Has anyone used the 7.62x54 as a hunting round ?.
Would like to take up deer hunting, And wondering if my mosin would be any good for hunting. Would like to use it for more than a target rifle.
Thank you for any info.
I've now taken 3 whitetails with my M39's. The first two using a Darrell's scout mount and LER scope, the last one with issue sights. As easy as it was with the iron sights, I'm going to stick with that when I use my Mosins.
All one-shot kills, Prvi Partizan 180gr SP. The only thing I don't like about the caliber is it's overkill for deer. The 7.62x54r is ballistically between the .308 Winchester and the 30-06. Bullets in and out, with maybe 2X expansion.
Thank You.
I was wondering about the ballistics. I have only used the 150grn for my targets. What would be the effective range for the 180grn? or What would be the best range for the a shot? and What would you say would be too close if it is overkill. I will be using a stand considering I am a newbie at this.
Both the 150 and 180 grain SP bullets will be effective on deer.
As to range, when it comes to deer I don't take long shots. Under 200 yards is my rule, and the 7.62x54r has the power to knock-down deer out to 4-500 yards, if you can do the shot.
My deer were taken at ranges from 40 to 140 yards. Two lung shots and one heart shot. Even on the 140 yard kill (the heart shot), I had a hard time finding the exit wound, but the heart was a mass of clot and hamburger, so the bullet did its job.
Thank you again,
I'm hoping my first time will be problem free. I will get a box of 180 gr and see what I get for a group. I think the stand only has a 40-50 yd clearing on a known trail, But there are fields nearby.
Your mosin is a great hunting rifle. I would use the 7.62x54r soft point for better knock down power. The only problem that I had using the mosin while hunting is the safety, and I found a fix for that. Here is a link to the fix.
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In the winter using gloves it can still be a pain griping that ring to remove the safety, so I use my hand-held release from my bow I just clip it on and wait for my deer.
When I take it off safe, just pull back and turn the bolt to fire then release & you are ready to shoot.
What would you say would be too close if it is overkill.
THE CLOSER THE BETTTER. BETTER CHANCE OF HITTING IT WERE YOU WANT. MEAT DAMAGE IS GOING TO BE ABOUT THE SAME AT 40 TO 100 YARDS. THE MAIN THING IS YOU HIT IT IN THE VITALS
BULLET SELECTION IS KEY HERE. I AM NOT SURE WHAT COMMERCIAL AMMO IS AVALIABLE FOR THIS RIFLE, BUT YOU NEED SOME THING THAT IS GOING TO EXPAND AND RETAIN MOST OF ITS ENERGY IN THE DEER. A JAKCKETED SOFT POINT IS IDEAL. THIS IS ONE PLACE WERE BUYING THE CORRECT AMMO IS A GOOD IDEA. AS STATED ABOVE THE ROUND IS BETWEEN A 308 OR A 30-06. NOT SURE THIS IS TRUE AS THE 2 ARE VERY CLOSE IN PERFORMANCE WITH 150 GRAIN BULLETS. HOWEVER THE ROUND IS CLOSE IN PERFORMANCE AND FINE FOR DEER. I HAVE HUNTED DEER WITH A 06(BLACKTAIL,MULE&WHITETAIL) SINCE 1975 AND IS HAS ALWAYS WORKED FINE, FROM 5 YARDS TO 400 YARDS. BULLET SELECTION HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEY. FIND SOME COMERCIAL HUNNTING AMMO THAT IS ACCURATE AND YOU SHOULD BE FINE. SINCE YOU ARE HUNTING FROM A STAND I ASSUME YOU ARE HUNTING WHITE TAIL. IF YOU THINK THE SHOTS ARE GOING TO BE CLOSE GO WITH THE HEAVYER BULLETS AVALIABLE AS THEY WILL GIVE MORE KNOCKDOWN POWER AND YOU WILL NOT NEED A FLATTER SHOOTING LIGHT BULLET. THERE ARE BETTER WEAPONS FOR THIS IMOA BUT IF IT ALL YOU HAVE THEN USE IT.
Deer
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