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bamaranger · December 26, 2010, 02:14 AM

A 7.62x39, sighted on at 100, will drop about 7 inches by 200 and more than 20" at 300. That pretty much tells me it is running out of steam by 200. Will it kill at 200 and beyond, certainly. Is it a viable 200 yd + deer ctg, no.

Bamaboy and myself are taking deer semi-regularly with x39 rifles (a Mini-30 and a Ruger 77-II) but in no instances have we killed one over 100 yds. But at the distances we are shooting, 50-75 yds, w/ 125 gr factory (read Win or Rem 125 SP's, or my 135 gr reloads) the x39 acts just like a 30-30 on our deer. I consider the x39 a 150 yd max deer round, and only then in a rifle w/ suitable accuracy and correct zero. I may get scorched, but I see the 30-30 in the same light.

I am not a fan of the SKS, too long and heavy for what its supposed to be, a carbine. But the SKS is cheap, they are plentiful, and are getting used as deer rifles as a result. I am not sure what an SKS is capable of accuracy wise. And import ammo is a question mark for me in terms of reliable expansion and consistent accuracy. I'd get some Brown Bear 125 gr SP and have at some paper plates at 100 yds. If I got minute of plate accuracy, say 4-6" groups, I'd call it a 100 yd deer rifle.

December 26, 2010, 02:14 AM	#10
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	on at 100 A 7.62x39, sighted on at 100, will drop about 7 inches by 200 and more than 20" at 300. That pretty much tells me it is running out of steam by 200. Will it kill at 200 and beyond, certainly. Is it a viable 200 yd + deer ctg, no. Bamaboy and myself are taking deer semi-regularly with x39 rifles (a Mini-30 and a Ruger 77-II) but in no instances have we killed one over 100 yds. But at the distances we are shooting, 50-75 yds, w/ 125 gr factory (read Win or Rem 125 SP's, or my 135 gr reloads) the x39 acts just like a 30-30 on our deer. I consider the x39 a 150 yd max deer round, and only then in a rifle w/ suitable accuracy and correct zero. I may get scorched, but I see the 30-30 in the same light. I am not a fan of the SKS, too long and heavy for what its supposed to be, a carbine. But the SKS is cheap, they are plentiful, and are getting used as deer rifles as a result. I am not sure what an SKS is capable of accuracy wise. And import ammo is a question mark for me in terms of reliable expansion and consistent accuracy. I'd get some Brown Bear 125 gr SP and have at some paper plates at 100 yds. If I got minute of plate accuracy, say 4-6" groups, I'd call it a 100 yd deer rifle.