Ruger also made 7.62x39 Compacts. I want one. Discontinued for this year I believe. And of course others, Mini-30, etc.

We had very good results on deer, some big 200+ lb whitetails with the 7.62x39. I would consider it an excellent whitetail round, and would use it on black bear, too and even elk if I had a setup shot over a wallow or something like that.

Gazillions of hogs are killed with the round in the USA. Many pig shooters find it excellent especially in the handy rifles like the Mini-30.

One thing that must be remembered when using the 120-something bullets on game is that the velocity does not do to the bullet what .30'06 velocities do to similar bullets. We got excellent penetration with the 123 grain Hornady bullets and even shot some with Wolf HP's. Also used the caliber on "dogs" both coyote and feral domestic. I like the round. Little recoil, capable of excellent accuracy.

I loved/hated my CZ527. Very accurate, great trigger, just would feed worth a darn. Sold it.