brush gun 7.62x39 vs 308

The Big Sleep

The Big Sleep

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I'm torn between the two calibers 7.62x39 and 308

I'm not shooting long range with it but I don't want to sacrifice knock down power.

I won't use a scope I'm hunting thick brush. Should I just go with a semi auto shotgun and slugs?

I'd appreciate any help or personal experience with either caliber.
 
Originally Posted By: brock2013I would get a 30 30 for a brush gun. Just my opinion

The 7.62 x 39 is very similar to the 30/30 Win. in ballistics. Some guns in 7.62x39 use a .312 bullet, not our common American .308 diameter. Some American guns in 7.62 x 39 were bored for .308 diameter bullets however. You'll wanna check that out before buying or reloading. These calibers are generally considered good to 150 yards or so on deer, assuming adequate accuracy. Hunting loads are not found just anywhere in this caliber, and reloadable brass isn't just anywhere either as most of the ammo you'll find is steel-cased (read fire it one time and let it lay) FMJ military surplus for plinking. There is hunting ammo available [beeep], and reloadable brass if you order it. Bullets and dies too.

The 308 Win. is a more powerful round, and is generally considered sufficiently powerful for deer out to 400 yards or more depending on your loads and minimum energy requirements. It does use a more common .308 diameter bullet, and is a common American, and NATO round for sniping and medium-duty use. It is available just about anywhere ammo is sold, and comes in mil. surplus for cheap plinking, and hunting ammo everywhere. Surplus brass can usually be reloaded, and is readily available in the US. The only negative I can see on the 308 vs. the 7.62 x 39 is more recoil in the 308. And even that is not usually objectionable to most shooters. A 308 will be able to reach out for that occasional longer shot.

Without a scope, the improved ballistics of a rifle over a shotgun are somewhat lost due to restricted accuracy/aiming ability. For shots to a 100 yards or so, as shotgun is sufficient, but accuracy would be better with a rifle, and better still with a scope site, even a low power one. Aim small, miss small.

Just my opinions.
 
I hunt in thick forest. I'm going to use it for pigs and hunting large game in thick forest with almost no areas for long distance shooting
 
Originally Posted By: The Big SleepI hunt in thick forest. I'm going to use it for pigs and hunting large game in thick forest with almost no areas for long distance shooting Sent you a PM.
 
Between your picks ...... I'd stick with the .308!

And if you are not going with an optic of some sort ...... I'd go with an appeture sight!


Three 44s
 
The Big Sleep,
Welcome to Predator Masters!
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Between the two calibers you've mentioned, I'd definately go with the .308.

Unless you're going to go with a semi-auto action, I would suggest a lever action for quick follow-up shots. There's plenty of power in the Marlin 45-70 and several barrel lengths to suit your needs.
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Good luck with your choices!
Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
if short range and for quick shots large game and pigs. take a look at the springfield m1a socom 16 . got a rail just infront of the action for a red dot optic or whatever yo want or just keep it plain sights. got a 16inch barrle and in .308
 
Between those two choices only - hands down the .308! AND, I'd also say I'd hands down go with a .30-30 over the squat little .30 Russian cartridge. Both for ballistics and very importantly for choice of rifles available.
 
I found a deal on two used vepr II semi auto one is a 308 and the other a 7.62x39 I can't choose between more power or cheap ammo. I've heard Russian rifles in 308 wear faster and its rough on it. I'm thinking the 7.62x39 would be enough power at close ranges and not too much recoil.

Recoil is a big factor hunting close range in thick forest on the Olympic peninsula because I want a clear follow up shot if needed.

Anyone have a semi auto in 308 ?
I'd like to know how the recoil is.
 
I used a Remington 760 in 308 in the woods of PA. I took alot of deer with it. Most shots were under 75 yrds. One deer was taken at 324 yds. The 308 is a fine brush gun. If it was a "Dedicated" brush gun, it would be a Lever gun with XS ghost sights in 45/70.
 
I'd be more conserned with leaving a good blood trail befor a follow up shot. Having hunted alot of deer in the heavy stuff, my favorites are the 300Sav, 308 Win with 180gr RN a 375 Win 220 FN and the 35 Whelen 200/250 RN. You just don't always get the nice broadside double lung but raking/ quartering and even a Texas heart shot are doable with the bigger heavies.

AWS
 
.308,There are plenty of short-barreled carbines in the caliber, I'm currently thinking about a Browning BLR in .308 for a similiar purpose. Having hunted a lot with a scoped slug guns, I like them, but rifles just seem to have more shock/energy transfer. A slug shot animal seems to run further.
 
Quote:Anyone have a semi auto in 308 ?
I'd like to know how the recoil is.


Yeah, I've been using an H-K 770 (.308 Win.) for hunting the Oregon Coast Range for deer and elk for 30 years. It's a fairly heavy rifle with the scope and mount, so the recoil isn't bad enough to worry about much. It's a lot more than an AR, but I can put out some serious aimed fire with it.
If you're planning on hunting Roosevelt elk, that 7.62x39 isn't enough rifle. It's real tough to follow a blood trail in that coastal brush, you want some serious killing power or you'll lose them.
If you've ever shot a Garand or M1A, the .308 feels identical for recoil.That vepr II semi auto is listed at 9 pounds, that tames it a lot.
That's an interesting looking rifle, a lot like the Israeli Galil in .308 my buddy had, and it was a sweetheart to shoot.
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