7.62 x 39 is NOT suitable. THe mosin is a suprisingly decent rifle and IS suitable with soft point amunition. You have to match your bullet to shot placement. A soft bullet like the interbond or cheapo 7.62x54 soft point -heart lungs. Puts em down right now. Hard bullet like the barnes- shoulder also puts em right down. 6.5s too light IMHO
Mininum- 270, 7 mag better, 3006 better 30 mag best.