semi auto vs bolt action 7.62x39?
- Thread starter little_airwolf
- Start date
Recoil. Bolt will be greater, but still pretty mild in 7.62x39
noise level. not much different
reliability. Bolt actions have less moving parts, less to break down, and are typically more reliable. Saying this the SKS is pretty tough to beat for reliability.
aftermarket add ons, Im guessing the sks wins hands down here. I would say semi wins here, much more upgrades for mini 30, SKS, AR's or other black rifles in this caliber, not much out there for most of the bolt action rifles in 7.62x39
noise level. not much different
reliability. Bolt actions have less moving parts, less to break down, and are typically more reliable. Saying this the SKS is pretty tough to beat for reliability.
aftermarket add ons, Im guessing the sks wins hands down here. I would say semi wins here, much more upgrades for mini 30, SKS, AR's or other black rifles in this caliber, not much out there for most of the bolt action rifles in 7.62x39
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
You might be mistaken if you consider the SKS the hands down winner. If both rifles weigh the same, the bolt gun will probably recoil a bit harder, but so what; a 7.62X39 is no .30-378 Weatherby. Noise levels are dependent upon barrel length, so usually a bolt gun with a longer barrel generates less noise, but if you're shooting multiple rounds, in a nonhunting recreational shooting situation, you should be wearing hearing protection regardless of what rifle you're shooting.
The reliability factor between the bolt gun and the SKS in all honesty is a wash, provided both examples are in good working condition. With respect to aftermarket add on's, we need only look at scope mounting options to put the bolt gun well out in front. The SKS was meant as an iron sight battle carbine, so it was not designed with convenient mounting systems in mind, whereas a bolt action like the CZ-527 makes mounting a scope simple.
Neither does the SKS shoot quicker in the context of making the first shot. I'm willing to bet any amount of money you can afford to loose that a bolt gun of a handy size, with a good to excellent trigger, will fire the first shot, at an unexpected target, much more quickly than the little battle carbine, with it's typical long, gritty trigger pull. If we consider the length of time it takes to acquire a second target, and make the shot, the SKS might not even be able to keep up for the subsequent shot, although it should have the advantage for subsequent shots on the same target.
The quality of the trigger is what truly sets the bolt gun apart from the SKS, and is the primary reason why the bolt gun can be fired more accurately, and more quickly for a precise first round hit, under field conditions. If you want a fast talking toy, or a home defense carbine, the SKS is as good as anything, and its much less expensive than a Mini-14. But if you care about marksmanship, its not where you should be looking, unless you intend to spend a great deal of money slicking it up.
The bolt action rifles tend to be a LOT lighter. As in 2 or 3 pounds lighter - which cuts 1/3 the weight from it. The gas system and bolt carrier on a semi auto add to weight.
Recoil is negligible either way for x39, and the bolt guns tend to come with rubber butt-pads anyway (as opposed to the steel buttplate on an SKS), which pretty much eliminates any felt difference.
Accuracy and reliability are going to both be better with a bolt rifle out of the box. And that's before doing any accurizing work, which can be taken a lot further with a bolt action rifle (bedding, free floating the barrel, pillar bedding - all work better on a bolt gun).
Trigger is going to be a lot better on the bolt guns as well - a much simpler sere engagement/trigger mechanism makes them easier to tune.
Semi auto wins for being semi auto - can rip rounds downrange in faster succession.
Recoil is negligible either way for x39, and the bolt guns tend to come with rubber butt-pads anyway (as opposed to the steel buttplate on an SKS), which pretty much eliminates any felt difference.
Accuracy and reliability are going to both be better with a bolt rifle out of the box. And that's before doing any accurizing work, which can be taken a lot further with a bolt action rifle (bedding, free floating the barrel, pillar bedding - all work better on a bolt gun).
Trigger is going to be a lot better on the bolt guns as well - a much simpler sere engagement/trigger mechanism makes them easier to tune.
Semi auto wins for being semi auto - can rip rounds downrange in faster succession.
lejarretnoir
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- 162km from Connaught
The difference is one is a military gun that can be tacticooled up and the other is a short range hunting rifle with easy scope mounting.
If you want better accuracy, the bolt action wins hands down.
If you want better accuracy, the bolt action wins hands down.
