7.62x39

[jdb]

What the general consensus regarding this round? Mostly as a rifle for targets of opportunity and as a back up short range deer rifle. I'm thinking the ruger american ranch rifle.

[Calvin Rayborn]

Good round for deer. Have you thanked a russkie today? (Sergei Simonov)

S   elf loading

K   arbine

S   imonov

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Gavrilovich_Simonov

[magnanimous_j]

I'm a huge fan of the AK platform, so I love the round. Ammo is dirt cheap, so I was considering the same rifle as supplement for my AKs in my apocalypse preparation. A proper bolt-action tightens up the accuracy nicely as well.

That being said, its not that impressive as a hunting round. It's a phenomenal man killer and its great on hogs and within brush-gun range, its perfectly competent on deer. But if you had a 30-30, or .308 or anything in that range, I'm not really sure what niche the 7.62*39 would fill.

Unless you just want it because you think its cool, in which case, go for it. That's the reason we all own 75% of the guns we do.

[j_h_nimrod]

I have taken a number of deer with a Mini-30 and a limited edition ultra light Ruger M77 Mark ll from about 20 years ago. It has always done great on deer and I never felt a bigger cartridge would have done better. I used the Federal Classic ammo as the best factory ammo I could get.

I was hunting with a guy shooting a cheap AK47 and cheap ammo that shot a buck at about 250 yards. He hit it in the head and low neck, neck shot traversed the whole body and was found under the skin on the back offside hip after doing significant damage along the way and the bullet looked pretty good for cheap stuff.

Are there better options?  IMO, Yes.  Does it do an adequate job, yes as well.

[Alchase]

If I was going to go the 7.62 x 39 route, I would completely stay away from all the crap dirty ammo that has flooded the 7.62 x 39 inventory as "great plinking ammo". Cheap AKs and SKSs I have no interest in. I would use decent quality ammo and build a shooter that would take advantage of the caliber.

I'm thinking the ruger american ranch rifle.

Could be an interesting combination, just stay away from the crap ammo, LOL

[N7XW]

I love the SKS and used one to take a couple whitetails in Montana many years ago.  Stay within the practical range of the cartridge and you'll be fine.  Also a great round for new shooters/hunters as recoil is minimum.  I say hunt with it and have fun.

[Kit Carson]

Old school.
SKS model M or D that takes AK mags.
Throw a scope on top.

Might even find one with some trench art on the stock 

[GoldenRing270]

Check out the cz 527. I got the american version in 7.62x39 this winter and really like it. Its a compact little bolt gun. Its been around an inch and a half at 100 yards with wolf polyformance HP and under an inch with the hornady SST steel case ammo. Light recoil, should be great for kids to practice with at 20 cents a round. I bring it to the range along with a cz 452 american .22 lr and shoot for hours without spending much on ammo.

[BigGoonTuna]

Unless you just want it because you think its cool, in which case, go for it. That's the reason we all own 75% of the guns we do.

mine's a CZ 527.  picked it up a few months back, though i've been lusting after one for years.  it's a lot of fun to shoot, ammo is cheap and it's pretty accurate even with the steel cased junk.

i was going to scope it, but it really throws off the handling of the rifle.  i've got a set of dies, and will scope it to work up a load, but more than likely i'll put a peep sight on it.  hard to imagine a nicer little rifle for bumming around the woods, or blacktails at typical blacktail range.

[bullfisher]

The 7.62 is good for resizing to 6.5 grendel. 

[Tjkride]

Its a great little cartridge. Ive taken a few whitetail and plenty of coyotes with it. Inside 200 yards I think its more than suitable for any whitetail or similar game on the planet. With the proper bullet and shot placement ofcourse.

[Kit Carson]

The 7.62 is good for resizing to 6.5 grendel. 

Resize and grow out that man bun 

[headshot5]

If you want to shoot factory ammo that 7.62x39 is awesome.  if you want to reload, the 300 blackout has better bullet selection...  .308 instead of .310/.311.

[NRA4LIFE]

I'd stay away from the Mini-30.  My buddy's can't hit a paper plate at 50 yds.  Most horribly inaccurate rifle I've ever seen.

[pashok23]

I have russian made AK47,great shooter for sure!!!

[Special T]

The only reason to buy an new bolt gun in that round is because you already own an SKS or AK. That caliber has very similar ballistics to a 30 30 250ish yard gun.

I'd you have a hankering for a gun with cheap ammo a used mid grade sks is the ticket, so long as you are willing to put some elbow grease into it. I've seen several you tube videos that detail how to tighten up the groups with a dremel sand paper and JB weld.

Have the prices for the run of the mill Norinco SKS fallen like ARs have?   

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[Kit Carson]

Have the prices for the run of the mill Norinco SKS fallen like ARs have?   

Should be able to find one of those Norincos (in pretty good shape) for around $300.

[j_h_nimrod]

I'd stay away from the Mini-30.  My buddy's can't hit a paper plate at 50 yds.  Most horribly inaccurate rifle I've ever seen.

I think your buddy just can’t hit a plate at 50 yards, not the rifles fault

I have heard this for years with the Mini-14 and Mini-30, but it seems mostly anecdotal. I have shot 8-10 Minis over the years.  They are typically not tack drivers but they are on par with the 30 carbine or most Garands I have shot. Never had one worse than a typical Norinco SKS. Federal Classic usually does right at a MOA out of my 2005 vintage stainless synthetic Mini-30. Wolf or most of the other cheaps do +/- 6”.

[Special T]

Have the prices for the run of the mill Norinco SKS fallen like ARs have?   

Should be able to find one of those Norincos (in pretty good shape) for around $300.

That is pretty reasonable for a semi auto 30 30 that runs cheap or better ammo.

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[762Armo]

I have russian made AK47,great shooter for sure!!!

VEPR? SAIGA?

[fish vacuum]

I think your buddy just can’t hit a plate at 50 yards, not the rifles fault

I have heard this for years with the Mini-14 and Mini-30, but it seems mostly anecdotal.

Didn't you ever watch the A-team? They used Rugers and never hit a single person.

[Remnar]

I'd stay away from the Mini-30.  My buddy's can't hit a paper plate at 50 yds.  Most horribly inaccurate rifle I've ever seen.

I think your buddy just can’t hit a plate at 50 yards, not the rifles fault

I have heard this for years with the Mini-14 and Mini-30, but it seems mostly anecdotal. I have shot 8-10 Minis over the years.  They are typically not tack drivers but they are on par with the 30 carbine or most Garands I have shot. Never had one worse than a typical Norinco SKS. Federal Classic usually does right at a MOA out of my 2005 vintage stainless synthetic Mini-30. Wolf or most of the other cheaps do +/- 6”.

  Have shot the same cheap "gravel pit " ammo through bolt actions with same results .

[Remnar]

I think your buddy just can’t hit a plate at 50 yards, not the rifles fault

I have heard this for years with the Mini-14 and Mini-30, but it seems mostly anecdotal.

Didn't you ever watch the A-team? They used Rugers and never hit a single person.

 LOL. Good ol A-team ... love it !

[pashok23]

I have russian made AK47,great shooter for sure!!!

VEPR? SAIGA?

Saiga (Сайга)

[N7XW]

Took the sks to the range the other day.  Shot it at 100 and 200 yards.  Shot a 5 shot 4" group at 100 yards with Tulo ammo (open sights).  200 yards wasn't great but ok since it was starting to get dark and difficult to even see the paper at 200.  Thinking of getting a Crazy Ivan mount and putting a small scope on it.

[Alchase]

Took the sks to the range the other day.  Shot it at 100 and 200 yards.  Shot a 5 shot 4" group at 100 yards with Tulo ammo (open sights). 

Open sights with an SKS?
That some of the best shooting of an SKS I have heard of.
Most guys I have seen can't hit a dinner plate at 100 yards with your average SKS from sandbags.

[Special T]

Some guns are just destined to be left open sites. A 30 30 lever gun, or a semi auto 7.62x39 are the same to me in this regard.

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[N7XW]

Took the sks to the range the other day.  Shot it at 100 and 200 yards.  Shot a 5 shot 4" group at 100 yards with Tulo ammo (open sights). 

Open sights with an SKS?
That some of the best shooting of an SKS I have heard of.
Most guys I have seen can't hit a dinner plate at 100 yards with your average SKS from sandbags.

I was pretty shocked myself!  Especially considering the front sight post is almost big enough to completely cover the paper at 100 yards  .

[Alchase]

LOL, mine was huge!
I bought an SKS back in the late 80s when the surplus chicoms and yugos we’re being dumped on the market for $150.
When the prices went up, I sold it for $250.
Mine was fun to shoot,  it I would never call it a accurate rifle, but in its day they were affective.

[762Armo]

Thinking of getting a Crazy Ivan mount and putting a small scope on it.

If it were me, I'd just keep it open sights, but of course it's your rifle.
I have a SKS Scope mount laying around somewhere. I can dig it up if you're interested to go used on the mount.

[Alchase]

If I had one still, it might be fun to fabricate a mount for a red dot.