Big Foot, I have only shot paper with the 125 TNT, as the Nosler BT's in 125 and 150 have been my game bullets with the exception of a 125 R-P factory load which was once used for a behind the shoulder shot you mention on a large doe. 8 yards and she was spooked before the shot! I was amazed at the effectiveness, the 150 Noslers offer a bit more leeway, but the smack down was memorable.

I had a chance to take my ASI Mini-30 out for a test run yesterday. It's a .75 dia, 18.5 inch stainless 7.62x39 with a .308 bore. I think this rifle is going to be a shooter.

Here are a couple of targets I saved. Three shot groups at 100 yards. First target is AA 1680/125gr Nosler BT. Second target is 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter/H4198.

quote:

Originally posted by steve4102:
I had a chance to take my ASI Mini-30 out for a test run yesterday. It's a .75 dia, 18.5 inch stainless 7.62x39 with a .308 bore. I think this rifle is going to be a shooter.

Here are a couple of targets I saved. Three shot groups at 100 yards. First target is AA 1680/125gr Nosler BT. Second target is 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter/H4198.

Steve, you need to come a click to the left!

Most everything else seems in order though

Steve...please post a picture of the rifle!!!

Wrote a friend of mine who with his brother-in-law killed more than 30 deer with their Mini30s and asked for his experience...they never lost a deer shot at....

"1st year - 300 Weatherby / 1 tag - buck only - bang flop - neck shot at 60 yards / too much gun
2nd year 30-06 / 1 tag - buck only - lung shot - ran 70 yards before he dropped / typical reaction
3rd year 35 Whelen / 1 tag / buck only - lung shot & shoulder - piled-up in 40 yards
3rd year had company - brother-in-law Mini 30 123 Barnaul HP. 7 pointer 170lbs / hit just under the spine middle body / deer walked like it was never hit / dropped 20 yards later. Guess at least a 130 yard shot.

That little gun impressed the hell out of me and I bought my stainless. All deer listed above were from a dairy farm where we had permission. Farmer sold out and then I found the apple orchard.

My brother-in-law became my hunting partner from then on. 1st year we only had buck tags. 4 pointer / 70 yard shot / heart shot / went 40 yards and fell. partner hit 8 pointer in the neck at 140 yards and bang flop. I watched him shoot at least 8 deer in the neck with all bang flops. In 10 years I would have to take a guess that somewhere around 30 deer were shot with our Mini 30's. That's the only rifle we ever brought and no back-up rifles. If you were to ask my brother-in-law about that little gun, he would say that's the only one he uses. The guy is deadly with that little 30. I don't think any of the deer that did run made it past 60 yards.

Honestly, I don't know why I have so many other guns. My little stainless has dropped at least 17 that I can remember. I would try to take a different caliber and he would always say, No, take the little gun."


I have written another friend about one of his friends who gave up his .270 after taking his first three deer with three shots using a Ruger 77MKII 7.62x39...will post what I hear...

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by RJM:
Steve...please post a picture of the rifle!!!



Bob

OK! Not much to look at though. Just a plain old Ruger stock, stainless ASI barrel and a Sightron 2.5-10x32 scope.

The 7.62X39mm is a very accurate cartridge-after all, it is the basis for the PPC rounds! Just have to use it in a precision rifle, NOT an AK or SKS junker......

Well darn, I couldn't resist and bought a Ruger 77 Mk II in 7.62x39 yesterday. Haven't received it yet, and won't get a chance to try it at the range until summer, but I felt like it was a fair deal now. Probably have the trigger tuned in the meantime.

Looking forward to testing it.

KB

CZ also makes and attractive rifle in 7.62 x 39.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
CZ also makes and attractive rifle in 7.62 x 39.

Got one of them already, and I really like it. Very accurate, and fun to shoot and handload for. But I'm going to give it to my nephew.

KB

quote:

Originally posted by Kabluewy:
Well darn, I couldn't resist and bought a Ruger 77 Mk II in 7.62x39 yesterday. Haven't received it yet, and won't get a chance to try it at the range until summer, but I felt like it was a fair deal now. Probably have the trigger tuned in the meantime.

Looking forward to testing it.

KB

I once had a Ruger MKII (Walnut Stock) in the little 7.62 X 39 m/m, and I think you'll enjoy yours. I used mine to hunt Deer in Ky and used the following load: 23.5 grs/ IMR-4198/ 150 gr. Silvertip (.30-30 Silvertip). I've harvested six Deer with this load one shot on each. When using .308" bullets it is important to "Neck Size" your cases as full length sizing and .308 will result in misfires and backed out primers. The throat on the Ruger is rather long and I believe the bore diameter is .309" instead of .308". Guess they did this so one could use .310" or .308" bullets.