Author Topic: Hunting with sks? (Read 680 times)

Muddy05 · « **on:** December 09, 2005, 03:02:50 AM »

Does anyone here use an sks 7.62x39 for deer hunting? If so what kind of ammo do you guys use? Thanks!

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2005, 04:23:38 AM »

Muddy05 - lots of folks here hunt with their SKSs or their AKSs. Many use the Barnhaul or Wolf ammo, many use the Sellier and Bellot when it is available in soft point. Some use the Winchester or Remington ammo. Most often folks use the 123-125 gn soft nosed loads, some use the Wolf 150 grainers.

The 7.62x39mm is an adequate whitetail round to about 125 m. It is on the low powered side of the 30-30 although some loads bring it into the 30-30 ballistics range. I wouldn't take a shot much beyond 125m with that caliber, I just don't think it has the same capability the 30-30 does when it comes to anchoring whitetail at distances beyond that. HTH. Mikey.

1911crazy · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2005, 05:03:14 AM »

I read on one of the sites somewhere I can't remember maybe it was here someone was getting excellent results shooting Wolf 7,62x39 154gr Soft Point ammo he was shooting 5/8" groups with it with his sks. Like Mikey said its on the lower side of the 30-30 in power but it sure will do the job on whitetail.

I seen a scary picture once of a guy with a grizzly he shot and he appeared to have a belted magnum rifle while his buddy was carrying an sks. I have no clue to what his buddy was thinking carrying an sks in Grizz country. The gun sure looked out of place near the bear. All I can think of is RUN FOREST RUN!!!!!! :-D A man must know his guns limitations or in a bad situation reality can set in very quickly. :wink:

Oldtimer · « **Reply #3 on:** December 09, 2005, 07:42:08 AM »

I remember that picture. It was of a gun writer who had gone to Russia hunting brown bear. The man with the SKS was a guide. As I recall, the writer was pretty nervous about his backup using the SKS, but it was the only gun the man had. There is an old saying, "beware the man who only has one gun, he knows how to use it."

1911crazy · « **Reply #4 on:** December 09, 2005, 08:55:52 AM »

If a pissed off brown bear charging a guy with an sks I'd place my bets on the bear winning or at least getting in a few good hits. :eek: It doesn't seem like good odds to me.

RaySendero · « **Reply #5 on:** December 09, 2005, 11:28:31 AM »

A couple of guys at work have hunted deer suscessfully with an SKS. I'll ask them what ammo they use.

S.S. · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2006, 08:02:14 AM »

The first deer I ever killed was with an SKS!
A war trophy, Not an import. way too long ago to remember
what I used for ammo, There was no soft point factory ammo
back then. I just remember it having a HUGE exposed lead tip
and a round nose. I think it was a 100 grain bullet.

DWARREN123 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2006, 03:29:54 PM »

The 123 or 125 Sp would ,in my opinion, be the best round with a range of not more than 150-175 yards. The 154 has some problems at extended ranges with expanding because of lack of energy. Fire the rifle a lot to get familar with round and firearm and try shooting some wet magazines/newspapers and if possible compare to other calibers.
Just my thoughts.

msorenso · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2006, 03:15:23 AM »

Can I ask what war was it a trophy from???

S.S. · « **Reply #9 on:** January 18, 2006, 04:46:42 AM »

It was not really a declared war as such but it was picked up in
an area of the Ivory Coast of Africa.

RaySendero · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2006, 10:43:08 AM »

Quote from: RaySendero

A couple of guys at work have hunted deer suscessfully with an SKS. I'll ask them what ammo they use.

Sorry it took so long to get back to you.

Both use Remington's Express 7.62 x 39mm R762391 125 PSP.

One has killed a 9 point, an 8 point and a doe. The other has killed 3 does with his SKS. Both said that the bullet left 2 holes except for the 9 point - It was hit in shoulder bone. Interestingly, the 9 point was the only Bang-Flop. The others ran short distances. None needed a second shot.