Welp, I've pulled the trigger on a 4-12x40 for my Arsenal SGL-21, and I think it'll be great for the range, where popping cans at 200 yards is the biggest concern, as well as the occasional hog hunt where I need less magnification, and more FOV. It's also very versatile for other rifles, if I want to move it around. It works out great for me, but.... am I the only one who thinks an actual scope (not a dot) looks funny on an AK?
12x on an AK... does it look goofy?
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Depends, but I voted NO.
The Russians put POSP scopes on AKs all the time.
It must be OK, since they are ones who invented the gun in the first place.
I only have a red dot on mine (AK), and use my scoped bolt rifle for long ranges...but I see nothing "wrong" with your choice either way. I guess it's really just personal preference.
"Looks" is really in the eye of the beholder either way.
The Russians put POSP scopes on AKs all the time.
It must be OK, since they are ones who invented the gun in the first place.
I only have a red dot on mine (AK), and use my scoped bolt rifle for long ranges...but I see nothing "wrong" with your choice either way. I guess it's really just personal preference.
"Looks" is really in the eye of the beholder either way.
That big of a scope would look goofy to me. Anything above a 2x7 scope looks goofy on an AK to me though. Functionality wise? 12x is far higher than I would need or an AK can really use IMO. But, if it works for you, go for it!
I chose the 12x because I like the versatility. I looked at 2-7, but I felt like 3-9 worked better for what I use it for. Then at that point, the 4-12 was the same price, and I can use it on a whole host of other rifles, if I want to.
Not my rifle (courtesy of markdavidson of Saiga-12.com), but should give you an idea. The scope isn't here yet, and neither is the mount.
Surprised noone's trotted this one out yet...
*AHEM*
"If it looks stupid, but it works, it ain't stupid."
*AHEM*
"If it looks stupid, but it works, it ain't stupid."
Rail Driver
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I had a 3-9x40 scope on my converted Saiga - I thought it looked decent, if a little bit big - Shot fantastically though. I never stretched it out past 200 meters, but accuracy was much as expected - around 3-4" at 200. I think with a little more work on the rifle itself and handloads, I would have had much better groupings. My 100yd groups were around 1-2".
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I love the 1911 grips on that lol... Never seen that before. And I have to agree, the accuracy on these AK's are excellent.
And Texan Scott, I think you hit the nail on the head.
And Texan Scott, I think you hit the nail on the head.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
For the range, I don't care about weight. Hunting, I may regret my choice...
And CraigC, we happen to have really small garbage cans, ok!? lol
And CraigC, we happen to have really small garbage cans, ok!? lol
Rail Driver
Member
I don't know about garbage cans, but I was using the stick on 8" shoot-n-see targets at 200 meters (not yards) - at that distance, all you see until you shoot is a black circle through the scope using irons, it's little more than a black spot on a plywood background. I've found, though, that once my scope is zeroed, just centering the target in the crosshairs does the trick - I've shot a few groups better than 3" at that distance with that rifle, but I count fliers and had a heavy handguard on the rifle, so the smaller groups don't happen as often. I never fired it using handloads or premium ammo, just surplus and cheap Tula or Wolf steel cased ammo. I would almost regret selling it if the profit hadn't been so much in my favor.
I mostly shoot clay targets, soda cans, tannerite on occasion, and steel. I mean, it's all doable with irons, and that's what I use at the moment... but it's nice to be able to actually see the target with any clarity.
Probably looks fine, but the magnification seems a little high. I'd go for a 4x or 6x optic on that rifle if it were mine (but hey, I can't even own one thanks to my countries crappy gun laws )
)Not my rifle (courtesy of markdavidson of Saiga-12.com), but should give you an idea. The scope isn't here yet, and neither is the mount.
I think this looks pretty cool. Looks like it would be a great hog gun!
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12X is probably a little too much magnification, in that you might be able to see a 1" spot at 200 and put your crosshairs on it, but your POI will dance around it in a 6" circle and you probly wont hit it very often. Thats frustrating and pretty quick you will be blaming your mount for being loose when in reality you never had the accuracy to call such a shot.
Now for shooting 6-8" targets or bigger at 200 meters, a 4 or 6 or 7 power scope is ideal. I also have a nice 8X POSP that works really well. 8x is really all you need with an AK of just about any type or even a SVD.
For mounts pick your flavor but what you will realize is that a real low mount will just make you get taller rings to clear the rear sight area.
You will want to mount your scope forward to prevent getting hit in the eye.
Now for shooting 6-8" targets or bigger at 200 meters, a 4 or 6 or 7 power scope is ideal. I also have a nice 8X POSP that works really well. 8x is really all you need with an AK of just about any type or even a SVD.
For mounts pick your flavor but what you will realize is that a real low mount will just make you get taller rings to clear the rear sight area.
You will want to mount your scope forward to prevent getting hit in the eye.
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I don't think ak's warrant a scope but if so I think the 1-4 is more than enough. The 1-4 can get most rifles 400-500yds+
Yup. I have a 1-4x24 Vortex Razor HD on my Sig PE90 and can ring a 13" gong at 550 yards with it. Not on every shot, but that's mostly me.
IMHO you can never have too much scope. That extra power allows you to pull a antler out of a group of leaves. Dial it in at 100 yards and see where every shot goes without having to pull out another optic.
Sure some scopes look like crap on a small rifle but it's the results you get that matter.
Sure some scopes look like crap on a small rifle but it's the results you get that matter.
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