Author Topic: limitations of the sks (Read 3026 times)

lil_hunter12 · « **on:** October 12, 2008, 04:12:06 PM »

what would the maximum range for deer be with an sks? given that one was shooting 124 grain soft point bullets? of course given perfect conditions and excellent scope.

DCRthe3rd · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2008, 05:56:01 PM »

probably further than you can get a good group.
with that being said , my experience with deer/sks has been with the wolf 154gr soft point. with that in mind , lets pretend the groups are good enough to do so , I would say 150yds and in fact think it would do a good enough job at the 200yd line , some may bulk at that and that is fine , but regardless I know the "groups" I get at 200yds would not allow me the precision I would require for such things , so practically my limit is 100yds however I know nothing of your 124 grainers but would guess you would not get any better results , the wolf 154gr for a cheap bullet performs very well in fact.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2008, 07:24:33 PM »

150 shooting factory ammo with sufficent accuracy

200 yds + with handloads and outstanding accuracy

I literally just got back from putting a 200m zero on my 7.62x39mm AR15 for hunting with 125grn Nosler ballistic tips

coyotejoe · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2008, 05:56:00 AM »

I think the accuracy of the rifle is more limiting than the ballistics of the cartridge. The only SKS I ever owned I tinkered with quite a bit trying to get decent groups. I mounted a scope to the left side of the receiver, experimented with forend bedding, tried quite a few handloads and never got consistent groups of even three inches at 100, most loads were in the 4-6" range regardless of what I tried. I just have no use for them, a Winchester of Marlin 30/30 shoots as fast as I can aim and fire and they hold more ammo than I ever need, plus they are quite a bit lighter and shorter, but good luck with yours, keep shots within 100 yards and you'll probably do OK with it.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2008, 06:18:39 AM »

I think the limatations of the SKS are the short stock.
If your going to use it for hunting get a better stock that fits you. I say that being 5'10" and I can not get a good cheek weld with any of the four I have owned have limed me to point of deer at 100 yards.
Once I replace stock with a dragonov knock off type I could go minute of deer to 150.
I think 200 yards is max for the round.

cbxboy · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2008, 02:19:47 PM »

AS mentioned above I agree totally on 100yds. I think you find 100% quorum on the fact that we ar enot concerned about the 7.62x39 but shot placement. I have a 59/66 as a Centerfire "Fixer upper" when they were $69 that I threw on a $19 scope and shoot like absolute crazy good from it. I also have a Russian refurb that looks excelletn and funtions well but cannot group like the beat up Yugo. I have a "couple" SKS and find that of the 13 or so I have I would only attempt a 150 shot with 2 of them.

Consider your area and terrain you will hunt and choose accordingly. I have a Rossi single that I would feel comfortable stretching out there a ways in x39 because it is consistent where I put the x....at least so far at short range. I often grab the SKS-M when I am walking anywhere I may get a jumper that is within 25 yds. Beautiful short banger that points well.

My only other feedback is I have never taken a deer with an SKS or x39 anyway that has had 1 bullet hole. I have never used the Rossi as that is newer but feel I would put hte bullet where needed and not shoot hte "heck" out of em. I find that I cannot distinguish a good "hit" with the x39 when the deer is running. The ole .06 was a definate hit when I made the shot.

Consider your terrain and see what fits. For a bargain milsurp how about a Sporterized or better yet a non sporterized Enfield? Theres a million scoped Mausers out there for cheap as well. Just a thought on that 200 yard shot. This of course for the Non perfect conditions and non perfect shot.

Just my .02 worth. Great discussion.

S.S. · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2008, 06:24:29 AM »

I would say the limitations are not in the cartridge,
Put that same cartridge in a nice compact bolt action and then see what kind of shots folks would take with it. As for the SKS, It was never meant to be a Tack driver. As long as a man could be hit out to 3 or 4 hundred meters, it was good enough for what it was intended to be.
The first deer I ever killed was actually with an SKS. This was long before they were sold on the surplus market and ammo was almost non-existent in this country. I have had at least one every since. In my "EVER SO HUMBLE" opinion,
they are the best truck gun ever devised by the mind of man.

lil_hunter12 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2008, 11:27:21 AM »

i got mixed up between the hollow points and softpoints the softpoints are 125 grain remington corelokts. i did some testing for accuracy and damage it will do. i now feel comfortable enough to say i would kill a deer out to 200 easily. i can consistently hit a 3-4 inc spot at 200. so i am extremely happy as for the sort stock not so bad as im not exactly tall.thanks for all the help guys.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2008, 03:18:14 PM »

You'll do well with it, They are used alot around here never heard any real complaints but then that minamal use on deer old .30-30 marlin is used around thease parts a little too, what would anybody do that for

lil_hunter12 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2008, 03:46:01 PM »

my area people will use whatever tey can get ive seen from a .22 hornet to a 375 h&h if it is legal it is used. ive eard much good about sks and the round in general as long as shots are picked right.

cbxboy · « **Reply #10 on:** October 15, 2008, 04:34:23 PM »

Maybe I am all wet here but if your stretching all the way to 200 yds I'd suggest sighting at 150. The drop from 100 to 200 yds is cose to 7.5"

This was assuming around 2200 fps. This sound right?

7.62x39 130 gr (closest comparison) 2200 FPS zeroed at 100yds shooting 200.

Maybe I am wrong but sighting150 and mental adjust for the 3" either way?

ted65 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 16, 2008, 01:24:16 PM »

As for the round, it's about the same as a 30-30 around (124 gr 2396 fps) so if you can make the shot at 200, take it. I have had a couple sks's and never had one accurate enough for a 200 yard shot. 4-6 in groups @ 100 yards is about the best.

lil_hunter12 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 16, 2008, 03:05:44 PM »

it is one of the chinese that has the sight that slides the rear sight up for longer ranges. when i was cecking the sights i tried 1 2 and 3 but didnt feel as comfortable wit 300 yards and open sights as i did with 1 or 2 hundred yard shots. this is a sweet shooting little rifle never expected it when i bought it. bought it to play with really. but it turned out to be god enough to hunt.

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 21, 2008, 08:06:44 AM »

I'm on my third one.

I sold the first one a like new Norinco paratrooper that I'm still kicking myself for, and then I found another Norinco like new standard rifle that I again got rid of in a trade for a 9MM pistol.

I recently picked up a bubba'd in a folder that has all matching numbers and shoots accurate as heck by SKS standards, and I'm keeping this one.

The ammo is cheap, and it's just a fun gun to have and shoot.

It won't win any matches for accuracy, but for close range, open sights, dependability, and simplicity of parts and operation, and the fact that it's a poor man's AR for any SHTF scenerios I'll take it any day for that reason.

I've got other scoped rifles for hunting, and long range accuracy, if I want to shoot 300 yards and core an apple, but the limitations of the SKS is when you get away from what it was originally designed for, and that's a basic battle rifle, that you can trust your life with in a combat or defensive situation, if you are ever unlucky enough to find yourself in that type of situation.

cybin · « **Reply #14 on:** November 09, 2008, 04:50:51 PM »

I have had a sks for about 10 or 12 years now. It has killed about 6 deer so far--I don't use it all of the time though. They have all been one shot kills. Furthest one was about 125 yards. I shot one in the chest (facing me) in south carolina and the guts looked like they went through a blender. I use PMC 130 grain soft points. Heck I don't know if they even still make them--I bought 6 boxs cheap at a gun show in North Carolina and still have 3 or 4 boxes left. I feel comfortable out to 150 yards open sights. Beyond that I won't take the shot unless I have a scope. I have a scope for the SKS but haven't put it on it --have had it for about 7 years now.--Had my own shooting range when I lived in North Carolina--now live in Missouri and have to drive a ways to shoot so don't go often.

cybin

lil_hunter12 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 10, 2008, 04:44:12 PM »

i decided i was confortable to take a shot at smewhere between 250 and 275 yards with it but i had a good rest perfect conditions. i put m sight on 200 brought it up short
he stood still i put my sight on 400 and shot high put it just under 300 and skimmed a little hair off his belly but i jerked on that one. i could have easily killed him had i not jerked but i will never try another shot like that it was just to far.

Shawnee Gene · « **Reply #16 on:** November 30, 2008, 08:10:07 AM »

I have to agree with SS. I have an SKS, AK, and a CZ 527 Brush Carbine. The difference is like night and day. I have absolute confidence in the CZ out to 250m with good ammo. The SKS to 100m. The AK is not for hunting. All are in 7.62x39. The CZ with the single set trigger is sweet!

1911crazy · « **Reply #17 on:** December 26, 2008, 03:28:41 AM »

Quote from: S.S. on October 14, 2008, 06:24:29 AM

I would say the limitations are not in the cartridge,
Put that same cartridge in a nice compact bolt action and then see what kind of shots folks would take with it. As for the SKS, It was never meant to be a Tack driver. As long as a man could be hit out to 3 or 4 hundred meters, it was good enough for what it was intended to be.
The first deer I ever killed was actually with an SKS. This was long before they were sold on the surplus market and ammo was almost non-existent in this country. I have had at least one every since. In my "EVER SO HUMBLE" opinion,
they are the best truck gun ever devised by the mind of man.

Your right the only thing i can find wrong with the sks in battle is the 10rd mag capacity.(in battle) As far as reliability and dependability its pretty equal to the ak47. Having a large capacity mag is another thing too. Why does everyone want a rifle with a large mag? Does the larger mag make up for what mother nature didn't give them? (kidding but maybe true?)Like if it can't take large mags I won't buy it. Is bigger better? Give me an accurate rifle with a smaller mag everytime. Have you ever held a egyptain hakim with 25rds of 8mm? It sucks, its too heavy.

lil_hunter12 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 26, 2008, 12:07:37 PM »

i like the sks but my little light black powder rifle is my favorite i have never missed a deer with it. I only bought the sks because i wanted something to play with and it turned out accurate.

1marty · « **Reply #19 on:** December 26, 2008, 01:17:11 PM »

call me old fashion but I still hunt with my 50 year old win model 94 in 30-30.
I have a yugo sks and somehow loading up 10 in the mag and blasting away at a deer seems "unsporting". If, you miss you can always use the grenade launcher and then the bayonet if he's still moving.

lil_hunter12 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 26, 2008, 04:07:56 PM »

the only time i ever load more than 5 is if i am just playing with the sks at the range

bluebayou · « **Reply #21 on:** December 26, 2008, 07:44:28 PM »

(my favorite rifle)
love it

In Arkansas we can run dogs. Other than a shotgun with OO buck.........what is better than the SKS for running dogs?

Sitting on the stand, the longest shot that I have is 150 yards. Perfect. If I go to a clear cut then the 7-08 or the .270 come out.

I love the SKS. Short, accurate enough, maybe the stock is too short, I will grant you that one. I have a Limbsaver Med slip on pad on it for LOP. It fits perfectly. "the sights are too high" Not to me, they are perfect with my long arms and long neck. Little recoil and a .30 bullet.

Love it.

1911crazy · « **Reply #22 on:** December 27, 2008, 05:13:50 AM »

Its not the speed of the round at that distance its the killing power that i'm worried about at 200yds? I'm thinking that 125yds is the max for hunting game.

There was a pic once on the net were the hunter had a grizzly bear and he had a belted magnum rifle while his hunting partner had an sks what was he thinking with an sks? Out hunting grizzly even as a back up with an sks, i hope he had the bayo ready.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #23 on:** January 02, 2009, 05:57:24 AM »

I saw that picture.
I think it was in "American Hunting Rifles" by Craig Boddington.
They were hunting in Russia and I thought the same thing at first.
Then I thought the Russians did not have access to sporting arms and he was using what was there.
the 7.62X39 round is similar to 30-30 as everyone above said. the SKS has a mild recoil and multiple shots could be made quickly at short ranges. If I booked the hunt and seeing the SKS would not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling but if he was confidant with it.... Would I like to see my bear guide with a CZ magnum? Yep, but as Capstick said "shoot the biggest gun you can well".
Bell killed Elephant with 7X57 Mauser and lighter 25 caliber stuff.
30-30 and 32 win special were staples in the west as well as 44-40 and 45 colt. All are well below what we would consider minimum rounds for Brown bear but guys confidant in their shooting and the rifle headed into the field with them.

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #24 on:** January 02, 2009, 06:25:25 AM »

I know someone who killed two deer with one shot from an SKS using the cheap Russian Ammo. He shot a 6 point buck and went to retrieve it and found a doe behind it dead. He found the round in the doe. Went through both lungs of the buck and into the doe. He measured it at 92 yards. He was impressed. I have had several SKS's and one AK. The AK had about an 8" group at 100 while my SKS was around 3". I kept the SKS. I found a Williams peep sight to replace the sliding sight and it is easier to get on target. The SKS has about 900 ft/lbs of energy at 200 yards which is sufficient to kill a deer. That said, it is a better woods gun where ranges are shorter, and maybe like the running of dogs for deer which is done a lot in the south. I playing, plinking, or survivalism, the Tapco 20 round detachable mags are quick and easy to change out. That is if they are empty. A partial mag can be a pain to remove, requires holding the bolt open to remove. It stays open with the last fired round which makes it easy, but with a partially full mag, you must hold the bolt open, then manipulate the catch while removing the mag. Need 3 hands or just cycle the remaining rounds out.

res45 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 07, 2009, 06:14:00 AM »

There is a mod you can do to eliminate the problem of holding the bolt open when changing out detachable mags on the SKS. It just requires a little machine work on the sides and bottom of the bolt,however if you want to bypass that and just install the new bolt Tapco,it has that option already built into the new bolt along with spring loaded firing pin,it just needs to be fitted and head spaced to your rifle by a qualified gunsmith.

http://www.milsurpstuff.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SKS6658

.30-06 Guy · « **Reply #26 on:** January 07, 2009, 01:09:59 PM »

Not all SKS rifles were created equal. I had one some time ago that would do 2.5"@100 yards with mil. ammo and an honest 1.5" (from the bench with scope) with my best handloads. Many folks marveled at the range over that type of accuracy from that type og gun. The one I have now does about 2.5" with handloads and 3.5-4" with factory (depending on the type). For practical deer hunting, I'd try to get to within 100 yards, certainly never over 150. There are lots of variables, how accurate is your rifle, how accurate/familiar are you with your rifle, is it scoped? Handloading with good commercial cases, bullets (of proper diameter) and powder will almost certainly reduce MOA by at least 1.
I spent about $75 on a stock from "Cheaper than Dirt". It's the synthetic one that has the adjustable stock like an AR-15. It also has a scope mount that replaces the reciever cover and a shell deflector (a must) and a 6X42 scope. Once you get familiar with the trajectoy of a given load, 200 yards is'nt too hard a feat if the rifle has decent accuracy potential.

prairiedog555 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 08, 2009, 04:52:12 AM »

I have a ChiCom SKS. It is a good gun for what it is meant to be. Short range and reliable.
My groups tightend up when I put the plastic stock on it, (monte carlo style)
Also I find that the 154 gr. soft pt. shoots best. three rds touching at 50yd.
Do NOT use the 123 gr hollow pts (WOLF) on game, except coyotes.

This is my advise and from numerous other guys that hunt with them from around here.