AK-47 barrels
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CrashInBlack
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It probably won't matter much. AKs are known for reliability, not accuracy. Your best option may be to make sure all the moving bits are polished correctly and you're using good quality ammo.
wally
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Search YouTube for M16 vs. AK47 video. There is one that has slow motion footage of the AK and when you see how much it flexes during firing you'll wonder how its as accurate as it is.
--wally.
--wally.
dfariswheel
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The only place where a chrome lined barrel's "potential" slight loss of accuracy is noticeable at all is in Match rifle shooting where you're trying to squeeze out the last bit of long range accuracy.
Saying that you want as accurate an AK as possible is like saying that you're going to buy a Caterpillar bulldozer, but you want the fastest one you can get.
Bulldozers aren't designed for speed.
In the case of the AK, it was designed expressly for reliability not accuracy, and no difference between a lined or unlined bore can be detected.
The AK was specifically designed to:
Allow hits on a man sized target at 300 meters.
To fire each time the trigger is pulled.
Kalashnikov deliberately designed the rifle to NOT be a precision accuracy rifle, since he believed that a higher accuracy rifle would by necessity be less reliable.
In the AK rifles case, you're much better to have the chrome lined bore and chamber for the durability, ease of cleaning, better extraction, and resistance to corrosion.
An unlined AK barrel has no advantage, and several disadvantages.
Saying that you want as accurate an AK as possible is like saying that you're going to buy a Caterpillar bulldozer, but you want the fastest one you can get.
Bulldozers aren't designed for speed.
In the case of the AK, it was designed expressly for reliability not accuracy, and no difference between a lined or unlined bore can be detected.
The AK was specifically designed to:
Allow hits on a man sized target at 300 meters.
To fire each time the trigger is pulled.
Kalashnikov deliberately designed the rifle to NOT be a precision accuracy rifle, since he believed that a higher accuracy rifle would by necessity be less reliable.
In the AK rifles case, you're much better to have the chrome lined bore and chamber for the durability, ease of cleaning, better extraction, and resistance to corrosion.
An unlined AK barrel has no advantage, and several disadvantages.
ineedmoney
Member
my wasr 10 has a chromed lined barrel, the other day i was shooting 100 yards and i got like a 6" 3 shot group with iron sights. my eyes are not the best in the world, i was standing and had the lower handgaurd proped up on a pole. with better vision and a better way to prop the gun and i think i could of definitly got a 3" group easy
some fcg polishing would probaly help a little 2
that was also the first time i have tried 100 yards and the only group i shot with it
GunFanatic37
Member
I can get 4 inch grps at 100 yds with my AK. It came with a chrome-lined barrel. Trust me dude, you will want a chrome-lined barrel. If you are wanting a gun that is known for accuracy, I would not recommend an AK-47 for you. As others said, the only time you will ever notice a great difference in barrels is when you go to match grade precision. I also would not recommend the AK for distances over 300yds because the ballistics of the bullet drop 20 inches at that range and from then on, sinks like a rock. But overall, the AK is a great rifle and I love mine. Also, the chrome lined barrel you will find a hell of alot easier to clean and it will last longer.
ineedmoney
Member
the winchester ballistic chart says fmj 123gr. it drops -7@200yds -26@300yds
-61@400yds and -118@500yds with the sight set for 100yds......thats is like a rock aint it lol
for me about 200yds is about as far as i can see around here so it is good to go
briansmithwins
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Both my AKs have chromed barrels and both are 4MOA guns.
BSW
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rockstar.esq
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I for one have never bought into the idea that a gun's designer had some kind of myopic focus to the extent that all other desirable outcomes were completely ignored. If the AK were strictly designed for reliability it'd doubtful that the original stocks would be made of wood which can and does split, crack, and warp. I submit a strict utilitarian would make them with a simple bent sheet metal assembly. For that reason I explicitly reject the oft repeated notion that accuracy and reliability are diametrically opposed. Single shot's are terrifically accurate and more reliable than a repeater - notice how this doesn't put them very high on the pantheon of combat arms for this century.
The best and in my opinion most likely explanation of the AK's legendary lackluster accuracy is that the existing/ antique rifling equipment in Russia that was used to make Mosin Nagant's was put to the task of making AK barrels. As a result, both rifles share the same twist rate of 1 in 9-1/2". Considering the The twist rate for a 7.652x 54R would need to be slower than an AK owing to the higher bullet weights, and velocities, there's little doubt in my mind this is the real culprit.
The flexing receiver doesn't help much to be sure but again, having what amounts to the wrong barrel screwed into that flattened beer can receiver is just kicking a dead mule.
If you're truly looking for an accurate AK it would be smarter to go with one with a twist rate closer to 1 in 8 so that you can stabilize the 123 grain bullets that are the most common. At that point, the modest loss of accuracy owing to the chrome bore would be offset by having the correct twist rate.
The best and in my opinion most likely explanation of the AK's legendary lackluster accuracy is that the existing/ antique rifling equipment in Russia that was used to make Mosin Nagant's was put to the task of making AK barrels. As a result, both rifles share the same twist rate of 1 in 9-1/2". Considering the The twist rate for a 7.652x 54R would need to be slower than an AK owing to the higher bullet weights, and velocities, there's little doubt in my mind this is the real culprit.
The flexing receiver doesn't help much to be sure but again, having what amounts to the wrong barrel screwed into that flattened beer can receiver is just kicking a dead mule.
If you're truly looking for an accurate AK it would be smarter to go with one with a twist rate closer to 1 in 8 so that you can stabilize the 123 grain bullets that are the most common. At that point, the modest loss of accuracy owing to the chrome bore would be offset by having the correct twist rate.
I believe the Bulgarian and Yugo AKs have thicker receivers. You can even get milled steel AKs. This eliminates a lot of the extra flex. I have a Saiga Ak conversion that is more than accurate enough. I can reliably shoot head shots on a human silhouette at 100 yards. I would say it shoots under 3" with ammo it likes. Luckily it likes Wolf!
The AK platform has enough good makers that finding an accurate one isn't the issue. What limits it is the 7.62 ammo. Most of the imported fodder is only good for 4 MOA. It's also not loaded for long range use, which is the point of accuracy - being able to use it at distance.
In this day, if it doesn't shoot 1 MOA, it's not accurate. Cheap hunting bolt actions do that out of the box. Look into the Savage line for examples.
The average AR 15 built to military standards will shoot 2 MOA or better. The AR platform is inherently more accurate, and offers a better choice of calibers - such as 6.5 Grendel - which is the AK round necked down to the .270 bullet, which has a better ballistic coefficient.
Basically you can build an AR to a higher standard of accuracy for less money. Finding parts and an experienced gunsmith to do the same for the AK is an exercise in frustration. You almost have to luck into one.
In this day, if it doesn't shoot 1 MOA, it's not accurate. Cheap hunting bolt actions do that out of the box. Look into the Savage line for examples.
The average AR 15 built to military standards will shoot 2 MOA or better. The AR platform is inherently more accurate, and offers a better choice of calibers - such as 6.5 Grendel - which is the AK round necked down to the .270 bullet, which has a better ballistic coefficient.
Basically you can build an AR to a higher standard of accuracy for less money. Finding parts and an experienced gunsmith to do the same for the AK is an exercise in frustration. You almost have to luck into one.
You got it backwards. For a .30 bullet, 1:9.5 twist is plenty to stabilize bullets up to 200 gr or more. A 7.62x39 bullet weighing at 123 gr would need considerably less twist (ie 1:12) or so to adequately stabilize it.
Once again, you don't need any where near that amount of twist rate to stabilize a .30 bullet of that weight.
Back to the OP- Chrome lining isn't going to make any difference.
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Kind of like getting an AR to be RELIABLE. I've worked with ARs for 17 years. My weapon of choice is an AK. I'll give up a little accuracy so my weapon will go bang every time I pull the trigger. I admit, it will never shoot tiny little groups though. If you want that you need to get a good bolt action. The AK is a tool for self defense and combat. Its hella tough and reliable but a target weapon/ sniper it is not.
DMK
Member
To put it in perspective, Dragunovs and PSLs have chrome lined barrels. They do OK accuracy wise (although nobody will mistake one for an M40).
The Dragunov is also an entirely different animal from an "AK." Similarities are in passing cosmetics only.
I have a SGL21 Saiga, and with Wolf Black Box, I've been able to get 2-3 MOA out of it at the range. This was also in gusting wind conditions and an extremely shoddy improvised rest, with a questionable skill level shooter behind the rifle. If that is any indications.
AK is built to be "good enough" its accurate enough, ergonomic enough, and as tough and reliable as nails. For defense use, 3-4 MOA is plenty accurate enough to be able to consistently make hits on man-sized targets out to 300 yards, which is what the AK was designed to do under any and all conditions.
I have a SGL21 Saiga, and with Wolf Black Box, I've been able to get 2-3 MOA out of it at the range. This was also in gusting wind conditions and an extremely shoddy improvised rest, with a questionable skill level shooter behind the rifle. If that is any indications.
AK is built to be "good enough" its accurate enough, ergonomic enough, and as tough and reliable as nails. For defense use, 3-4 MOA is plenty accurate enough to be able to consistently make hits on man-sized targets out to 300 yards, which is what the AK was designed to do under any and all conditions.
DMK
Member
The Dragunov is very different from an AK. However, the PSL is basically just an AK scaled up to shoot 7.62x54R.
Design specifics aside, my point was that these rifles are both "marksman's rifles" , yet they have chrome lined barrels. In a combat rifle, chrome lining won't make much difference as far as accuracy and add in corrosion resistance, extended barrel life as well as being easier to clean.
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