7.62x39mm
Also called: 7.62x39, AK-47 round, 7.62 Russian
A common, inexpensive round from the AK-47 and SKS rifles, effective on deer and hogs at short range.
- Type
- Centerfire Rifle
- Bullet diameter
- .311 in
- Case length
- 1.528 in
- Overall length
- 2.2 in
- Typical bullet weights
- About 120 to 154 grains (most are 123 to 125)
- Typical muzzle velocity
- About 2,300 to 2,400 fps
- Recoil
- Moderate recoil
- Quarry
- Deer, hogs & pronghorn, Varmints & predators
- Typical range
- Deer and hogs to about 150 to 200 yards
- Availability
- Very common and low cost
Safety: Many states ban full-metal-jacket bullets for big game. Use soft-point or hollow-point hunting ammunition, and check your state's rules.
What it is good for
- Deer and hogs at short and moderate distances.
- Hunters on a budget who already own an AK- or SKS-pattern rifle.
- Brush and woods hunting where shots are close.
Where it falls short
- The round-nose bullets in cheap ammunition fall quickly past 150 to 200 yards.
- Surplus or steel-cased ammunition may not be permitted on some ranges or hunting areas, and quality varies.
- Hunting loads with soft points are a better choice than full-metal-jacket military ammunition, which is often not legal for hunting.
Easily confused with
- .308 Winchester: a longer, more powerful cartridge with a similar bullet diameter; the two are not interchangeable.
Field notes
The 7.62x39 was developed in the Soviet Union and is now sold all over the world. Its bullet is similar in width to a .30-30, which is why hunters often compare the two for deer.
Related guides
Numbers are typical factory-load figures, not guarantees. Use only ammunition that matches the cartridge stamped on your firearm and is made by a reputable manufacturer, and follow the manual. Legal game cartridges, minimum calibers, and non-toxic shot rules differ by state and area. Check your state's current regulations; our state resources directory links to each state's official rules. Not sure which rifle to buy? Try our hunting rifle wizard.