any point to reloading for SKS?

[bluebayou]

Should I bother with dies and such or just buy Winchester PP?  I figure to shoot Wolf for plinking, but what about hunting ammo?

[jack19512]

I have two sks's but don't reload for them.  But through reloading I have improved the accuracy of all that I reload for.  If accuracy would be your goal I see no reason it wouldn't work for the sks also.  Unless the Winchester PP does what you want it to do to your satisfaction.  After all, how much hunting ammo would you really need each year vs. the cost of all of the reloading equipment and components?

[bluebayou]

I am willing to bet that through the neverending need for me to improve things that I end up handloading for it.  Financially, I just can't see reloading for it.  How many hunting shots will I get with it?  The second week of modern gun here and I have fired ZERO shots from the Remington.  I finally got the SKS ordered, will be here Wednesday.  I missed the AIM M48.  I had the feeling that one would be gone before Christmas.  Hoping to get the M48 from Classic Arms soon.  I REALLY want a Mauser project for next year.

Thanks for advice.

[black-tail]

Power point and AA1680 make a fine deer load

[glshop20]

When I bought my SKS I had no intention of loading for it.  After shooting it with some military ammo and being pleasantly surprised by the fair accuracy, I said what the hell.  I reloaded and added a rear peep sight.  I now can regularly get 4" groups at 200yds. off a bench.  You won't save money or time but you will like the results.

[myarmor]

I never reloaded for my SKS, though I never was going to take it deer hunting and I was always satisfied with the funfactor and light hearted plinking I could enjoy for cheap.
However I have know of several that have took up handloading for theirs, particular the Yugo's which you can switch the gas off to shoot it one round at a time, and have been very happy with the results.
Not going to win any Benchrest comps. with one, but with a proper load in fair range with a decent rifle, it's fully capable of taking deer IMHO


-Aaron

[Awf Hand]

A good friend of mine showed up at a "service rifle" competition with an SKS.  The guys with the $700 AR-15's laughed and said that, sure, he could try.  He'd done some pretty hard work refining loads, and by the time he'd completed the competition, no-one was laughing at his SKS any more.  He'd placed top 5 (3rd IIRC) with his $99 special, bayonette and all!!   

[jgalar]

R#7 and AA1680 are both good powders for the 7.62x39. I have had very good results using .308 bullets even in a chinese rifle with a .313 bore. Just the variety of bullets available in .308 and .312 makes the sks worth reloading. I only reload and shoot cast bullets in them anymore. Cast bullets (of the proper shape) work very well in the sks.

[Catfish]

I reload 95% plus of the ammo I shot. the 5% is rimfire and my 7.62 x 39 rifle. I can buy ammo for 50% less than I can load it, and that includes good hunting ammo. I tried loading for a buddies SKS and could get near the accuracy that he got with cheap ammo. I didn`t work on it long as I could not see spending more for less. 

[Questor]

If it were my gun, the answer would be no because I'd have bought it to take advantage of bargain priced bulk surplus ammo. Reloading it is going to cost just about as much as loading for something really nice like a 7-08.