You could but it would not be a gun I'd pick unless that's all I had. I've used semi auto MAK for a few deer. The problem (as has been pointed out already) is that the accuracy is not that good and putting a scope on one is a waste of money. Boars will go down easily with the proper shot but many run off from bad shots. I'm especially careful with my aim on boar.
There seems to be 2 schools of thought on 'proper' boar hunting/guns – the bigger the better or just accurate upper neck shots and maybe even a lesser caliber. I belong in the 2nd camp. (But then I like the smaller pigs for better eating and I always get in close.)
Yes it will work. But unlike others have told you stay away from hollow point, soft nose bullets. You need a heavy, very solid bullet for penetration. Hogs 200 lbs and up can have a front cartilage plate 2 to 3 inches thick. Fast expansion bullet won't make it through. Some hog hunters are going to hand loaded hard cast lead bullets because they are finding jacketed lead bullets aren't penetrating enough.
Sometimes. There are a few issues here. First off is sights. You had better have a good scope. Also magazine capacity. Most states have a capacity limit for hunting. 5 or 10 rounds which varies by state so you need to check. Also you need to use proper hunting ammo.
It should do the job, so long as you follow your state's laws concerning capacity and bullet type. I personally feel that 7.62×39 is a bit anemic for large boar, but that's just me. I'd prefer something a bit heavier, like .308, but if your state allows 10-round or larger mags when hunting boar, you'll have plenty of ammo left over to finish a wounded hog humanely.
And remember that the cheap Eastern European hollow points are not really suitable for hunting. Wolf, Sellier & Bellot, et cetera aren't going to expand the same way a good Winchester or Remington pointed soft point will. You'll pay roughly $ 20 for a box of 20 pointed soft points, but at $ 1 a shot, it's still cheaper than just about anything else you'll want to use to hunt hog. Make sure you carry an extra mag or two, especially if you're limited to 5-round mags. You're better off having too much ammo and not needing it than having not enough ammo and being hurt by an angry boar.
Edit: The other commenter makes a good point- large boar aren't exactly thin-skinned. If you're allowed to hunt boar with them, FMJ would be good for a head shot. Otherwise, use the cheap Wolf hollow points, which are really nothing more than an FMJ round with the tip cut off. They're penetrating rounds, but they're also technically "hollow points," so they may be legal whereas an FMJ isn't. Take one mag of PSP, one of the cheap stuff, and switch out if necessary. Otherwise, have a backup gun, preferably a .357 Magnum loaded with a heavy, hard bullet or a .44 Magnum loaded with anything you want.
Yes. Check for mag restrictions.
This bullet is very powerful. I've shot through 1/8" steel with it. I've also shot through an engine.
KNow your gun and your accuracy level. Don't try to take a shot that is too far.
Personally, Id rather have a 30-30 lever gun for this, but whatevs.
if you mean a semi auto AK variant, yes, the 7.62x39mm will effectively take any hog with a well placed shot, but I personally wouldn't go bigger that 200lbs with such a cartridge, there's a limit to everything.
PS: use soft point or hollowpoint ammo, try for the heaviest bullet choice possible(I've heard of some 150 grain soft points coming from Cabelas). full autos are illegal for hunting in all states, so forget it if you were considering a full auto AK.
Kelssie Emilee says
Um, how about stop being such a pvssy
Mr.357 says
Yes. You will probably have to limit your shots to 100 yds or less depending upon how accurate it is.
Bob the jackson says
Frankly I wouldn't suggest it but it does fire a .308 or 7.62xwhatever which is good for boar.
Dana H says
You could but it would not be a gun I'd pick unless that's all I had. I've used semi auto MAK for a few deer. The problem (as has been pointed out already) is that the accuracy is not that good and putting a scope on one is a waste of money. Boars will go down easily with the proper shot but many run off from bad shots. I'm especially careful with my aim on boar.
There seems to be 2 schools of thought on 'proper' boar hunting/guns – the bigger the better or just accurate upper neck shots and maybe even a lesser caliber. I belong in the 2nd camp. (But then I like the smaller pigs for better eating and I always get in close.)
ZERO76 says
yes and no
most legal hunting 7.62×39 rounds stink!
i like older norinco ammo for deer or larger due to the insane effects ive seen first hand
Jack says
Yes it will work. But unlike others have told you stay away from hollow point, soft nose bullets. You need a heavy, very solid bullet for penetration. Hogs 200 lbs and up can have a front cartilage plate 2 to 3 inches thick. Fast expansion bullet won't make it through. Some hog hunters are going to hand loaded hard cast lead bullets because they are finding jacketed lead bullets aren't penetrating enough.
Desert Eagle .22 says
No. It has crappy sights. It does not have good accuracy. The 7.62×39 is not enough cartridge to reliably take down large boars.
Fatefinger says
Sometimes. There are a few issues here. First off is sights. You had better have a good scope. Also magazine capacity. Most states have a capacity limit for hunting. 5 or 10 rounds which varies by state so you need to check. Also you need to use proper hunting ammo.
august says
It should do the job, so long as you follow your state's laws concerning capacity and bullet type. I personally feel that 7.62×39 is a bit anemic for large boar, but that's just me. I'd prefer something a bit heavier, like .308, but if your state allows 10-round or larger mags when hunting boar, you'll have plenty of ammo left over to finish a wounded hog humanely.
And remember that the cheap Eastern European hollow points are not really suitable for hunting. Wolf, Sellier & Bellot, et cetera aren't going to expand the same way a good Winchester or Remington pointed soft point will. You'll pay roughly $ 20 for a box of 20 pointed soft points, but at $ 1 a shot, it's still cheaper than just about anything else you'll want to use to hunt hog. Make sure you carry an extra mag or two, especially if you're limited to 5-round mags. You're better off having too much ammo and not needing it than having not enough ammo and being hurt by an angry boar.
Edit: The other commenter makes a good point- large boar aren't exactly thin-skinned. If you're allowed to hunt boar with them, FMJ would be good for a head shot. Otherwise, use the cheap Wolf hollow points, which are really nothing more than an FMJ round with the tip cut off. They're penetrating rounds, but they're also technically "hollow points," so they may be legal whereas an FMJ isn't. Take one mag of PSP, one of the cheap stuff, and switch out if necessary. Otherwise, have a backup gun, preferably a .357 Magnum loaded with a heavy, hard bullet or a .44 Magnum loaded with anything you want.
Requisite says
Yes. Check for mag restrictions.
This bullet is very powerful. I've shot through 1/8" steel with it. I've also shot through an engine.
KNow your gun and your accuracy level. Don't try to take a shot that is too far.
Personally, Id rather have a 30-30 lever gun for this, but whatevs.
stormgale says
if you mean a semi auto AK variant, yes, the 7.62x39mm will effectively take any hog with a well placed shot, but I personally wouldn't go bigger that 200lbs with such a cartridge, there's a limit to everything.
PS: use soft point or hollowpoint ammo, try for the heaviest bullet choice possible(I've heard of some 150 grain soft points coming from Cabelas). full autos are illegal for hunting in all states, so forget it if you were considering a full auto AK.
Kid with a 12 gauge says
Yes,in some states you need to have a 5 round magazine and soft point or hollow point ammo.