BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[OZSTRIKER22]

Thinking of buying a very accruate CZ 527 for an inexpensive plinker. Would also want to use as an open sight deer rifle here in California.

What do you think about the 7.62x39 for deer?

Jesse

[bitmasher]

Hey great choice OZ. I don't think you can go wrong with the CZ chambered in 7.62x39, especially since your using with open sights. It would be effective on deer in the ranges that the sights would be effective. Plus you can use 150 and 125 grain bullets. Basically its just a truncated 308 Win (i.e. 7.62 NATO or 7.62x51). Another cartridge worth consideration is 7.62x54R.

Gotta love a gun that you can interchange the ammo with an ak47 or an sks... ;-) Shoot SSI (wolf) ammo for cheap practice at the range and grab some winchester ammo for hunting.

If you do decide to get the gun, I would be interested in knowning what kind of groups you get with bulk ammo. For the money, CZ is good stuff.

[expatriate]

I agree. In terms of energy, a 7.62X39 is similar to a .30-30, although the 7.62's shape gives it better performance at longer ranges. You might want to check the ballistics table for your ammo, though. I've been told the rule of thumb for deer is to arrive on target with at least 1000 ft-lbs of energy. If memory serves, once you get out around 200 yards it starts getting dicey for a 7.62X39. But if you're in fairly close with open sights, you ought to be fine.

I love that cartridge. Haven't got a deer with one yet (like my .308 too much), but you gotta love a cartridge that's big enough for deer, but still costs two bucks a box to plink with!

[BowMtnSpirit]

Maybe it's just a function of where I hunt, but I wouldn't use this cartridge for mulies. Here in Idaho, you are as likely to be shooting over 100 yards as not, and the mulies average about 200#, with 250# common. They can also be tough to take down. I had a buck a few years ago take 2 30.06 rounds in the boiler room, and he still didn't lose his feet until I put a final one through both shoulders.

If you'll be hunting timber, and smaller animals, you may be OK. I just prefer more downrange energy than you'll get with that round. Good luck hunting, though.

[RidgeRunner_07]

I have a buddy that hunts deer here in Washington with the SKS. He has taken quite a few nice deer with it but he even told me that he is now going to a bigger gun due to the body size of the mulies here in Washington. He is now supporting a nice new .270 Win. IDK how long this deal will work due to his love for BRUSH hunting. I belive my self that the 7.62X39 would do more than it's fair share on deer at close ranges.

[OZSTRIKER22]

Thanks for all of the replies... I'm going to stick w/ my 30-06... It's just very heavy (8.5lbs) so i might buy a different rifle...