Question about hunting with 7.62x39

[vincyr]

Ok, I am really thinking hard about getting me a CZ 527 carbine in 7.62x39. I've heard a lot about it being a good round for deer or hog sized game, but was wondering just how big of a critter it can be appropriate for if you hand load. I am seeing some heavier bullets in .311 than the (apparently) standard 125ish ones available in factory loaded stuff, and was curious if the round could be made appropriate for elk sized game(talking close range, with an accurate rifle and VERY careful shot placement). This is more an intellectual query than a practical one. We don't have any game animals that big in NY, but I was curious.

 

[MCgunner]

It's killed deer and hog for me (SKS rifle), but if I went after elk, I'd want at least my .308 and probably take my 7 mag. The 7.62x39 is roughly a .30-30 in power, but it won't handle the 170 grain stuff the .30-30 will and there's no 160 partition for it. Think bigger for elk is my suggestion. JMHO, though. I've never gotten to elk hunt, bought the 7 mag back when I thought I was going to get to. It never happened. Still have the gun, though, don't sell accurate rifles even if I don't use 'em. I just hunt deer and hogs and small game and birds anymore.

Now, I'm sure a 7.62x39 would kill an elk to 100 yards with a well place shot from an accurate weapon. I won't say it couldn't do that. I would imagine to 50 yards I could say that about .22LR, though.

 

[AKElroy]

If a .30-30 will kill it, the little Russian 30 will as well. Ballistically they are similar, with the edge going to the Russian past 200 yards.

 

[MCgunner]

with the edge going to the Russian past 200 yards.

Well, I could argue that point. I handload a 150 Nosler BT in my .30-30, but then I launch it from a 12" bzrrel. It's still packin' about the same as the 7.62x39 even at 200 yards. If I fired that .30-30 load from a rifle, it'd top the 7.62 as the BC is a lot better in the boat tail design.

Years ago I had a Savage M340 in .30-30 in which I shot Sierra Game King handloads. But, the BT would be a great load in a lever gun, too, just have to load one in the barrel and one in the magazine.

Thing is, a Nosler 160 partition is available for the .30-30. Yes, it's a round nose (I think) design, or maybe it's flat nose, but I'd have a lot more confidence hitting an Elk with that bullet than anything I've seen available appropriate for the 7.62x39.

This is kinda cool, a new this vs that discussion I don't believe I've ever participated in before. I'm kinda tired of the .45 vs 9 and .30-06 vs 7 mag and other worn out subjects.

 

[AKElroy]

I agree that spitzers or ballistic tips will outperform in the .30-30. With the round nose corloks I favor, it runs out of gas around the 600 foot mark. I've taken deer at 200 yards with them, but holding on the spine got a low boiler room hit, and that animal ran quite a bit.

 

[MCgunner]

Well, either will do here on hogs or deer. I can't see past 100 yards back there in the woods and most shots will be less. I favor my CVA Wolf in the box blind. It's got a 22" barrel and no action, is short and compact in the blind and hits rather hard with a .50 caliber 385 grain Minie ball, but makes your core lokts seem like a .264 win mag by comparison for trajectory.

I've killed two deer and a small hog with the SKS. Longest shot was about 80 yards. It did fine. I used a handloaded Sierra .308 diameter 135 grain "pro hunter" handload, a bullet that's no longer available and was designed for .30-30 contenders. It is a flat based spitzer. The pig went down to a 154 grain Wolf steel case soft point. That load is pretty impressive in the SKS, but it's a steel case round. The SKS don't care, only slightly better tolerances than an AK47.

 

[okiewita40]

I will be hunting with my SKS for deer again this year. Will be using 154gr SP by Tulammo.

When I sighted in for this round I was hitting a bowling pin 7 out of 8 shots at 100 yards. Not bad for a rifle that is considered junk by a lot of people.

I usually shoot the SKS within 2-3 MOA.

 

[Dthunter]

I use sierras 150 grain pro hunter, in .308 dia.
I have taken whitetail, mule deer, and black bear with it.
No issues at all. Just dont expect to stretch it past 200 yards much. Thats not what its designed for.

As long as the rifle thats used can place the bullets accurately into the target, it works fine.

 

[MCgunner]

I will be hunting with my SKS for deer again this year. Will be using 154gr SP by Tulammo.

When I sighted in for this round I was hitting a bowling pin 7 out of 8 shots at 100 yards. Not bad for a rifle that is considered junk by a lot of people.

I usually shoot the SKS within 2-3 MOA.

Junk? Some folks are lacking grey matter. Mine WERE cheap, but they're certainly not JUNK!

When I had the scope on my SKS rifle, 154 Wolf (nearly the same ammo if NOT the same) shot 2.5" at 100 yards. I normally get 3" from FMJ and 3.5" from my handloaded 135 .308" pro hunters, which really is good enough at short range. The 154 grain soft point stuff is impressive, though, quite impressive. It's steel cased, but the SKS can handle it. Some folks with bolt guns in the caliber CUSS this steel cased stuff, though.