Well, most factory loads of the 7.62x39 are running at at LEAST 2400fps, usually 2450. What's up with the 2300 fps handload? 740 lb/ft is still quite a bit though, IMO. Though you're calculating with slow bullet speed to begin with if you used the 2300 FPS info.. Granted, that's not great energy left at that range, but still should work. Even if it is too weak to take it down immediately, lol, I'm not real concerned with an "inhumane" shot around here.. there's herds of about 20-30 (at times) that roam these cornfields, destroying farmers' crops substantially. I see 5-8 of them every night, like clockwork, same spot.. But if doing regular shots at 300+yards, I agree you should go to a higher-powered rifle. SKS's aren't reliably accurate enough, according to the ppl on here anyway, to shoot well enough at that range (for all variants, anyway). I dunno how we got off on 300yds. The vast majority of deer hunting shots are within 100 yards I'd guess, and the 7.62x39mm definitely has enough energy at that range. Unless you want to like.. blow its head off or something. In which case I suggest an AR-50 or Barrett 20mm HE round.