Russian SKS for hunting
- Thread starter CVanDam
- Start date
There are better guns for hunting, but an SKS will work. The real limiting aspect of the SKS is it's issued sights, which make precise shot placement challenging. Most SKS are accurate enough to kill a deer to 200 yards, but their sights don't allow for proper shot placement. I've put 10 shots into a deer kill zone target using a scoped SKS and handloaded ammo at 200 yards (Factory soft points were hard to find back then) I've also killed a bear at around 200 yards with a scoped SKS. It died without fanfare.
One of the nice things about the SKS is that there is plenty of cheap tins of surplus ammo so you can do lots of practice with it, then switch to appropriate ammunition when you go hunting.
If this is your first hunting rifle, I would suggest you go for one of the many inexpensive bolt action options on the market today. But if you just feel like you want to hunt with an SKS, it will do the job if you treat it like an open sight lever action in 30-30 or 44 Mag, limiting your shots to distances you can shoot accurately. When you think about it, lots of those lever actions also have crappy iron sights too.
One of the nice things about the SKS is that there is plenty of cheap tins of surplus ammo so you can do lots of practice with it, then switch to appropriate ammunition when you go hunting.
If this is your first hunting rifle, I would suggest you go for one of the many inexpensive bolt action options on the market today. But if you just feel like you want to hunt with an SKS, it will do the job if you treat it like an open sight lever action in 30-30 or 44 Mag, limiting your shots to distances you can shoot accurately. When you think about it, lots of those lever actions also have crappy iron sights too.
- Location
- West Central Alberta
I shot a whitetail with an SKS about 7-8 years ago. It was a lung shot at about 50 yards and the buck ran downhill about 70 yards before he packed it in.
Can you hunt deer with an SKS? Absolutely. Is an SKS my first choice for deer hunting? Absolutely NOT!!
But it can be done.
Can you hunt deer with an SKS? Absolutely. Is an SKS my first choice for deer hunting? Absolutely NOT!!
But it can be done.
Got no problem with my new build. Hits a 6inch plate at 100yards easy every time. The dear is mine !
could easily push that out way farther.
Have to ask; what stock is that?..
It has pretty much all been said already. Accuracy can vary from meh to disappointing, the sights are crude, the milsurp stock doesn't allow me to quickly acquire the sites, doesn't carry nicely one handed like I prefer a woods rifle to and on game performance can be equaled or exceeded with any number or cartridges readily available in rifles that meet my preferences. If you have one and want to hunt with it fill your boots, just don't use FMJ ammunition. If the appearance of one trips your trigger (pun intended) get one, its still a relatively free country.
The caliber is a fine little caliber. Accuracy is generally minute of deer with them, but they are not the most "comfortable" rifle, and they weigh a comparative ton. You can pick up a good used entry-level bolt gun or lever (30-30 or 32 special) for almost the same price.
It's not a matter of can you kill a deer with an SKS, it's more like"why would you" when there are so many far superior hunting rifles available?
Some people like the idea of doing it. I remember seeing a guy out for moose with a 91/30, but he had several "better" rifles at home. I remember kidding him about the length of the rifle, and he said it was great for pole vaulting across creeks. In the 80's I used a Polish paratrooper AKM as my dogging gun, and my wife killed a huge cow moose with it. Come to think of it, back then, I hunted with a G3, just because. I had a couple 308's, a Browning in 338 WM, a Ruger No,. 1 in 300 WM and one in 375 H&H. I just liked the feel and look of the G3 (and it was scary accurate). I guess, in hindsight, there was something cool about hunting with a "machine gun" (I was in my 20's then).
If you get yourself a moderately accurate SKS (assuming they don't get banned, which I don't think will happen, but who knows), you will have a very serviceable, dependable medium game rifle that is a ton of fun to shoot. If you are looking for a hunting gun, it would definitely not make my list.
hatman1793
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The 7.62X39 cartridge was designed to hunt creatures on two legs. This fine cartridge saw service everywhere, is successfully used in many semi-auto & full auto platforms & is superior to the anemic & obsolete 30-30. Which army successfully deployed the 30-30 lever gun for combat? Has any AR15 manufacturer chambered 30-30 in their rifles? How about conversion kits?
Currently, Ruger, Savage, CZ, Howa chamber 7.62 X39 in their rifle lines. Sure, you can hunt with an SKS, its a great budget friendly rifle. Buy a crate of ammo & practice. You can also drastically improve the SKS platform with scope mounts, better stocks, etc...
My choice would be the Savage Axis bolt rifle. It’s all there: all weather stock, factory installed scope, great trigger, & great price....
Currently, Ruger, Savage, CZ, Howa chamber 7.62 X39 in their rifle lines. Sure, you can hunt with an SKS, its a great budget friendly rifle. Buy a crate of ammo & practice. You can also drastically improve the SKS platform with scope mounts, better stocks, etc...
My choice would be the Savage Axis bolt rifle. It’s all there: all weather stock, factory installed scope, great trigger, & great price....
Lots of weird in those statements ....
- The 30-30 compared to the 7.62x39 is hardly anemic and obsolete. I does exactly what is was designed to do in a much better sporting pkg than the SKS.
- There are plenty of very successful sporting chamberings that were designed for military applications that have not been used in an AR platform.
- Who cares if the army has not deployed the 30-30? There are lots of other very good rounds they don't use.
- Guess again.
I agree.
The reason lever rifles were not (widely) used by the military is their relative mechanical complexity. They are also relatively delicate actions - i.e., I don't think they would do so well in trenches, desert, etc. The 30-30 has, along with the 303, killed more moose in Canada than any other gun. I've never had to chase a moose shot with a 30-30 - they've always dropped within 100 yards. Also, the bullet 170gr. vs. 125'ish. The 30-30 is definitely not anemic. You may not like it. That's fine. Lots of people don't. But don't say it's useless. There is no such thing as a useless cartridge.
it didn't appear you were commenting on the hunting aspect but were focused on the huligans that at times act inappropriately while in the bush. SKS owners are not the sole offenders. If he wants to hunt with an SKS that's his right.
Last time I checked the 7.62 x 39 was inferior to the 30-30 as far as ballistics go. Something like 10 % less velocity with a 150 gr pill, which translates into 20% less kinetic energy. If I had to chose between an SKS and a lever action 30-30, the choice would be obvious.
Moreover, if I had to chose between the venerable 303 sporter, which costs the same as an SKS, and the SKS, the choice would be even more obvious. Oh wait, I've already made this choice
Moreover, if I had to chose between the venerable 303 sporter, which costs the same as an SKS, and the SKS, the choice would be even more obvious. Oh wait, I've already made this choice
- Location
- West Central Alberta
I sure am glad that the whitetail buck I shot with my SKS can't read ballistic tables. lol
