I went on a hunting weekend with a friend, she has selected a 7.62 caliber for her deer rifle. I thought the cartridges looked pretty small for whitetail deer. I am by far no expert on good calibers for deer, but I have a 30.06 and a 12 gage shotgun which I know to be adequate.

Unfortunately I did not get the make of her rifle nor the bullet type in the cartridge (sorry!!), but they were 135 grain.

I would think the rifle would make a fine varmint gun, but I was thinking not for deer.

Ok, what do you all think?

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~Ann

Every day spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

Was her choice a different 7.62?

With the proper soft point bullets, it is similar in power to the .30-30 and is adequate for short range deer. It wouldn't be my first choice, but despite all of the postings you will see that follow, it will generally take deer dependably, so long as the range is under a hundred yards or so.

Thanks for the responses so far, much appreciated!

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~Ann

Every day spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

Caliber is the diameter of the bore: 7.62 is 30. cal.
Cartridge: 7.62 x39, 30/06, 308. All these cartridges shoot 7.62 caliber bullets (30 cal), in different size and shape cartridge cases.

If the cartridge was marked 7.62, it was either a 7.62x39 or a 7.62 x 51 (7.62 Nato = 308 Win). From your description, I agree, it is a 7.62 x 39. I also agree it is an adequate deer cartridge, to 100 yards or so.

UNLESS, the 135 bullet is a military bullet (FMJ, or full metal jacket), and then it is ABSOLUTELY NOT suitable for game. You can recognize the FMJ bullet by its solid sharp copper tip. It does not have a hollow point or exposed lead point.

HTH, Dutch.

[This message has been edited by Dutch (edited 11-21-2001).]

So it sounds like my friend will be able to effectively kill a deer someday! We have had terrible luck this year, not seeing any for firearms season.

I am going to do some more study related to learning about different calibers and cartridge sizes. I also want to learn to reload my own someday. I am about to be the proud owner of a .375 H&H but got sticker shock over a box of cartridges for that!

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~Ann

Every day spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

I've shot my friend's winchester in same cal. and decided it's a bit marginal for white tails (anyone who's anyone knows you need at least 10 mega tons to humanly kill a deer)

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When in doubt, do a nuclear strike.

You can go to the site's for Winchester or Remington, etc. ammo. They have guides there that give some outline of the suitabilty of each load for what ever game.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

I would second the recommendation from "Hunter-Downunder". Cartridges of the World will also give basic information on the general application and suitability of the various rounds for various purposes. I believe that the current edition is the 9th Edition.

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Freedom wasn't free. Today they want our guns. What will they want tommorow?

quote:

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Originally posted by Aspen Hill Farm:
I have a 30.06 ....

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If by any chance your friend has "chosen" but not yet purchased, think of steering her to the 30-06.

It started life in 1906 as the US service cartridge, and is one of the most popular and versatile cartridges in the word.

Finding ammo is no problem anywhere any time.

With a bullet of 150 grains and up it is adequate for any deer.

It can go up to 220 grains in factory loads and then is good for anything on this continent. Or heavier if you handload.

Except at short ranges, the 180 and 200 grain bullets are usually best for elk, moose and big bears because of their speed.

Lots of "technical" arguments can arise amongst guys, and "best bullet" for everything from squirrels to snails is argued around campfires. In fact I don't own an '06. But if you pack an '06 in North America you will always find someone else with one. It will always be "good 'nough." And any corner store up north and/or in the boonies will have ammo if you're short.

Chairs!

However, it sounds like you are really starting to like this hunting and shooting stuff. If you think you'll stick with it, you might consider buying a reloading manual. It'll have all the relevant modern cartridges listed, with description. If you like hunting, wait until you shoot game with ammo you have manufactured yourself.......

Hornady, Speer, Lyman all make good manuals.

Let us know when you and your friend get one, Dutch.

Also, my .06, a sporter Mauser, led me to much success in Africa this summer and with the fine carbou bulls I selected in Labrador last year. I was hoping to bless it on a deer this season but doesn't look good as of now. I really enjoy shooting this rifle that is why I am having my .375 H&H made on a Mauser action.

I want to do the reloading so I can experiment with the different loads as I am sure you all do, to see what goes through this rifle the best. I do think there will be some savings recycling brass in the long run.

I have been fortunate that I have been given a good start. I have some free equipment for reloading, two presses (I think that is what they are called), and some other articles. One is a Lyman, I'd have to look at the other one as I don't remember off hand the brand. All I need are Dies and a good scale. They are old but seem to be in working order.

I don't think my friend is the type to get into the reloading and technical areas. She was more worried about recoil than anything else I think when she bought her rifle. It's just not something I would use on deer.

Some of you will probably disagree here (that's OK!), but I think I have enough rifles to hunt what ever game I want....A Ruger 10/22, Mauser in 30.06 and .375 H&H, a Rem 1100 12ga (2 barrels, slug and ribbed). Plenty for me. I do have an extra 30.06, it is an Eddystone, but I plan to sell it, I need a nice 1.5-5 or 6 scope for the .375.

Thanks again, everyone, for all the excellent advice!

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~Ann

Every day spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

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When in doubt, do a nuclear strike.

And yes, you are pretty much ready for anything you want to hunt with those rifles.

I think recoil is a very valid concern for all shooters, but especially with new shooters. Nothing is worse than a rifle you are afraid of. My wife shoots a 270 or 280 for elk, but LOVES to practice with my PPC. Enough gun means putting the right bullet in the right spot, IMHO.

Oh, and the older reloading stuff is just fine. If you can, have someone check the press to make sure it is not worn out, but I've never seen one worn out yet. Good luck, Dutch.

I have found that recoil is a problem when on the bench and target shooting. I never notice it when hunting but pad myself well for the range. I explain that to about all the ladies I know who are interested or thinking about hunting and shooting. That fear is what seems to stop them from trying out.

Often I try to get them to start with archery for that reason. But my goal is to promote hunting and shooting and getting more ladies involved is good in the long run. They'll be supportive of their children and husbands interest plus enjoy the great outdoors.

Yes, Dutch, I would have thought a .270 would be a better deer rifle than her 7.62. I killed a nice black bear with a borrowed .270.

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~Ann

Every day spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

The others are right in saying that the 7.62x39mm cartridge is able to take deer, and certainly the recoil is negligable. However, a very low-budget, iron-sighted rifle which is very effective for hunting is a surplus military piece from WW II: the Russian Model 91/30, which is chambered for the 7.62x54Rmm cartridge. This cartridge in this rifle has the approximate power of our .308 Winchester. It is easily reloaded with bullets intended for the .30-30 and slower powders, a combination which is both effective on deer and very mild in recoil.

This rifle is one of the most homely guns ever made, but it takes hard treatment and still shoots with high accuracy. However, it also is not easily 'scoped, so is best used with the original open sights. Anyway, it's something to think about, just as is the fact that YOU very well may find yourself doing a little reloading to help your friend.