Having the devil of a time trying to get information to make a decision on a combination varmint/light game(deer) rifle. I have read some good reviews of the 7.62 cartridge and the CZ 572 rifle that fires it. It can be reloaded several different ways for accuracy, varmint or light big game. I do not know as much about the WSSM but it also looks interesting. Where can I get more information/reviews or y'all input.

Thanks, and Gig'em Mark

Howdy Aggie (not one but I speak it, LOL),

Entirely different critters indeed, those two cartridges. .30 and slow (relatively) and 6mm and FAST!!!

I'd be a little concerned about running out of gas with the 7.62x39 on stuff like big hogs or big deer a long way off, and just as concerned about bullets blowing up on target from the super short mag due to it's high velocity potential. The SSM definitely calls for premium bullets, if you plan on eating what you shoot. Now for varmiting it may be the cat's meow with flat trajectory. Would have to be careful to not overheat the barrel if you get into a serious prairie dog infestation.

If you're set on that gun, any other chambering choices?

my 2 cents. People have been wanting to come up with a combo deer varmit gun for years. If I were hunting Central Texas deer (weight 80 lbs) I might try to get away with a 7.62x39, but is it what you would want for mule deer (weight 2000 lbs) at 200 yrds in Colorado? So, I don't know what kind of deer hunting you are doing. That being said, I believe there are better choices than the 7.62x39 round. The 243 WSSM is on, with Nosler Parts or a tougher bullet (don't want blow-ups). The 7mm-08 is a great round, as is the .308 if you really want a .30 caliber. The 260, 270, and 280 I think are all better choices than the 7.62x39. I would go with the 7mm-08 or .308. Mild recoil, good bullets, esp if you handload, very versitile. Will handle varmits a long way off, and hunt deer as well. Just my thought........Gig 'em (Class of '81)

I've been hunting with a Ruger Mini 30 for three years. As long as you keep your shots below 150 yards you will not be disapointed with the 7.62x39mm. I've taken large hogs(300+) and alot of deer, never a problem.

this is a no brainer, the 243wssm if by far the better choice.

Mark:

Here we go again - this is all subjective stuff, no right or wrong answer. Look at the .243 Winchester; 6mm Remington; .257 Roberts; .25-06 Remington. The .22 caliber centerfire are ideal for varmint but don't handle heavier bullets for deer without a fast rifling twists that isn't available in factory offerings, save the AR-15 type semi-autos.

I use a .257 Roberts Ackley Improved that can fire standard factory cartridges on ground squirrels. This combo vaporizes them out to about 350 yards witha 75 grain hollowpoint. Deer drop without a quiver using a 100 grain bullet.

My choice would be the .243 or 6mm Remington for the non-handloader based on available factory ammo.

Axlenut, You're right about the .257 A.I. I've killed many rockchucks with one in Idaho. It's a great cartridge. But I think you missed the boat on the question. 7.62x39 vs .243 WSSM. The .243 WSSM is a factory round, so there shouldn' be any problem getting ammo. .243 Win, 6MM Rem. and .243 WSSM, they're all about the same. The .243 WSSM maybe a little faster. There's no way you can compare any of them with a 7.62X36 because it's a wimp. No powder for big game, and no speed for varmints......

2,000 lb Mule deer in Colorado. Really or is this a typo?

Sometimes hunters forget that a dead critter is just as dead if struck with a well placed bullet or hit by a train. Weight, energy and velocity are only parts of the killing power factors.

The little Russian cartridge has knocked over stacks of deer in North America. Although no long range number like a .270, it will most definately get the job done within its effective range. If the animal is past this distance, stalk closer. Archers understand this fact but many rifle hunters do not seem to get it. Out to about 150 yards or so, even a 225 lb mulie will topple over from a double lung hit. It is a myth that large deer are armor plated. Any big game style American soft nose bullet will blast in and destroy vital lung tissue.

.243 is a favorite of mine for long shots at pronghorn antelope. Reaches way out there to hammer them. Yet at typical woods distances it hits too hard. Meat damage at closer distances can be frustrating.

TR

The little CZ carbine will launch 125 gr handloads at 2550 fps at safe pressure levels, so it is a decent 150 yard deer rifle. Factory ammo is too soft and does not penetrate well. Mil ammo is OUT. So, if you handload, the 7.62X39 is decent for woods range deer hunting.

Another advantage of this round is that you can load it with any of the many .312 pistol bullets and go after varmints.

If you like the 243 WSSM, you might like the 25 WSSM better...it is simply a shot 25-06 and will take you up to 120 gr bullets and a SD of .260.

It will shock most folks, but the 260 Rem will match the 25 WSSM and 25-06 in the varmint category out to 400 yards and is probably the best deer round ever dreamed up, along with the 6.5X55.

The intended use seemingly begs a serious look at the new 25 WSSM. It'd be a wee bit much on varmints but about perfect on 'lopes and deer, etc. 7.62 seems to have been developed more for knockdown/wounding ofr human targets at relatiovely close range and in MHO is neither fish or fowl for hunting.

I don't have any hunting experience with the 7.62x39 but ... I'm running 150gr Nosler FP's at 2100 fps out of my 30-30 and they are proven performers on everything from woodchucks to deer. I took a 160 pound whitetail at 170 yards give or take 5, one shot in the boiler room, took about five steps and go gutted right there.

Book says I can drive the same bullets from the 7.62x39 at the same speed so I don't see why it would not prove as effective as the 30-30

Hmmm. 2000 pound deer units in CO.....Guess maybe I DOOO need a Barrett 50 after all. :D

The 7.62x39 can do anything a 30-30 can do. My dad deer hunts in East Tx with an AR-15 in 7.62x39.
-John

Why are we arguing about this?
The 7.62x39 has quite specific limitations and the .243 WSSM is superb for the things you asked about.
The WSSM is not only powerful but inherrently accurate and will, within reason, need far less mucking around with to come up with good cartridges.
I'm not a fan of the 7.62 with the exception of some semi autos because of their quick follow up ability and while it may be capable of knocking over things a 30-30 does it is NOT an equivalent for the 30-30.
Go the .243 WSSM without a second thought.

Hmmm. Kombi, I don't get your comment that it's not equivalent to a .30-30...same bullet diameter, weight, and velocity. . .that counts as equivalent in any book. Granted, bullet choice is important, and not too many are reloading the 7.6x39 yet, so the factory ammo choices are thin I'm sure. And we know that military/Wolf ammo even in HP's probably aren't the best choice. But we're talking cartridge capability here.

You know, as I think about it, the .30-30 is far more limited since it's most shot from lever guns with tube mags, requiring lousy flat point bullets....so I'd pick the 7.62 over that.

Just one idiot's thoughts.

Well, to get down to it, the 30-30 has a larger powder capacity than the 7.62x39 and in most projectile categories it eclipses the '39 by 100 to 200fps.
To justify my argument I'll take max loads from the handloader's guide of the Australian powder producer ADI who supply Hodgdon with a number of their extruded powders.
They list 2 bullet weights for the '39(125 & 150) and 4 for the 30-30(110, 130, 150 & 170).
125gn is close enough to 130gn so I'll compare it and their 150gn bullets loads.
I considered using the same powder common to each but it doesn't reflect the true capabilities of each cartridge.
Look at http://www.adi-limited.com/handloaders-guide/rifle.asp yourself to check these figures.

Mass: 125/130gn

7.62x39: 2378fps
30-30 : 2496fps

Mass: 150gn

7.62x39: 2192fps
30-30 : 2390fps

O.k., so the figures comparing speeds at the same bullet mass don't seem so impressive, but the 30-30 can fling a 150gn bullet faster than a '39 with a 125gn bullet, at least with these loads.
Further, it can flick a 170gn bullet at 2168fps, only about 25fps slower than the '39 shoots a 150gn bullet.
If you're more optimistic or willing to go over maximum loads then I guess there may be more for the '39 but for a cartridge that already has proof you can't go further than the 30-30.
And if you're critical of it's performance with flat point bullets consider buying a H&R/NEF rifle or a T/C rifle and play with the possibilities.
Better still, chamber a bolt gun to 30-30. :)
Don't get me wrong, I don't own a locker full of 30-30 lever guns, but the '39 just strikes me as a limited achiever. :rolleyes:
But, as I've said to others, if it works for you don't stop 'cause I said so.
Better still, prove me wrong, ballistically of course.
Afterall, this is from another idiot....... ;)

why not a cz550 in 308. Load up some 110 grain v max for smaller critters. Maybe some 125 or 150 hp for deer.