BEST 7.62x39 round for self defense purposes?

[RyanM]

The only 7.62x39mm bullets I know of that actually reliably expand, are Winchester 123 gr and the Saspan 124 gr. Most of the rest will either not expand and tumble, or will strip off their jacket and then send the undeformed core straight on through.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I have several AK mags loaded with Chinese and East German steel cored ball, of which I also have another 1K rounds or so. If I'm shooting at someone with an AK, there's a good chance I may need to shoot through something to tag him. I want every edge I can get.

 

[salty]

The best home defense round would be a Remington 870 with 7 1/2 shot - birdshot works as unfortunately recently demomstrated by the VP. In most situations 7.62 x 39 has too much penetration for typical home use in a city situation, in a house with other people you care about inside or a house of drywall construction. Just my opinion.

Was that a joke about the deer and the Wolf HP - HP ammo is not for big game hunting - the 154 gr. Wolf SP is made for that.

 

[rangerruck]

147 grn milsurp bimetal. very ouchy.

 

[benEzra]

I think Maine Cartridge Co. makes a Vmax load for the 7.62x39 and Corbon markets a load with a Sierra JHP that is supposed to fragment, though I have never tested them.

Winchester 123gr. soft point

Anybody know if these loads use milspec primers or American-style softer primers? My main concern with using American-made ammunition isn't the .308 bore size, it's whether or not there's any increased risk of slamfire due to the AK's industrial-strength firing pin.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Anybody know if these loads use milspec primers or American-style softer primers? My main concern with using American-made ammunition isn't the .308 bore size, it's whether or not there's any increased risk of slamfire due to the AK's industrial-strength firing pin.

I couldn't tell ya, but the free floating firing pins of both the Simonov and Kalashnikov does make it a legitimate concern. I couldn't imagine them using softer primers when they have to know it would make the rounds far less safe out of the two most prominant firearms chambered for the cartrdige, but I suppose the best thing to do would be to call them and be more safe than sorry.