In varmint calibers, AccuTip-V combines superb flight characteristics and match-grade accuracy with a design optimized for explosive on-game results.
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Remington Nitro Steel Duplex is loaded with two sizes of steel shot, providing ultimate performance at close ranges in the timber or out further in a field.
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Few cartridge comparisons generate as much debate as 7.62×39 vs 300 Blackout. Both rounds have earned strong followings for their versatility and effectiveness. However, when it comes to real-world hunting, one option stands out. In this guide, Who Tee Who draws from an extensive range and field experience to break down how these two cartridges perform. We’ll look at their origins, ballistics, trajectory, practical use for deer hunting, and more, so you can make an informed choice for your rifle.
Initially developed in the 1940s, the 7.62×39 (“seven six two by thirty-nine”) became one of the most recognizable cartridges in the world. Its case and 30-caliber bullet offered reliable performance in diverse conditions. Over time, its affordability, availability, and proven terminal ballistics helped it migrate from defense applications to hunting applications. For hunters, the 7.62×39 delivers consistent performance on medium game, such as deer, inside 200 yards.
When comparing 7.62×39 vs. 300 Blackout for deer, bullet energy and penetration are key considerations. Across most loadings, the 7.62×39 produces a higher muzzle velocity and retains more energy downrange than the 300 Blackout. Higher energy translates to better penetration and more reliable expansion on game.
That said, the 300 Blackout has its advantages as well. The 300 Blackout was designed for AR-style platforms with short barrels, and its performance is largely altered based on the ammo you choose. If you’re hunting whitetail at 150 yards or less and prefer an AR-style rifle, a supersonic 300 Blackout round with engineered expansion can be a good choice.
Bullet trajectory describes the path a bullet takes after being fired. Trajectory can look flat or arched, meaning you will experience less or more bullet drop at range. With similar bullet weights, the 7.62×39 shows similar bullet drop to supersonic 300 Blackout loads at typical hunting ranges.
At 100 yards, both rounds will shoot for point-of-aim accuracy. At 200 yards, a 7.62×39 may drop about 6 – 9inches, while a supersonic 300 Blackout load can drop anywhere between 6 - 10 inches based on load selection. For most hunters, shots on game at around 150 yards can be effective with proper load selection. However, if you want the flattest bullet trajectory, consider the 7.62×39 for distances of 100 yards and beyond.
Where the 300 Blackout truly shines is with suppressed shooting. It was designed for suppressed rifles with short barrels. This makes it exceptionally quiet and agile like a handgun, but with rifle-like knockdown power. It was adopted for military and law enforcement applications for this ability.
By contrast, suppressing 7.62×39 can be more challenging. It wasn’t designed for subsonic operation. If you want maximum noise reduction and reliable subsonic performance out of a suppressor, the 300 Blackout is the clear winner.
Ammo availability and price fluctuate based on your shooting intentions.
Nowadays, the newer 300 Blackout ammo, especially hunting rounds, is easier to find on shelves at retailers. However, if you shoot high volumes or want the lowest cost per round, the 7.62×39 will win.
Both cartridges are mild compared to other popular hunting calibers, such as the 7mm Rem Mag, 308 Win, or 300 Win Mag. However, the 7.62×39 produces slightly more recoil than the 300 Blackout, but both are very manageable.
In a home defense setting, where proper maneuverability and gun handling are pivotal, the 300 Blackout has an edge.
7.62×39 can certainly serve for defense, but the handling and agile profile of a 300 Blackout is hard to beat.
Taking critical factors into account , energy, trajectory, affordability, and penetration, Who Tee Who leans toward the 7.62×39 as the superior hunting cartridge for deer and similar game. It simply offers better downrange performance, making it a better choice for hunting.
However, that doesn’t make the 300 Blackout irrelevant. For shooters preferring AR-style rifles, suppressed rifles, or a softer-shooting and shorter option for home defense, the 300 Blackout should be your number 1 draft pick. Just be sure you know what ammo to chamber. For more information on selecting 300 Blackout ammo, check out this blog about choosing the best 300 Blackout ammo.
Who Tee Who’s takeaway when it comes to hunting: both are “200-yards-and-in” deer cartridges. For the largest margin of error on shot placement and reliable terminal performance, the 7.62×39 still edges out 300 Blackout for deer-sized game. For more on the comparison of these two cartridges, check out this cartridge comparison video by Who Tee Who!
Core-Lokt Copper, 300 Blackout, 120 Grain, Copper HP, 2100 fps
Core-Lokt, 7.62x39, 125 Grain, Pointed Soft Point Core Lokt, 2365 fps