If you’re looking for the best 7.62x39 hunting ammo, then you’ve found the right article.
We are going to tell you exactly what to load into your AK, Ruger Mini-30, or SKS if you want to make sure that trophy buck ends up on your wall and not another “I almost got him” story.
If you simply cannot wait, the best 7.62x39 hunting ammo is Hornady Black 123 grain SST.
If you’re new to the 7.62x39 and aren’t sure what to look for in a hunting round, check out this buyer’s guide HERE. Otherwise, continue scrolling for the full list…
The Best 7.62x39 Hunting Ammo on the Market
| Ammo | Award | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hornady Black 123 Grain SST Top Pick | Best Overall | Jump to Details→ |
| Federal Power-Shok 123 Grain JSP | Best Budget Deer Load | Jump to Details→ |
| Winchester Deer Season XP 123 Grain Extreme Point | Best Overall for Deer Hunting | Jump to Details→ |
| Nosler 123 Grain Ballistic Tip | Best Ballistic Performance | Jump to Details→ |
| Nosler 123 Grain Expansion Tip Lead-Free | Best Lead-Free Option | Jump to Details→ |
| Prvi Partizan 123 Grain JSP | Best for Buying in Bulk | Jump to Details→ |
Hornady Black 123 Grain SST – Best Overall
Specs
- Case: Brass
- Bullet Type: Super Shock Tip (SST)
- Bullet Weight: 123 Grains
- Muzzle Velocity: 2,350 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 1,508 ft-lbs
Pros and Cons
✓ Pros
- Polymer tip for smooth semi-automatic feeding
- Bullet developed for rapid expansion and weight retention
- Easier to find and less expensive than other hunting rounds
✗ Cons
- More expensive than steel-cased FMJ ammo
Why I Chose It
When you need excellent terminal expansion, deeper penetration, and field-tested reliability, you should reach for Hornady Black 123 grain SST ammo. Perfect for deer hunting and home defense, the Hornady SST bullet is a true jack-of-all-trades.
Developed with whitetail hunting in mind, the Hornady Super Shock Tip (SST) bullet utilizes a polymer tip that protects its hollow point nose cavity and promotes smooth semi-automatic feeding. When it encounters soft tissue, the polymer tip plunges into the underlying cavity where it acts as a wedge that initiates expansion almost immediately.
The SST was developed for supreme accuracy. It was also developed with thin-skinned game like deer in mind. It sports a secant ogive profile and boat tail profile: two features which reduce drag, minimize wind interference, and amplify downrange stopping power.
In terms of availability, SST ammo is easier to find and less expensive than other hunting rounds. Yet another reason why it’s our top choice for putting venison in the freezer each hunting season.
I have taken deer with ammo stoked with SSTs from 12 and 20 gauge sabots to .243, .270 and .30-06. There is no reason for me to think it would be any different in 7.62x39. If home defense is your priority, see our picks for the best 7.62x39 ammo for self-defense.
Federal Power-Shok 123 Grain JSP – Best Budget Deer Load
Specs
- Case: Brass
- Bullet Type: Jacketed Soft Point (JSP)
- Bullet Weight: 123 Grains
- Muzzle Velocity: 2,350 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 1,508 ft-lbs
Pros and Cons
✓ Pros
- Proven deer hunting bullet design
- Easy on the wallet
- Easy to find, even in November
- Made in the USA
✗ Cons
- Not built for long-range shooting
- Traditional cup-and-core bullet retains less weight than bonded designs
Why I Chose It
Federal Premium ammunition and deer hunting go together like backstraps and bacon grease.
During my years behind the gun counter at Bass Pro Shops, the week before opening day looked the same every year. Guys lined up three deep, and a good chunk of them walked out with a box of Power-Shok. It’s been a deer camp staple for generations, and for good reason.
Power-Shok is Federal’s no-frills hunting line. There’s no fancy polymer tip and no marketing buzzwords on the box; just a bullet designed to fill tags without draining your truck payment.
The 123 grain jacketed soft point features a traditional lead-core design, with an exposed tip that starts expanding the moment it hits. That mushrooming bullet dumps energy fast and carves a wide wound channel through the vitals. That’s exactly what you want when a whitetail steps into your shooting lane or a hog comes rooting through the food plot.
Since it’s priced for the everyday hunter, Power-Shok won’t make you wince when you burn a box sighting in your SKS. It’s also got plenty of punch to put down any deer, hog, or coyote who dares wander near your hunting blind.
Better yet, it’s everywhere. When the season rolls around and the shelves start looking thin, Power-Shok is usually still sitting there waiting for you. Power-Shok is great ammunition, and is so readily available because it is very popular. Simple law of supply and demand on that.
The only real knock on Power-Shok is its bullet design. Flat-based soft points aren’t very aerodynamic, so they shed velocity faster than sleeker bullets. But let’s be honest: nobody’s stretching a 7.62x39 to 400 yards. The cartridge is an effective medium-game round out to about 200 yards, and that covers the vast majority of shots in the deer woods.
Continue reading Best 7.62x39 Hunting Ammo (6 Top Loads for Deer and Hogs) on Ammo.com