Russian SVT40

[Harry Snippe]

I see many SVT-40 's showing up at the gun shops these days . Have yet to travel to one of these shops to handle one .
Are they any use in the deer woods . I mean , are they very heavy and are shots under the 2 1/2 "?. Are these guns usally in 308 or 311 bore ? Are the sites serviceable ?
Who has handled one ?
Harry

[Mikey]

I've handled a couple and they are about as long and heavy as the Ljungman.  The sights are military and if you can get 2-2.5" at 100 yds with mil-spec ammo you should be able to do better with quality sporting ammo, so yes that is serviceable.  The cartridge is more than capable for Whitetail, Bear, Hog and most anything on the North American Continent but you would be luggin' a big ol rifle around the woods and if that's your preference, the SVT-40 would be as good a choice as any.

Most often the rifles in 7.62x54R are found with .311 bores.  HTH.

[1911crazy]

I think the SVT-40 Tokarev is like a longer skinny sks that shoots the more powerful 7,62x54r round.  I think its lighter than my Hakim/Fn49's but probably around the ljungman in weight plus or minus a lb or so.  I'm sure you can shoot the russian barnaul or brown bear 203gr SP ammo if you adjust the gas valve for it.  This ammo can still be found at $7 a box. The only thing is the cost of the svt-40 when we compare it to a mosin right now which shoots the same rounds. I would take mine hunting for sure with no hesitation.

[Rex in OTZ]

Yes they can and are used for hunting, I know of a Blogger (CARIBOU) from my general neighborhood of Northwest Alaska that post's over on 'Gunboards' in ther hunting section and useally is happy to furnish photos.

They are indeed long and as I remember kinda loud due to the Muzzle break as I remember the recoil wernt all that bad.

As a russian built arm you can expect best performance with .311 but its best to slug the bore for shure incase its one thats a .312 or a .313 as some have been reported to be.

[1911crazy]

Remember to adjust the gas valve to the ammo your shooting.  My average setting on my two svt-40's was at 1.3 they seem to operate the best at that setting.

You need to readjust the gas valve to each new brand of ammo that you shoot too.

If the round when fired slams the bolt carrier into the rear of the receiver thus slamming the butt of the svt-40 into your shoulder like getting hit with a baseball bat you have the gas valve open way too far. Don't ask me how i know this.

The russian manufactured 203gr soft point ammo can be found for under $7 of 20rds too.