What are everyones thoughts on the 7.62x39 bolt action rifles? I’m really intrigued by the Ruger American version but there seems to be scarce optionson this configuration rifle. I’m interested in getting into deer hunting. I know there are probably better hunting cartridges but considering I have an SKS I have plenty of ammo already and living in Pennsylvania (illegal to hunt with semi auto in PA) most hunting spots have hills and are heavily wooded. I cant see myself going for a 300 yard shot or further regardless. The only bolt action I have now is Turkish mauser I suppose I could hunt with but it’s original with iron sights. The ruger would be lighter weight with a scoped optic and easier to find cheaper ammo. Just curious on everyone’s thoughts. Is it a terrible idea or is it worth while persuing? Also anyone know of these will be available at PSA any time soon? Can’t find them anywhere. Everyone that has one seems to enjoy them.
The Ruger American 7.62x39 is one of the best values out there.
It’s not an expensive rifle; MSRP at around $450. If you see one at $550….I wouldn’t walk away from it. These rifles have a “cult” following. If you look on the Ruger Forums….about every single owner has the same impressive results. I don’t know what sort of magic that Ruger is putting into these rifles, but they are consistently accurate……even with cheap surplus ammo.
You can expect…… to consistently……shoot small tight groups at 100 meters if you do your part. You have to have multiple 1inch squares on your target……because if your using a bullseye, you will easily shoot the center out of it.
Lightweight, slim comfortable to carry in one hand all day hunting. Comes threaded for a suppressor from factory, has an excellent adjustable trigger. Shoots surplus ammo $8 a box of 20….with accuracy. Recoil is MILD. At 100 meters I often out shoot the guys with the $5000 custom built rifles.
The only changes to make are to install a real Picatinny Rail and an enhanced Bolt handle. Both mods are less than $100 and you can do them yourself in your kitchen.
As for hunting….as long as you are staying within effective range of the cartridge….zero to 250 meters (for me) The Hornady Black SST ammunition works wonderfully, easily providing one shot clean, stops. Unlike a 308, the x39 will not over penetrate and “pass thru” the deer.
It is an excellent hunting caliber for medium or small game.
Amazing report, thank you very much. thats pretty much the exact idea i had for an optic as well. What are you running? Since I would be a novice hunter, I would like to stay within 150 yards, 200 max. Definitely would need a reticle that could help account for bullet drop past 100 yards.
LBL valid point. Not sure why they wouldnt at least put a 20 inch barrel, that would match the velocity of an SKS and maybe give you a little more distance.
I have no idea why they chose that length. My son has a Savage “Scout” rifle chambered on 7.62x39 and it also wears a 16 inch barrel. It too is a great rifle……but it has a few drawbacks that make the Ruger a better buy.
The Savage is built on a short action receiver, so it’s heavier. It also needs a Picatinny rail and it’s not threaded fora muzzle device. But it does have an excellent accu-stock; action locked to the stock mounting system and a large extended bolt handle……but that stock is FAT……making it great for bench-rest shooting……but difficult to carry and grip with one hand in the field hunting.
It’s a Leupold 2-7 “ballistic Plex” Fire-Dot. It’s that ballistic Plex that really enables you to hold over with accuracy. It simply matches the bullet drop for the x39 almost perfectly. It’s not the most powerful scope out there….but for the little x39….it’s a perfect match that will help you take those extended shots with confidence.
I hunt in the Mark Twain Nat Forest in Missouri. Taking an extended shot beyond 100 yards is Rare. Shots are between 10 yards and 65 yards normally. If you zero at 100 meters, you must remember that shots inside of 25 yards will be about 1 to 1.5 inches low.
Gonna chime in with a +1 on SST loads. Absolutely my favorite lead-core bullet. And I would love an x39 bolt for pigs and plinking. Moving that up to the bottom of the short list.
Here’s my opinion. From someone who’s never really developed a love for hunting, and hasn’t been in years, there are way better rounds than 7.62x39 to take one shot at distance with before your deer runs off. I get that people hunt with 7.62x39, but if you’re starting from scratch why not step up to a better performing round? It’s kind of like starting with a Civic to make a fast car instead of starting with a Viper/Vette/GT500. Are you planning on shooting Wolfe or Tula at this game? Hornady in 7.62x39 is not cheap just like .270, or 30 06, or 6.5 Creedmoore, or .300 Win or any other round that performs better and shoots flatter than 7.62x39. I know people who don’t like to shoot at deer at over 200 yards with a .270, much less 7.62x39 which was never meant to be some super accurate, flat shooting round. I love 7.62x39 in my AK’s because it’s easy recoil to manage, and within 100 yards it’s plenty accurate and very lethal, and cheaper than most rounds to train with, but for hunting even something like a 6.5 Grendel would probably be a better hunting round. JMO.
I think the appeal for me is mainly because i already have a stockpile of 7.62x39. Its cheap, available, and would get the job done. I have tula 154 gr soft points I would use for hunting and have plenty of 123 gr FMJ if in just wanted to plink. I think too, during the ammo crisis, 7.62x39 was the only thing on the shelf. All the normal hunting cartridges were really difficult to find going on about a year. The damper to the round is really the bullet drop. That is what makes me reconsider getting a 308 or 30-06 instead. I just don’t feel like accumulating ammo for another cartridge hahah.
Besides the Ruger which is a superb rifle, you could also keep an eye out for a CZ in 7.62x39, either the Model 600 or if ya can find one, the M527. Both rifles are tack drivers and not too much more spendy than a Ruger depending on Gun shop.
For myself I have a KS47 that I need to zero and prep for my boy for hunting deer out here in MT. I’m also runnin a 6.5 Grendel for longer shots, though it needs rebuilt.
Cost. The Rifle itself is inexpensive plus No other center fire cartridge is less expensive to shoot.
Weight. I hunt with a 308, lightweight barrel that is fluted, bolt is fluted, stock is Macmillan carbon fiber. It’s about as light as it can get short of a custom rifle. …. The little Ruger is still lighter weight and slender enough to grip with one hand. It simply is comfortable to carry when compared to a bigger center fire rifle.
The OP wanted a 7.62x39. He stated that in his hunting environment that his shots would normally be inside of 200 yards.
The x39 is more than capable within this range. Sure there are more powerful cartridges, but that doesn’t make them more effective. 243, 708, 308 and bigger will all pass through a deer sized animal at those ranges …….sure it’s more powerful, but it’s way more power than needed for deer sized game. The x39 has ballistics similar to a 3030 or a 300BO. One cannot argue that the venerable 3030 hasn’t taken it’s fair share of deer in our country.
Rifles are like tools…. One wrench cannot do all the work efficiently. You need a variety of tools. Every hunter should have a good small caliber rifle 22 or a 17. A good medium caliber rifle 7.62x39 or a 5.56. And some short action or long action rifle 308 or 3006 and all their variations.
If the tool for the OP is a medium cal rifle for where he hunts in a wooded area…. The x39 is an excellent choice. A larger center fire will pass through the deer and can easily damage nearby property or harm livestock that is beyond the range of the deer. Bigger isn’t always better. Know your environment and select the best tool for the job…. Be it small, med, or large rifle.
A box of Hornady Ammunition is expensive…. BUT ! ! ! Your only going to shoot one or two rounds per season. That one box should last you at 6 or more years. The rest of the time you’ll be shooting inexpensive wolf or Tula surplus Ammo laughing at those guys who can only afford to bring 20 or 40 rounds to the range.
Don’t believe the naysayers…… “that 7.62x39’is not accurate.” Simply look at the forums with Ruger 7.62x39 the accuracy is impressive right out of the box. Very effective within the ranges that the OP plans on hunting.
Winchester Model 94 was what I first used to hunt deer in western PA. Passed the Jr Hunter Safety Program with it so I could get my first hunting license with it @ 12 and took my first deer with it that same year. Loved that 30-30. I think it’s why I like the 7.62 x 39 so much.
@samuelwalton11 those 154 gr soft points will definitely get the job done. Sight the gun in using the 154 gr vs the typical 122-123 gr bullets as the point of impact will be different.
Happy hunting.
