7.62x39 vs 5.45x39

[rsd777]

I previously posted looking for the preferred platform for a 7.62x39 to be used for general plinking and possibly deer/pig hunting. I am not familiar with 5.45x39 other than I see it is pretty cheap. Like most of us more shots for the $ equals more fun. What are some of the preferred platforms and brands/rifles people like in this caliber. What is it effective range and hunting capacity. At only 5.45 I assume it is pretty limited in the size of game you can effectively use it for but would like to hear some feedback for you guys here on OSA.

Thanks

 

[Perplexed]

I've had three AR uppers chambered for 5.45x39, and soon will be getting an AK-74 in the same caliber, for the reason you mentioned - the milsurp ammo is cheap. Just keep in mind it's also corrosive and quite dirty, which is why it's cheap, so you'll need to be careful to clean your rifle ASAP after a range session. The bullet is essentially a jacketed steel rod with a hollow pocket in the tip, so the bullet tends to yaw when it hits a solid object. Ballistically, it's somewhat like the 5.56 round; at close range, it might have more penetrating power, as there's a YouTube video showing a test between an AR15 and an AK74. In the test, they fired a single round from each rifle at a series of spaced wood boards held in a frame; I don't recall the exact distance, but it was probably no more than 10 yards. The 5.56 round penetrated eight or nine boards before being stopped; the 5.45 round went through 12 boards while yawing, and it chipped the 13th board on its way out of the frame. On the other hand, it might not be as effective at the max ranges of the 5.56 round. I had trouble knocking over steel silhouettes at 300 yards, and found I really could do that only if I hit the upper part of the targets. With a 5.56 M4gery, I generally had no trouble knocking over the same targets no matter where I hit them.

That's just my experience though; YMMV.

 

[BrandonM]

I'm not a hunter so check the laws for yourself, but I don't think 5.45 meets the bullet size requirements to hunt deer. I think you have to have a .22 caliber bullet or larger. Perplexed summed up the round pretty well. I think the 7.62 round would be better for hunting as it's ballistics closely resemble a 30-30. 5.45 is a still a fun gun to shoot. I've owned ak47 and 74 variants. I will get a 47 type next. I currently own zero ak's.

 

[aestus]

On "human" targets, the 5.45x39 is devastating, especially considering that it's a FMJ round. Unlike the 5.56, it doesn't rely on high velocity to fragment or tumble. It's really what the 5.56 should have been, imo especially now that short barrels are en vogue. I can only imagine the type of destruction 5.45x39 could do if the same bullet technology was applied to that round like it has with 5.56x45.

When comparing 7.62x39 vs 5.45x39, it would depend on the application. For hunting deer, your choice may only be 7.62x39 if laws require you to hunt with a .30 caliber round minimum. For home defense, I would give 5.45x39 an edge because it tumble far better than 7.62x39. In soft targets, 7.62x39 FMJ's go right through like ice picks. The only edge I see with 7.62x39 is that there is far more aftermarket bullets with soft points and hollow points for hunting, which could make the 7.62x39 better than 5.45x39 when considering non FMJ rounds. There isn't a a lot of support for 5.45x39 by US bullet makers and you're pretty much stuck with FMJ milsurp or Wolf/Tula.

I think 7.62x39 would have far greater potential if they applied some of the same thought and bullet technology into it like they're doing with .300 Blackout. The two calibers should be about the same, but I see .300 Blackout surpassing 7.62x39 in terms of ballistics and effectiveness just due to the sheer amount of attention it's given by bullet manufacturers in progressing that round.

For target shooting and plinking, 5.45x39 has a flatter trajectory and would be "more accurate." It shoots a bit like 5.56x45/.223. If I remember correctly, I read a new story of a guy defending himself against a black bear and taking it down with 5.45x39. It's also really cheap as long as there's a steady import of 5.45x39 milsurp rounds. For pure fun, the 5.45x39 is really fun. It's cheap and accurate and fun to put lots of rounds down range that is still hard hitting.

One thing to consider in terms of availability, there was a shortage of 5.45x39 for about 6 months and there was no ammo to be found last year. I sold my 5.45x39 chambered AK74 because of that. Due to the lack of US manufacturers and very limited support even from Wolf and Tula, all I had was an expensive paper weight. 5.45x39 magazines also shot up by 200% in price due to the same shortages. When ammo started to come back in right before Sandy Hook, it was at the same price as 7.62x39.

Post Sandy Hook, 5.45x39 was no where to be found (all ammo was hard to find) yet, I could still find 7.62x39 if I really wanted it domestically. Now that everything has settled down, I see prices coming back to pre-Sandy Hook prices and availability, but I've learned my lesson. If you're going to go with 5.45x39, I would buy 4 or 5 1080 round tins of the stuff and put it away. Until US manufacturers start supporting it, a single tragedy or a new import law or ban and you can kiss that round goodbye or prices will shoot up to .223/5.56 levels. 7.62x39 will always be available domestically.

 

[rsd777]

Thanks for the opinions. Like the idea of the 5.45 but sounds like the 7.62 would serve my purposes better, or I guess I could get both, haha I wish

 

[PanhandleGlocker]

I say get yourself an SKS, stripper clips, and some 7.62x39 ammo. If you want to be cool, a chest rig too. That is probably your cheapest route. Fairly cheap gun. Fairly cheap ammo. No need to buy magazines for the SKS unless you HAVE to have high capacity. Reliable gun too. I would say "forget about 5.45x39".

SKS
Chest Rig
Stripper Clips
7.62x39
Cleaning Kit

And for some eye candy to help you focus on an SKS.