Hunting with an SKS

Last summer at an ORA match a few of us used our SKS's out to 300m with surplus ammo. We were all on target with no issues. The rifles were all stock as far as I remember - they are good for distances past 200m believe me!
 
I would not use my SKS with 125 gr bullets on deer beyond 125 yards. I would however, use them out to 250 if I had handloaded some 150 or 165 grains. In that configuration, I would not hesitate to use them on Moose out to 100 yards. Plenty of juice no matter what others say. It is ballistically superior to the .30-30. There is another thread going on here using the SKS for a bear defense gun. Although I like th SKS and its verdatility, even I wouldn't deliberately go looking for a bear with one. However, if I had to use that, I would change the bullets in my handloads. I once loaded 220 gr sierra gamemasters in the case with 6 gr of unique behind it. Gave a bit over 1100 fps at the muzzle and I believe that terminal energy would be sufficient to convince a bear to change course at 10-15 yards. Only problem was cycling was unreliable due to low gas amounts generated. If rifle was well cleaned and oiled, it cycled fine, but as gas residue built up, it became a bolt action rifle. All of my SKS's are scoped, I am no longer able to do well with open sights. My buddy took his SKS out this morning and ABSOLUTELY destroyed 18 gophers at out to 100 yds. Some of the closer ones needed a second shot for ranging since he was zeroed at 125 yds for deer hunting and they nice and waited for him. While my .22LR left a fair bit of usuable meat for scavengers, Reed just blew them in half. Coyotes at 300?? Yeah, I think that would be doable. I hit a 22" steel well cap as a gong at 400 yds 5/5 last year with my SKS from a bench. Hit the 12" 3/5 and that'll work for me. However, I also have an SKs that is like lightening!! It won't hit the same spot twice (4" group at 100) I'd have to kill gophers with shrapnell. Enjoy. It is a fun rifle and plenty accurate if you want to spend the time behind the trigger. Pulling the bullets is not that big a job. If you decide to replace with 150 gr and use existing powder, remove 2 gr powder to avoid over pressure situations.
 
sorry, forgot to say that I love this round so much that I just bought a Rem Mod 799 chambered in the X39mm. That should turn this cartridge into a killer!! Apparently sub MOA with handloads from a couple of friends. Now there is a x39 round that should load up with a 100 gr bullet and take coyotes at 300 with no problem. As soon as the road to the range dries up, off I go. Have the workup loads ready now, just got to let the muck dry. Then coyotes beware.
 
Sks is a good rifle not just foe practice shooting. Nowadays many hunters in Russia want to buy SKS, the good thing in Russia it is not limited to five rounds!
 
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