AK-47 Accuracy or not

[benEzra]

I'll look at the sights and think about what you said. Your comments about a semi auto on a benchrest interest me, any thoughts beyond what you wrote?

I usually shoot bolt action rifles with no issues, but their is a difference between semi-action and bolt action rifles on a bench rest.

Less difference between a bolt gun and an AR-15 than between a bolt gun and an AK lookalike.

The AR uses a direct-impingement gas system, so about the only thing that moves when you shoot it (other than the firing mechanism) is the fairly lightweight bolt carrier assembly.

The AK uses a heavy long-stroke gas piston and bolt carrier assembly that's built like a T-72 tank. It probably weighs a significant percentage of the rifle's total weight, and when it gets blasted rearward at hundreds of g's by thousands of psi of gas pressure as the bullet passes the gas block, you can surmise that it produces lots of vibrations. The initial force on the gas block acts to bend the barrel and forend downward (think of applying a ton or two of force to the top of the gas block, directed forward), followed immediately by a rebound as the gas piston starts to move and the pressure vents.

In a bolt-action rifle, by contrast, the only thing that moves inside the gun after the cartridge is ignited is the bullet, and there aren't any significant off-axis barrel bending torques unless you have really bad bedding issues.

If you think the sights might be the problem, you could look into a siderail-mount optical sight (like a Kobra or POSP--expensive experiment, though) or a traditional red-dot on an Ultimak scout mount to see if that helps. Also examine your barrel crown.

You might also try some of the 154-grain 7.62x39mm loads, as those have been reputed to be somewhat more accurate than the lighter loads. (I have no experience with those, though.)

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

The Military Channel had a program on a while back that compared various arms of ours vs. our enemies. One program spent 20 minutes of the total 60 minutes on the AR-15 vs. AK-47. Covering topics such as accuracy, reliability, penetration, and other things.

In one instance, they showed high-speed video of an AK and AR firing (during the recoil part). The difference between the two is absolutely significant in that aspect. The AK was vibrating and wobbling all around as it fired. The AR did also, but to a much, much less degree. They attributed this to the higher carrier mass of the AK and the fact that it is situated up higher on the rifle, whereas the AR is an in-line system.

 

[j grimes]

i had a sks that i cut off to 17'' with no crown it still shot 6 in groups @ 100

I picked up a Romanian Wasr-3, .223 caliber, not 7.62x39, at fifty yards, from a rest I am getting 4-5" groups, from 100 yards my groups are all over the place 12 - 18". Tried different ammo (Winchester, Remington, Brown Bear, Wolf) all yield about the same results. Everything appears to be tight. Anything I should be checking to improve the groups or is this as "GOOD" as it gets? What sizr groups should I expect?

MGK

 

[MTMilitiaman]

I have an SKS that I haven't done anything to at all except put TechSights on it that'll do 2" groups at 100 yards.

Also the heavier recipricating mass of the AK does lend itself to more accuracy, but it is also part of what makes the system so reliable.

 

[briang2ad]

Three Points

1) I think the average distance of engagement in the recent combat is about 30-50m. Kinda reduces the whole accuracy thing.

2) The AK is more reliable in a variety of conditions.

3) The AK goes bang in a big way. A SEAL friend of mine likes guns that make a big bang when clearing rooms - it intimidates people. At close combat ranges, the AK makes a bigger hole - more likely to kill the BG.

 

[MechAg94]

I have an SKS that I haven't done anything to at all except put TechSights on it that'll do 2" groups at 100 yards.

Also the heavier recipricating mass of the AK does lend itself to more accuracy, but it is also part of what makes the system so reliable.

I got some Tech Sights on a Yugo also. I haven't shot it at a range, but I can hit 4" clays at 100 yards. I like the Tech Sights.