7.62X39mm for whitetail deer?

I would love to take my SKS out this deer season to see if I could tag one with it. I live in PA, and it is not like I am shooting across a grassland, so I don't think there would be a problem with using it. What do you think? Have you used it on deer? What ammo, Federal, Winchester, or Remington?


Thanks.7.62X39mm for whitetail deer?
The 7.62X39 is fine, but in PA the SKS is out of the question.








Chapter 23. Hunting and Furtaking





Sec. 2308. Unlawful devices and methods.





(a) General rule. - Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to hunt or aid, abet, assist or conspire to hunt any game or wildlife through the use of:





(1) An automatic firearm or similar device.





(2) A semiautomatic rifle or pistol.7.62X39mm for whitetail deer?
The SKS is a great deer rifle. You need to actually get a box of Federal and Remington and shoot them for group size. One brand may shoot in my gun great yet be lousy in yours, both SKS's. Mine likes Remington 123 grainers and PMC 125 soft points. Only shoot however far you can accurately but probably stay around 200 or less. Its a great gun, can drop it, get it dirty, heck, let it rain and you won't be sweating about it like you would a high dollar shiny $800 rifle.
You would need to change the magazine out to a 5 round model that is available so you are within regulations. The Yugoslavian SKS comes with a gas shut-off button, making it bolt action... I don't know if they consider that sufficient though.





I would honestly just go with SOFT POINT BrownBear 7.62x39mm made at the Barnaul Cartridge Plant in Russia. I have done tests with HP, SP and FMJ 7.62x39mm in ballistics gelatin and SP performs the best. It mushrooms to .75 caliber within 2 inches of penetration. HP takes 6-9 inches before it has full effect. SP is much better for any purpose.





This ammo costs about .18-.21 cents per round if you buy a case of 500.... do it, it is great ammo. Cheap enough to practice, and it will work for hunting or defense. Good stuff.
i have killed both whitetail deer and hogs with my sks, i use 123 grain remington core-lokt bullets and have never lost an animal that i shot with it, so i say go for it as they are a rugged firearm designed to withstand a lot of abuse and still perform and will easily take out to 300 yrds although i would keep my shots at 200 yrds or less and you can get tons of cheap ammo for plinking and practice, they are a blast to shoot with little recoil and decent accuracy.
The 7.62X39MM cartridge is well suited for white tail deer. Of course you dont use the FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) bullets but the regular soft point hunting bullets....... The 7.62X39MM has similar ballistics as the 30/30 which has probably taken more deer than any cartridge on the planet..... . . What brand of ammo.... Doesnt matter... All firearms have there own personality so to speak. Buy a couple of boxes of different ammo and practice. What ever gives you the best groups with your SKS is the one to use..... The 7.62X39MM is fairly flat to 100 yards, down a couple of inches at 150 yards and depending on the brand up to 8 or 9 inches down at 200 yards.... The The SKS isnt the most accurate rifle you can get but will surely drop a deer at 100 yards, probably a bit more if your good.... I wouldnt try for long shots, the 7.62 round loses energy beyond 150 yards......... Hope This helps.!
i have used my norinco sks get the 155 grain soft points i got mine at cabelas 500 rounds for $114 and keep the shot within 100 yards if you get a bolt action you can get it chambered for .308 use a collet die ';itll neck the case down the .003 you need'; and load any bullet you want i know guys loading the 140 sierra match kings in em and there leaving the barrel at 2100fps i was astonished...








a side note to


SI VIS PACEM PARA BELLUM


(If you want peace, prepare for war)


si vis pacem = hope for peace not if you want peace





just thought you should know
7.62x39 is actually a good deer cartridge for medium ranges. Just be sure to use a good soft point, not the FMJ ammo. I like federal ammo, but any of the commercial ammo companies offer good choices for hunting loads.
i sometimes use my sks for hunting. it does just fine but i do not take shots at long range. a couple hundred yards max. i use hollow point russian military rounds because they are cheap at gun shows. always use hollow points because otherwise the bullet will pass through and not knock a deer down.
You can not use a semi auto in Pa to hunt deer
i think its illegal in PA to hunt with a semi auto rifle
fine for dear
I believe it is illegal to Hunt in Pa. with a SKS. You could lose your Hunting License and pay a sizable fine for Hunting with it, and they also will confiscate your SKS.*

blue hair