7.62x39mm Range?

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks so much all. Would a 1-4x20mm scope (Leupold) work to those ranges, or would I need mil-dots? I was hoping to keep the optic lightweight and compact.

What ranges on deer and hog would that style scope be usable for? What range should I zero it at?

 

[Swampman]

I would not have a problem taking an elk with my ar 7.62 39(16 in barrel) out to 200 yds with a decent bullet, barnes probably. I am always amused about the hand wringing many display about killing a deer. The bullet has to expand, the velocity has to be over 2k, and on and on. They are deer. The average is lucky to be 200lbs. I shot one with my bow last year and the arrow passed through both shoulders. If the OP sets his zero at 200 yds as has been suggested he will be golden for any reasonable distance. Besides the high velocity just wrecks meat.

I don't think that most knowledgeable hunters would consider the 7.62x39 to be an adequate, effective and ethical elk cartridge.

Sure it could kill one, but that doesn't make it an elk cartridge.

Elk and deer aren't capable of producing litters of 8 or 10 offspring several times a year like hogs and unless they're artificially concentrated in large numbers, they don't usually destroy their own habitat.

I look at deer and elk as a priceless game resource. I won't take a shot at one unless I know it'll be quickly fatal.

Hogs are more like huge prairie dogs with a steroid and crack addiction. If you can get a decent shot at one, take it.

 

[LoonWulf]

Dill, i run a 1-4x20 Nikon 223 scope on my Mini. So far ive really liked having the hold overs, never needed them, for aught but plinking. Longest shot i made with my mini were on sheep at a just over 200.

 

[Varminterror]

Here's the problem with a low magnification optic at short to mid-range:

The Leupold 1-4x20mm scopes have ~30ft FOV at 100yrds, which is 60ft at 200yards. Despite what so many hunters would like to believe, it takes a very big deer to be 3ft tall, and and deer and hog bodies are often around 14-16" deep from belly to back line. The vital zone, of course, approximately 6" diameter and the heart around 3-4" diameter. 3" out of 70ft FOV is only a margin of 0.3% of the FOV - in other words, it's incredibly difficult to manage your point of aim on live targets.

With the rule change for CMP allowing up to 4.5x scopes, guys are shooting 600yrds every weekend with the Leupold 1-4x, BUT, we're shooting targets with 5ft diameter at the outer edge. So the accuracy is there, but the precise point of aim placement on live game isn't easy.

 

[LoonWulf]

I think that as long as the reticle isnt too think 4x is plenty for anything inside of 300. I could see an issue if it were one of the heavy duplex, or a post. Most of my variables are 3-9s or higher, but they are almost always left on their lowest setting. Some times i remember to turn them up before firing, but very often not.
Ive got three 5x or below scopes, and the only one id have an issue with a shot at or over 200 yds is my Brunton Eterna, and thats because of the dot.
Why it has a dot i dont know, wouldnt have bough it if id realized it wasnt standard duplex....it is a very nice scope tho, if a bit critical on eye relief.

Gotta remember most of my targets are axis deer, or feral goats and sheep, they usually top out at 100-120lbs and have relatively small target areas. The flip side is we dont have seasons, so I have a great deal of time spent poking holes in them over the years, might just be a familiarity thing.