cartridge. That means that you can get an AR10 chambered in 243, but not an AR15.

 

[OMGWTFBBQ]

The problem with the case taper is a magazine issue, not an issue with the gun. I heard over on the ar15 forums that Cproducts is coming out with some 30 rounders in the next couple months.

 

[sam700]

It is the equivalent of the 30-30 which was fine back in the day, but no match for today's super deer. Just kidding, I would imagine that it would work fine. It may be a bit more of a challenge to find a hunting load and not a FMJ in this caliber, but if you look around or handload, it shouldn't be much of an issue.

Speaking of the .243 does anyone know much about the AR in .243 wssm. I beilieve this is also available in the AR-15.

 

[Seafarer12]

Can one get an AR in .243? The RAM in my brain is not working.

Olympic Arms was going to make one in a 243 wssm a while back. I kind of lost interest in AR's before they came on the market. So I am not sure how they were for reliability.

As far as shooting deer with a 7.62x39 are good for deer if you get some with a hunting bullet.

 

[rbernie]

The problem with the case taper is a magazine issue, not an issue with the gun.

Ah, thanks. Yes - the tapered case demands a curved magazine, and getting a 7.62x39 mag to work in the straight magwell of the AR is not easy.

I heard over on the ar15 forums that Cproducts is coming out with some 30 rounders in the next couple months.

Colt and C-Products have each made at least one prior version of a 7.62x39 AR mag. They both had issues. C-Products has been advertising their second-gen mag to be ready 'in three months' for about a year now. They are convinced that the follower's upper shape is the key to joy.

I predict that it will not work well for them if they follow their current path.

The traditional way to get a 5.56 AR-15 mag to work well is to use an anti-tilt follower and a well-formed mag body. The goal is to keep the follower level and controlled at all times. Well, the only way to get a straight mag upper section (needed to lock into an AR lower) and still feed 7.62x39 is to deliberately allow the follower to tilt within the mag body. Until the C-Products mag designers figure this out and redesign their bodies to remove the follower alignment recesses, they will continue to struggle.

MGWs mags are slab-sided and allow the follower to tilt. They are limited to 10rds at present, but they do work well for me. Any other AR mag manufacturer is going to have issues if they don't rethink their approach.

Just my opinion...

 

[buck00]

Just a head's up, sure you can hunt with 7.62 x 39, but it is by no means the best deer round.

It is going to make a tiny in-and-out hole compared to a 30-06.

I had a buddy spray a deer with an SKS (in MD) about four times, hitting it three times and it ran off.... meanwhile a single well placed 30-06 will drop her once.

Isn't it odd MD has such strict gun laws, yet you can hunt deer with a semi-auto rifle... but in PA you can't?

 

[Vaarok]

7.62x39 uses a .311 bullet, .30-06 uses a .308 bullet, they make equivalently sized holes, but strike with moderately different amounts of kinetic energy and the .30-06 can use heavier bullets. Unless you're using FMJ ammunition, neither will leave a tiny in-and-out hole, and either should kill a deer as dead as the other if you hit it cleanly.

 

[ThomasT]

Most places will limit your mag capacity to 5 rounds for deer hunting. In that small amount the case taper shouldn't be a problem.

If you are truelly wanting to hunt deer with that round you may have to take up handloading to get the best bullet for a deer. And if deer is what you are after a CZ 527 bolt action would be a better choice. Small and light weight and wont throw your brass away. If you can find them ruger made a bolt in 7.62x39.

And if after deer a 30-30 will do the same thing at half the money with good deer loads across the counter.

 

[T.R.]

In 2005, I hunted in northern Michigan with my USAF buddy. In that part of Michigan, they hunt from little shacks overlooking cleared areas. It was quite c-c-cold!

He hunted with a plain SKS, open sights, and Winchester SUPER X 123 gr. soft tip ammo. Late afternoon of the first day, I shot a medium sized forky buck with my Ruger 96 lever action carbine in 44 MAG. It bounded away at the shot and toppled after a couple jumps. Distance: approx. 75 yards. Ammo: Hornady featuring the 200 gr. XTP hollow tip bullet.

Following morning, my friend shot a medium sized 3 X 2 buck with his SKS. It bounded away at the shot and toppled after a couple jumps. I perceived zero difference between the two animals regarding reaction to the shots.

We found my 44 MAG bullet flattened out to approx .75 inch in diameter. We did not find his 7.62 bullet; it exited the animal and disappeared into the snowy forest. I disagree that expansion was inadequate. Both animals had significant chest organ damage!

Conclusion: SKS carbines have plenty of power for deer hunting if the hunter does his part. That is, select soft tip ammo made in USA and wait for a clear shot.

TR

 

[Snapping Twig]

7.62x39 with proper bullets is a superb hunting round if distance is kept under 200 yards.

The comparison between 30-30 and 7.62x39 is a valid one. Consider that the 150g round used in each caliber is SP in the 7.62x30 and RN or FP in the 30-30.

At the muzzle, the 30-30 has slightly more velocity, but due to the shape of the 7.62x39 bullet (SP) after 50 yards, the advantage shifts to the 7.62x39.

30-30 has taken more deer than any other cartridge, so if you think about it, the 7.62x39 can and will do the job.

 

[R.W.Dale]

On subject of comparing 30-30 and 7.62x39



As you can see from the pic I've tested both cartridges in similar platforms. According to my chronograph performance is essentially identical. With 125grn bullets the russian round is about 175 FPS faster than 30-30, moving up to 150grn bullets velocity is identical and lastly with 170grn bullets the 30-30 is fastest by about 150fps. All with top shelf handloads.

With factory ammo this comparison goes completely lopsided in favor of the x39. My 7.62x39 handloads come just short of the velocities Russian made ammo achieves. Compare that to the pitifully underloaded factory 30-30 ammo, I don't care what the MFG claims all published velocities for 30-30 loadings are overstated by at least 250 fps for a 20" barrel. The last box of Remington 170grn sp's didn't even break 1900fps

So the short answer to your question is that 7.62x39 will do anything 30-30 will.

My 7.62x39 handload that I deer hunt with is a 125grn Nosler ballistic tip @ 2475 fps. It shoots suprisingly flat and groups well all the way out to 300m

 

[rc109a]

I think with that information I might have to look back at the original idea of the 6.5 or 6.8. Cost effectiveness the 7.62x39 is cheaper to reload since brass is pretty inexpensive. The 6.5 and 6.8 is on the pricey side with frequent trips to the range that this rifle will encounter. Thanks for the help!!!

 

[rbernie]

The 6.5 and 6.8 is on the pricey side with frequent trips to the range that this rifle will encounter.

If you handload, the price is pretty much the same. The nice thing about the 6.8SPC, for example, is that I can hunt with it as I do with my 7.62x39 ARs, but I can also use it for social work because reliable hi-cap magazines are readily available.

 

[O.S.O.K.]

Nothing wrong with the 7.62x39 for deer

but I would opt for the 6.5 myself. This is truely a remarkably balanced diameter with very high SD which gives it penetration.

Especially if this is the main use for the upper/rifle.

If you want something that is also a great plinker/recreation/shtf caliber then by all means go with the 7.62x39.

Just get some good 150 grain ammo for hunting. Corbon makes an excellent load for the purpose.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

it will do well at under 150 yards if you do your part. I like to shoot 'em in the neck and they drop RT. BTW my shots have all been under 100 yards because I hunt brushy areas.
I use handload 150 gr. slugs.

 

[B.D. Turner]

You need a 7mm ultra mag upper for deer or a 300 win mag upper. If the 7.62x39 is like the 30-30 it is useless deer in this modern age must be killed with the very latest whiz bang round and it must have MAGNUM attached to it's name or it is just not going to work.

 

[Mike Wazowski]

Krochus,

Would you please tell us about the two bolt guns on the canoe seat ?

The rifle on top really piques my curiosity.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[JWarren]

Can one get an AR in .243? The RAM in my brain is not working.

The best route to go for a .243 AR is going to be on the AR-10 platform. DPMS makes one on their LR-308 platform.

Remember, the .243 was derived from a necked-down .308. It stands to reason that I'd going to need a .308 length magazine well. It's going to be too long for an AR-15 lower receiver.

I've got in on my Wish list to get a .300 RSAUM upper for my LR-308 one day.






-- John

 

[R.W.Dale]

Krochus,

Would you please tell us about the two bolt guns on the canoe seat ?

The rifle on top really piques my curiosity.

The rifle on top is a CZ527 carbine chambered in 7.62x39

the rifle on bottom (recently sold) is a Savage 340 in 30-30 WCF

 

[rangerruck]

dpms makes ar's in 243, 260, 6.5 grendel, 76239, and 338 as well, I believe. if you wanna keep it in a ar size platform , as well as the lower, you should look for one , in 243, 260 or even 6.5 grendel.

 

[3pairs12]

You can get .243 wssm on AR-15 platform a few companies offer uppers, kind of pricey though. 7.62x39 has been known to have feed problems in the AR.

 

[rbernie]

7.62x39 has been known to have feed problems in the AR.

Only if you're using an inadequate magazine.