If you’re going to build a 7.62 AR, there are a few important things you should know. This post will cover 5 of them.
First, and Most Importantly, 7.62 AR Means More Than One Thing
In the scope of this article, we will be discussing the performance of a specific 7.62 AR cartridge, making the notable distinction that there is more than one. In this case, we are addressing 7.62 Soviet, more properly known as 7.62x39mm. This is not the same cartridge as 7.62 NATO, or 7.62x51mm, which is roughly equivalent to .308 Winchester. That is an entirely different cartridge that produces very different ballistic performance.
So, we’re going to cover what you should know about a 7.62 AR chambered in 7.62 Soviet, not 7.62 NATO.
7.62 Drops Like a Rock Past 100 Yards
While 7.62 NATO performs well at extended ranges (as does 5.56 NATO, in which ARs are also commonly chambered), the same is not true of 7.62 Soviet.
The latter cartridge actually has pretty abysmally bad performance at extended ranges, beyond 100 or 200 yards or so.
Without 100 yards or just a little bit further, depending on load data, the 7.62 Soviet actually performs reasonably well. But past that, it has a really badly drooping trajectory.
It’s not that it’s an inaccurate cartridge, but it is definitely one that drops really fast once you pass 100 yards, which makes it completely unsuitable for long-range shooting. It also loses energy relatively quickly which makes it unsuitable for that application.
However, It Performs Better from a Shorter Barrel
While 7.62 ARs (in 7.62 Soviet, that is) don’t perform well at longer ranges, they do perform well from a shorter barrel. This is something a 7.62 AR shares in common with ARs in other alternative chamberings, such as .300 Blackout. They both do very well from shorter barrels.
Faster, lighter cartridges like 5.56 don’t achieve ideal muzzle velocities from shorter barrels, and on top of that, there isn’t enough length in shorter barrels, generally less than 16” to achieve full propellant deflagration. This results in lower than optimal muzzle velocity, a lot of muzzle pop, and tons of fouling, much of which gets blasted back into the bore and action.
Those undesirable conditions, by and large, do not affect 7.62 Soviet, at least with barrels in the 10 to 16 inch range. Short barrel uppers with barrels in this range generally produce good performance with the 7.62 Soviet cartridge. You can still attain a reasonable muzzle velocity with barrels of this length without producing too much fouling or leaving too much ballistic potential on the table.
It Also Delivers More Stopping Power Than 5.56
There’s really only one good reason to build a 7.62 AR specifically as an alternative to 5.56, and it’s that it delivers considerably more stopping power.
It is slower than 5.56, produces more recoil, has a limited range by comparison, and is comparable in price if not more expensive. It’s also no more accurate. But what it does do is generate more muzzle energy, more stopping power at close ranges, and produces a wider permanent wound channel.
This makes 7.62, especially loaded with an appropriate bullet, an ideal choice for an SBR or a PDW or ARP kept as a truck gun, for home defense, or for other defensive applications. It will produce more stopping power than 5.56, which makes it more effective for a quick neutralization of hostile targets, especially at close ranges.
Ammo Is Relatively Low Cost
Lastly, while 7.62 Soviet is generally more expensive than 5.56 NATO, at this point, because of current conditions, it is comparable in price. In some cases, 7.62 is actually cheaper.
Either way, we don’t need to split hairs here. If you do a lot of high-volume target shooting, 7.62 Soviet can be an excellent choice for burning brass because it is widely available in many different loads (including low-cost steel-cased ammo like TulAmmo) and commands generally affordable prices, all things considered.
Shop 7.62 AR Uppers Here
For those of you reading this that are undecided on what chambering to choose for your next AR build, know this. If you want a low-cost option that’s widely available and produces a lot more stopping power than 5.56 while only generating marginally more recoil, and one that performs much better from a shorter barrel, 7.62 Soviet is a solid choice. Shop 7.62 AR uppers here, including ARP and SBR uppers, and get in touch with us if you have any questions before you commit to the project.