ORIGINAL: coloradoprohunter
i want to get another deer and coyote rifle. i was thinking about getting a 7.62x39 because the ammo is cheap, the gunis cheap,the cartridges are small,and it is not too powerful. my shots will be out to 350 yards. is htis a good choice?
The 7.62X39mm can be loaded with 150-grain pointed bullets to give a MV in the vicinity of 2300 FPS. In the right gun, it is a very accurate cartridge PROVIDED YOU ARE USING A QUALITY HANDLOAD IN IT.The cheap ammo performs according to its cost-poorly!!
But for range, it is definitely no better than a .30/30. I don't think it would be advisable to shoot a deer with it at 350 yards. But it would be OK on coyotes at that range, if you are good at range estimation and know the trajectory! With a MV of 2300 FPS, it is NOT what you'd call flat shooting!
If you want to shoot deer at 350 yards, get a .270 or a .280!