SKS, a beautiful rifle in its original proven form
- Thread starter The Kurgan
- Start date
Excepting the stock wood, first decade of Chinese Type56's were essentially EXACT copies of the final soviet design. Any changes in the type56 design after that first decade were largely superficial -- likely to streamline production-- with nearly all of the Soviet designs left intact over the entire 30+ years of Chinese production.
Hi,
After getting over how much I dislike the SKS safety, I went ahead and bought an SKS from a fellow here on the EE. I went for it because the pics showed a beautiful rifle - a refinished laminate stock, and an immaculate barrel. It's a 1952 Tula. And I love it.
The rifle is a good shooter (average 1" groups at 50 yards - 2-3" at 100 yards), with a rear peep sight.
And after all is said and done, Rifle is fine! As long as you add a rear peep sight.
Cheers,
Neil
i have an sks thats alreay been bubbed, its surprisingly a good shooter with original irons. Ive been thinking of adding a peep sight.
- how much a difference does the peep make?
- how hard was it to install?
- ball park price what are peep's going for?
Rifle is fine.... but at the same time it could be far better
Murray,
What's better than a rugged and reasonably accurate rifle, that is inexpensive to shoot?
Cheers,
Neil
Murray,
What's better than a rugged and reasonably accurate rifle, that is inexpensive to shoot?
Cheers,
Neil
That same rifle.... but improved on as much as possible.
- Location
- Steel Town
Took my 1954 Tula out. 3" at 50 yards was the average. Some were 2" groups. Not too bad for iron sights! Who says an SKS can't shoot? Stick with Barnaul. The rifle is bone stock, non-refurbished and sits tightly in the stock. If you have any lateral play, cut a piece of pop can and shim it.
It's just a 625 marked civvy model. Never fired. It's waiting for me to use it, or to sell it. I'm actually thinking about selling it, and some other red rifles to fund my precision shooting interest. I'm on the fence. Tough decision.
Hi,
My SKS got a peep sight even before I fired it. So I can't give you an accurate account of how much it improved the accuracy.
Anyways, I use the Tech Sights rear peep. Installing was very easy. Although it is slightly destructive - you need to file down the takedown pin so you can remove it. Then it is replaced with an Allen head screw and nut.
The sight goes for about $75 USD. After shipping, converting to CAD, and tax, you're looking at about $130 or so.
Cheers,
Neil
My SKS got a peep sight even before I fired it. So I can't give you an accurate account of how much it improved the accuracy.
Anyways, I use the Tech Sights rear peep. Installing was very easy. Although it is slightly destructive - you need to file down the takedown pin so you can remove it. Then it is replaced with an Allen head screw and nut.
The sight goes for about $75 USD. After shipping, converting to CAD, and tax, you're looking at about $130 or so.
Cheers,
Neil
another question to the group
I only shoot non-corrosive because im lazy and will forget to clean it
I have been shooting Barnaul but i bought some white box Norinco because it was on sale.
Has anyone seen any material difference in shooting between the two?
Or do i just keep buying whats on sale?
I only shoot non-corrosive because im lazy and will forget to clean it
I have been shooting Barnaul but i bought some white box Norinco because it was on sale.
Has anyone seen any material difference in shooting between the two?
Or do i just keep buying whats on sale?
I've been shooting Barnaul, white box Norinco and now red box Norinco from my bolt action rifles. I noticed that both white and red box Norinco ammo is marginally less accurate as compared to Barnaul. However, its nothing to be concerned about. You can shoot whatever you can find on sale. I don't know about an SKS because I only use corrosive surplus for my SKS's.
P.S. For clarification I've been shooting at 100 yards.
Last edited:
Hi,
I found the white box Norinco to be far less accurate than Barnaul. At 50 yards, Norinco was grouping about 2-3". The Barnaul groups around 1 or 2 inches at 50 yards.
Hope this helps,
Neil
I found the white box Norinco to be far less accurate than Barnaul. At 50 yards, Norinco was grouping about 2-3". The Barnaul groups around 1 or 2 inches at 50 yards.
Hope this helps,
Neil
- Location
- Steel Town
Barnaul is the best volume choice for sure. For slightly improved consistency, Prvi PSP and GECO Target FMJ would be my recommendation, but they are more expensive.
I Believe that most Of the older Chinese rifles that came into Canada back in the day, were NEW. Such as the ones from Marstar.
The rifles from Russia were virtually all refurbed or issued and not refurbed. The new ones will possibly shoot better than issued and refurbed rifles as the refurbs will be a bit looser in the stock etc. My 1954 Tula is average 3-4" groups at 100 yards with surplus ammo. With my old eyes I believe it could do a bit better with peep sights and good quality ammo!
The rifles from Russia were virtually all refurbed or issued and not refurbed. The new ones will possibly shoot better than issued and refurbed rifles as the refurbs will be a bit looser in the stock etc. My 1954 Tula is average 3-4" groups at 100 yards with surplus ammo. With my old eyes I believe it could do a bit better with peep sights and good quality ammo!
No, the price is not similar. At Tenda Barnaul costs ($219.99+13%HST)=$248.59/500 and the Norinco red box (same as white) costs ($199.99+13%HST)=$225.99/500 (sold out now). So, per round Barnaul costs 49.7 and Norinco costs 45.2 cents. Ditto, Barnaul is more expensive.
At Tenda military surplus costs ($399.99+13%HST)=$451.99/1500 which comes to 30.1 cents per round. Military surplus ammo is still the cheapest option for shooting an SKS. Cleaning after shooting is not a big problem. When I shoot my SKS’s I mostly use surplus.
I buy the 20rd boxes 5 at a time. $1-$2 a box difference wont make much of difference.
When the kids are older ill have time to clean after a day at the range.
Right now i clean my SKS's once every 2 yrs (at best).....
At least Barnaul is made in a country that isn't a authoritarian global high power soon to be super power. I'd much rather my money went to Russia than China. Ideally I'd like a democratic country to pump out affordable ammo.
