The 7.62 x 39 is a centerfire rifle cartridge standardised by SAAMI in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4. SAAMI sets its maximum average pressure at 45,000 psi, and measures its reference velocities in a 20.000 in standard test barrel rifled 1 turn in 9.45 in. This guide sets out SAAMI’s published reference velocity for each bullet weight, computes the muzzle energy each one carries, and compares the 7.62 x 39 with the 308 Winchester on the same basis.
7.62×39 ballistics chart: SAAMI reference data
SAAMI publishes one nominal mean instrumental velocity for each reference bullet weight, measured at 15 feet from the standard test barrel. It does not publish energy, so the ft-lb column is computed. Where SAAMI lists more than one velocity for a weight, both ends of the span are shown.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Bullet weight | Reference velocity | Computed muzzle energy |
|---|---|---|
| 123 gr | 2,350 fps | 1,508 ft-lb |
Manufacturer-published loads
SAAMI’s figures above are the shared reference. The tables below are different data: what each manufacturer publishes for a specific load we stock, taken from that maker’s own page for the item number shown. Each maker chooses its own test barrel, so its figures can differ from SAAMI’s reference velocity for the same bullet weight and should not be laid directly beside another brand’s.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load | Item no. | Bullet weight | Bullet | Muzzle velocity | Muzzle energy | Ballistic coefficient | Test barrel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady SST® | 80784 | 123 gr | SST® | 2,350 fps | 1,508 ft-lb | .295 G1 | 20″ |
| Hornady Monoflex® SBR | 80788 | 111 gr | Monoflex® SBR | 2,350 fps | 1,361 ft-lb | .175 G1 | 24″ |
| Hornady Sub-X® | 80787 | 255 gr | Sub-X® | 1,050 fps | 624 ft-lb | .365 G1 | 20″ |
| Nosler Ballistic Tip | 40069 | 123 gr | Ballistic Tip | 2,350 fps | 1,508 ft-lb | Not published | 24″ |
| Federal Jacketed Soft Point | 76239B | 123 gr | Jacketed Soft Point | 2,350 fps | 1,508 ft-lb | .274, drag model not stated | Not published |
| Remington Pointed Soft Point Core Lokt | 29125 | 125 gr | Pointed Soft Point Core Lokt | 2,365 fps | 1,552 ft-lb | .267, drag model not stated | Not published |
| Fiocchi Full Metal Jacket | 762X39A | 123 gr | Full Metal Jacket | 2,375 fps | 1,540 ft-lb | .266, drag model not stated | Not published |
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load (test barrel) | Muzzle | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd | 400 yd | 500 yd | 600 yd | 700 yd | 800 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady 123 gr (20″) | 2,350 fps / 1,508 ft-lb | 2,040 fps / 1,136 ft-lb | 1,756 fps / 842 ft-lb | 1,503 fps / 617 ft-lb | 1,290 fps / 454 ft-lb | 1,129 fps / 348 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Hornady 111 gr (24″) | 2,350 fps / 1,361 ft-lb | 1,898 fps / 888 ft-lb | 1,510 fps / 562 ft-lb | 1,209 fps / 360 ft-lb | 1,026 fps / 260 ft-lb | 921 fps / 209 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Hornady 255 gr (20″) | 1,050 fps / 624 ft-lb | 988 fps / 553 ft-lb | 940 fps / 500 ft-lb | 898 fps / 457 ft-lb | 862 fps / 421 ft-lb | 829 fps / 389 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Nosler 123 gr (24″) | 2,350 fps / 1,508 ft-lb | 2,089 fps / 1,191 ft-lb | 1,845 fps / 930 ft-lb | 1,622 fps / 718 ft-lb | 1,423 fps / 553 ft-lb | 1,255 fps / 430 ft-lb | 1,125 fps / 346 ft-lb | 1,034 fps / 292 ft-lb | 967 fps / 256 ft-lb |
| Federal 123 gr (barrel not published) | 2,350 fps / 1,508 ft-lb | 2,055 fps / 1,153 ft-lb | 1,783 fps / 868 ft-lb | 1,539 fps / 646 ft-lb | 1,329 fps / 482 ft-lb | 1,164 fps / 370 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Remington 125 gr (barrel not published) | 2,365 fps / 1,552 ft-lb | 2,062 fps / 1,179 ft-lb | 1,782 fps / 881 ft-lb | 1,532 fps / 651 ft-lb | 1,319 fps / 482 ft-lb | 1,153 fps / 369 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Fiocchi 123 gr (barrel not published) | 2,375 fps / 1,540 ft-lb | 2,070 fps / 1,170 ft-lb | 1,788 fps / 873 ft-lb | 1,537 fps / 645 ft-lb | 1,322 fps / 477 ft-lb | 1,155 fps / 364 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load (zero) | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd | 400 yd | 500 yd | 600 yd | 700 yd | 800 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady 123 gr (200 yd zero) | +3.5 in | 0 in | −14.8 in | −45.2 in | −96.5 in | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Hornady 111 gr (200 yd zero) | +4.2 in | 0 in | −19.6 in | −63.2 in | −139.6 in | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Hornady 255 gr (100 yd zero) | 0 in | −34 in | −107.5 in | −224 in | −387.6 in | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Nosler 123 gr (100 yd zero) | 0 in | −6.5 in | −23.3 in | −53.4 in | −100.7 in | −170.1 in | −267 in | −396.4 in |
| Federal 123 gr (100 yd zero) | 0 in | −6.7 in | −24.6 in | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Remington 125 gr (200 yd zero) | +3.4 in | 0 in | −14.5 in | −44 in | −93.9 in | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Fiocchi 123 gr (200 yd zero) | +3.3 in | 0 in | −14.4 in | −43.7 in | −93.3 in | Not published | Not published | Not published |
What the numbers mean for a shot
SAAMI lists a single reference bullet weight for the 7.62 x 39: 123 grains, listed at 2,350 fps, which computes to 1,508 ft-lb. SAAMI publishes no other weight for it, so the table has one row. For any other bullet weight, use the figures the maker publishes for that item.
None of this is a downrange figure. SAAMI measures at 15 feet, so retained velocity, energy and drop depend on the bullet’s ballistic coefficient, which SAAMI does not publish. Each product in our 7.62×39 ammo range lists whatever its maker publishes for that item.
Twist rate, chamber and pressure
SAAMI’s standard test barrel for the 7.62 x 39 is 20.000 in long and rifled 1 turn in 9.45 in, with a .310 in groove diameter. That is the barrel every reference velocity above was measured in, not a statement about your rifle: a shorter production barrel will usually give lower velocity, and a twist slower than a bullet needs will not stabilise it. SAAMI measures the 7.62 x 39 in a 20.000 in test barrel, not the 24.000 in used for most rifle cartridges, so its reference velocities cannot be set beside theirs without allowing for the barrel. The maximum average pressure is 45,000 psi. Fire 7.62 x 39 ammunition only in a firearm chambered for it. Several unrelated cartridges share a number, so match the full designation on the box to the marking on your barrel.
7.62×39 vs 308: the SAAMI comparison
A figure from one maker’s catalogue cannot be laid beside a figure from another’s: each picks its own test barrel, zero and bullet, and many publish no test barrel at all. SAAMI is the shared basis, because it fixes one standard test barrel and one way of measuring velocity for every cartridge it lists.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| SAAMI specification | 7.62 x 39 | 308 Winchester |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum average pressure | 45,000 psi | 62,000 psi |
| Standard test barrel length | 20.000 in | 24.000 in |
| Test barrel twist rate | 1 turn in 9.45 in | 1 turn in 12.00 in |
| Test barrel groove diameter | .310 in | .308 in |
| Lightest reference load | 123 gr — 2,350 fps / 1,508 ft-lb | 55 gr — 3,750 fps / 1,717 ft-lb |
| Heaviest reference load | 123 gr — 2,350 fps / 1,508 ft-lb | 200 gr — 2,440 fps / 2,643 ft-lb |
SAAMI standardises the 7.62 x 39 at 45,000 psi and the 308 Winchester at 62,000 psi, so the 7.62 x 39 runs 17,000 psi lower. SAAMI lists no bullet weight in common for the two, so there is no like-for-like velocity row to compare. Their standard test barrels differ (20.000 in, 1 turn in 9.45 in for the 7.62 x 39; 24.000 in, 1 turn in 12.00 in for the 308 Winchester), so compare the reference rows with that in mind.
What SAAMI cannot settle is anything past the muzzle. It publishes no ballistic coefficients and no downrange data, so it cannot say which cartridge shoots flatter at distance; that depends on the bullet. We stock the other side of this comparison too: 308 ammo.
7.62×39 ballistics questions
What is the maximum pressure of the 7.62 x 39?
ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 sets the maximum average pressure for the 7.62 x 39 at 45,000 psi.
What twist rate and barrel length does SAAMI use for the 7.62 x 39?
SAAMI’s standard test barrel for the 7.62 x 39 is 20.000 in long and rifled 1 turn in 9.45 in. Your own rifle may differ.
What muzzle velocity do manufacturers publish for the 7.62 x 39?
For the 7 loads we stock from Hornady, Nosler, Federal, Remington and Fiocchi, the makers publish muzzle velocities from 1,050 to 2,375 fps, for bullet weights from 111 to 255 grains. Each maker measured its own load in its own test barrel, so these are not SAAMI reference figures and are not directly comparable between brands.
Is the 7.62 x 39 more powerful than the 308 Winchester?
SAAMI lists no bullet weight in common for the two, so there is no like-for-like row. Its highest computed reference energy is 1,508 ft-lb for the 7.62 x 39 (123 grains) and 3,038 ft-lb for the 308 Winchester.
What is the effective range of the 7.62 x 39?
Effective range is not a SAAMI specification and it is not a measured figure. SAAMI measures velocity at 15 feet, so it says nothing about performance at distance; that depends on the bullet and the shooter.
How much does the 7.62 x 39 drop at 300 yards?
SAAMI publishes muzzle velocity only, so it cannot give a drop figure. Drop depends on the bullet’s ballistic coefficient and on the zero range. A drop figure is unusable without its zero, so use the figure a maker prints for the specific load.
Where to buy these loads
Hilltop Armory carries 7.62×39 ammunition from Wolf, Prvi Partizan, TulAmmo, AMMO, Inc., Winchester and Hornady. Browse the full 7.62×39 ammo range.
