7.62x39 vs .30-.30 Winchester?

sandog · Jun 13, 2020

I have a friend that has the bolt action Ranch in x39, and he also has 2 Mini-30s. Nice that they share the same cartridge and magazines.

I have several Mini-30s and have done a lot of experimentation with the carbines and the 7.62 x 39. I've also had AKMs and a couple of ARs in 7.63 x 39.
I handload the Hornady SST, and you can also buy that bullet in factory loads. Great bullet for deer size game.
While I have performed some mods that get my Mini-30 groups down to sub 2 MOA with good Russian ammo like Silver Bear, with handloads it is 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 MOA.

I can do well out to 300 yards, I don't attempt beyond that as drop is excessive.
My friend gets pretty impressive groups with the same type loads in his RAR bolt gun.

ISCS Yoda · Jun 13, 2020

One real advantage to the 30-30, at least when using factory ammo, is the wide selection of good quality hunting bullets. Most 7.62x39 ammo is of the FMJ variety, sometimes you can find it with generic soft point ammo which may or may not performe well on game. Like stated above, handloading changes all that.

Someone remind me - omitting feral hogs of course, isn't there a general rule in most jurisdictions against using mil-spec hardball ammunition for hunting?

Maybe not but it seems to ring a bell......

sandog · Jun 13, 2020

Yes, besides being illegal, it is pretty unethical to use FMJ for hunting.

In factory loads for game use, there are expanding soft point loads from Hornady, Remington, Winchester and Federal, just to name a few.
Several of the Russian companies load soft points as well.
And for an all copper bullet, a couple of loads from Barnes.

Oldsalt66 · Jun 13, 2020

6518John said:
Picking an old soviet round over the 30-30 would seem to violate natural law!

.30-30.....introduced in 1895

7.62x39...introduced in 1943

So far as using either cartridge on game goes; if it can’t be reliably and humanely taken by 7.62x39, it can’t be reliably and humanely taken with 30-30.

rds95991 · Jun 14, 2020

The 7.62x39 is used for deer hunting, I've seen it being used in Minnesota and have seen some hunters use SKS as their hunting rifles. When it was available, I purchased a quantity of Tula steel cased FMJ and soft point ammo.

Baggy Wrinkle · Jun 14, 2020

Of the two, my CZ 527 carbine in 7.62x39 is far more accurate than my Marlin 336 in 30-30. I use the 123 grain Hornady SST in the CZ for hunting and have no problem making 200 yard shots from a typical field position. With the Marlin using 160 grain LeverEvolution ammo a 200 yard shot from the bench is doable, but I wouldn’t want to shoot that far at a deer in the field. Both guns carry the same Burris Fulfield 2-7x35 scope. I have spent a lot of effort on the Marlin trying to improve its accuracy, but the bolt action was spot on right out of the box. With its lighter recoil the bolt action is easier to practice with. The Marlin kicks to much for me to shoot more than 20 rounds at a session. It is also easier for me to carry the lighter weight bolt action in the field hiking long distances and climbing hills. Of course, my experience is a sample of one.

Bullet Bob · Jun 14, 2020

"Preach. I’d take a single-shot 30-30 over a Ruger Mini-14 in 7.62 every day of the week"

How about a Ruger No. 1 in 7.62x39?

malph · Jun 14, 2020

Bullet Bob said:
"Preach. I’d take a single-shot 30-30 over a Ruger Mini-14 in 7.62 every day of the week"

How about a Ruger No. 1 in 7.62x39?

Whoa. I've never seen a No. 1 in 7.62x39.

How does it shoot?

Nevada Ed · Jun 14, 2020

Looked at a few revenues on a ammo site..........

Some company's do make a lead tip hunting load for this round but some stated that in the
short barrel semi-auto Milt rifles with all different chamber spec's, accuracy was not that good.

Bolt actions had fair to good accuracy but the bullets were either good or acted like FMJ's. Lots of "Hunting loads" by different makers to test out to see if you can get a load to work in your rifle.

Good luck.

7.62x39 vs .30-.30 Winchester?

sandog

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ISCS Yoda

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sandog

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Oldsalt66

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rds95991

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Baggy Wrinkle

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Bullet Bob

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malph

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Nevada Ed

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