I am takeing my 7.62x54r deer hunting.?

Question

What grain should i use? also should i use FMJ or soft tips. ( i am thinking soft tips would just destroy the animal)

i am new hunter. i am used to shooting skeet not deer.

it is the M44. i am good shot with it. it is a good gun and fires true as a 30-06. i just use the iron sight. i can hit a pop can with it at 120+yrds.

Answer 1

Never use FMJ ammo for hunting. It's wrong and it's likely not legal.

You need some hunting soft point ammo in 7.62x54r and it's commercial new production.

I have used Czech made Sellier and Bellot (S&B) it's 180gr lead soft point, brass cased and clean and non-corrosive. Expect to pay just under $20 per box of 20, but for ammo of this size and quality that's a good price.

There is also the Silver Bear ammo, Russian made, but they do make a soft point for hunting. Cannot attest to it's quality, it's a lot cheaper. I'd avoid it, there other ammo is OK for plinking but I would not stake a hunt on it.

I have a friend who uses his Mosin for elk in the Rockies, he uses the Wolf Gold brand, which is brass cased, 180gr and very "American" looking ammo. I have not yet used it but will this season, as he gave me a couple of boxes.

I know Winchester sell a soft point ammo for the Mosin, but have never used it or even seen any. On a forum that I frequent, one guy that hunts with his Mosin says the Winchester is just re-boxed Sellier and Bellot by the headstamp. If you can find it, use that too.

The best plan is to reload your own, but that's a lot of work to get the load just right, but plan on doing that next year.

I have more Mosins than I care to discuss in a public forum and some don't shoot so well (mostly M38, M44s) and the 91/30 rifles are by far the most accurate. I would say that a couple of my Mosin rifles are as accurate as my .30-06 hunting rifles.

Now, what Mosin are you using and have you scoped it or are you a real man that's using iron sights?

Answer 2

FMJ bullets are NEVER a good idea for hunting medium game. This would be a good time to start thinking of what load to use for the fall 2008 deer season. If you haven't already, you probably should have a gunsmith slug your bore. The simple fact is that you really have no idea what caliber a Nagant is unless you do so. Some have groove diameters as large as .314" and will need a .311 bullet, in which case you're going to have a quite restricted choice. If the groove diameter is small enough to shoot .308" bullets, you're in much better shape; there are tons of great choices for deer in the 150/165/180 grain weight range, though the 180's may not expand well at the modest velocities you'll probably get from your rifle.

Answer 3

The fact that some idiot above me compared the Mosin Nagant M-44 to an AK-47 still has me laughing.

The 7.62x.54r cartridge is awesome for deer hunting. I do recommend the soft points for better expansion and a larger wound cavity.

Obviously the person who did the comparison doesn't realize the AK-47 was 7.62x.39 and he doesn't know any better. Hell I've seen more deer killed by guys using the 7.63x.39 cartridge in SKS rifles then the above mentioned kid has ever seen of real deer in his whole life.

Use the M-44. I'm using mine this year.

Goodluck.

Miketyson26

Answer 4

I assume you are hunting deer. Use a soft point. You want the bullet to expand once inside the animals heart and lung area. You will not destroy a deer with this round.

Answer 5

As you have already been informed, Full Metal Jacket Military ammunition is illegal in most states to use for hunting.It is a poor ammunition and not effective for a clean kill anyway.I use a 165 grain soft tip bullet in my reloads and they work just fine and have uniform expansion to bring down Deer. If you don't reload your self, find someone local that does and have them load some for you. All ballistic charts give powder/grain suggestions and you should experiment before the season comes and see what works best for you.,

NOTE** Soft tipped bullets will not destroy a Deer, but will expand and transfer the shock thats needed to bring it down cleanly and efficently..not to mention humanely

Answer 6

What do you think the Russian rifle is, a howitzer? It is about the same as any 30-06 and ALL of the states do not allow FMJ ammo for hunting big game. A full metal jacket bullet will just go through the animal and do minimal damage leaving the game to die a lingering death. Only soft tip expanding bullets are allowed on big game.
Sarge

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
I am takeing my 7.62x54r deer hunting.?
What grain should i use? also should i use FMJ or soft tips. ( i am thinking soft tips would just destroy the animal)

Answer 8

A good caliber for deer; use the soft point or hollow point ammo. FMJ just pokes a hole through and won't expand.

Answer 9

7.62x54r Hunting Ammo

Answer 10

the 165 gr soft point is super on deer I have used mine with this load!!