The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: Big Frank on August 01, 2011, 03:05:31 PM

Title: SKS accuracy
Post by: Big Frank on August 01, 2011, 03:05:31 PM
On another forum a couple of guys were talking about how accurate the SKS is. One said the rifle was more accurate than he is. The other guy agreed that they are very accurate. Is this true? Why haven't I heard about this before?
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: 2HOW on August 01, 2011, 03:29:58 PM
I can say that my SKS was very accurate, more than my AK. With iron sights, never scoped it.
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: tombogan03884 on August 01, 2011, 04:19:59 PM
On another forum a couple of guys were talking about how accurate the SKS is. One said the rifle was more accurate than he is. The other guy agreed that they are very accurate. Is this true? Why haven't I heard about this before?

Those 2 guys probably shoot like crap.
The SKS is a cheaply made, mass produced, utilitarian, carbine, it shoots minute of A hole which is all it needs to do.
The round itself isn't exactly a "target" round.
You want accuracy from a milsurp rifle ? Get a Schmidt Rubin K-31. (Decent trigger too )
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: twyacht on August 01, 2011, 05:35:50 PM
The Norinco's I passed up for $99 in the crate, back in the day, shot minute of dinner platter with cheap ammo at 100yds.

But they shot steel, brass, old, new, even downright ugly ammo.. I don't like the mags to much...But geez, it's an SK,....when the zombies come, it makes holes in them....and ammo is "cheap"....

Consistent headshots may require something else, at ranges beyond 50yds., but they will eventually hit what your aiming at. ;)

Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: fightingquaker13 on August 02, 2011, 01:37:18 PM
The Norinco's I passed up for $99 in the crate, back in the day, shot minute of dinner platter with cheap ammo at 100yds.

But they shot steel, brass, old, new, even downright ugly ammo.. I don't like the mags to much...But geez, it's an SK,....when the zombies come, it makes holes in them....and ammo is "cheap"....

Consistent headshots may require something else, at ranges beyond 50yds., but they will eventually hit what your aiming at. ;)


The late 1980's were the days. I kick myself for buying a mini-14 which was no more accurate than an SKS, when I could have bought two SKSs and a full crate of Norinco ammo at $.10 a round for the same price. I got bamboozled by Ruger. I love the company, but I do not love that carbine, and I am glad I parted company with it.
FQ13
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: tombogan03884 on August 02, 2011, 02:29:26 PM
I did buy one of those $99 SKS'.
It was the worst trigger I have ever experienced. Made an SR9 seem light.
I never measured the pull, but I would guess around 20 lbs.
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: fightingquaker13 on August 02, 2011, 02:35:42 PM
I did buy one of those $99 SKS'.
It was the worst trigger I have ever experienced. Made an SR9 seem light.
I never measured the pull, but I would guess around 20 lbs.
But I'm betting you got your money's worth, which is more than I can say for my $400 Ruger.  :-[ :P
FQ13
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: kmitch200 on August 02, 2011, 04:29:39 PM
This thread makes me want to dig out the ol' Russkie and see what it groups like....it's been so long I don't remember. I still have some of the case of ammo that I bought with it way back when.

I got bamboozled by Ruger. I love the company, but I do not love that carbine, and I am glad I parted company with it.

My experience with the Mini-14 in the mid 90s wasn't any better. It only shot 4" low with the adj sights cranked all the way up - - at 25 yards!
Took it back to the dealer and we made a deal for a Colt H-Bar that I have NEVER regretted.
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: Timothy on August 02, 2011, 04:35:56 PM
My buddy back about thirty years ago had a Mini-14 that was dialed in.....out to about two hundred yards.  It's the only one I've ever fired but it was spot on with a decent scope!
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: seeker_two on August 02, 2011, 06:21:32 PM
With decent ammo and a clean gun, it should be as accurate and powerful as a .30-30Win carbine.....and much better than any Mini-14.....
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: Badgersmilk on August 02, 2011, 06:28:19 PM
"minute of dinner platter " isn't that far off a Yugo made one as it comes outta the box to my experience.

Out of the box mine shot just like my AK at 100 yards.  Which means it'll put them in an 6" circle every time.  (factory iron sights)

Among many other things...  I removed the infamous SKS "volcano" from the bolt face, installed a Murrays firing pin, added a muzzle brake, and polished the trigger a little and it now makes sub 4" groups at 100 all day long.  The particular SKS I've got isn't a surplus rifle or anything; it was manufactured in 2004 if I remember right.  Has it failed to feed on me before?  Yep, I can count on one out of every 20 - 30 or so to give me a problem.  Has my AK ever?  Not once.  EVER.  I keep both near sterile clean.  Polishing the rails and such in the SKS would likely improve its reliability, but it's so freakin muzzle heavy I just don't like shooting it.  So I never  bothered.   :-\

The barrel on almost any SKS is longer than an AK, so it stands to reason they should be a little more accurate.   :-\


(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1020301.jpg?t=1312326856)

While I like Ruger, the Mini Thirty is an  ABOMINATION TO ALL THE GUN WORLD with it's stupid "one off" bore diameter.  >:(   
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: tombogan03884 on August 02, 2011, 06:34:47 PM
With decent ammo and a clean gun, it should be as accurate and powerful as a .30-30Win carbine.....and much better than any Mini-14.....

Ballistics isn't really my thing, but I have heard that because of the mathematics of the bullet its self the 7.62X39 is just not suited to precision accuracy.
But hey, that isn't what people by an AK or SKS for.  Or a 30/30 either when it comes down to it.
They buy them for "good enough" off hand shooting.
If you want bench rest accuracy buy a bench rest rifle.
(And quit using the butter knives for screw drivers dammit !  ;D   )
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: Timothy on August 02, 2011, 06:38:47 PM
Good point Tom!

In all my years of hunting I've never been able to "rest" the rifle on anything but my own structure...100 - 150 yards off hand is good to go.  We just don't need a long reach in the north from the Mississippi and east!
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: twyacht on August 02, 2011, 06:50:38 PM
The Sons Of Guns Episode, with the 1000 yd AK, was true,....the only mods were a Krieger 22" barrel, and a slicked up trigger.

That's IT. and it worked. Shot 4 leaf clovers....

Yes the barrel is worth more than the rifle,...but let's keep it in context.

The AK/SKS, were never designed for tack driving accuracy at distances beyond 100/200 yds. Remember the AR vs. the AK thread?

Adjustable sights on the AK you never mess with? AR's you can 1/8 MOA adjust? Please...... :P

It's a combat beater weapon.

My 30/30 Winchester comes close as a lever action,,.... offhand, put meat on the table, or a BG down rifle. Just like my Saiga AK....Keep the crap accessories off of it,....leave the adj. sights the hell alone..., and hit with combat accuracy to 200 yds.

That's it.

If I need more, I got's more,... ;)

Hell, my Moisin can do better with crappy ammo.... ;D

It is what it is. tweak it, make it better, or leave it the hell alone.

Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: david86440 on August 02, 2011, 07:04:00 PM
Ballistics isn't really my thing, but I have heard that because of the mathematics of the bullet its self the 7.62X39 is just not suited to precision accuracy.
But hey, that isn't what people by an AK or SKS for.  Or a 30/30 either when it comes down to it.
They buy them for "good enough" off hand shooting.
If you want bench rest accuracy buy a bench rest rifle.
(And quit using the butter knives for screw drivers dammit !  ;D   )

Funny, I was just thinking that I have a single shot in 7.62x39 around here somewhere. I wonder how accurate that thing is. I don't think I've ever shot it.
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: Badgersmilk on August 02, 2011, 07:15:06 PM
Funny, I was just thinking that I have a single shot in 7.62x39 around here somewhere. I wonder how accurate that thing is. I don't think I've ever shot it.

What's that?  One of those AR's with a 7.62x39 upper?

Sorry, couldn't help myself.   ;)
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: david86440 on August 02, 2011, 07:19:02 PM
What's that?  One of those AR's with a 7.62x39 upper?

Sorry, couldn't help myself.   ;)

Actually, I've got one of those AK pumps! Forgot about that one too. Must be the meds.

I really need to check my safe.
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: tombogan03884 on August 02, 2011, 10:03:30 PM
Just caught something Seeker posted, "it should be as accurate and powerful as a .30-30Win carbine.."
It won't have the power of a 30/30 since the bullet is 25 +/- Gr lighter.
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: david86440 on August 02, 2011, 10:07:53 PM
I found it.................

Here's my little 7.62x39 single shot.
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: Badgersmilk on August 02, 2011, 10:39:09 PM
THAT is cool!  Never even heard of it.  Neat stuff!
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: david86440 on August 02, 2011, 10:47:46 PM
Here is my AK pump action and my other two 7.62x39 shooters.
Title: Re: SKS accuracy
Post by: Badgersmilk on August 02, 2011, 11:50:03 PM
http://www.steyrscout.org/savscout.htm (http://www.steyrscout.org/savscout.htm)

Savage Model: 10 FCM Scout 

Factory peep sights, removable mag., Accutrigger, Accustock, 7.62x39...  Oh yeah!  ;)