SKS For hunting

J

JeffJames

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Etobicoke, ON
Has anyone used an SKS for hunting? Just wondering if they are a good bush gun?

I need to get something for moose this fall. But I also want something unique, and I really need to come up with a good excuse to buy one, So it isnt a big argument with the ball and chain. :)

Also how difficult is it to mount a scope on an SKS?
 
A SKS is excellent in close country. Remember to put the round in the vitals and you'll be ok, and use soft-point ammo. Also, don't go outside 200yds or your risking a wounded animal. Cheers.
 
125 grain .30 cal on moose is iffy at best unless you go straight into the chest and avoid a shoulder shot. A .30-30 150 or 170 grain is miles better and it isn't a choice caliber either, but does the job. You'd be much better off with a 7.62x54R, .303, .308, or .30-06.
 
I personally like the .30-06 for moose, but if you want to use your SKS then I would say keep the shots at closer range. S&B lists a max effective range of their SP ammo at 144m, and I'd imagine that would be for deer. Make it a good shot. As for scopes, browse through the SKS optics sticky for some good ideas
 
Woodsman said:
125 grain .30 cal on moose is iffy at best unless you go straight into the chest and avoid a shoulder shot. A .30-30 150 or 170 grain is miles better and it isn't a choice caliber either, but does the job. You'd be much better off with a 7.62x54R, .303, .308, or .30-06.
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A 30-06 is my first choice, I am just trying to weasel an SKS into the collection some how without getting my pee pee slapped by the old lady lol, and as much as I like the SKS I always wondered what they are like for a hunting gun.

Where I am located we cant hunt with anything bigger than a .270 caliber. But when I go north for moose that would be where I could hunt with the SKS.

I like hunting with as much vintage equipment as common sense will allow.
 
Have a look at the SVT-40 and Mosin Nagant if you dont have either in your collection yet. The SVTs have really come down in price and both fire a heartier round than the SKS.
 
Woodsman said:
125 grain .30 cal on moose is iffy at best unless you go straight into the chest and avoid a shoulder shot. A .30-30 150 or 170 grain is miles better and it isn't a choice caliber either, but does the job. You'd be much better off with a 7.62x54R, .303, .308, or .30-06.
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+1

From all the research I have done, the 7.62x39 will not carry enough ft/lbs to humanely take an adult moose.

If you want something unique and cheap to hunt moose, maybe consider a Mosin Nagant. A bit big for "dogging", but the shorter "M44" carbine might be a good option.
 
JeffJames said:
A 30-06 is my first choice....

I like hunting with as much vintage equipment as common sense will allow.
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The 7.62x54R is the "Russian .30-06".

It really sounds like a Mosin 91/30 or M44 would be right up your alley. I have read about many people who use this rifle for moose. You can get one at Epps for $139. Spend the rest of the money on ammo. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosin–Nagant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmVJYB3uDkc

The guy in the video says they made 17,000,000 of them. Actually it was more like 37,000,000.
 
JeffJames said:
A 30-06 is my first choice, I am just trying to weasel an SKS into the collection some how without getting my pee pee slapped by the old lady lol, and as much as I like the SKS I always wondered what they are like for a hunting gun.

Where I am located we cant hunt with anything bigger than a .270 caliber. But when I go north for moose that would be where I could hunt with the SKS.

I like hunting with as much vintage equipment as common sense will allow.
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you get the sks into the collection by pointing out to the wife that it is MUCH cheaper to shoot = better shooting by you = less unnecessary injury to the animal = good for the environment = everybody wins. Really, you have a moral and social obligation to go out and buy an sks right away!
 
I've used an SKS for early antlerless deer hunting, but not for serious hunting, and for larger animals like moose and elk, I prefer to have something much bigger with more range and energy.
 
I have personally used .30-06 and .270 win for moose which I have never had a problem with. Both have perfect knock down power, along with a perfectly placed shot, you will have yourself any big game. I could see an sks being a good rifle for hunting in a short distance area. I would never trade my .270 or .30-06 for an sks for hunting though. It is all what you can get used to and get good with though. Also you have to take into concideration, ammo. You have a lot of options out there for the two calibers mentioned. Not so much for the 7.62x39. I use winchester ballistic silver tip 150gr :)
Anyways whatever your choice may be, I'm sure it will work out fine for you. You will have some moose meat by next winter ;)
 
The 7.62X54 is the Russian .308, the .270 and 30.06 case is something like 64mm long, and packs more of a wallop. Anyone of these calibers can be used for moose, but seriously, if you're an ethical hunter, I wouldn't use a 7.62X39 on anything larger than deer, at ranges up to about 125 yards. The 30.06 of the calibers mentioned would be the best, shooting 165 or 180 grain bonded bullets like the Nosler Accubond or Partition, or the Barnes TSX. Happy hunting!
 
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