7.62x39 vs 7.62x54 vs 5.45x39

[Lucenut]

Can someone explain the differences in these 3 rounds? I'm shopping for an AK-47/Variant. I see alot of references to the 7.62.39. Do most AK47s accept 7.62x54 also? Is there a "re-chambering" involved? How do the three stack up for velocity, range, stopping power? Is it possible to use any of these for deer or bear hunting?

Thanks,
Greg

[CleverM]

Greg: To fully answer all of your questions it would take pages upon pages of data, but I'll try to compress the answers.

7.62X39-The original "AK" bullet. Short, fat round-similar ballistics to the 30-30 round. It is fine for taking deer. You can-not convert a 7.62X39 into a 7.62X54R round without transforming it into a totally new gun(new barrel, receiver, bolt, etc..). The good parts:
These rifles can be bought cheap(Romanian WASR).
Ammunition is cheap and plentiful.
Can defeat car doors-has penetration power.
Gun parts are PLENTIFUL and Cheap.

Bad Parts:
Trajectory is not flat and relatively weak past 400 meters(although I wouldent' want to be shot with one at that range!)

5.45X39mm. The newest "AK" round. It is long and thin and very light bullet. The theory is that, when it hits flesh it tends to "tumble" relatively quickly and thus dump all of its energy inside of the intended target. It's nickname is the "poison bullet"-gained in Afghanistan because when someone was shot with it they woulden't necessarily die instantly, rather the massive wound would eventually get infected and gangrene would set in and the person would die a miserable death. :skull:

Good Parts:
Ammunition is cheap, but not quite as easy to find has the 7.62X39mm.
FAST trajectory and usually very accurate.
Can carry more rounds due to its relatively low weight.

Bad Parts:Not has much penetration in the field.
Small bullet selection.(Barnaul or Wolf ammo only).

7.62X54R A sort of heavy duty .308 round. It is usually used in the Moison Nagant rifle and Drag. rifles. The Romanian Romak-3 is the "AK" that is chambered in this round. It has a thin barrel that heats up quickly and is very long. THIS is the round that you want if you want to have "knock down" power and in Russia it regularly used for deer and their bear.

Hope this helped! :) :ak47:

If you want to learn more about these rounds you can go around the web at other various websites like:
Ak47.net
gunsnet.net

[JA]

Check my web pages out as there is a pic of cartridges that AK type rifles are chambered for.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jfreeman246/index.htm

[Lucenut]

Thanks guys! Very informative website JA. CleverM you summarized it perfectly. It sounds like the standard AK 7.62x39 is the way I want to go. I'm trying to pick up an AMD-65 kit or PMKMS. I'm thinking of building either with the 1.6mm Global Trades receiver. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Greg

[Okie]

Good, the x39 is the best all around for shooters here in the states, imho.

[CleverM]

Greg, I would recommend using the OOW receiver. I built my AMD-65 on it and I coulden't be happier! :cool_smal