Reply #95: That's my thought too.

[Ready4Change]

The rounds typically used in an AK-47 (or the more likely to be purchased AK-47 look alike knockoffs) will have about half of the muzzle energy of the rounds hunters prefer to use hunting deer.

link: http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_ballistics_table.htm

In numbers, the 7.63x39 round most often used in AK-47 like rifles typically has muzzle energy of around 1500 ft lbs.

Whereas the 30-06 (prefered by hunters I talk to) puts out around 2,800 ft lbs.

The 30-30 mentioned above comes out around 1,800 to 1,900, depending on load.

BTW, the rounds used in American M-16/AR-15 rifles comes out around 1,300 ft lbs. (Not sure that's right. I'm looking for another source.)

Now, I'm sure some are thinking that CAN'T be right, because military rifles are supposed to be MORE powerful, right?

Not right. The rounds they use are sufficient to provide a battlefield kill, but aren't overpowered. That makes each round lighter, and that means the soldiers can carry more rounds, increasing how much they can fire in combat.

But when hunting deer you are usually required by hunting laws to use firearms with a restricted number of rounds (5-8 seems typical.) 30 round clips are frowned on at least, and illegal more often than not. So, since you are carrying fewer bullets, they can be more powerful, and that increases the odds of a quicker kill.