AK & 7.62 X 39 debate

[tackleberry45]

Has anyone ever heard where the Ruskies debated the effectiveness of the 7.62 X 39 the way we debate the "effectiveness" our 5.56?? I know this is not really apples to apples, probably better off looking at 5.45 X 39, but it came up as a debate at my LGS

 

[hso]

Yes, the Soviets debated the best round for their armies. Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov himself hated the idea of turning away from the 7.62x39 and was very vocal in his opposition (as vocal as you get in Cold War Soviet Union). There was never going to be a day that the NATO 5.56 would ever be adopted, but their version of it, the 5.45x39, certainly had strong enough advocates to supplant the 7.62X39.

 

[nathan]

1947 to 1974 equals to 27 yrs of service for the AK 47 cal in Russian Army service.

1974 to present time equals to 37 yrs of service of the 5.45 cal in Russian inventory. They do trust the poison bullet more.

 

[nalioth]

1974 to present time equals to 37 yrs of service of the 5.45 cal in Russian inventory. They do trust the poison bullet more.

Not all Russian military units are using the 5.45x39. Some units have transitioned back to the M43 based AKs.

Bulgaria has also dropped the 5.45x39 from service and resumed use of the Type 3 AK-47 for it's troops.

 

[my762buzz]

7.62 X 39 the way we debate the "effectiveness" our 5.56??

If you leave out the other variables like less weight to haul around and less recoil, the main term "effectiveness" implies how well it performs. The military concept of using FMJ for various reasons limits their choice of effectiveness to FMJ. Civilian use of hp or soft point opens other possibilities. When comparing 5.56, 5.45, or 7.62x39 as a civilian choice, effectiveness is no longer limited to fmj and therefore some of the cliche internet or gunshop "not so well thought out arguments" become invalid.
Compare all three calibers with equally well expanding bullets and the edge goes to the one where the physics at any given velocity produces more tissue disruption. At this point ask yourself, does mass make a significant difference if all three calibers can expand or fragment sufficiently to distribute
their energy in the form of tissue disruption?

As for myself, I seen 7.62x39 non-fmj do more damage to deers and other animals then .223 with many bullet types compared to. I will side with the physics and personal experience seen with my own eyes. Don't rely on anyone's opinion to make the same determination. If possible, go perform your own testing.