Thread: 7.62x39 for deer hunting?

Quote: The problem with the case taper is a magazine issue, not an issue with the gun. Ah, thanks. Yes - the tapered case demands a curved magazine, and getting a 7.62x39 mag to work in the straight magwell of the AR is not easy. Quote: I heard over on the ar15 forums that Cproducts is coming out with some 30 rounders in the next couple months. Colt and C-Products have each made at least one prior version of a 7.62x39 AR mag. They both had...

Ok, I have done some searched and really have not found a good response to this. I am looking at three different barrel configuration for my next AR build. I want to use it for deer hunting. The two calibers that everyone talks about is 6.8 and 6.5 (for the AR). What about the 7.62x39 in an AR? Just a thought...

On subject of comparing 30-30 and 7.62x39 As you can see from the pic I've tested both cartridges in similar platforms. According to my chronograph performance is essentially identical. With 125grn bullets the russian round is about 175 FPS faster than 30-30, moving up to 150grn bullets velocity is identical and lastly with 170grn bullets the 30-30 is fastest by about 150fps. All with top shelf handloads. With factory ammo this...

In 2005, I hunted in northern Michigan with my USAF buddy. In that part of Michigan, they hunt from little shacks overlooking cleared areas. It was quite c-c-cold! He hunted with a plain SKS, open sights, and Winchester SUPER X 123 gr. soft tip ammo. Late afternoon of the first day, I shot a medium sized forky buck with my Ruger 96 lever action carbine in 44 MAG. It bounded away at the shot and toppled after a couple jumps. Distance: approx....

7.62x39 with proper bullets is a superb hunting round if distance is kept under 200 yards. The comparison between 30-30 and 7.62x39 is a valid one. Consider that the 150g round used in each caliber is SP in the 7.62x30 and RN or FP in the 30-30. At the muzzle, the 30-30 has slightly more velocity, but due to the shape of the 7.62x39 bullet (SP) after 50 yards, the advantage shifts to the 7.62x39. 30-30 has taken more deer than any other...

It will work on a deer, but the trajectory is like a 30-30. Also, the taper of the 7.62x39 case can cause problems in an AR.

Can one get an AR in .243? The RAM in my brain is not working.

but I would opt for the 6.5 myself. This is truely a remarkably balanced diameter with very high SD which gives it penetration. Especially if this is the main use for the upper/rifle. If you want something that is also a great plinker/recreation/shtf caliber then by all means go with the 7.62x39. Just get some good 150 grain ammo for hunting. Corbon makes an excellent load for the purpose.

it will do well at under 150 yards if you do your part. I like to shoot 'em in the neck and they drop RT. BTW my shots have all been under 100 yards because I hunt brushy areas. I use handload 150 gr. slugs.

The problem with the case taper is a magazine issue, not an issue with the gun. I heard over on the ar15 forums that Cproducts is coming out with some 30 rounders in the next couple months.