Got some funny looks taking a stock iron sight SVT-40 to a milsurp shoot a number of years ago. I'd practiced with it out to 500, and knew what it could do. I didn't take home a tin (the podium 3 were Ross and Schmidt Rubin shooters, IIRC), but did take home some respect. Everything on paper, in the circles, all the way to 500 line, using some Chinese surplus I had that I found the rifle quite liked. It'll surprise you what some of these rifles can do, with a bit of patience and practice and finding the right ammo.
If Ganderite wanders by this conversation, he'd have some real advice. He's done some interesting things to customize the sights with SKS's and other rifles.
