I've never hunted deer with one, but when I was a kid a friend of mine had a bunch of beavers on his farm that his parents had us take care of with an sks. The 7.62x39 is on the low end powerwise for deer, but it can be done. The most important thing is bullet selection, most of the ammo available is milsurp fmj or steel core that should NEVER be shot at game. If your getting decent groups at 75 yards and can get some good hunting ammo, go get some venison!