7.62X39 Vs. .223

[Raider-3]

223 is a tumbler round. Can cause more damage by bouncing around

[nraynes]

I hand load and reload both.

Now first things first.
Plinking?
.223 cheaper and more readily available.

100 yard target shooting?
Either. With good rounds they are equal in grouping from GOOD guns.

250 yard shooting?
223 more accuracy but you do lose alot of power.

Killing time at the range?
Hell a 22 will do that.

Hunting under 150 yards?
Anything larger then a coyote go for the 7.62. Anything larger then a buck go for for jsp hand loaded in your 7.62 but I wouldn't go much bigger even then.

Hunting more then 150 yards?
You might want to find something else. Looking at my accuracy from 200 yards from a rest you could do it with a 7.62 but i would not suggest it. Your loads would have to be HOT and you would even still may not be accurate or even kill it.

Now for hand load vs reload

If you think they are the same I have some prime land for you in Texas (I live in Maine)

Reload is just that, follow factory loads on factory powder and make good all around ammo for many different guns. Maybe tweak them a bit for more accuracy or something.

Hand load you make the ammo for the gun. Its like having a custom fit suit.
you change head space, bullet weight, gun powder and even the amount you use for EACH gun. This give you the BEST accuracy you can get.
I even use different cases in some guns because they feed better.

That's how i get good shots at 200 with a 7.62.

[SGB]

Both rounds are limited to medium sized thin skinned game, though the .223/5.56 has a greater range of loadings and bullet designs.

[B2Tall]

Thanks! Sounds like with soft or hollow point ammo my 7.62X39 will work well enough for defense of caribou. OMG! No! No! I take that back. Don't shoot Caribou. :)

I have SD ammo for every gun I own. For my x39s it's Remington JSP. I know people that hunt wild pigs with that same round and say it's quite effective. No problem stopping a 250-300lb razorback.