7.62x39

I'd use it in a pinch, within moderate ranges with good SP ammo. I'd prefer something with a bit more oomph, but it will work.

Shot placement is the critical factor;)
 
Under 150 yards with proper ammo. I just found some Hornady loaded with 123 grain SST(not V-Max) for deer size game. I have volunteered to assist a blind veteran on a deer hunt this year and I'm considering an AR15 in 7.62x39 as the rifle to use. Logic would indicate most veterans under 60 would be familiar with the AR and the max range I'll allow a shot would be 100 yards(within the range limit of the round). Two years ago I took a beginning hunter out for deer using a Rossi single shot in this caliber using handloaded ammo with Remington .309 diameter 125 grain bullets. He made two shots hitting two deer at 80 and 121 yards. Bullet performance was excellent. This is really meant to be a varmint bullet at .308/3006 velocities but expands well w/o blowup at under 2200fps.
 
I use the 39s and they work fine. I would actually suggest using HP rounds. In my experience the SP deforms easier from loading and throws off shots. Granted I'm using an SKS, which doesn't help.

Regardless, it'll work just fine as has been said, at moderate ranges. Works well in brush too.

BB
 
Sure it will. It's has similar ballistics to a 30-30 which has probably killed more US deer than any other round. If you can hit the deer in the right spot chances are good it will go down.
 
Going to be using my SKS with Brown Bear 125 gr. soft point ammo. Since most of the shot i am able to take are well within the 100 yard range it should have plenty of oomph behind it. Still has to have more impact then a .223 just due to bullet weight.
 
LapLand Deer Rifle

There is an area along the southern two tiers of Iowa that is commonly refered to as LapLand. That is where Missouri, Laps up into Iowa. There are a few groups of hunters down there that use this round, mostly in SKS's and they swear by them. Use then For Coyotes as well. ...... ;)



Be Safe !!!
 
AR15 in 7.62x39 as the rifle to use.
Click to expand...
I'm trusting that same setup to get the job done. The lower is a CavArms polymer. Total weight is 6.5 empty. Perfect for lots of ups and downs in heavy woods.

You've got the right tool for the job, wanna; good luck this year.
 
two

Bamaboy or I ususally kill at least one deer a year with the x39 ctg, either launched by a Mni-30 or a very nice Ruger 77MKII stainless synthetic, both scoped w/ low magnification Leupold's. Range is under 100 yds and the rifle/ctg combo kills quite well. The comparison to 30-30 is apt.

The load is either Win 125 factory, or a reload with a discontinued 135 gr SP. I would shy away from the import HP's when quality USA made hunting ammo is available. The 150 gr import load gets some press, but is not fast enough to suit me.
 
x39 for deer?

Depends entirely upon the deer, the rifle, the hunting situation......

The tiny deer I saw in Maryland an Virginia? .22lr oughta do the trick: they could not have weighed 70 lbs soakin' wet...... Really big deer? They migh not decide to give you the perfect broadside shot..... can you pass up poor angled shots?

Using a short barreled AK will cut some velocity, of which the x39 does not have in abundance in the first place...... it needs all it can get...

.... also, will the rifle used be accurate enough for the situation? A 5 inch group off a rest at 100 yards won't cut it under field conditions in many cases .......

....the hunting situation.... are you ambushing deer from a stand at really short range? With good ammo, not a problem. Hunting a hayfield where a 300 yard shot is possible? That's a problem.
 
I'd use a 7.62x39 to hunt deer with all day long, as long as you aren't using cheap soviet ball ammo and you keep it within an acceptable range(within 150-100 yards) you'll be more than capable
 
7.62X39

I have used the x39 round to hunt, and taken deer in W.Va. in the 2007, 08 and 09 Seasons. I used the best ammo I could find which was the 154 gr. Soft Point by COR-BON. I know it is expensive but if you do your part the rifle and COR-BON AMMO will do their part.

V/R
J. Budd
 
7.62x39 works great on deer out to 150yds. Whenever i am hunting thick brush i take my sks everytime. The last several deer i shot with it i was using s&b 123grn softpoint ammo and it works great. Federal also loads its power shock ammo in this caliber but my sks use to deform the softpoint on those while chambering which is why i switched to the s&b. Some guys swear by wolfs 154grn softpoint but i have never used it.
 
I'm not overly impressed with the 7.62X39 as a deer cartridge. I've shot one deer with it at about 40 yards on a quartering away shot and the bullet went in behind the ribs and came out the wrong end of the deer. In fact the bullet went in and should have came out in front of the off side shoulder, but instead turned the other way and exited through the spine between the hind legs ruining the tenderloins. From then on I decided I wasn't using it for deer.
 
Funny how a 357 out of a lever action is a much-touted deer cartridge, yet the same bullet weight travelling 400fps faster is so-so.
 
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