7.62x39The AK47 Cartridge Explained
What 7.62x39 actually is, how it compares to 5.56 NATO and .308, which rifles fire it — and how to shoot it live from an AK47 in Poland with no firearms licence.
7.62x39 at a glance
7.62x39 is the intermediate rifle cartridge designed in the Soviet Union in 1943 and made famous by the AK47 and AKM. It fires a fat .311 in bullet at moderate velocity, which is why it hits hard at close and medium range and drops noticeably past 300 metres.
- Bullet diameter7.9 mm (.311 in)
- Case length38.7 mm
- Typical bullet weight122-124 gr (7.9-8.0 g)
- Muzzle velocityapprox. 710-730 m/s
- Muzzle energyapprox. 2,000 J
- Practical rangeup to about 300 m
- Rifles that fire itAK47, AKM, SKS, CZ BREN 2 in 7.62
- Price at our range8,00 PLN per round
7.62x39 vs 5.56 NATO vs 7.62x51
The most common confusion is between 7.62x39 and 7.62x51 NATO (.308 Winchester). They share a name but not a case: 7.62x39 is shorter, slower and far less powerful, and the two are absolutely not interchangeable. Never load .308 or 7.62 NATO into a 7.62x39 rifle.
| Cartridge | Bullet | Muzzle velocity | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.62x39 | 122-124 gr, .311 in | 710-730 m/s | AK47 / AKM, close and medium range, heavy hit, visible drop past 300 m |
| 5.56x45 NATO | 55-77 gr, .224 in | 900-960 m/s | AR15 / M4, flat shooting, very light recoil, easy fast follow-up shots |
| 7.62x51 NATO (.308) | 147-175 gr, .308 in | 820-860 m/s | Marksman and machine gun calibre, long range, much stronger recoil |
Everything shooters ask about 7.62x39
What calibre is 7.62x39?
7.62x39 means a bullet roughly 7.62 mm across seated in a case 39 mm long. In practice the bullet measures .311 in (7.9 mm) and the case 38.7 mm. It is classed as an intermediate cartridge: more powerful than a pistol round, less powerful than a full-size battle rifle round.
It was adopted by the Soviet Union in 1943, first in the SKS carbine and then in the AK47, and it is still one of the most widely produced rifle cartridges in the world.
Is 7.62x39 the same as .308 or 7.62 NATO?
No. 7.62x51 NATO and .308 Winchester use a longer case and a .308 in bullet, and they generate roughly double the energy. The cases are not interchangeable in either direction, and chambering the wrong one is dangerous.
If you want to feel that difference, the two calibres sit side by side on our rifle line: an AK47 in 7.62x39 and our precision rifles in 7.62x51.
How does it feel to shoot?
Recoil is a firm push rather than a sharp snap, noticeably heavier than 5.56 from an AR15 but easy to control once your stance is right. Steel targets ring loudly and swing hard, which is exactly why first-time shooters love the AK47.
Because the bullet is heavy and slow, it drops fast. Inside 100 m you can hold dead-on; at 200-300 m your instructor will walk you through the hold-over needed to stay on target.
Where can you shoot 7.62x39 as a visitor?
At Poland Shooting Center, 45 minutes from Wroclaw Airport, you can fire live 7.62x39 from an AK47 without a firearms licence, without paperwork and without owning anything. We supply the rifle, the ammunition, the eye and ear protection and an English-speaking ex-military instructor.
Ammunition is 8,00 PLN per round with instructor and rifle rental included. Most visitors book the full AK47 shooting class for a structured day on the rifle line, or add 7.62x39 to a combined pistol and rifle session.
7.62x39 questions
What calibre is 7.62x39?
An intermediate rifle cartridge with a .311 in (7.9 mm) bullet in a 38.7 mm case, designed in the Soviet Union in 1943 and best known as the AK47 round.
Is .308 the same as 7.62x39?
No. .308 Winchester / 7.62x51 NATO is a longer, far more powerful cartridge with a .308 in bullet. The two are not interchangeable and must never be mixed.
What guns shoot 7.62x39?
The AK47 and AKM and their variants, the SKS carbine, the Ruger Mini-30, various AR-pattern rifles built for the calibre and the CZ BREN 2 in 7.62. At our range you shoot it from an AK47.
7.62x39 or 5.56 - which is better for a first-time shooter?
5.56 from an AR15 is softer and easier to shoot fast; 7.62x39 from an AK47 hits harder and feels more raw. Most guests try both in our combined rifle session and choose their favourite afterwards.
Can I shoot 7.62x39 in Poland without a licence?
Yes. Under Polish law you may shoot at a licensed range under the supervision of an authorised instructor without holding any permit. Bring your ID, we supply everything else.
How much does 7.62x39 cost at your range?
8,00 PLN per round, with the instructor and the AK47 rental included and no hidden fees.
How far can you shoot 7.62x39?
It is effective to roughly 300 m. Our range runs out to 300 m, so you can work from close-range drills to steel at distance in a single session.
Why did 7.62x39 ammunition get expensive?
Much of the cheap surplus and imported steel-case ammunition dried up, so prices rose worldwide. At the range you pay per round, so you shoot as much or as little as you want.
Come shoot 7.62x39 for real
Reading about ballistics is one thing. Firing an AK47 in 7.62x39 at steel on a 300 m range with an ex-military instructor next to you is another. Book your slot and we handle the rest.
Book your AK47 session