Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 7.62 x39 potential

I am not too familiar with the cartridge . In a bolt gun is it on par with 243 at 200 yds using optimum bullet weights for the respective cartridges . Is it merely a deer and pig gun and nothing bigger ?

Its more like a 30-30 with pointy bullets. Don't know where 243 comes into play as a comparison, because its like comparing apples to oranges. The 7.62x39 is a short to mid range cartridge, as is the 30-30. Bullet diameter is closer when comparing the 2 as well. .308 vs. .310-.312

No, not really close to a .243 (especially at 200 yards). A 7.62x39 will push a 123gr bullet around 2300fps, whereas a .243 will push a 100gr bullet closer to 3100fps...a significant difference in energy at the muzzle and 200 yards. The better comparison would be a .30-30 Winchester, with the exception that the x39 will accept spitzer bullets more readily.

Will it kill larger game than deer/pigs? Sure...but it would hardly be ideal.

Good post. I said almost the same thing, but what I left out and had to rethink is we have all seen and heard of the 30-30 killing elk, so I'd expect the little 7.62x39 to work as well, but like you said not real "ideal". I'm sure guys will disagree, but I'd prefer something slightly more potent.

I have a cousin who killed a huge 7x7 bull elk with his SKS. After the third shot he realized he’d accidentally left it loaded with steel core FMJs. Waited a minute and he tipped over.

I don’t have much use for it personally, it offers nothing over a 223 with good bullets for the uses I have for that type of rifle and gives up trajectory. That said, I’m positive it’d be fine for deer and pigs out to 250 yards or so.

Same thought here. Just never been enamored with it. Most of the ones I have been around weren't all that accurate either, at least compared to a decent 5.56.

I've owned two, a mini-Mauser and a Ruger 77, used them both for whitetail deer in GA, most shots under 100 yards. I would not consider it equal to a .243 but an excellent little cartridge for deer at reasonable ranges, especially for young, small framed, hunters.

On a par with the .30/30 with bullets up to about 150 grains, and readily available in a number of different platforms. There are better choices for all-around use, including the .30/30 in rifles that allow more loading flexibility.

A number of rifles that are chambered for the 7.62 are also available in 6.5 Grendel, which does compare well with the .243 out to even 300 yards, as long as the bullets used will expand out there. I put together a 7,62 for my grandson a few years back because there were no 6.5 youth models to be had. Later, I got a Grendel for myself when they were available. He’s had no trouble killing bucks with his, and I’ve yet to get a shot with mine.

I have a little CZ-527 Carbine that I've hunted deer with although I've never had a shot when carrying it. Since all my shots are within 75 yards or so, I use a cast 165 grain flat nose bullet at 1953 fps that will turn an armadillo inside out and make coyotes DRT.

I have the same rifle and some years ago, whitetail, hogs and blackbuck dropped to it using Wolf 122 gr JHP's. Fun little rifle.

Thousands of little people tried to kill me with that cartridge. They failed, but I got a couple of scratches.

I've got a Fox ridge Custom Shop carbine barrel in 7.62X39X.308.
You have to load for it. But it is accurate. Don't remember the recipe but I did use 125 grain bullets. Lent it to my buddy for his young grandson to start off PA deer hunting. The young man had zero issues with recoil.
I'm really not sure he ever gave it back to me and has now unfortunately passed on.
Soup

Strictly IMO:

The 7.62x39 is not as capable as the 243 beyond 150+/- yards, assuming that both cartridges are loaded with properly constructed bullets.

The 7.62x39 is not quite as capable as the 30-30, as it is pushing a 123 grain bullet at about the same speed that the 30-30 has been pushing 170 grain bullets for around 100 years. Hornady LeverEvolution factory loads give the 30-30 better longer range performance.

Can you kill stuff with a 7.62x39? Yes, you can.

Are there more capable cartridges? Yes, there are.

I’m glad they missed, else I’d never gotten to see the pics of those little jewels you cast, all lined up and shining….

Same here DD, might be why I don’t like it all that much.

My humble opinion? The AK47, RPD and SKS are pathetic. The cartridge has some advantage over the M1 Carbine, but not much.

Brothers from another mother.

Got dang. Its a good thing these things aren't all that accurate, or you might not be here telling the tale..

They sprayed and prayed, but Satan was my friend. They had a different name for him. Muttering Death

It takes camels, asses, and goats. Works on baddies and pirates too from an Robinson XCR 12" 7.63X39. It's not a 243win but it ain't no dud.