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7/14/2022 8:35:39 AM

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Section 6: Rifles
Subject: Ruger American 7.62X39 Msg# 1163630

From:

TJ Parmele

Joined 6/1/2005

To:

FrankWhiton (Read)

Joined 2/13/2004

Yeah it's a 16 inch barrel. Considering the ranges I hunt at in VA it is a nice brush gun and would do well in any situation a 30-30 is good for. I have never killed anything over 50 yards away. For one, I hate chasing game. For another geography around here is low rolling hills and woods. Not many long open spaces to hunt that I have access to.

I use a Hornady load with a 123 grain bullet and I use a 154 grain Wolf Soft point. I am confident both would be sufficient for a 100 yard deer kill.

When it comes to hunting rifles ai have a Remington 721 in 30.06. it does very well. While I have a .308 rifle in an AR-10 with a 3x9 scope. It's an ok rifle but it's a bit heavy for all day carry. Where the CZ 527 is an absolute joy for that chore. My problem has been that AI haven't had a chance to take game with it as when I do none show.

I like your arguments for the longer range cartridge.

For reference, the above message is a reply to a message where:
Hi TJ,

That Ruger American is a nice package, but have you looked at the ballistics of that round. That rifle comes with a 16.1" barrel. Short barrel and low muzzle velocity doesn't make for a very efficient combination. Of course, I don't know your application and it might be just what you want.

The Hornady SST 7.62x39 loading uses a 123gr bullet at a muzzle velocity of 2359ft/sec with a 20" barrel. The muzzle energy is 1508 Ft Lbs. By 100 yards the energy is down to 1136. This is going to be a very short-range rifle for deer.

For comparison, the 7mm-08 has a 139gr load that starts out at 2950 with the SST bullet. The 6.5 Creedmoor has a 129gr load with a 2950 muzzle velocity. If you just got to have a 30cal then the 308 is hard to beat in a short action rifle.

I know the 7.62x39 is popular but I don't understand why, especially for a hunting rifle. When I go hunting, I want a flat shooting, long range rifle that will kill deer up to 300yds.

Frank

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