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Over the past few years I have really begun to appreciate mild mid range calibers. This year I am looking to put some meat in the freezer with a CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39. It has a set trigger that pulls at about 2lbs. See the picture below.. I may even add an Over/Under set of rings and a little 2x7x32 scope on it..

Here is a little write up I did for our Hunting Camps facebook page.

Medium Game at Medium Range -
Many of us hunt with rifles that can cleanly take deer sized game out past 400 yards. But few of us actually have a place where we can shoot that far while hunting, and far less of us actually practice shooting at that distance.

For most hunters 200 Yards is a loooonnnggg way! And most shots on deer are taken at less than 100 yards. Yet, we still tote heavy long action rifles like the 30-06, 7mm Mag, and 270Win to the deer stand all the time. If we have kids then we may settle for the 7mm08 or .243Win as "youth guns". The truth is if you have a 7mm08 you can hunt any and all game in ALASKA.

Don't believe me go read this http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?ad ... g.firearms

So if your "youth gun" is good enough for Alaska then it should be more than enough for the puny Whitetails we have running around here in the South!! So here are three alternatives to the norm that are perfectly suited for taking medium sized game at medium ranges of 200 yards or less.

First up - The 6.8 SPC - Hornady's 120 Grain SST is a .27 Caliber (Yes the same caliber as your 270 Win) bullet that leaves the muzzle at over 2,400 FPS and still with over 1,100 Ft Lbs of energy at 200 Yards.

Next - 7.62 x 39 - Originally developed for the AK47, this is the most popular round in the World. Hornady offers it in a 123 Grain SST Bullet that has this .30 Caliber (Yes the same caliber as your 30-06) leaving the muzzle at 2,350 FPS and has 840 Ft Lbs of energy at 200 Yards.

Finally - 300 Blackout - This round was develop to take the place of the 5.56 (.223 Rem) military round. It was designed to have more stopping power while still fitting in a carbine rifle platform. Hornady's Full Boar 110 Grain is a .30 Caliber bullet (Yes 30-06 sized) leaving the muzzle at 2,350 FPS and still has over 800 Ft Lbs of energy at 200 Yards.

Don't fall for the narrative that you need big guns to kill little deer!! It is simply not true. A light recoiling round in a lightweight rifle package will be more pleasant to shoot and just as effective as those guns designed for bigger game..

That 6.8 with the 120SST is very effective.

I grew up hunting with a Russian model SKS shooting 7.62*39 hollow points. used that set up for 10 years. if its within 125 yards, it was in trouble. I'm sure you could shoot further, but that's all I can do with the optics I had. it also would leave a super impressive blood trail.

The CZ 527 is a cool gun. I just cannot get past the backward safety, though. Just .... Why!?!

And if you're wanting lightweight, there are plenty better options. The 7.62 has one thing going for it -- cheap ammo. If you have other options, I don't see the point, unless to say "I did it."

You're right -- Indian, not the arrow. But I bet there are more 270s collecting dust in MS than 7.62 Russkies. And if you HAVE a better option, it's, well, better than any of those 3.

But, yeah, if you aren't deer hunting because the only rifle you own is one of those, you're missing out.

We'd all be served well to forget about the headstamp and practice more. A wise man once said experience and skill is measured in spent primers.

exactly I'm going back to the 243. Working on a load right now 80grain ttsx going about 3400fps. If it works like the old 85 grain xlc of yesteryear it will be a laser

post that bad boy up! Have you shot any deer with it???

alright i have 42 grains of imr 4350 with the first ring showing shooting a little less that a half inch at 100 yards. The old XLC's really liked to be pushed so I have a couple of 43.5, 44 and 45 grain IMR to pattern. My 13 year old hasn't had any problem with recoil. Most folks don't under stand that a light bullet hauling tail that will retain all its wait is a deer dropper.

alright i have 42 grains of imr 4350 with the first ring showing shooting a little less that a half inch at 100 yards. The old XLC's really liked to be pushed so I have a couple of 43.5, 44 and 45 grain IMR to pattern. My 13 year old hasn't had any problem with recoil. Most folks don't under stand that a light bullet hauling tail that will retain all its wait is a deer dropper. When i had the coated 85 xlc I had them chrono at 3200. It put a whooping on lots of deer. Im thinking if I can get it to shoot these around 3400-3500 and get to hold a tight group it will be awesome. For the record this cheap savage axis can shoot lights out!!!!!!!!

I have really been thinking about getting a 25-06. Anybody have any experience with them?

Look at the old .244 Rem. which became the new 6mm Rem in the 80s.