SKS Ranges
- Thread starter todd615
- Start date
Neat mod. Interesting, cool, and I have no doubt it would be more accurate, but I want to do all my testing and load development with the SKS in it's native semi auto format because it makes me grin every time I see a casing go spinning off out of my peripheral vision and I know it's ready for the next round. I also like the sound it makes. I do have a Baikal single shot for when I want to do a session of calm, contemplative, and patient shooting of the 7.62 x 39, so I'm kind of already fulfilled in that regard.
I suspect if I were to do any accurizing on my rifle I should start with the trigger; mine is so terribad it's not funny. Come to think of it, I need to use some google-fu and look up trigger work for the SKS. Looks like you've done some work on the SKS; any thoughts on the trigger mods out there?
I have done no work on the SKS apart from the gas system modification.
In the area where I live people rubbish SKS's because they think they are inaccurate and that got me thinking. They usually compare them with bolt action rifles which is an unfair comparison. Make an SKS into a bolt action rifle and it's much more accurate. Those that do buy them usually stick a crappy mount on them topped with an even crappier scope, and feed them crap ammo, the poor old SKS never stands a chance. The beauty of the modification is that it can make the SKS a bolt action rifle one minute, and the next minute it's back to a semi auto again. With a piece of bent wire it could even be something else just as quickly, if it were legal that is. I think the SKS is one of the most versatile rifles available.
As it happens I am in the process of accurizing an SKS, the gas system idea is only the beginning. I am waiting on a posp scope, loading dies and brass. When I get decent optics and a decent load sorted out I will do some trigger work if necessary.
In the area where I live people rubbish SKS's because they think they are inaccurate and that got me thinking. They usually compare them with bolt action rifles which is an unfair comparison. Make an SKS into a bolt action rifle and it's much more accurate. Those that do buy them usually stick a crappy mount on them topped with an even crappier scope, and feed them crap ammo, the poor old SKS never stands a chance. The beauty of the modification is that it can make the SKS a bolt action rifle one minute, and the next minute it's back to a semi auto again. With a piece of bent wire it could even be something else just as quickly, if it were legal that is. I think the SKS is one of the most versatile rifles available.
As it happens I am in the process of accurizing an SKS, the gas system idea is only the beginning. I am waiting on a posp scope, loading dies and brass. When I get decent optics and a decent load sorted out I will do some trigger work if necessary.
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There is no way anything coming out of my SKS is travelling 1000 meters with any degree of accuracy.
I doubt I could hit a car at that range and if I did , I couldn't do it twice.
Had the old Javex bottle dancing on a rope at 200 yds yesterday tho
I doubt I could hit a car at that range and if I did , I couldn't do it twice.
Had the old Javex bottle dancing on a rope at 200 yds yesterday tho
7.62 x 39 is a mid range round, end of story.
I think there's a certain amount of negative attitude regarding the SKS no matter where you go; it's currently a ridiculously inexpensive gun here in Canada which flies in the face of "if you want quality you have to pay for it" which normally holds true. I see a lot of SKSs with the dust cover mount that sometimes comes packaged with an NcStar(?) scope which probably contributes to the perception that the rifle is inherently inaccurate even with optics. My rifle has the Promag mount which required drilling and tapping the receiver (a good solid mount) along with an inexpensive Vortex Diamondback 4-12 and I have concluded that the rifles accuracy is most affected by what ammo it's being fed and the ability of the shooter. The rifle's inherent accuracy is just fine, and exceptional for a $180 semi-auto that's tough, reliable, and fun.
I look forward to hearing how your accurizing project goes. If I hit on a good powder charge that works with my Hornady bullets I'll make sure to post.
Just for kicks I put it in the Ballistics calculator zeroed at 100 yards using my Hornady SST 123gr (.295) at 2350fps and came up with a speed of 850 fps at 1000 yards with a drop of 809" so basically 70 feet.
Aim high, probably the flying eagle would be a good reference
Just goes to show sometimes people bullshiat a whole lot about what they can hit at 1000 yards
I have trouble hitting a man size target with 7.62x39 at 100 yards with irons.
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There's no doubt that the mix of new, inexperienced shooters with the issue sights on the SKS, the worst trigger ever and surplus ammo that they get a bad rep. They are not tack drivers but they can shoot pretty damn good when they're well fed by someone who knows what they're doing. Czech surplus powder charges vary a lot. From low 21s to mid 23 grs is common on one stripper clip, those are variances you can see clearly at 100 yds and contribute to progressively worse groups as range increases. The trigger is simple and easy to work on. A basic trigger job I do is to take a jewelers file to the sear rails and rail slots to knock down the high spots then cut 2 coils off both the hammer and sear/mag release spring. This will lighten and smooth out the trigger. To go more in depth I'll correct the sear angle and polish it, flatten and polish the bottom of the hammer, shorten the sear to reduce creep and finally d&t the trigger guard for an over travel stop. The difference is night and day. I also make sure the stock crossbolt makes firm contact with the reciever while bedding the recoil lug. Now you can start tuning your ammo and actually see the results 
This could explain why so many SKS owners appear to be trying to shoot into space
)I love mine and its definitely my "go to gun". Its more reliable than duct tape
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
Inexpensive and reliable semi-auto 7.62x39.
How is that purpose defeated ?
There's no doubt that the mix of new, inexperienced shooters with the issue sights on the SKS, the worst trigger ever and surplus ammo that they get a bad rep. They are not tack drivers but they can shoot pretty damn good when they're well fed by someone who knows what they're doing. Czech surplus powder charges vary a lot. From low 21s to mid 23 grs is common on one stripper clip, those are variances you can see clearly at 100 yds and contribute to progressively worse groups as range increases. The trigger is simple and easy to work on. A basic trigger job I do is to take a jewelers file to the sear rails and rail slots to knock down the high spots then cut 2 coils off both the hammer and sear/mag release spring. This will lighten and smooth out the trigger. To go more in depth I'll correct the sear angle and polish it, flatten and polish the bottom of the hammer, shorten the sear to reduce creep and finally d&t the trigger guard for an over travel stop. The difference is night and day. I also make sure the stock crossbolt makes firm contact with the reciever while bedding the recoil lug. Now you can start tuning your ammo and actually see the results
Post pictures please
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
You're left with a heavy, inaccurate bolt action (compared to purpose built bolt actions) with a 5 round fixed magazine.
Doesn't really deserve a hat tip.... I'm all for killing pests, but if your chosen tool and skill with it mean that you have to take 4 shots, and it still crawls away into someone else's property, you probably need to rethink something.
You are left only with what suits you. If I don't want to shoot it as a bolt action I just remove the gas plug
