SKS 7.62X39 vs M38 7.62X54? Compare and Contrast?

[Judgedredd]

I purchased a Yugo SKS about 2 weeks ago and I just saw a M38 russian mosin nagant that I like also but the question is, is there really any difference between the 2 of them other than the ammo?
How would you compare and contrast a SKS and an M38? Does the M38 prevail more shooting distance? M38 more accurate than an sks? SKS faster action of course, but what other factors... ? THANXS

Range wise id say your plinking targets out at 300'-400'.

Can you actually hit somewhat acurate with an sks at this distance?

I still havent cleaned off the cosmoline off my rifle so havent had a chance to shoot it.

 

[DMK]

You might find this interesting:

http://www.russian-mosin-nagant.com/shootout.htm

BTW: All four of my Mosins except my M38 (Two are Finns M/39s, so that's not exactly a fair comparison) are much more accurate than my two Yugo SKS carbines.

 

[Destructo6]

In addition, the SKS is a pretty soft shooter, while the M44/M38s are rather brutal.

For the price, there's no reason not to have both/all.

 

[cratz2]

Those Nagants are generally such good shooters that we should buy up more than we can ever use. I'm partial to the carbines as they are a bit handier in my opinion.

Balistically, there is no comparison. The SKS will surely do a lot of damage, but the 7.62x54 is far beyond the x39. Akin to asking if there is any use for a bolt action 30/06 if you already have an AR. The AR/SKS will serve many purposes, but the Nagant can do a few things the SKS cannot reliably do. Power-wise, distance-wise and accuracy-wise. Speaking of accuracy, plinking is plinking but trying to hit anything smaller than a man-sized silhouette reliably with an SKS at 400 yards might prove more than just a little frustrating.

As Destructo said, hundreds of rounds can be put through an SKS with little or no discomfort. 100 rounds through a Nagant carbine and you'll know it for sure the next morning.

 

[foghornl]

As for distance and accuracy, the 7.62x39 VS 7.62x54 is sort of like the .30/30 VS .30-06.

 

[Erich]

That's an excellent comparison, foghornl. FWIW, I ring the 200-yard plates all the time with my various Mosins. Packs a heck of a whallop at that distance, too!

SKSs are just plain fun to shoot, and cheap. I wouldn't really think of using one beyond 100 yds, tho one certainly could.

I prefer Mosins, though . . . although you never would have been able to convince me that I would ever feel this way when I was in college in the mid-'80s, playing with AKs in the quarries.

 

[3 gun]

Really apples and oranges here. The M38 is a bolt action, rifle caliber carbine. The ammo it uses is capable of taking anything on four legs (be careful around big bears!) in North America out to the precision of its sights and user.

The SKS is a semi auto, intermediate caliber carbine. It's ammo selection limits you to deer size game and ranges to about 200 yards or less.

Ammo for both is plentiful and inexpensive. Other than that and both being carbines they have more differences than similarities.

For that reason you should have both.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

It really is a wide comparison. I have both, and while I got the SKS to shoot often, I got the Mosin just to have a bolt action with a big boom. With some deals floating around, you can easily get both for $200 or so, so instead of trying to pick one, might as well get both since they are different enough to have their own personalities.