Have a cz 527 carbine in the 7.62x39 and would not hesitate shooting a deer with it it. Choose the ammo properly and you are good to go. I love it because of the price of ammo and availability. I shoot it in my ARs with the 7.62x39 uppers. If others want to pay more for their new and late great round have at it. I just can't afford it and I like to know I can get the common ammo when I want for a cheaper price.

While I've always thought this would do well as a single shot pistol round I've never thought much of it a rifle round. I've only shot it in semi auto platforms and found it begging for accuracy. My only hunting experience was watching a friend put two 125 grain soft point rounds into the shoulder of a Whitetail Buck at about 50 and 65 yards, we trailed that buck for over 600 yards before it got over the neighbors fence. The neighbor found it two days latter at a water hole about a half mile further into his place. I would not have shot that buck where he did but then I never would have expected it to travel that far after two round to the shoulder either. Don't expect it to be a caliber I'll ever own.

Have killed a few deer with that round from an SKS. It is not my first choice with the low Sectional density of the bullets that I see mostly but will get the job done. Cabela's has Herters steel cased 154Gr soft points for less than $5 a box of 20 now. Would not hesitate to use those on hogs any time.