Been preaching the same thing for 30 years Love the x39 Kills quick and clean Always pass through with Ppu Round nose soft point And Federal Is also a Jack hammer
I've tried a lot of different mid-power rounds, but I keep coming back to this one. I'm playing with a 6.5 Grendel right now, but I still think the x39 is my favorite.
@@GunTraditionballistically speaking the 6.5 Grendel leaves the 7.62x39 in the dust. It's shooting the similar weight low 120's grain weight bullets at 200 to 300fps faster!!! Also even with the similar weight bullets, the 6.5 Grendel is a slightly smaller caliber that about 26 caliber verses the 7.62 being 30 caliber so you're getting a higher sectional density with the Grendel, for more penetration. The Grendel, also has a much higher ballistic coefficient, so it carries more energy further, and has less wind drift!!! I saw a video, where a girl shot a bull elk at about 595 yards, and it was clearly an ethical clean kill!!!
The 762x39 is an excellent choice for most deer hunting applications most deer are shot at less than 100 yards especially east of the Mississippi I live in Kentucky but I've hunted in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Michigan and New Hampshire I've been hunting for close to 50 years and I've seldom if ever shot a deer past 100 yards. I've hunted with every caliber under the sun up to 300 Winchester magnum my current rifle of choice is a 243 because my son and my wife both hunt with them and it's easy to buy ammo that way. I recently picked up a reasonably priced Anderson lower I needed an upper to put on it so I settled on a Bear Creek side charger 762x39 upper also bought two Duramax which work much better than the ASC mags put a very good straight 4X scope on it I prefer fixed power scopes for the ranges I generally shoot out to 100 yards of four power is fine. Sighted in using 123 grain full metal jacket Tula ammo when I was fairly close I switched to the ammo I was going to hunt with which was PPU 122 grain pointed soft points at 200 yards I can keep my shots inside a baseball and as I said I seldom shoot over a hundred yards, My farm is fairly heavily wooded except for some pastures which have cattle. I can almost clover leaf my shot at 100yds. 762x 39 is slightly more powerful than the venerable 30-30 not by enough to really matter I think the ballistic coefficients of the 762 bullets makes it slightly better at longer ranges. Its also still relatively inexpensive so you can shoot it a lot more than you can a 30-30. The PPU 122 grain pointed soft points are kind of hard to find sometimes when I do find them I buy them usually run about 25 to $30 a box I remember the first few boxes I bought a year ago I think we're around 15 bucks
Dang!!! You're paying that much for x39???? I just bought a few 40rd boxes of the wolf polyformance 124gr jsp for 24.99!!! I can buy the sellier and bellot 7.62x39 125gr jsp for 17 a box, and that's the higher end brass case stuff!!! The hollow points and fmj are running about 11 to 14 a box, and I can get norma fmj brass cases for $13.99!!!
Awesome video! I have my CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 zeroed at 200 yards. Only an inch high at 50 yards, and 2.5 inches high at 100, 125 and 150 yards. Any range from 25- 225 yards, just point and shoot with no elevation adjustment.
I have also seen a black bear taken with a x39 at about 35 yards it ran about 50 yards and bled out. 124 grain soft point was used. Rifle was a Ruger American ranch 16" barrel.
I built an AR in x39 and it's amazing. No issues with cycling steel cased ammo. Accuracy is better than I expected. I have an 18" barrel on it and it's a joy to carry. I also have the Ruger American Ranch (bolt action) in x39. It's even more accurate and handy, but I like hunting with both equally. I've carried both in the woods several times but have yet to take any game with them. I hope to change that this season.
I use a Russian sks as a bush gun simply because its light and relatively maneuverable in the bush. Mind you I live in northern ontario canada (sigh) and would prob carry something different if I lived in the states lol.
I got howa mini action a few 7.62x39 aks 130 and in using 154 wolf soft points for deer. I got just a shit load of it i do handload speer gold dots fantastic 22 cent bonded bullet
@@GunTraditiontrue, but there's some pretty awesome options these days for it!!! Underwood ammo loads the controlled chaos round for 7.62x39mm and it's damned nasty, and stupidly deadly!!! Also federal has the fusion and we in Chester the superX and Hornady has the 123gr sst brass cases now!!! More options for quality over mass combloc ammo than ever before!!! I do think though that outside of reloading, the x39 isn't going to get much better as far as market share, and new loads than it has now........ But it's fine, because you can't get any deader than a dead deer, and don't broke, what ain't fixed!!! 😜
If you can find them I can't remember who makes it it might be wolf might be Tula they make $158 grain pointed soft point which has awesome expansion in ballistics gel
Yes I took a deer with an AK 7.62 in a 🪵 area at approximately 75 yds. Here in Oklahoma I think a 5.56 would be enough. A Black bear 🐻 Like you said would probably work also .
You have me optimistic about the 7.62x39 I have an AKM and I Know this is not a designated hunting rifle but it is the rifle I have plus all the hunting grounds where I am are heavily wooded areas so I won't necessarily need tic off a Dog's ass accuracy
gotta love those Bear Creek uppers, i got a 7.62 normal Charging handle upper from them on a PSA lower, Heavy barrel and that thing shoots about 1.5 MOA with Wolf... if only i can find any more ammo... lol
good deer round the 762, but also a great Drop Bear defence round due to low recoil for the main victim of Drop bear is Women. 762 is most user friendly with good power
Hello, I think you underestimate the 7.62x39 at 300 yards you get about 50% pass through on deer 200# or less and I usually pull the bullet of the opposite side hide with big deer, long shots and shoulder shots. I would shoot a cow or small bull elk inside 150 yards with some 154gr bullets or a copper expanding bullet. Thanks for the video!!!
I hunt in and live in Montana. I have shot big deer with 7.62x39. Like I said in my last comment 200# or less is likely a pass through. P.S. I have not shot a deer under two hundred pounds in 15 or 20 years.
It's a heck of a hog round too. A good shot with a soft point and they're done. Seems to be about 50/50 on getting a passthrough for me with Federal 123gr SP but they tend to hit the ground right there
I get that it's more secure on the receiver. I'm far sighted and most sights work better further out for me. I keep my scopes on the receiver, but I'm not too concerned about an old Truglo red dot.
*Actually, I have taken deer with the 30-30 20" barrel MARLIN Carbine... at LASER RANGEFINDER VERIFIED distance 324 yards or 297 meters with the 150 grain Remington CoreLokt at a chronograph verified 'ANEMIC' 2,250 actual f.p.s. Sidenote: A 24" or 26" barrel might achieve Ammo Maker's advertised velocity... At 297 meters or 324 yards with the 'highly accurate' and 'somewhat anemic' Remington 150 grain load... bullet drop from 100 yard zero... 39" bullet drop {or about a meter of drop at 300 meters.} Saw deer... Waited for them to line up, one behind the other... Took appropriate aim... One shot = two dead deer. Both, 'hit in the spines...as intended'. Neither deer moved more than 40 feet, after the shot. Hind legs were useless...due to severed or shattered spines. They were attempting to use the forelegs to get away. { without much effect } YES, the small 30's will work...even at moderate distance.*
I love hunting with my 7.62x39. I’m having a really hard time finding hunting ammo though. The cheap Russian soft points are pretty easy to find. Have you tried any of them on deer?
Try the ppu pointed soft points. They are cheaper then domestic ammo but are brass and boxer primed. I have dropped 3 big 10 pointers in their tracks and a big 8 plus a smaller 8. Had a big 9pt go about 50 yards and pile up all with the ppu and that's every deer i've shot at with it.
@@ForgottenHillbillyhave you tried the brass cased 7.62x39 sellier and bellot 125gr jsp? I find it to be loaded a bit hotter, but cleaner and more consistent than the ppu. There's nothing wrong with the ppu of course!!! I just prefer the s&b, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at the ppu!!!
On 100-120 Lbs. animals? max. In my opinion.. In the Northern woods, where a mature Doe often weighs in at over 140Lbs, and a 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 year old Buck can go 240+ Lbs. Dressed.. I would never dream of taking a shot at such a fine Animal with a 125gr bullet at 2300 FPS. Even the "venerable 30-30" doesn't produce clean kills unless its a perfect shot under ideal conditions.. Just stating the facts people.. Good bore diameter with a good sectional density of at least .250 is preferred, in my book. I've shot Deer with less and seen Deer shot with less and it's always been a Questionable outcome for the Animal. It's not a game people, and please, No Parlor tricks.. Bring enough gun to fill your tag humanely.. Just good common sense and experience. ~God Bless and hunt safe.
I call bullshit on the 30-30 not producing clean kills on any deer with a well placed shot!!! I've seen elk drop in their tracks with one shot from a 30-30!!! They used a federal powershok 170gr to do it.
Been preaching the same thing for 30 years
Love the x39
Kills quick and clean
Always pass through with
Ppu Round nose soft point
And Federal Is also a Jack hammer
I've tried a lot of different mid-power rounds, but I keep coming back to this one. I'm playing with a 6.5 Grendel right now, but I still think the x39 is my favorite.
@@GunTraditionballistically speaking the 6.5 Grendel leaves the 7.62x39 in the dust. It's shooting the similar weight low 120's grain weight bullets at 200 to 300fps faster!!! Also even with the similar weight bullets, the 6.5 Grendel is a slightly smaller caliber that about 26 caliber verses the 7.62 being 30 caliber so you're getting a higher sectional density with the Grendel, for more penetration. The Grendel, also has a much higher ballistic coefficient, so it carries more energy further, and has less wind drift!!! I saw a video, where a girl shot a bull elk at about 595 yards, and it was clearly an ethical clean kill!!!
Absolutely agree. X39 is a great deer round for the woods here in Michigan. Nobody scoffs at 30-30 but they hate on by x39 makes no sense.
This is the best video of the 7.62 I’ve seen very informative
The 762x39 is an excellent choice for most deer hunting applications most deer are shot at less than 100 yards especially east of the Mississippi I live in Kentucky but I've hunted in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Michigan and New Hampshire I've been hunting for close to 50 years and I've seldom if ever shot a deer past 100 yards. I've hunted with every caliber under the sun up to 300 Winchester magnum my current rifle of choice is a 243 because my son and my wife both hunt with them and it's easy to buy ammo that way.
I recently picked up a reasonably priced Anderson lower I needed an upper to put on it so I settled on a Bear Creek side charger 762x39 upper also bought two Duramax which work much better than the ASC mags put a very good straight 4X scope on it I prefer fixed power scopes for the ranges I generally shoot out to 100 yards of four power is fine.
Sighted in using 123 grain full metal jacket Tula ammo when I was fairly close I switched to the ammo I was going to hunt with which was PPU 122 grain pointed soft points at 200 yards I can keep my shots inside a baseball and as I said I seldom shoot over a hundred yards, My farm is fairly heavily wooded except for some pastures which have cattle. I can almost clover leaf my shot at 100yds.
762x 39 is slightly more powerful than the venerable 30-30 not by enough to really matter I think the ballistic coefficients of the 762 bullets makes it slightly better at longer ranges. Its also still relatively inexpensive so you can shoot it a lot more than you can a 30-30.
The PPU 122 grain pointed soft points are kind of hard to find sometimes when I do find them I buy them usually run about 25 to $30 a box I remember the first few boxes I bought a year ago I think we're around 15 bucks
Dang!!! You're paying that much for x39???? I just bought a few 40rd boxes of the wolf polyformance 124gr jsp for 24.99!!! I can buy the sellier and bellot 7.62x39 125gr jsp for 17 a box, and that's the higher end brass case stuff!!! The hollow points and fmj are running about 11 to 14 a box, and I can get norma fmj brass cases for $13.99!!!
Awesome video! I have my CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 zeroed at 200 yards. Only an inch high at 50 yards, and 2.5 inches high at 100, 125 and 150 yards. Any range from 25- 225 yards, just point and shoot with no elevation adjustment.
My ak is my favorite deer rifle 200 yard shot is real easy to make
I have also seen a black bear taken with a x39 at about 35 yards it ran about 50 yards and bled out. 124 grain soft point was used. Rifle was a Ruger American ranch 16" barrel.
The thing works.
I built an AR in x39 and it's amazing. No issues with cycling steel cased ammo. Accuracy is better than I expected. I have an 18" barrel on it and it's a joy to carry. I also have the Ruger American Ranch (bolt action) in x39. It's even more accurate and handy, but I like hunting with both equally. I've carried both in the woods several times but have yet to take any game with them. I hope to change that this season.
I use a Russian sks as a bush gun simply because its light and relatively maneuverable in the bush. Mind you I live in northern ontario canada (sigh) and would prob carry something different if I lived in the states lol.
While pricey, the Federal Fusion 7.62x39 is an awesome hunting round. Give 'em a try if you can find 'em.
I also want to find some Winchester Deer Season XP for that gun. That stuff is like a phantom right now.
I mean, cast lead works too
@teucer4
I found cast lead bullets for a 30 30 haven't shot any yet being solid lead wondering how they do on dee
Damn fine round!!!
Bear Creek Arsenal make good rifles. Good uppers with cold hammer forged barrels.
I’ve got a Thompson Center 7.62 barrel that I want to use as a deer rifle this year. Thanks for the vid!
Sure thing!
Thanks you answered my questions. A low level caliber in hunting, but makes up for it in recoil , price, capacity and Versatility.
Longest shot i took was 300 yards. Dropped the deer in 1 shot. Battle sights. Very tasty deer. I love the sks.
no scope on it? that's impressive! any tips on using the irons that effectively?
@@ethanlee3254practice a hell of a lot!!!
I got a Ruger Ranch in 7.62x39. There are some good soft points too.
If zeroed at 100 with a 16” barrel. How high would I typically hold for 200 yd shot?
I got howa mini action a few 7.62x39 aks 130 and in using 154 wolf soft points for deer. I got just a shit load of it i do handload speer gold dots fantastic 22 cent bonded bullet
I hope you drop some deer this season.
@@GunTradition i hope so using my 300 winmag this year 175 barnes lrx. The place i am hunting is 400 shots and in
300yards with sks , battle sights. Gets me deer every time. Im not afraid to use my sks.
As a kid i used my marlin 7000bull barrel 22for der dinner.
It’s 2021..7.62x39 doesn’t get a lot of hate in the U.S. anymore
It's making headway, but still has a ways to go.
@@GunTraditiontrue, but there's some pretty awesome options these days for it!!! Underwood ammo loads the controlled chaos round for 7.62x39mm and it's damned nasty, and stupidly deadly!!! Also federal has the fusion and we in Chester the superX and Hornady has the 123gr sst brass cases now!!! More options for quality over mass combloc ammo than ever before!!! I do think though that outside of reloading, the x39 isn't going to get much better as far as market share, and new loads than it has now........ But it's fine, because you can't get any deader than a dead deer, and don't broke, what ain't fixed!!! 😜
It is a beautiful hunting round: All the best from Peru
People don't like the 7.62x39 here, but it works well. I'm trying to make it more popular.
If you can find them I can't remember who makes it it might be wolf might be Tula they make $158 grain pointed soft point which has awesome expansion in ballistics gel
Wolf has a 154gr JSP. I have a box of the herterz 154gr JSP, I have several boxes of wolf and herterz , and sellier & bellot 124 and 125gr JSP's!!!
Yes I took a deer with an AK 7.62 in a 🪵 area at approximately 75 yds. Here in Oklahoma I think a 5.56 would be enough. A Black bear 🐻 Like you said would probably work also .
You have me optimistic about the 7.62x39 I have an AKM and I Know this is not a designated hunting rifle but it is the rifle I have plus all the hunting grounds where I am are heavily wooded areas so I won't necessarily need tic off a Dog's ass accuracy
Let me know how it works for you!
gotta love those Bear Creek uppers, i got a 7.62 normal Charging handle upper from them on a PSA lower, Heavy barrel and that thing shoots about 1.5 MOA with Wolf... if only i can find any more ammo... lol
I have four of the side charging uppers. I think that means I like them.
I hunt with a AK. Does a wonderful job lol
good deer round the 762, but also a great Drop Bear defence round due to low recoil for the main victim of Drop bear is Women. 762 is most user friendly with good power
I like the 7.62x39, another round that is awesome is Wilson Combat's 300 Hammer never shot the round but really think it is a cool round
How's that Bear Creak Upper? Have you had to do some things to make it reliable? Great straight forward videos. Thanks!
It runs well.
Hello, I think you underestimate the 7.62x39 at 300 yards you get about 50% pass through on deer 200# or less and I usually pull the bullet of the opposite side hide with big deer, long shots and shoulder shots. I would shoot a cow or small bull elk inside 150 yards with some 154gr bullets or a copper expanding bullet. Thanks for the video!!!
It really depends on shot angle and deer size. We grow some thick deer up north.
I hunt in and live in Montana. I have shot big deer with 7.62x39. Like I said in my last comment 200# or less is likely a pass through. P.S. I have not shot a deer under two hundred pounds in 15 or 20 years.
It's a heck of a hog round too. A good shot with a soft point and they're done. Seems to be about 50/50 on getting a passthrough for me with Federal 123gr SP but they tend to hit the ground right there
My BCA Ar47 is perfect for Whitetail and Hogs!
Put an h2 or h3 buffer slow the cycling down a bit the recoil impulse is amazing. I’m pretty sure I have an h2 in mine.
Mount your optic on the receiver
I get that it's more secure on the receiver. I'm far sighted and most sights work better further out for me. I keep my scopes on the receiver, but I'm not too concerned about an old Truglo red dot.
On the receiver is best, but honestly as long as the foregrip on his rifle never loosens or shifts it won't matter, it'll be just as accurate.
Great video. Thank you. I have AK47s. Love them.
In 123 grain or 154 grain ?
Both work.
@@GunTradition cool , can’t find 154grain anywhere.
@@barryfroelich3526see if you can find any herterz 7.62x39mm 154gr JSP.
*Actually, I have taken deer with the 30-30 20" barrel MARLIN Carbine... at LASER RANGEFINDER VERIFIED distance 324 yards or 297 meters with the 150 grain Remington CoreLokt at a chronograph verified 'ANEMIC' 2,250 actual f.p.s. Sidenote: A 24" or 26" barrel might achieve Ammo Maker's advertised velocity... At 297 meters or 324 yards with the 'highly accurate' and 'somewhat anemic' Remington 150 grain load... bullet drop from 100 yard zero... 39" bullet drop {or about a meter of drop at 300 meters.} Saw deer... Waited for them to line up, one behind the other... Took appropriate aim... One shot = two dead deer. Both, 'hit in the spines...as intended'. Neither deer moved more than 40 feet, after the shot. Hind legs were useless...due to severed or shattered spines. They were attempting to use the forelegs to get away. { without much effect } YES, the small 30's will work...even at moderate distance.*
I would've guessed this guy is 6'3"
Hard to believe he's 150lbs
ive never hunted but i dunno if u can take a deer at 600feet....that seems far to me.
Not far at all. With flatter shooting cartridges, folks regularly take deer out to 500 yards.
@@GunTradition dam...that sounds crazy to me 1500 feet, sheeeeeesh but again, i have never hunted. I also live in a VERY heavily forested state.
Yeah I think inside 300 yards is more common but yeah 150 200 250 yards is nothing for a good deer rifle
I love hunting with my 7.62x39. I’m having a really hard time finding hunting ammo though. The cheap Russian soft points are pretty easy to find. Have you tried any of them on deer?
They work, as long as they shoot accurately in your gun.
Try the ppu pointed soft points. They are cheaper then domestic ammo but are brass and boxer primed. I have dropped 3 big 10 pointers in their tracks and a big 8 plus a smaller 8. Had a big 9pt go about 50 yards and pile up all with the ppu and that's every deer i've shot at with it.
@@ForgottenHillbilly you got a link to it?
Look up Underwood Controlled Chaos and Fort Scott Munitions.
@@ForgottenHillbillyhave you tried the brass cased 7.62x39 sellier and bellot 125gr jsp? I find it to be loaded a bit hotter, but cleaner and more consistent than the ppu. There's nothing wrong with the ppu of course!!! I just prefer the s&b, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at the ppu!!!
I had a SKS I shot my Alaskan caribou with it..
7.62x39 fmj has a velocity of 2400 ft per second not 2000
You think you could use fmj rounds for hunting, I’m thinking just cause it’s cheaper to stick up on
On 100-120 Lbs. animals? max. In my opinion.. In the Northern woods, where a mature Doe often weighs in at over 140Lbs, and a 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 year old Buck can go 240+ Lbs. Dressed.. I would never dream of taking a shot at such a fine Animal with a 125gr bullet at 2300 FPS. Even the "venerable 30-30" doesn't produce clean kills unless its a perfect shot under ideal conditions.. Just stating the facts people.. Good bore diameter with a good sectional density of at least .250 is preferred, in my book. I've shot Deer with less and seen Deer shot with less and it's always been a Questionable outcome for the Animal. It's not a game people, and please, No Parlor tricks.. Bring enough gun to fill your tag humanely..
Just good common sense and experience.
~God Bless and hunt safe.
People use them on big boars, getting full pass throughs. Its all about where you put you’re shot bud.
Been dropping deer up here in Montana just fine with x39.
I call bullshit on the 30-30 not producing clean kills on any deer with a well placed shot!!! I've seen elk drop in their tracks with one shot from a 30-30!!! They used a federal powershok 170gr to do it.