Has anyone killed a deer with an SKS? I have a pretty sweet one that I modified with a muzzle break, Monte Carlo stock, and a pretty good scope. I can put 20rds in about a softball sized group at 100 meters. I never wanted to use it for deer though. I figured it had enough penetration, but the knockdown force would be lacking. I have some ballistic tipped 7.62x39 that I got from Georgia Arms ( Ammo loading company in the southeast). My friend wanted to use it to hunt with, because he said its " One bad a$$ gun" I gave him a 5 rd detatchable mag with a few ballistic tip rounds, and told him to have at it. Well, he shot about a 120lb doe with it. It made it about 50 feet or so and hit the dirt. Upon inspection, I could find NO EXIT WOUND. I thought...great, this bullet is lodged inside his ribcage. Oh no, I eventually found an exit...It was as large as the entrance wound...tiny! After gutting her, the lungs, and heart were pretty much liquified.....Is this a good thing or a bad thing? A little feedback, please.
The 7.62x39 is pretty simular to the 30-30 round. The 30-30 round is a bit better becuase it retains more energy down range because of the heavier bullets, other wise they are pretty simular.
An accurate SKS with good ammo is a pretty decent deer gun for moderate ranges in my opinion. I would much rather see people using an SKS or simular weapon instead of a AR using a .223 round.
Most of the major ammo companies make some decent hunting ammo in that caliber. It won't be as cheap as the surplus or cheapo ammo you can get, but it will perform better.
Paul
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I didn't climb to the top of the food chain to eat carrots! (Ron White)
I am sure that he gun is up to the task as long as the bullet used is also up to the task. Just stay away from those fmj bullets that dont expand much, if at all when they hit something. That is probably what the deer was shot with since the exit hole was so small.
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Just a gun enthusiast looking to gain more knowledge.
SKS for Deer
Plenty enough for close range hardwood hunting.
