Thread: Max ethical range on a 7.62x39 bolt-action for deer

Originally Posted by dannyb

Virtually no recoil you say ????? what 270 are you shooting ???
mine is not what I would call un managable but certainly gives much more solid boot than my old 308 and I would say is on par with my old 7mm rem mag
I certainly woould not call it a light recoil option

Heard of 'tongue in cheek' before. I was merely going along with what 2post started. Apologies.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

And the award for the second most asked question on the forum goes too........

is a 270 big enough to kill a deer ?

Originally Posted by Boaraxa

is a 270 big enough to kill a deer ?

come on now we all know 270 is the training cal for our daughters to shoot beer bottles off the fence post and that's all.

I would have more confidence using a .223 with a good projectile than I would with the AK round. 200m is a stretch of ethics for that round on any reasonable size animal. (depending on all sorts of variables that might play at the time)

270's are good because not everyone can shoot 30cal's ethically. He he he. Just wanted an excuse, sorry #270 gang.

From my small personnel experience, I would limit my self to deer with in 100 kg and with in 150 m.

And the issue is not with all the well place shots that are going to kill fast, it is when your shots will be in a marginal zone and you have to track your wounded animal a fair distance. It definitely hasn't got the knock down power of a 308.

Years ago when I had a Ruger mini30 using 123gr soft points 150-175m was long range shot back then. I called it the eyeball gun I every time I aimed at the head I got them in the eyes and the old man taught me to head and neck shoot only and to measure the bullet drop in deers eye balls. Zeroed for 100m, aim one eyeball high for 125m , three eyeballs for 150m , five eyeballs for 175m easy as that, but guessing the range was harder. Smacked over plenty of veni with that gun and most were shot under 60m-80m.

ask @Boaraxa he hunts them all haha

@Feral has shot most of his deer with a Mini 30...

Originally Posted by 300_BLK

@Feral has shot most of his deer with a Mini 30...

Yeah, a brilliant bush Calibre and did my meat from 5-100m. but wanting more legs so went 223.

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Hmmm - the 7.62x39 (and its ballistic twin, 300 Blk) has more energy at any range than a 223. However to "use" that energy for hunting you need to be able to both "place the shot" - which is up to the shooter, and also have the projectile perform correctly and "deliver" that energy to the target.

My comments are in regards to "supersonic" loads . . .

The selection of hunting projectiles available to users of 7.62x39 are somewhat limited, and most may not expand at the lower velocities a 7.62x39 retains at extended ranges.

I suspect that in the USA the number of hunters reloading 7.62x39 is relatively low - driving the limited selection of projectiles. I chose to go the 300 Blk path for that reason.

Manufacturers are just starting to produce projectiles specifically designed for 300 BLK that will expand at the retained velocity you'll see at 200 meters plus (MV of around 2200 or so). The Hornady 125 gn SST is one such projectile, the Speer Gold Dot 150 gn is another (not yet available here, I have some on order).

To the OP's question, I haven't shot any deer with my 300 Blk yet, however my self imposed limit from what I have learnt from shooting it so far is that Deer and larger game need to be within 180 Meters unless carefully ranged and dialed to give exact shot placement, and I'd shoot lighter game at 200M or maybe just a bit further in ideal conditions. I've shot Fallow at around 250M with a 223 in the past, however I don't think (hope really) I'd have tried the same shots on (bigger) Redskins, and if I had the result may have been disappointing, not to mention unethical.

Reds up to 100-120m depending on size and if rutting or not, anything smaller 150m tops for myself.

Personally only carry the x39 for bush hunting so more than 50-60m is mostly moot.

Primo and underrated bush cartridge but won't push out 200-250m if you find a shot on a slip at that range. Im sure the round will still be effective at that range (within limitations) but it in my opinion would definitely not be a humane shot.

However it is a cartridge I am still learning/experimenting with so my opinions are only my own.

Edit: I only run a short barrel and a red dot or iron sights so take that into consideration.

#bush-hobbit gang.

Or maybe #39 gang?

Maybe all you guys need to take your rifles out and shoot some animals instead of just shooting your mouths all the time?