Anyone use an bare bones stock semi auto AK to hunt with.

T

T-90

New member
Just bare bones wood stocks, iron sites in either 7.62x39 or 5.45x39. If so what were your results with it?
 
I have a hunted with one 4-5 times (I kept saying next time it will work out). And as much as I tried to, I didn't like it.
Altough it is useable at 100 yards or less for the purpose.

The AK is a great fighting gun but for hunting it is a little lacking.

Reasons:
If I'm going to carry a 9# rifle I would rather pack my Remingtion 700 that has better accuracy, range, and iron sights.

Loud saftey switch that once ruined a shot for me (Spooked a Doe that was about 75-85 yards from me)

At dusk when the deer and hogs start coming out from hiding, The iron sights dissapear.


I love my AK and shoot it a lot but I don't hunt with it anymore. (I also mounted a reflex sight on a ultimak rail and it made the rifle nightime friendly)
 
Where I used to hunt the vast majority of the time the shots were at from 35 to about 80 yards. An iron sighted AK is more than good enough for deer at that range if you know how to shoot.

No matter what some may believe IF you know how to shoot the 7.62x39 round and the 5.45 round will drop a deer in his tracks.
 
Now about the safety. It is only "loud" if you move it quickly. Also as long as you are sitting still there is no need to even have it on.
 
not a 762x39 but saiga 16'' barrel in 308,& its alot of fun. I try to stay inside 150 yards & it does well on hogs, deer,coyotes. makes a great truck gun.:D
 
Now about the safety. It is only "loud" if you move it quickly. Also as long as you are sitting still there is no need to even have it on.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. I was simply saying that it once ruined a shot for me. YMMV.
 
The 7.62x39 round is comparable to the old 30-30 that has taken possibly a million deer over the years so the round is just fine if you can shoot and keep the range fairly short.

I used to hunty with my AK just to prove to the rifle snobs that it could be done.

I did the same thing with my flintlock just to prove to the modern inline muzzleloader crowd that laughed at me that it could be done.

My AK and flintlock have taken some mighty fine deer.
 
I have before. I only use the safety while I'm moving and put the rifle on fire when I get to my position. I always still hunt.
 
Hunt what with ? Deer ? Hogs ? First you will get some strange looks from folks . Secound you will need a good Ak with good ammo. As a rule the AK is not all that accurate. If you get a Bulgy,or Saiga thats a good shooter accuracy improves ,but it is still nothing to write home about in the 7.62x39. The 5.45x39 is much better ,but it is too light for deer . :cool:In some states hunting with a 22cal /5.45x45 is illegal . It can take down deer if shot placement is good with the propper ammo , but that is a call you have to make . IMHO it is not a good idea.
 
Last edited:
Years ago we had a HUGE rabid dog in my area. He was about the size of a big German Shepard or a Lab.

He came at me and I put ONE round of the old military 5.45x39 with the air space in the nose in his chest.

That big dog's chest exploded and he dropped in his tracks without making a sound. I have never seen such a mess. It left an exit wound you could throw a cat through and little pieces of dog was blown all over the place.

It was that day I realised this round was awesome.

It will also drop deer size game the same way.
 
I put ONE round of the old military 5.45x39 with the air space in the nose in his chest
Click to expand...
It left an exit wound you could throw a cat through and little pieces of dog was blown all over the place.
Click to expand...

I don't doubt that you killed the dog with one shot. Or that it died instantly.
But a exit hole the size of a cat and flying pieces of dog sounds like a gross exaggeration.

What range was this at?
 
Have you ever used one of the older military AK-74 rounds with the air pocket in the nose on a living target?

This round is one of the most destructive military rifle rounds you can find. It does more damage than the 30-06 M2 ball.

When reports of the terrible wounds it produced in Afghanistan made their way to the USA the CIA offered a huge reward for one on the rifles and some ammo. It took them a while to get it.

It was discovered the round has an air space in the nose. The bullet is long and thin and the rifling twist does not over stabilize it. When it hits flesh it tumbles violently causing horrible wounds.
 
The exit wound being big enough to throw a house cat through is obvious BS and I thought anyone would know that and understand what I meant.

And YES it blew pieces of flesh bone and blood for at least 10 feet away from the critter.
 
It is illegal to hunt even varmints with 7N6 5.45x39 ammo in AZ ,I suspect that is the case in most places. In fact a 5.56x45 of the nato spec 193 55 grain is a better round for aniti personel /varmints ,it too is illegat to hunt with in AZ . Check your stat's hunting laws B4 you hunt.
 
Last edited:
My buddy has used his AK to hunt coyotes.
Just keep in mind that the 7.62x39mm cartridge has slightly less power than the .30-30 Win.
Medium quarry at medium ranges.
You may get some odd looks if you're in the woods with the 30rnd banana hanging from you rifle. So, maybe pick up a 5-10rnd mag and go for it.
 
The exit wound being big enough to throw a house cat through is obvious BS and I thought anyone would know that and understand what I meant.
Click to expand...

With written word it can sometimes be hard to convey sarcasm/humor.

I knew a 5.45 round wouldn't produce a wound channel like that so I gave you the benefit of the doubt.;)

Overstating and exaggeration while common place in the firearms commutnity, do more harm then good.
For example there are people that actually believe a .45 acp will blow a arm or leg off.

While I have shot 5.45 out of a few different AK74's I don't currently own one and have never hunted with one.
 
Also as long as you are sitting still there is no need to even have it (the safety) on.
Click to expand...

I consider this to be unsafe and unnecessary.

Simple rule: The safety is always on until I get ready to shoot. I thought that was everyone's rule.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top