SKS or M48 -which first

[bluebayou]

I have decided on SKS and M48 from AIM.  I have the funds to buy one this week.  I can buy the other after Christmas.  Short of calling AIM to ask their opinion (which I will before I place the order), which do you recommend to buy first?  I have always wanted an SKS, I have no semi-autos.  AIM and others have Excellents for $150.  My gut tells me that the M48 is the more scarce of the two.  Any thoughts?

[jack19512]

What do you want to do with it?  I think the SKS is more fun but if hunting is what you want to do then I would pick the M48.  Not that people don't hunt with the SKS.   

I have 2 SKS's and they don't even come close to the accuracy capability of my bolt surplus rifles.

My bolt surplus rifles get shot a lot more than my SKS's because I like the accuracy I get from them.  I would choose one of my bolt guns over one of my SKS's for hunting.  It's just a personal choice.

[TribReady]

Like jack19512 said, it's a personal choice.
The m48 is scarcer and is a little bit tougher to find. Both are readily available now, but I think if either one is to "dry up", the m48 would be first.
For hunting, no comparison, go with the m48. Without starting a huge deal on 7.62x39 VS. 8MM deal, the m48 is FAR superior for hunting.
Also, with the shortage of 7.62x39 ammo, get the m48 first. If $ and everything else falls into place, then get the SKS.
I had an SKS and a ton of ammo a few years back. Shot one deer with it and plinked alot too. It was fun and all, but my M48a is so much more versatile. I sold the SKS and since have picked up 3 more 8mm rifles of different types.  My future deer,elk,bear,moose,whatever rifle is a 1949  8mm sporter.  It's agreat round and ammo's readily available.
This year deer hunting is with a m48a with an iron elite scope mount (attaches  to the rear sight so nothing original is lost)  It's a bit heavy, but shoots moa with S&B 196gr SP ammo.
Alright, I'll stop, but I'll just say 8mm, 8mm, 8mm, 8mm, 8mm   

[jack19512]

Alright, I'll stop, but I'll just say 8mm, 8mm, 8mm, 8mm, 8mm   

I love all of my 8mm surplus bolt guns.   

[bluebayou]

Don't misunderstand, I am getting BOTH.  I am just worried that one or the other will dry up before Christmas.  Seems silly, now, though.  I just don't want to miss out. 

[jack19512]

The reason I asked "what do you want to do with it" was because in a lot of states deer season is or will be here shortly.

No one knows what tomorrow will bring when it comes to mil-surplus rifles.  I would have to agree that I would think the M48 would be gone first.  But who really knows.

You did state that you always wanted an SKS.  A lot of us have been in your position and know how you feel.   

Just curious, why did you pick the M48 as one of your choices?

[jack19512]

Not to heap more burden on your decision making but the Yugo 24/47's, the Swiss K31's, the k98 Mauser's, and the Turk Mauser's are just a few more worthwhile buys.   

[Mikey]

blue - I doubt either will dry up before Christmas but I would suggest the 8mm Mauser before I would suggest the SKS.  You should be able to find either M48s or M48As without too much of a problem.  My M48A is very accurate with S&B ammo and would make either an excellent field piece as it is or a very nice sporter conversion.

The SKS is what it is and their isn't really too much you can do with it except to accessorize it.  In addition, you can spend an awful lot of $ playing with the darn thing as you can go through a 10 rnd stripper clip in pretty short order and shoot up a whole lot of ammo just wastin' $.  The 7.62x39 is an adequate whitetail round out to about 150m - it is on the lower power side of a 30-30.  The 8mm however is a world class cartridge that will cleanly take large critters at longer ranges if the shot presents itself.  If you decide to play with mil-surps you will find most have sights that aren't what you would prefer for 'woods work' yet the Mauser is easier to deal with than the SKS, I believe, although the SKS isn't all that tough to work with. 

SKSs are made to comm-bloc mil-spec which certainly is not up to the quality of the Mauser rifle.  Truly, either will go you 50K rounds but I believe the Mauser to be a much better rifle.  In addition, you can always turn it into a very nice sporter if you wish to pass it down to a younger hunter someday.  JMHO.  Mikey.

[bluebayou]

Not to offend anyone, but my master plan IS to sporterize the Mauser.  Obviously, if the first Mauser is in really good shape I might reconsider and order a second........it is like candy, I "get it" now with the C&R's. 

The K31 was my first choice.  I had been debating between K31 and the Handi 357 barrel for ages.  I swung toward the Mauser instead.  $109 seems like a killer deal for a Mauser and a project starting point.  The SKS is just because I want a semiauto.  I have looked at the ballistics.  I agree that the SKS is marginal for whitetail.  I have a Bushnell reddot waiting on the SKS.  The SKS would make a great plinking/truck gun.

I have always wanted a Mauser.  Who wouldn't?  I am gradually building up a tool collection so even if the rebarrel would be beyond me, then most else could be done at home.  I try to figure out at Christmas what the next year's big projects are going to be.  I am thinking Boyd's stock, 7x57 A&B barrel, and the scope mount is up in the air.  That is where the K31 and the Mauser parted ways.  The K31 could be cleaned up but not really a long term project.  I like the cartridge on paper though.

Will be reloading in any event.  I have to shoot light loads and reduced H4895 type loads because of shoulder and neck injuries.  Figure to get Lee dies for 8mm and 7.62x39.  I don't care for the finger adjustable/non-locking Lee seating die, but for these two cartridges they should be fine.  The SKS will only get one permanent load and the 8mm be rebarrelled so why spend a lot.

Thanks for the help.  It is tough to decide.  The money might evaporate on this end again, too.  Dentist, diapers, fuel pump, etc.

[jh45gun]

Buy A K31 a fantastic rifle that you can scope with out gunsmithing and it will outshine the SKS and you can still get a mauser later if you wish.

[prairiedog555]

I have both m48 and SKS.  the m48 I got from Interordinance was sooo filthy that I had to completly disassemble, so much gunk that the trigger would hardly fall.  But the barrell was good and I had my gunsmith put on a Bold trigger.  Big improvement and ammo is cheap.  Shoots very good now.
The SKS shoots ok (3in+ MOA) but don't expect the Russian ammo to be accurate, and it is dirty.  Shot a big (240 lb.) Kansas Whitetail with the Russian hollowpoint ammo. Range about 15yd, as it was in the woods on a drive and hit it square in the chest, grazed the heart, and it still ran down the hill, second snap shot broke back leg, and then one in the neck.  What I want to caution is not to use Russian ammo for hunting, bullet fragmented and did not drop it.  Use American ammo SP.  Actually I will never shoot a deer with it again, only for plinking and coyotes.

[rio grande]

Well, I've owned many SKS rifles - great - all of 'em, very little probems w/ any as long as original mags were used, not the 20 or 30 round ones.
I disagree about them being lesser accuracy than the M48, I've owned a couple of them too (still do, shot one yesterday).  I see similar accuracy between SKS and M48, as issued sights.
An SKS will do for deer, but 8mm takes over after that,better for elk and bear and such.
So I like 'em both, but I'd get the 8mm first.  the Yugo M48.  They are great rifles.
Now don't you go and bubba up a nice one now. Too much history there.  Find an ugly one w/ a nice bore for sporterizing. 
Hey, next get the Yugo SKS - got you a collection started!