CZ 858...Is it worth the extra $$$ over the SKS.

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Like I have said before, I used to have a 1950 Russian SKS, that I liked alot. I felt that it was very well built was a heck of a deal. I just was'nt impressed with the accuracy of it, so I got rid of it. It was fine at 50 yards away, however whenever I tried to shoot the 12 inch Gong at our hunt camp from about 100yards away I was only hitting it about 25% of the time. I can use my Ruger 10/22 and hit it 100% of the time. Too me, that kind of accuracy just does'nt cut it for a rifle that I planned on taking deer hunting also, for 1 week of the year, for pushing the bush.

I ended up selling the SKS, and I bought a used Marlin 336 Lever action 30-30. I can hit the Gong about 80-90% of the time, no problem. However the Marlin is'nt really my cup of tea. I also want something that I can target shoot with.

The majority of my buddy's at the hunt camp use Ruger Mini-30's and I think that they are awesome. I would like to be a bit different though, so thats why I am thinking about getting a CZ 858, but I am still on the fence, because I know how accurate the New Ruger's are I would be really disapointed to buy a CZ and find out that it is about the same accuracy as a SKS. Although, I could sell the CZ very easily, as many guys have mentioned.

Its a hard decision for me to make, but the Question for me now is

Ruger Mini 30 vs CZ 858
 
It won't be my first gun. I own quite a few guns right now, and have owned a SKS before, thats why I wanted to ask guys who have owned a CZ also, just to see if they think it is worth it over the SKS to spend the extra money. It seems like they mostly feel like the CZ is quite a big step up.

I am just trying to decide on to buy the CZ or a Mini
 
Ok... I just bought 1 and...

Love it...

hate the looks :p


Between the sks and the cz... I like the cz more... now I shoot the miltary surplus and it groups great.. and cleaning it isn't that bad..
 
I love shooting my SKS and it is lots of fun. The biggest difference for me was I got to buy a whole lot of ammo and add on accessories. It is a great fun rifle for plinking. I have shot the CZ 858 with just open sights not really sure I can say it is really more accurate as my SKS is more tricked up. But for hunting I don't really take my SKS unless I'm in the bush for coyotes and if it is for deer you can't use the surplus ammo. I have other rifles for hunting deer.

So my summary is:
SKS = Cheap, Fun, more Ammo and great for plinking
CZ 858 = 3X the $$$ (Have not seen any of my friends take it our for hunting.)
Hunting = Other rifles

Guess it depends what you want to do with it.

Here is a pic of my SKS. Ya, my Cmore on it is worth more than the rifle. But that is not a bad thing.
SKS.jpg

1/4" steel plate with 3 shots group @ 75 yards with my SKS.
IMG_3666.jpg
 
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I have a Marlin 336 in 30/30 and a Tikka T3ss in 30/06 that I plan to use for deer. T 30/30 for pushing the bush and the 30/06 for the treestands.

The majority of our hunting party used Ruger Mini-30's, and I will either buy one of those, because I see how effective they are, or I will go the other route and bring up a CZ or SKS. I have had a SKS before, so I know what to expect from that. More likely its a toss up for me between the CZ and Ruger. The CZ really intrigues me, so I like to hear from different guys that use there CZ for Deer hunting and what they have to say, because they are slowly making me make up my mind of what to buy.
 
the 858 is my rainy day deer gun. for this use i could see having a laminated stocked sks with the bayo and lug neatly removed.

never met a person yet that doesn't like shooting it.
 
I've never had any issues with my SKS or CZ 858.

Both are very reliable, and shoot really well. The CZ 858 is about the same weight as a Winchester 94, making it a good bush gun, but boosts the recoil. The SKS is heavier and less ergonmic, but makes up for it with reduced recoil...

They aren't as accurate as my 580 mini 14, but naturally, they pack more punch...
 
Baal said:
If you have to ask, then it's not gonna be worth the extra cash.
Click to expand...

I'm not really sure how I should react to that comment. So I will just turn a blind eye to it.

Anyways guys, thanks for input on the SKS vs CZ debate. Its been very informative for me, since I really did'nt have too much knowledge on the CZ 858. It's quite obvious that there is a loyal following towards the CZ 858, and for what appears to be very good reason.

I have decided to buy 2 rifles. I am going to buy another SKS, just because I have owned one, and I liked it quite a bit, and I am really regretting selling the darn thing. So, I am going to buy another SKS, since they are a decent rifle, and for the price of a SKS, I can easily afford to buy another one, and still get a another rifle.

So, my next decision is a hard one for me. I am trying to decide to get either a CZ 858, or a Ruger Mini-30 (along with a SKS also:))
 
That kind of sucks about the CZ and mounting scopes. I did'nt know that. I would probably want to put on a Red Dot, and maybe a low powered scope.

Is there anyone out there who has succesfully mounted a scope to a CZ? Can't you remove the rear sight and mount a Scout style scope from there?
 
I didn't say you can't put a scope on the VZ, only that it's easier with the Mini. You go with a side mount of some sort or here's a couple ways I've done it.

NEA stock adaptor and cantilever mount. You need a shell deflector of some sort to run a conventionally sized optic:

IMG_1236aMedium.jpg


LER scope on forward rail:

IMG_1252aMedium.jpg


Red dot on NEA railed handguard:

IMG_1293aMedium.jpg
 
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