Hunting with Non-Traditional Firearms

[Magwa45]

I think the 30-30 has the edge over the 7.62x39 mainly because you can throw 170-180 grain bullets down range with it.

That is quite a fancy bolt gun for 2 or 3 thousand bucks. Not sure I would go there when a featherweight or 700 could do the same trick. To each his own.

As far as archery goes, never try shooting a longbow. You will throw the compound on the trash heap in no time!

 

[Orkan]

As far as archery goes, never try shooting a longbow. You will throw the compound on the trash heap in no time!

I've been bowhunting for 20 years, and I much prefer a compound. I've shot them all at one point or another.

That rifle isn't a purpose built hunting rifle. It's my main competition rifle for long range shooting. At 17lbs, its not something you want to take elk hunting. Yet it is very "non-traditional" in the spirit of this thread. However, unlike an ultralight rifle... if it walks out between me and 800yds, its dead as disco. Obviously I could hit much further than that, but that is my limit for a 99% hit ratio on a deer-sized kill zone.

 

[MCgunner]

Only when comparing a 123 gr projectile to a 170 gr.

My fave 7.62x39 ammo is 154 grain Wolf soft point hunting ammo which is, indeed, the equal of the .30-30 out to 200 yards and is more accurate than the lighter stuff i've shot, including handloads, in my SKS. It shoots 2MOA in my rifle, haven't shot groups with it in the paratrooper. One can make a case for the .30-30 RIFLE as the handier rifle, lighter, easier to carry afield, but it's also not as rugged a rifle. Falls can damage the tube mag, for instance. One could probably run over the SKS with a tank and still shoot those 2" 100 yard groups.

 

[1911 guy]

At one time, anything more advanced than a wheel lock was reserved for the military. When us poor peons were still using flintlocks, the militaries of the world had advanced to percussion. Then to cartridge rifles, while the populace got used to persussion caps. Then along came the repeating rifle. The U.S. military was several versions into them when they (the rifles) began making their way across the west with covered wagons.

The next big innovation came with the M1 Garand. Same action type (gas operated) as your AK, just in a "respectable" hunting caliber, the .30-"06. Now, with several generations of American hunters having familiarity with the M16, the AR type rifles are becoming popular in hunting rifles.

In short, tell he nay-sayers to get educated about how hunting and general use civilan guns have ALWAYS followed the trends of military arms. Even shorter, tell 'em to go pound sand while your wife hunts.

My choice for a deer rifle? A bolt action .308. Anything wrong with your wife using a modified AK? Not a thing.

 

[mbt2001]

uhhh I have no problem with the setup. What exactly is "traditional" hunting BTW? You use what gets it done, what you have, what will work, what you can afford PERIOD.

I have caught grief for using pistol caliber carbines before, but usually it is from ignorant self proclaimed "gun experts". God save us from those folks.

 

[CountryUgly]

Sorry for the wait on a pic. The 30rd mag is pictured but like I said before a 5rd mag is used when hunting.

 

[splattergun]

throughout human history

traditional hunting has been the use of the technology of the day to take the target animal. An auto-loading plastic stocked rifle is really no different than the fire hardened sharp stick of 25,000 years ago in that regard.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I wouldn't worry about it. Times are changing and changing fast.

This past year I saw several black rifles on shoulders in the woods. I didn't see a single traditional levergun.

Last year I hunted with a 450 bushmaster. The year before a Retro ar15. Next season ill use a bullpup ak47. Not once has anyone raised an eyebrow over the equipment I used.

posted via mobile device.

 

[okiewita40]

Hey if it makes her happy and gets her in the woods. Plus puts bambi in the freezer. Then who cares what others think. Use what ya got. Hey my deer rifle is an SKS. Hopefully soon i can upgrade to an AR in 6.8SPC.

What can I say I like some off the typical path stuff.

 

[SimplyChad]

I dont doubt the x39s effectiveness on deer and such. Ive actually been thinking of possibly using my Sks as a brush gun for when Im deer hunting near houston. But to me it does have the peretration to handle bigger game. People take Elk and Moose with the 30-30 because its ballistics can handle that 170+ grain pill and get to the vitals. Its comparing a battle caliber to a hunting caliber.

Wolf 7.62x39 154 gr SP 2104 fps 1513 FTLBS
Cor-Bon 7.62 X 39 150 GR. JSP 2300FPS 1762FTLBS

Federal 30-30 170 gr sp 2200 fps 1827 ftlbs
Hornady lever 30-30 160 gr 2400 fps 2046 ftlbs


Close at heavy to moderate loads. I think im going to have to look up the reload data.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I dont doubt the x39s effectiveness on deer and such. Ive actually been thinking of possibly using my Sks as a brush gun for when Im deer hunting near houston. But to me it does have the peretration to handle bigger game. People take Elk and Moose with the 30-30 because its ballistics can handle that 170+ grain pill and get to the vitals. Its comparing a battle caliber to a hunting caliber.

Wolf 7.62x39 154 gr SP 2104 fps 1513 FTLBS
Cor-Bon 7.62 X 39 150 GR. JSP 2300FPS 1762FTLBS

Federal 30-30 170 gr sp 2200 fps 1827 ftlbs
Hornady lever 30-30 160 gr 2400 fps 2046 ftlbs


Close at heavy to moderate loads. I think im going to have to look up the reload data.

Just bear in mind that with any 30-30 comparisons the velocities given are for those mythological 30-30's with a 24" barrel. Fired over a Chronograph you'll find that especially with heavier than 150 g bullets the old "thutty thutty" is a great deal less powerful than ammunition makers leas us to believe.

This chart shows actual velocity from a win 94 with a 20" bbl compared to published velocity



posted via mobile device.

 

[SimplyChad]

Lower then advertised. Has anyone chronod a x39?

 

[R.W.Dale]

Lower then advertised. Has anyone chronod a x39?

Sure have. In my experience aside from weak kneed Remington ammo the steel cased stuff runs pretty close to advertised

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=409365

posted via mobile device.

 

[SimplyChad]

Ok R.W. you make your point. But what is the biggest game you would hunt with a x39? What about 30-30?

 

[R.W.Dale]

Ok R.W. you make your point. But what is the biggest game you would hunt with a x39? What about 30-30?

It would depend more on how accurate I am with the particular rifle. Assuming proper bullet construction no critter on four hooves will be able to tell there was a slight disparity in just a few ft lbs. I use the cartridges interchangeably as you can see from the link I'm not above even using the same bullets (170g)

posted via mobile device.

 

[CountryUgly]

Had to go check for myself.

Results: 154gr wolf sp 7.62x39 in WASR w/ 16 and lil bit of an inch barrel w/ birdcage flash hider 10 shot average 10 ft from muzzle was (pause for effect) 2100fps even

150gr Winchester SilverTip 30-30win in Win model 94 10shot avg. at 10 ft from muzzle was (another pause) a whopping 2116fps

I'm not scared to take on a deer with either one but nothing larger than that with the AK and I don't hunt bear/elk but I think a 30-30 could handle either with the right ammo.

 

[CountryUgly]

I dont doubt the x39s effectiveness on deer and such. Ive actually been thinking of possibly using my Sks as a brush gun for when Im deer hunting near houston. But to me it does have the peretration to handle bigger game. People take Elk and Moose with the 30-30 because its ballistics can handle that 170+ grain pill and get to the vitals. Its comparing a battle caliber to a hunting caliber.

Wolf 7.62x39 154 gr SP 2104 fps 1513 FTLBS
Cor-Bon 7.62 X 39 150 GR. JSP 2300FPS 1762FTLBS

Federal 30-30 170 gr sp 2200 fps 1827 ftlbs
Hornady lever 30-30 160 gr 2400 fps 2046 ftlbs


Close at heavy to moderate loads. I think im going to have to look up the reload data.

Don't be scared to use your SKS for the brush. There is quite a few people I know who have had plenty of success with the SKS deer hunting and now that I think about it, it's a few of the same people that have been harping about me fixing the MRS. up with an AK47 for the same purpose. I'll be back I got to go take care of something.

 

[SimplyChad]

I dont think there is anything in N.america that I would hesitate to hunt with a 30-30. Just ly my father and his father before him. I would likt to thank you tho R.W. now i have to start reloading for my SKS.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

I've dropped darn near everything edible on 4 hooves with the little old weak in the knees, not fit for anything larger than deer, poor pitiful, no respect .30/30. Many a Elk has fallen to mine. Few Caribou, several Mulies, uncountable white-tail and wild hog. Only reason I take a .30/06 Elk hunting is when I am going to be hunting the open lands and need something I can reach out to 300 yards with. I see too many folks that just know about what "paper" says. I know what the dropped animals tell me. Dead is dead. Book learnin is all well and fine. But people going and saying you can't kill Elk sized game with a .30/30 or a 7.62x39 need to be re-educated. The only thing they cant do as well as a .300 win mag is reach out there. But hell, getting within 200 yards of my quarry is what it's all about to me. Actually I like to get within 40 yards and let a string go It's HUNTING not SHOOTING. But it's hard to do in the later seasons when they have come down from the highlands to the open fields. So I take the .30/06 for a stroll and get on the belly and crawl if I gotta!

 

[T.R.]

I'm a huge fan of the modern crossbow for its amazing accurasy and powerful strike. How do you like my "camo" shirt? It works quite well for me!

TR

 

[RhinoDefense]

Yup. I gave away all my camo and just wear a Cabela's insulated plaid buttoned shirt, jeans, and an orange hat.

Last few years I've done most of my hunting with an AR15.