SKS or SVT 40

Thislilfishy

Thislilfishy

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I am sure this has been covered but search revealed nothing.

Argh! Going to order one from one of the supporting retailers, just don't know which. Svt or sks! You guys help me decide. Looking for range gun mostly but might convert for back up deer work in black bear territory. Which would u pick?


Ian
 
If you can afford it get one of each, both are great and you will be good from mices to mooses... JP.
 
The two rifles are not in the same category, nor do they perform the same duty. One is a light cartridge, the other is a heavy cartridge.



I'd get one of each, but I personally wouldn't shoot a bear with an SKS by choice.
 
SKS.
Had them both at the same time; SVT is long, with a front heavy balance and a loud report. Cool gun; yep. But you'll shoot the SKS more because it's cheaper and more pleasant to shoot.
I found the muzzle brake to make it excessively loud.
Just my opinion, take it or leave it.
 
I have both and enjoy both. As said before, apples to oranges. If I had to pick one it would be an SKS. Cheaper, easier, more versatile and damn near fail safe.
Parts are much easier to come by and at very low prices.
 
LOL's exactly about what I figured, a 50-50 split pretty much. I intended to get the sks, but thought the svt would be more fun (till i got home) at the range. Then I've read the smaller round of the sks isn't really suitable for dear, getting rid of my fall back idea. Then again the sks seems to have a tonne of aftermarket stuff. On the other hand the SVT value has gone through the roof in the US and am thinking the same might happen here some day....argh...wish I could afford both...but range fees are due too.

Ian
 
I owned an SVT-40 and I loved the rifle as it functioned and shot great. The adjustable gas system is plus if you plan to operate in both extremes of outdoor environments :).

The two down sides I saw with the SVT-40 was the cleaning and the take down. To take it down completely, you would need the gas tool though I got away with an adjustable wrench wrapped in a towel to prevent marring. The first few times taking the SVT-40 apart was a bit of a test as well as re-assembly but I developed a method for doing it after a while.

The SKS is a wonderful little carbine that is quite light and packs a punch. You do not need any tools to take her completely apart, just what came with the rifle (including the cleaning rod :)). Very easy to clean and re-assemble and the cartridge is quite effective as well.

I sold my SVT-40 so I could just have SKS as I believe the SKS to be a better field rifle and more user friendly.

That aside, don't let my opinions deter you from getting an SVT. You have to try one to appreciate it :).
 
Thislilfishy said:
. Then I've read the smaller round of the sks isn't really suitable for dear, getting rid of my fall back idea.
Click to expand...

The SKS is chambered for 7.62 x 39. I have asked here about that cartridge's suitability for hunting deer. The answers I received were in favour of it being suitable for any small to medium game, including deer.

I have not yet had the pleasure of going hunting myself, so I have not tested this theory. It is clearly not a long range cartridge, but up to 100M, you're good.

It's ballistics have been compared to that of the 30-30, but with the superior load capabilities of the 30-30 cartridge, you can get better performance from it.

All that to say you can hunt deer with an SKS, according to popular opinion, but keep it within 100m.
 
You can shoot a little further than 100, but 200 is the edge that's for sure. And a little ( OK, a lot) self searching about your true capabilities is in order at the 150 + yd mark. And yes I've shot a few deer with it, it's kind of an awkward little beast to carry at the ready/ offhand I find. Compared to a M/N or LE, it doesn't carry all that great. Sights are a little on the weak compared to an LE.
Upgrade the sight's a bit and it's better. SKS's are the Jeep's of the canadian gun world IMO. A ton of aftermarket support.
SVT has nice balance but they are a tad bit unwieldy, kind of like an M/N that way. Sure got stomping loads of power though.
 
Sks or svt40

I own both, I love both. The sks's only advantage that I see is the cheap ammo available for it, while the stuff for the SVT40 tends to be quite a bit more. Both are lots of fun. BUT, for accuracy sake, the SVT40 blows the SKS out of the water. The sks is a very short range weapon with very big shooting groups, while the SVT40 is a long range gun, far superior groups to the SKS. I would but the SVT40 any day of the week !
 
get both, I have both and like both. Probably will get another SKS just because.

If you can afford only one right now:
SVT 40 is cooler and more fun IMO.
SKS is more practical for everything, including as a truck gun or for hunting.

Cheap non-corrosive ammo for SVT is non-existent.
 
altaberg said:
get both, I have both and like both. Probably will get another SKS just because.

If you can afford only one right now:
SVT 40 is cooler and more fun IMO.
SKS is more practical for everything, including as a truck gun or for hunting.

Cheap non-corrosive ammo for SVT is non-existent.
Click to expand...

MFS/TulAmmo bulk ammo. Not as cheap as surplus, but still fairly cheap, and most sponsors who stock the SVT/Mosin stock MFS in bulk too.
 
Thislilfishy said:
I am sure this has been covered but search revealed nothing.

Argh! Going to order one from one of the supporting retailers, just don't know which. Svt or sks! You guys help me decide. Looking for range gun mostly but might convert for back up deer work in black bear territory. Which would u pick?


Ian
Click to expand...

I have all of the Russian milsurp.SKS cheap, fairly accurate out to 200.MN cheap and fairly accurate out to 400.SVT fairly cheap and also accurate out to 300+.Black bear territory?I personally would take the 7.62x54 over the 39 any day.Grizzly country give me my 45/70 or at least my wife on one of her bad days
 
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