SKS sighting in problem

mr.ruger

mr.ruger

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Hello All

The other day I was at the range and was shooting my Russian (1953) SKS at the 50 yard point with corrosive Norinco surplus with NO scope or sight other than iron sights.

Previous I have done the same thing and most of my shots were on an 8 1/2 x 11 circle (mind you they were low and left). However, the other day I was all over the place and I was trying to shoot well, more so than usual, ie working on fundamental such as breathing, sight control etc. I think one of my targets I shot 6 rounds and did not hit once or at least not on the 8 1/2 x 11 circle.

My question is what gives. I admit Im not Mr. Hathcock or anything, but I can shoot reasonably well, especially at 50 yards. So can anyone elaborate on

1) why I was shooting low and to the left, maybe twitching/anticipating?

2) what made the difference the next time (I know its a weird question) I should know better than anyone else. Pretty much I would appreciate anyone telling me how to properly "sight in" an SKS (sight picture maybe). As well as any fundamentals Im missing out on.

If this is not the right place for this post I apologize and thank you in advance for your input.

Thanks
 
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I normally shoot from a supported position, gun resting on a sandbag, concentrate on breathing and trigger squeeze. That being said I’m no expert, but my Russian is hitting an 8inch circle at 100m consistently. Clean your gun (I suspect you are) after every range trip, and try a sandbag or two.
 
Yup. A sandbag or a shooting rest is required. Dont change ammo and it should zero at about 25 or 30 yards on the battle setting( rear sight all the way towards you ). Start there and let the gun cool a bit. Once you got a zero, keep using the sandbag and see if it changes when it heats up.
 
As above said,plus,low and left could be the result of too much trigger resistance...if you try to pull a pickup truck with your trigger,she's low because you pull down and to the left,because you're pulling below the rifles axis,makes it try to turn clockwise...aka down and left.
 
First, you need to get your rifle shooting to the actual point of aim. That involves shooting off a solid rest and adjusting your sights until it is hitting where you aim.

Second, you don't say how you are shooting at the 50yd mark. Offhand, on elbows off the bench, off a proper rest? I can keep 18 of 20 on an 8.5x11 sheet of paper offhand at 100yds with a scoped .22 and I'm no genius, so you should be hitting your circle target consistently at 50yds with a properly sighted rifle.

You have cleaned the bore and ensured everything is functioning properly?


Mark
 
Update

Sorry about leaving this out. I am shooting with the front rail (where the bayo used to be, I have a tapco stock) resting on wood blocks which are about 1 foot above the table/bench I am sitting at.

I clean the rifle every time after shooting, no bore issues.

I use the same ammo, Norinco corrosive.

Maybe I need one of those sight in tools to adjust the front blade? Although that does not make since as my last range trip was fine about 80% on target.

Weird. Anyway thanks for the help and suggestions.
 
mr.ruger said:
Sorry about leaving this out. I am shooting with the front rail (where the bayo used to be, I have a tapco stock) resting on wood blocks which are about 1 foot above the table/bench I am sitting at.
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Try putting something soft on top of the blocks, resting on a hard surface will cause all sorts of weird point of impact changes and can radically open up your groups. Since you are unsure of your POI, put a big sheet of paper behind your target to catch all the rounds. You must be able to see where you are hitting and what the groups look like if you hope to be able to sort it out and improve the performance.

Off a rest at 50yds you should be able to shoot 2"-3" groups with that rifle, so something is causing you grief.


Mark
 
mr.ruger said:
Maybe I need one of those sight in tools to adjust the front blade?
Click to expand...



The front sight tools work great, but make sure you goop some penetrating oil on sight and get it to move with a brass punch before you go out to the range. Sometimes the little suckers are seized tight from years of storage. If you try to force it too much at the range with the front sight tool, you'll probably just break it.
 
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