7.62x39

[soup]

Shot the custom shop 20" SS Encore yesterday. I was using AA1680 powder , 125gr S ierra spitzers Lapua brass & Rem LR primers. COL=2.30
I only had bore sighted it & it shot a cloverleaf  !! Now I only had a 25 yd range ,but it at least has some hope now at 100 yards. When I shoot it over the chronograph ,if I get 2300 FPS I'm going to try it on deer here in PA. My shots are usually less than 100 yards so I should be ok. If anyone else has used the 7.62x39 I'd like to hear about. Thanks.
SOUP

[armory414]

Soup,

Keep me informed of how that barrel does!  I've just put on my 7.62x39 15" barrel for spring (had my .44 mag barrel on for deer hunting last fall).  I've just started working up some loads.  I'm going to try out some Speer 100 gr. Plinkers for groundhogs.  It might be a few weeks before I get to shoot them, but I'll let you know how it does.  Not sure if the twist rate will be right for that light of a bullet, but we'll see.

Not sure if you're aware, but different companies use different primer sizes in that round.  I see you're using Lapua.  Lapua, Winchester, and Federal use large rifle, Remington uses small rifle.  I have some once fired PMC stuff, but the primer pocket is in between--too big for small rifle primers, and a little too small for comfort with the large rifle.

[Catfish]

I hit a deer with the 7.62 x 39 this year. I was shooting in a power line cut and the deer was standing behind a power pole so I could not put the bullet where I wanted it. I though that if I shot him in the shoulder I could finish him with a second shot. Well when I shot he went over backwards and kicked around for acouple min. and then just laid there. I watched him for a couple more min. and he didn`t move so I started to walk up to him. I had to go through a dip where I could not see the deer and you guessed it, he got up and ran while I was in the dip. I got a glimps of him in the timber but not shot. No blood trail so I walked the area for the rest of the afternoon, abt. 5 hrs. no deer. I was useing Russian Soft point ammo, 129 grn. and could not believe how hard it hit the deer. I`ve killed several deer with a .44 mag. but never seen one go up and over backwards before. I think it`s a good little deer round.