SKS Ammunition? / WWII Rifle?

[Pseudo]

Sorry if this has been posted before, did a search and didn't quite come out with what I was looking for. trying to kill two birds with one stone.

I'v been interested in the sks for quite some time, It seems like a well designed rifle with lots of options. The only thing that has been holding me back is the ammunition, Can you reload for your sks? the other question I have is can it fire modern cartridges or is it restricted to surplus? If it CAN fire modern ammo, who sells the stuff? Those are my questions regarding the sks.

Now time for a short story.

My family on my fathers side originated from the states (not sure how far back) but I know that it was in New Hampshire. I still have a few family members that still live there, that I have never met in person but have spoken to them over skype. I found out that my grandfather served in the military during WWII as a sharp shooter where he earned a few medals over the course of his service. When he came back 2 of his sons had to do service, my fathers two oldest brothers (Large family my father had 7 brothers) that's why my grandfather moved his family to Quebec, he didn't want any of his Kids to serve in a war.

Anyways, that as far as i'm gonna go with the family history, When my grandfather passed, my dad was suppose to inherit his military rifle but my uncle made off with it. My uncle from what I was told kept it for a few years before it was stole from his house. My dad was quite choke up about this. I would like to find out what kind of rifle my grandfather would have used, Im guessing probably a M1903 Springfield? secondly how hard are they to find?

Cheers!

 

[shredder]

To answer the SKS questions, yes, it can fire modern hunting ammo. Prvi Partizan and Sellier & Bellot make the ammo and it's imported into Canada. Be prepared to pay between 18-25 dollars per box of 20. This ammo is reloadable, while most surplus stuff isn't.

As for the sharpshooter (sniper) rifle, I believe that it would have been an 03 Springfield rifle topped with a Leatherwood 3 power scope (if it still had the scope on it). You might get more answers if you post the question in the Milsurps forum, or do a search in it.

 

[Pseudo]

Cheers Shredder!

 

[supernova]

You can also try MFS ammo for a cheaper but non-reloadable modern option. Its a big improvement over surplus. Lee makes a mould for a 162 gr. bullet originally designed for the 7.62x39 cartridge particularily in military rifles. Budget shooter supply also sells bulk brass which may be expensive but at least you'll have 100 reloadable brass compared to the beat-to-hell brass that SKS will throw everywhere. The modern ammo is hotter than surplus so ejection is vigorous to say the least. Once you do start realoding however there are loads that cycle the action very gently