How far does an AK-47 shoot compared to a regualr hunting rifle?

Question

like a .270 or .243

Answer 1

According to the Seventh Edition Hornady Handbook of Cartridge reloading, we get the following ballistics for the following bullets:

243 Winchester -- 105 grain bullet atop 47.7 grains of Win WMR powder will shoot 3000 ft/sec out of a Winchester Model 70 rifle. The bullet will drop 8.91 inches at 200 yards.

270 Winchester -- 110 grain bullet atop 52.3 grains of Varget powder will shoot 3300 ft/sec out of a Winchester Model 70. The bullet will drop 7.62 inches at 200 yards.

7.62x39 Russian -- 110 grain bullet atop 28.5 grains of Accurate Arms 1680 powder will shoot 2600 ft/sec out of an SKS carbine. The bullet will drop 12.73 inches at 200 yards.

These are maximum loads, incidentally. They are, however, instructive about the case capacities and capabilities of the three cartridges. The 7.62x39 Russian has a relatively miniscule powder capacity compared to the two commercial hunting cartridges, so it cannot drive a bullet of a given weight to nearly the same velocities that the .270 can (which can utilize bullets within the weight range of those used by the 7.62x39.) It cannot outperform the .243 when the .243 is loaded to the heaviest bullet it can take (which happens to be close enough to the lightest bullet the 7.62x39 can use that we can draw some meaningful conclusions.)

So, the AK-47 or SKS rifles cannot shoot nearly as flat a trajectory as the .270 Winchester (i.e. the bullets fired are falling towards the ground much faster,) which means their point-blank range on deer-sized game is nowhere near that of the hunting rifle, and the .243 Winchester can drive lighter bullets much faster, meaning it will outperform the AK-47 or SKS as a long-distance varmint rifle too.

Answer 2

Most of the above answers are right on. I have to agree that the AK-47 (or the semi-auto clones available in the USA) is poorly suited for hunting. The SKS rifles are better suited to the hunter than the AK rifles.

The most common steel core or FMJ lead core ammo is NOT suitable for hunting anything except small game, and then the rifles usually lack the accuracy required for a clean hit at anything but short range.

Using hunting bullets loaded into the 7.62x39 cartridge and fired from a decent bolt action rifle makes this cartridge well suited for game up to the size of small deer. With 125 grain bullets, it will exceed the power of a 30-30, but with less recoil. The smaller bullet also limits the size of game it should be used on.

Ranb

Answer 3

A .270 or a .243 will shoot farther. In normal circumstances (if you're not looking into serious ballistics) they all shoot about the same. However, the .270 and .243 are known in hunting for their "flat shooting" capabilities. Therefore, one would think that they (.270 etc) shoot further. Also, the AK47 is a carbine. If I'm not mistaken, a carbine (shorter rifle) will normally not shoot as far as a long barelled rifle as the bullet isn't "directed" as well. Shorter barells allow the bullet to loose it's trajectory sooner.

Answer 4

Less than half of a regular rifle's effective range.

An Ak-47's effective range is only about 300 meters, and a bolt action .270 could push out to 800 meters plus. .243 Winchester will have a shorter effective range than the .270 but still be able to easily surpass 700 meters.
The .270 and .243 will vastly ourperform the 7.62 x 39 mm round in accuracy as well.

For comparison the 7.62x51 / .308 both a military and commercial round has an effective range of between over 800 meters (M24 sniper)to 1,800 meters (M240 machine gun) Which to me seems counterintuitive. Although the M240's barrel is 0.6 inches longer it doesn't explain the extreme difference in range, but 800 meters is easily surpassed by snipers. Still 1,800 seems like one hell of a stretch.

Answer 5

The 7.62x39mm round fired by the AK has a big bullet compared to it's little cartridge. It's not designed for long distance shooting. The bullet will lose velocity and energy fast.

.270s and .243s have much more powder for the size bullet they have. Both those cartridges are from larger calibers necked down for a smaller bullet. That makes them shoot much faster and farther.

It's simply heavy bullet with little powder compared to lighter bullet with much more powder.

Answer 6

An AK is a turd compared to a 270 or 243, much much more drop and way less accurate.

Answer 7

Not nearly as far because it was designed to be an assault rifle with a shorter cartridge for control-ability rather than range. It uses a 7.62mm cartridge which means it is reasonably slow and lacks range and accuracy to keep it control-able. Good gun for warefare but not for hunting

Answer 8

not as far