The 7.62x39mm was designed in the Soviet Union in 1943 and became the cartridge of the SKS and AK-47. Ballistically it sits close to the .30-30 Winchester: a 123 grain projectile at about 2,350 fps, effective on medium game inside 150 metres, with low recoil and very cheap ammunition.
In Australia the military self-loaders it was built for are Category D and out of reach for most licence holders, so the cartridge lives on in bolt actions such as the CZ 600, Ruger American Ranch and Howa Mini Action. In that role it is a handy, quiet pig and goat rifle for scrub work, adequate for fallow and small deer at close range, and about the cheapest centrefire to feed for practice.
Projectile diameter varies: most ammunition and older rifles use .311, some modern barrels are .308. Steel-cased military surplus ammunition is cheap but many club ranges prohibit it, and it is harder on extractors. Bring your rifle in if you are unsure what it prefers. Do not confuse it with 7.62x54R or .308 Winchester.
We stock 7.62x39 bolt-action rifles from leading brands, hold brass-cased hunting and practice ammunition, and carry dies and components for reloaders. Firearms are shipped Australia-wide to your nominated dealer.
