Sporterize an SKS.

[New Hampshire]

Still waiting for the ole C&R to come in, but once again got the mind working. My hunting buddy and I are kinda getting into some semi-serious coyote hunting as well as my buddy wants a good short range deer gun. We were thinking about taking some SKSs and sporterizing them a bit to better fit the hunting role. I know there are quite a few hunters that use these guns on everything from coyote and hogs on up to deer, so someone here must be able to give advice. Mainly the first decision is what grade of rifle to choose. Since we are staying the origional caliber (of course) we obviously are going to want a grade that has a dececnt bbl on it. I know there are grades that run from shooters on up to un-issued, but I see spending $150 on an un-issued just to rip it all apart is a bit silly. But I dont know how bad a shooters grade bbl might be.
I have read about Kivaari's and think that this would be worth investing for a trigger job ( http://www.mnmpublishing.com/kivaari/index.asp .) Any comments there?
Now for stocks. I see some "sporter" stocks out there. Anyone have good or bad experiences with a certain brand or make? Im eyeballing an Advanced Technologies sporter that has finger grooves and a fairly steep pistol grip.
My budy is thinking of scoping, but I want to put on an aperture or ghost ring style sight. Any suggestions on scope mounting? And how bout rear aperture sights. I know about the Mojo, but what about some others.
And finaly, is there any other areas that can be smoothed/worked on/replaced to help further along to the intended goal?
Thanks,
Brian M.
P.S. Moderator, If you feel this might be better off in the Mil Surp gun section feel free to move it.  I just figured on starting here for ideas first.

[gunnut69]

First be aware that some states restrict the use of semi auto rifles for hunting.  The SKS is fairly typical of military rifles of the post WW2 period. They were generally made without a lot of regard to cosmetics.  For a hunting rifle they are not the prettiest and as most autos their triggers are the most difficult to improve.  I might suggest and laminate as opposed to a plastic, but then I prefer laminates over synthetics, they're warmer.  Scope mounting is problematic.  The SKS ejects up at a steep angle and energetically..  Also the SKS uses a cover over the bolt that makes up the rear of the action and is removeable.  This makes mouting a scope a side mount proposition or a forward mount proposition.  They make really good platforms for red dot sights.  Scopes and receiver sights can be put on the receiver cover but it needs to be really a tight fit on the receiver for them to be effective.  A screwed in barrel is preferrable to a pressed and pinned barrel.  A milled trigger is the best and they can be helped by having them worked..  Remember though, safety first....  It is also possible to mount a long eye relief scope out front and create a scout rifle configuration...  although with the cartridges limitations a reddot sight should provide all the aiming accuracy needed.  I put one of mine in a Choate stock styled after the Russian Dragunov.  It is a synthetic but works pretty well.  It mounts a Red dot sight and is my home defense rifle at the momment.  I load with strippers and use the standard magazine.  Accuracy is around 2-3 inches at 100 yards with Russian HP ammo and a bit better with some Chinese call I still have..  For hunting soft point ammo should of course be used..  These are fairly simple and for the most part reliable little rifles.

[Kivaari]

Being bit of purist, I choose to leave them alone as much as possible. Stocks can be extended with butt pad extensions available. The best and most reliable scope mounting system, imho, is the Millet scout that replaces the rear sight. Its only drawback is inconvenience in cleaning the gas system, but the gas system is so over engineered and if you shoot clean ammo...not necessary to clean it all the time. All scope mounts are way too high over the comb height, regardless, so it makes sense with the range of the weapon and height of the comb to use a "collimator" type optic..red dot, reflex, etc., to manage the parallax.

The new rear peeps coming on the market soon that mount to the rear of the receiver with A1 peeps is pretty exciting.

I'd invest in one of Ben Murray's spring firing pins so that quality bullets for game killing could be used with their softer primers.

I use a "mosin" dog collar and a USGI web sling so I can carry, loop for steady.


And..well...the trigger jobs are excellent....:^)

kivaari