Hornady 80786 American Gunner 7.62X39mm 123Gr Hollow Point Match 50 Box/10 Case

The information below comes from our Gun Caliber Dictionary and is for general reference only. It does not describe the specifications of this particular item.

The 7.62X39mm (7.62mm Russian) was adopted by the Soviet Union in 1943, first in the SKS semiautomatic, and then in the famous AK-47 selective fire assault rifle. The concept was based on Russian experience with the 7.92X33mm Kurz in the German MKB42, the world's first assault rifle. The 7.62X39mm has more case capacity, thus higher velocity and somewhat more range than the German cartridge, but the concept remains: A short to medium-range cartridge that offers a high volume of fire as, literally, troops closed in the assault. Although officially replaced by the 5.45X39mm in the AK-74, the 7.62X39mm and its AK-47 remain in use the world over, very possibly the most prolific military rifle and cartridge ever made. The 7.62X39mm has been adapted to the AR platform, and also chambered in various civilian platforms. Firing a 123-grain bullet at 2365 fps, the 7.62X39 is low in recoil and is an excellent deer cartridge at short to medium range.