7.62 x 39mm rifle
Was wondering if anyone out there uses a 7.62 x 39mm for whitetails. I live in northern michigan, my longest shot is about 200 yds. If so , was wondering what size ammo to use and if I would have enough knockdown power and be accurate at 200 yds?
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I have taken several with a sporterized SKS and also a guy that hunts with has used one exclusively for about 10 years. Definately use some type of hollowpoint or at the very least softpoint ammo. If you sight in your scope at 100 yards, the bullet will drop (on average) somewhere between 5 and 7 inches and will be sporting 800+ ft-lbs of energy at 200 yards. So, will the cartridge perform at those ranges? Yes, but that depends on the accuracy of the gun. Some guns that shoot that type of ammo can't hold it on a pie plate (about the same size as a deers vitals) at 100 yards, not to mention 200 yards. All I can suggest is to buy several different types of ammo and see what your grouping is. If you can keep it, say, under a 5" group at 200 yards then I'd say go for it.
Good luck.0 -
I recall davidsons had a special make Ruger 77 MkII synthetic chambered for it. And wolf makes some specail 154gr high power soft point ammunition for hunting. I'm sure that with such a capable rifle as a Ruger 77 you should be able to handload a pretty stout round specifically for the task. 0 -
definately enough for deer in u.s. Barnaul (Russia) makes a soft-point 203 gr. that shoots very well in my Yugo-SKS. If you really want an accurate and "long-term" deer rifle, then buy the Ruger mentioned or one of the Ruger carbines available in 7.62. I am using my SKS this year in Wisconsin. An SKS is relatively cheap and most will shoot accurately. If not, buy another and try it. You can buy 3-4 and still be less than a Ruger.
My SKS is fitted with a fiberglass stock and 4x scope. I can't remember ever shooting a deer over 100 yards in WI, so I should be ok.
7.62 ballistics are similar to .30-.30. Of course, not exactly but close enough for this conversation.0 -
Ignore the 203 gr. ammo comment above, I got my 7.62's mixed up in my head. That's what happens when you do this while at work, I need to focus!![8D]
Anyway, barnaul does make a soft-point for the 7.62x39 that's readily available and pretty cheap. Or, purchase an American 7.62 soft-point for better accuracy from what I've read. You really can't screw up on a deer rifle too much, right?0 -
Eric i use an SKS for huntin 125gr rem SP I taken 250 lbs hogs in FLA and our famous size deer.. I have lease in Ala. and Ga killed deer there also with my Chinese. Mounted with a Simmions pro hunter w/ A/O Killed alot of coyotes too out on the ranch its a great ranch rifle also no complaints with Rem ammo. Its definitly Bullet placement,most of my shots are between 75 and 125 yard the bullet seem to do well
Don't piss down my back and tell me it rainin0 -
The 125 grain soft point loading in 7.62x39 is about as bullistically close or comporable to a 150gr 30-30. The difference will be in the down range energy when it impacts the target. Any good load manual will have a set of bullistic tables and will show the differences.
If you ain't got a sense of humor you got no business bein here!0
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