Hunting Range of a 7.62x39

[viking499]

What is the effective range of a 7.62x39 bolt gun?

 

[meanmrmustard]

200 yards or less. That's what I've stuck to anyway.

 

[theicemanmpls]

150 to 200 yards, just like a 30 30.

 

[TonyAngel]

Yeah, you can pretty much just think 30-30.

 

[viking499]

30/30 was what I had in mind too. Thanks all.

 

[Casefull]

300 yds is doable with right bullets in handloads...especially with a bolt gun you could even go a little farther.

 

[Ar180shooter]

It depends on what you're hunting, but for something like Mule or Whitetail deer, under 200 yards.

 

[Mobuck]

Shots under 150 yards are the limits of the 7.62x39 in terms of energy. It's possible to hit an animal futher but with insufficient energy, it's not ethical.
If you can't get/use a bigger cartridge-get closer.

 

[tahunua001]

I would say 150 yards with 200 kindof pushing it but not impossible.

 

[nathan]

I d stay within 100 yds and less.

 

[R.W.Dale]

It depends on the shooters skill AND handloading ability.

Factory ammunition 150 tops

I've personally killed deer and coyotes out to almost 300yards (lasered) with a 7.62x39 ar15 firing a custom tuned load that I had practised with at range a great deal.

 

[JEB]

i would also say 150. 200 maybe, but i wouldnt want to go any further than that.

 

[plateshooter]

I've shot steel targets out to 300 yards with my SAR1 and ARs in 762X39. No problem hitting them, but my personal limit for living things is 100 yards.

 

[brnmuenchow]

Bolt gun or SKS, wont really matter past 300 yds. After about 200 yds. it's trajectory begins to "Rainbow". It is very close in ballistics to the .30-30 Win. stick with that formula and you be just fine.

 

[T.R.]

CZ model 527 is far more accurate than your typical SKS battle rifle. But accurasy can only help with shot placement and doesn't do a thing for energy or bullet expansion at extended ranges.

A calm deer standing broadside at 200 yards is a fair target for an accurate 7.62 X 39 rifle and a skilled marksman. But getting closer would be more ideal in my opinion.

I'm a HUGE fan of the 30-30 but my shots rarely exceed 100 yards. I feel that the 170 gr Winchester Power Point is within a different class of lethality than the 123 gr Soviet cartridge. Anyone is allowed to disagree.

Good hunting to you.

TR

 

[irondavy]

I do a fair amount of hog hunting in the Texas mesquite thickets and am looking at setting up an AR. I was thinking that the 7.62x39 would be a bit better suited than the .556 in the dense brush where shots are regularly less than 100 yards.

I like the larger heavier bullets of the x39, but is it a "brush buster" like my 'ole 30-30 is? or do I still need a clean open shot like a .556 needs?

I also like the availability of the x39 and the .556 versus some of the exotic AR rounds. no special ordering needed, think WWWMS (What Would Wal-Mart Stock)

So what do you think, does the x39 have more thump than the .556 at the sub 100 yard range, and is it the brush buster that I am used to in the 30-30?

Thanks
ID

 

[MCgunner]

Shots under 150 yards are the limits of the 7.62x39 in terms of energy. It's possible to hit an animal futher but with insufficient energy, it's not ethical.
If you can't get/use a bigger cartridge-get closer.

BS

In the right gun and load, 200 yards. Accuracy is the main thing. I've chronographed handloads involving a now discontinued Sierra Pro Hunter 135 grain bullet. It drops below 1000 ft lbs at 200 yards. In my SKS it shot inside 5" at 200 yards, so it would have to be a broadside shot before I'd go for it. I don't know the BC of the 154 Wolf I've been using, but they're likely at least on par with that Sierra bullet and probably a little better and they're stepping out of the muzzle less than 100 fps slower. Neat thing, that bullet/load is a little more accurate in the SKS. The bullet is deadly on hogs out to 100 yards, I can tell ya that. Helluva hog gitter. The picture is of it set up for night hunting.

I don't hunt with it anymore, just a danged good truck gun. I took the scope off it and just use it as a knock around gun/truck gun. It's a lot more rugged than a lever gun. Lever guns can be put out of action with a large enough dent in the magazine. Now, my lever gun is lighter, for sure, but not as tough.



Without light....

 

[CountryUgly]

A 154gr SP at 150yrds using a WASR 10/63.....stew in the pot right there....

 

[627PCFan]

That is one ugly gun