Looking for feedback on using 7.62x39 rifles for deer and hog hunting under 200 yards. While researching ballistics, I came across this 7.62x39 rifle comparison that suggested some interesting load options, but I'm more interested in field results from hunters.

For those using AK-pattern rifles or bolt-actions like the Ruger American Ranch in this caliber – what bullet weight and type have you found most effective on medium game? The standard 123gr FMJ seems marginal, but are there expanding or soft point loads that consistently deliver clean kills?

Also curious about practical accuracy – with quality ammo, can these platforms reliably hit vitals at 150+ yards? I've heard mixed reports about the Ruger's precision with steel case versus handloads.

Any first-hand experiences comparing terminal performance to traditional .30-30 or .300 BLK would be especially helpful.

I can only speak on behalf of accuracy using an original Colt AR-15 7.62x39 and a very early Ruger Mini-30.

Using the old Hornady .311" spitzer (now .310"), the Mini-30 shot 12" patterns at 100 yards, scoped. The AR shot MOA with the exact same load.

Tony

I have used https://www.academy.com/p/winchester-hog-special-762-x-39mm-123-grain-centerfire-rifle-ammunition for my 7.62x39 in an AR platform. I have yet to find a hand load that it likes. All I have loaded haven't been near as good as these. for some reason it eats these factory rounds like candy.

my barrel was a 1/9 twist as well. I was getting 1" groups at 100 yards. if you are wanting to wack pigs inside of 75-80 yards, any load in a 7.62x39 will do the trick, I would think.

No personal experience with this calibre but I'll never forget the words of an older American woman who had been shot three times by a maniac with an AK. She was just glad he had not had something decent like a .30-30.

With a decent bullet placed in a decent spot it kills just fine.

It is what it is a 30 caliber 125gr bullet at around 2300 to 2400fps.

Having seen whitetails killed with it.

They have died.

A friend (PH) used one in Kamchaca, Russia to hunt big Brown Bears. Their guns were confiscated in one of the 'stans, 'jans or 'bans (I forget which one) enroute to the hunt. The only guns available were AK's. This was maybe 3 years ago. They both got big boars.

I have a Savage bolt action 7.62x39 with a .308 bore. I have used the 130 gr Hornady bullets as well as 150 gr to fill a few doe tags. All my shots were broadside lung shots . The 130 opens up and puts deer down pretty quick. If I was going to use it on hogs I would opt for the 150 gr bullet. Or another option would be the 130 gr Barnes TSX. They would hold together a penetrate. In a bolt action they will do pretty much anything a 30-30 will do and that is quite a lot in the hands of a good shooter.

Haven't hunted with a 7.62x39, but my .300 Blackout built on an L461 Sako action yields velocities about a hundred or so fps slower. I've been very happy with a 130 grain Hornady out of it at 2175 fps on feral hogs, so I would think that the same bullet from a 7.62x39 at 2300 or so would make an excellent deer getter if kept within moderate ranges.

quote:

Originally posted by snowman:
I have a Savage bolt action 7.62x39 with a .308 bore. I have used the 130 gr Hornady bullets as well as 150 gr to fill a few doe tags. All my shots were broadside lung shots . The 130 opens up and puts deer down pretty quick. If I was going to use it on hogs I would opt for the 150 gr bullet. Or another option would be the 130 gr Barnes TSX. They would hold together a penetrate. In a bolt action they will do pretty much anything a 30-30 will do and that is quite a lot in the hands of a good shooter.

I have heard and read that Ruger used .308” barrels for their 7.62X39s but I didn’t know Savage did that.

I have built several rifles in 7.62x39, using normal 308 barrels.

They all shot extremely well, and I have no problems hunting with one.

Ultimately bullet type and bullet placement are most important, rather than what cartridge it is.

quote:

Ultimately bullet type and bullet placement are most important, rather than what cartridge it is.

Very true

Many years ago our local gun shows were flooded with AK variants, as well as SKS rifles. Lots of young guys bought them. Accuracy was not great , however trying different loads I was able to get 1.5 to 2 inch groups. The triggers were terrible, long pull and HEAVY pull. The power or energy was good for deer, I thought it was a semi auto 30 30 win, very similar with soft points. I was young and had little money so it was fun. The time frame was after the USSR colapse.

My dad has killed a couple deer with his Mini-30 using Hornady Black factory ammo. Neither deer went very far. I was impressed enough that I bought a Bear Creek Arsenal AR upper in 7.62x39. His Mini-30 shoots "minute of deer". The BCA upper shoots just under MOA with both Hornady Black and Norma FMJ. I'm a fan.

Shot a javelina with a TSX bullet from a 7.62x39, worked great.

quote:

Originally posted by TonyRumore:
I can only speak on behalf of accuracy using an original Colt AR-15 7.62x39 and a very early Ruger Mini-30.

Using the old Hornady .311" spitzer (now .310"), the Mini-30 shot 12" patterns at 100 yards, scoped. The AR shot MOA with the exact same load.

Tony

That’s pretty good shooting for a mini 14.

I've never hunted deer with the 7.62x39. Sure it will kill a deer, but don't feel it's enough cartridge to do so under all circumstances. In some states you can use a 30 carbine which is another cartridge that I feel the same way about. Often many gun writers compare the 7.62x39 to the 30-30. In my book that's baloney. The 30-30 is a pretty good deer cartridge, by no means too much and definitely not enough. One of the reasons for the 30-30's good performance on deer is because of the thinner jacket then other 30 caliber bullets. Perhaps that would be a good idea to load bullets intended for the 30-30 in your 7.62x39.

I built an AR15 in the rooskie round long time ago. I shot the LEE cast 155 grain bullet in it. My best group, with a scope, was 3/8th inch at 100 yards. Later I sold it, in fact here on the Accurate forum.

I have now a Yugo SKS in that caliber which I feel is above most SKS's on the marker. I removed the bayonet and grenade launcher on it and put a dedicated scope mount on it. I've shot that same LEE 155 grain bullet to over 300 yards and it held a 4 inch group. It's one of my favorate 7.62x39 rifles.

Just remember one of the number one poacher cartridges is a 22lr.