chilly_47

Would like some opinions ( truthful) about using a 7.62x39 caliber for white tail. I have heard they are as affective if not more so than 30-30. Figuired this would be the best place to get biased opinion.

Paul L Mohr

I wouldn't say more so, but the cartridge is about as good. The 30-30 is an actual hunting round so there are more and better ammo choices for it. You can get heavier bullets for example.

However if you pick the right bullet for a 7.62x39 from a premium company (winchester, remington ect.) made for hunting it should work just fine at medium ranges. Providing the gun you are using is suitable for the job and accurate enough. What were you thinking of using? Keep in mind some states have laws against certain fire arms, action type and amount of shells it can hold. Going out with an AK variant with a 30 round clip is most likely going to be illegal in most states. Make sure you know the laws first.

I can't use a center fire rifle in lower MI but I would be quite confident with a decent SKS in upper MI if that is what I had and it shot well.

There are several threads on this topic if you want to search on it. I think we just had one a day or so ago.

Paul

Briman

SKS, AK ok in Wisconsin regardless of magazine capacity.

Use soft point ammo from Winchester.

cataway

i have taken several deer with a 7.62X39 granted its not a caliber for long range shooting but under 100yd it works just fine, one deer i took was closer to 200yd ,fell right were it was hit.
finding the right cartridge for an SKS would seams to be the only challenge to you. i have a SKS but have never tired to find out what the thing likes .
happy hunting

BigTiny

I have a single-shot 7.62x39. It is more than adequate for a whitetail. The .30-30 is a better choice, with a similar effective range. JMO