I’m no bubba but I do like making things my own. I have had 2 Tula’s in the past but sold them for other things but it seems I have the itch for one again but with the new prices I’m not sure what I really want. The main concern I have is accuracy (3-6 moa), having a workable trigger(at least enough material to do a tigger job on) and compatibility (I plan on ditching the floor plate and using detachable mags and know some may not work). This thing will not be restorable once I’m done and that’s fine, it may not hold much value but again that’s fine I just want it to do the above. So what are the opinions?
SKS for bubba
- Thread starter james_o
- Start date
james - I've had 2x Tulas also, then I got a French Tickler from Tenda last Summer. Only $460 at the time, plus tax. Now $570-plus - still in stock tonite. Anyway, the trigger is really smooth. You could file/stone the Sear a bit to reduce that but just putting an MCarbo "Light" Sear spring (or whatever you wish) in place of OEM is all that is really needed and a lot safer. That's all I did, tho my Tulas both got the 'stone' treatment. The bore is chrome-plated (looked like a Mirror) and the F-Ts are 'UN-issued' and in Cosmoline. I put the wood stock on a shelf and put the rest into a Tapco stock I had kept from the last Tula. I also had 5 Tapco-mags. All that you need to do is When disassembling for cleaning off the Cosmo, Just don't put back the OEM magazine. The tapco mags go right in after 'other assembly' is completed, tho if you keep the wood stock you Might have to file a bit of wood to clear the mags; I did when I sold the last Tula, putting it in a Chinese stock and giving the buyer a Tapco mag with it. As for "restorable" I don't think that's an issue unless you go choppin' stuff - I didn't have to 'chop' anything beyond that for my 'Bubba job'.
And RE accuracy, I'm not that great with Iron sights since this is the only rifle I use them on But I got fair shots at 100 - I can just barely see the Bull at that distance. Here's a pic from last summer - I pulled Shot #4, Hi Right Marked Flier. And my Tapco/Norinco - I've taken OFF the Holo sight, doesn't really help at 100 or more. - >
And RE accuracy, I'm not that great with Iron sights since this is the only rifle I use them on But I got fair shots at 100 - I can just barely see the Bull at that distance. Here's a pic from last summer - I pulled Shot #4, Hi Right Marked Flier. And my Tapco/Norinco - I've taken OFF the Holo sight, doesn't really help at 100 or more. - >
PS - - Just my opinion but I believe the "Military Surplus" Chinese SKS may or may not be in good condition. Some others on here have seen some in Cablas/BP and said they looked 'good' but that's a judgment you must make for yourself. I'd vote for the FT as I know they are Un-issued.
Ok, first off thanks for the reply’s, second, I’ve been out of the game for some time when we are talking about FT that’s just type 56 (Chinese) sks’s? Or something more specific?
If that’s the case yeah that’s what I was leaning towards and I have had my eye on those sear kits. It will probably get a promag stock and some sort of bedding.
If that’s the case yeah that’s what I was leaning towards and I have had my eye on those sear kits. It will probably get a promag stock and some sort of bedding.
Sounds like your on the right track with everything. Polish trigger, swap out sear spring (easily reversable if it proves to be unsafe), pick a model with a great condition muzzle crown or re work one that isnt. Remove the cleaning rod, remove the bayonet setup. Id recommend getting a wood stock that way you can work in accuracy mods better. Bed the back, install the factory crossbolt from the old SKS stock in the proper location and bed that area as well so it is slightly higher then the back bed job. Resulting in a lightly torqued action when the front ferrule is hooked in with the wood stock. Then top it all off with a drill n tap optic mount. Whether it be a promag, Choate, MOLOT/EST or Mosin PU setup.
All of this hard work can yield a solid 2-3 moa SKS. Dismal gains depending on who you ask, but a good educational passion project if you ask me. And ultimately a fun cost effective extended range plinker. A 2-3moa 7.62x39 gun in my experience will easily serve you out to 500-650yrds.
All of this hard work can yield a solid 2-3 moa SKS. Dismal gains depending on who you ask, but a good educational passion project if you ask me. And ultimately a fun cost effective extended range plinker. A 2-3moa 7.62x39 gun in my experience will easily serve you out to 500-650yrds.
James -Here's the Tenda page for the "French Tickler" . Yes, it's a Type-56 but a variant with a plastic upper hand-guard that has some "ribs", hence the "French Tickler" 'common' designation. ( Look it up if you don't 'get it' ) As I said, Mine came with a 'pristine' bore ( except for Cosmoline ) so "UN-fired". They still have some as of 10:20 TODAY - 1/23/25.
https://www.gotenda.com/product/chinese-sks-type-56-五六半-7-62x39-french-tickler-limited/
https://www.gotenda.com/product/chinese-sks-type-56-五六半-7-62x39-french-tickler-limited/
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Battlerifleelitist
CGN Regular
- Location
- Annapolis Valley, NS
I've not had a ton of SKS's but I've had very decent accuracy with handloads with Hornady 123gr SST bullets.
Butcherbill
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
+1 on bedding or shimming the receiver in the stock, I’ve cut groups in half after getting things tight and eliminating any back and forth movement. DIY trigger job is another good idea.
