[vi9er]

This deer season I would like to go out hunting with my fiance's(at that point, she'll be my wife) grandfather and uncle's. I haven't been hunting in a few years, and never owned my own rifle when i went. I own a few handguns, but the only rifle I have is my trusty SKS. I am accurate with it and can hold a 2-4 inch group at 100yards. Outside of the accuracy of the rifle, is the round good enough ballistically to hunt with, or will I be laughed out of the family?:D
Thanks alot for the help,
Ed

[Snowdog]

If you're able to get over any perceived stigma of using a semi-auto surplus for hunting, it will do just fine.
You might still get laughed at, who knows until you try; any laughing should cease after you bring home the deer.

Personally, I would have no problem with using an SKS on deer.

Look into Corbon's website for their excellent 7.62x39 loading.

[Al Thompson]

I've popped a deer (doe) with an SKS. Used (IIRC) winchester 125 grain JSP. Worked fine - small hole in, big hole out.

Just avoid the Russian ammo and invest in two boxes of commercial JSPs. Use one box to check zero.

May also be very wise to check with Fish and Game folks as to the legality of semi auto rifles and 10 round magazine capacity.

[Destructo6]

Tapco sells a 5-rnd detachable magazine for the SKS, so you might look into that, if needs be.

As long as you use some good ammo and not try any long-range shots, you should be fine.

[Art Eatman]

I'd recommend spending some time practicing shooting offhand and from a hasty rest of some sort. Tin can size targets.

While shot placement is always important, it becomes even more important with decreasing power in one's cartridge.

Art

[454c]

Just don't use the cheap ammo.Great for cans,not deer.Limit your range,use good ammo,and they won't laugh too long.:neener:

[Destructo6]

Oh, and if they comment on using a military rifle to hunt deer, be sure to remind them about the origins of their rifles (Mauser, if they're lucky).

[clange]

I used one for a few years (with the cheap ammo i guess). Got 2 deer with it. One was a heart shot, dead in 30 ft. The latter was a big buck (weighed 200 field dressed). Dang thing was alive for nearly 4 hours after i shot it, before we found it (once in the lung and one minor leg hit). Its possible to use but i wasnt comfortable with it anymore. Shoot until the deer drops or you cant see it anymore, i hate having animals wounded that long. :(

[Spoonman]

I've only taken coyotes and a couple of feral pigs with mine. All seemed pretty well satisfied with it's performance. All shots were taken within 50 yards (head shots on the pigs, boiler room shots on the coyotes).

My son (the other criminal element, see my post - Felony Stop For Littering) took his 1st whitetail buck with this rifle (w/ Red Star scope) at 16 yrs old. The deer (nice, heavy 8-point) was shot through the heart @ about 60 yards and piled up within view of the stand.

Use the right ammo and take your time, Ed, you won't be disappointed.

Besides, when you get back to camp you can deploy the bayonet and stick your rifle up in the ground. :D Let's see 'em do that with their cheesy old expensive sporting rifles! ;)

Good luck, bubba. Have fun.

Clif

[vi9er]

Thanks for all the advice! Commercial ammo is a definite must. Spoonman, I was just going to sharpen the bayonet and use it to dress the deer!

[Destructo6]

Don't sharpen that bayonet! It's only supposed to be a little bit pointy with a tough edge, so it can poke holes over and over.

Use the bayonet to poke at the deer before you lay hands on it for the first time. Maybe you'll hear some eyeballs pop out of their sockets behind you.

[Kharn]

As Destructo6 said, bayonets arent supposed to be sharp. Its supposed to rip flesh, not cut it. A rip is a lot harder to patch up than a clean surgical-type cut.

Kharn

[Chipperman]

:confused:
Patch up a bayonet wound?
If I'm using my bayonet on someone, I'm gonna make durn sure they're dead before I continue on my merry way.

[vi9er]

i was just joking about stripping the dear with the bayonet!

[JamisJockey]

I'm assuming you live back east? The round is enough for most North American game, but the range is the question. In the South and East anything over 100yards would be a surprise. Out here, anything under 200 yards is a surprise.
If you might be taking longer shots, just borrow an 'ought-six or a .308