Hi, its me again with a new question: I have bought an sks at a very good price and I like the rifle great for fun shooting. I would also like to use my sks for sd in an case of emergency but are there some good defence loads in 7,6x39? I would be pleased hearing some tipps.
good defence load for sks
- Thread starter agent00
- Start date
- Status
Whump
Member
Well, any load you use in your SKS will do the job--Depends on exactly what or who you are defending against--If a car load of hoodlums are headed for you or your home then you would want to be loaded with FMJ--They work wonders on an engine block or even the door on the drivers side--If you want to put the "creepies" down where they stand, go with HP--Nice big holes that you can look thru in order to line up on another "creep"--Now if ya hungry after all this "self-defensing" then your want SP to bag game--Of course them ole SKS "eat" all these rounds like candy--Load her up "staggered" with all the rounds I have described then you will be ready for anything--
Nickodemus
Member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2006
- Messages
- 70
I shoot "bear" ammo, the brown bear and silver bear stuff. It does good, so does Wolf ammo.
From looking at backstops I have shot, the hollow point expansion is kind of a joke, even though 7.62x39 is only a medium cartridge, the HPs still penetrate like a FMJ. Ballistically I would expect similiar effect from either.
I did have this bear ammo for a little bit that was a HP with a ball at the tip. The concept was that the ball would get pushed down the hollow cavity and cause more even bullet expansion. Realistically from inspecting what I shot it into, this ammo fragments very well instead of mushrooming out like it's intention. I would assume that makes it excellent for soft targets, and limits overpenatration to deposit significant energy laterally in the wound cavity. I cannot seem to find the stuff anymore though.
So if you want a defense round for your SKS I suggest you use whatever you shoot at the range that functions reliably and hits your target consistently. I would not put a special "super lethal" hunting round with faster burning powder in your SKS. Ballistically for your SKS the most mundane cartridge will still have enough energy and stopping power at a defesive engagment distance. Consider every round you fire HP or otherwise to still perforate through your target like a FMJ. If you need to penetrate a barrier and it doesn't, just shoot more, eventually one will.
So save your money for nice defensive pistol ammo, where it will make a bigger difference over normal fmj.
Edit: If for some defensive reason you keep it loaded, make sure that the firing pin is clean and falls into it's recess easily. If it gets gummed up and stuck it is a slam fire waiting to happen. This acident has cost lives. When the gun is empty shake it to hear the pin rattle.
From looking at backstops I have shot, the hollow point expansion is kind of a joke, even though 7.62x39 is only a medium cartridge, the HPs still penetrate like a FMJ. Ballistically I would expect similiar effect from either.
I did have this bear ammo for a little bit that was a HP with a ball at the tip. The concept was that the ball would get pushed down the hollow cavity and cause more even bullet expansion. Realistically from inspecting what I shot it into, this ammo fragments very well instead of mushrooming out like it's intention. I would assume that makes it excellent for soft targets, and limits overpenatration to deposit significant energy laterally in the wound cavity. I cannot seem to find the stuff anymore though.
So if you want a defense round for your SKS I suggest you use whatever you shoot at the range that functions reliably and hits your target consistently. I would not put a special "super lethal" hunting round with faster burning powder in your SKS. Ballistically for your SKS the most mundane cartridge will still have enough energy and stopping power at a defesive engagment distance. Consider every round you fire HP or otherwise to still perforate through your target like a FMJ. If you need to penetrate a barrier and it doesn't, just shoot more, eventually one will.
So save your money for nice defensive pistol ammo, where it will make a bigger difference over normal fmj.
Edit: If for some defensive reason you keep it loaded, make sure that the firing pin is clean and falls into it's recess easily. If it gets gummed up and stuck it is a slam fire waiting to happen. This acident has cost lives. When the gun is empty shake it to hear the pin rattle.
Last edited:
Starter52
Member
My opinion: Buy a couple of boxes of Remington or Winchester softpoint ammo. Pay the extra $$$ for a bullet that expands the way it should.
That being said, Whump is right. Just about any SKS round will do for self defense.
That being said, Whump is right. Just about any SKS round will do for self defense.
I found some nifty rounds collecting dust in the back of a gunshop, apparently glasser made some bluetips for 7.62x39, I haven't found anything worth shooting them at yet (I'm thinking a pumpkin might be in order) they were kinda pricy but they should get lethal penetration, and be safe for residential use.
I also picked up some 30-06 that they had as well
I also picked up some 30-06 that they had as well
Cosmoline
Member
I disagree very strongly that any load will do. The FMJ's are substandard performers and the cheap HP and SP rounds are notorious for poor expansion. If you're betting your life, buy quality SP's from Winchester or even better the hot loads from Corbon.
Are you suggesting that quality SP's will be stopped by a car door or windshield? Because that's absoultely WRONG. No standard car door will stop 123 grain bullet at 2400 fps, no matter what the bullet's construction is. The only time FMJ's are a viable round for self defense is in the case of certain handgun rounds (.25 ACP and .45 ACP, for example).
Are you suggesting that quality SP's will be stopped by a car door or windshield? Because that's absoultely WRONG. No standard car door will stop 123 grain bullet at 2400 fps, no matter what the bullet's construction is. The only time FMJ's are a viable round for self defense is in the case of certain handgun rounds (.25 ACP and .45 ACP, for example).
dogngun
Member
Winchester or similar U.S. brand soft point ammo, or Silver or Brown Bear or the higher end Wolf soft point ammo would be a fine choice. The U. S. ammo is more accurate, but the Wolf is very good now and the Bears have also come up in the world. This would be an excellent home defence rifle/load, not overpowerful, but more than adequate.
I used the high end Wolf in my SAR for a home defence gun, felt very comfortable behind it.
Mark
I used the high end Wolf in my SAR for a home defence gun, felt very comfortable behind it.
Mark
At one point, I thought HP vs FMJ mattered for 7.62 x 39. It doesn't. They are more or less both the same for home defense.
* If you shoot someone at close range with an SKS (in a home defense situation) the chances are the round will zip right through their body.
On a side note, the SKS, despite being "fun to shoot" and "cool" is a poor home defense rifle. 10 rounds? 10 rounds can be shot in a few seconds- good luck if you are facing multiple armed attackers. Reloading an SKS with stripper clips be cumbersome in an adrenaline-filled scenario.
If you are going to use a commie rifle for HD, use a Romy AK (like an SAR-1) with a 40 round mag. The barrel is shorter too in case you have to navigate a hallway or doorway. JMO.
* If you shoot someone at close range with an SKS (in a home defense situation) the chances are the round will zip right through their body.
On a side note, the SKS, despite being "fun to shoot" and "cool" is a poor home defense rifle. 10 rounds? 10 rounds can be shot in a few seconds- good luck if you are facing multiple armed attackers. Reloading an SKS with stripper clips be cumbersome in an adrenaline-filled scenario.
If you are going to use a commie rifle for HD, use a Romy AK (like an SAR-1) with a 40 round mag. The barrel is shorter too in case you have to navigate a hallway or doorway. JMO.
BoySetsTheFire
Member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2006
- Messages
- 135
Honest answer: Any load made for the SKS is lethal. So, should you buy any load? No!
Wolf ammo has had some problems. While it is cheap and easily available, people (myself included) have had primer caps blow back into the receiver. They fall into the trigger group and now you have no gun. By the time you break it down and clear the jammed trigger, well you are no longer breathing.
So Wolf is great for range practice. I keep a thousand rounds of Wolf for that. But I have several stripper clips stacked up with Sellier & Bellot close at hand in the house.
Winchester, Remington, Federal and Sellier & Bellot make DEPENDABLE rounds. And for defense, it is DEPENDABLE that counts. I find Winchester and S&B to be particularly accurate. More fliers with Wolf.
Wolf ammo has had some problems. While it is cheap and easily available, people (myself included) have had primer caps blow back into the receiver. They fall into the trigger group and now you have no gun. By the time you break it down and clear the jammed trigger, well you are no longer breathing.
So Wolf is great for range practice. I keep a thousand rounds of Wolf for that. But I have several stripper clips stacked up with Sellier & Bellot close at hand in the house.
Winchester, Remington, Federal and Sellier & Bellot make DEPENDABLE rounds. And for defense, it is DEPENDABLE that counts. I find Winchester and S&B to be particularly accurate. More fliers with Wolf.
Obviously some users have had some bad experiences with Wolf ammo as it comes up in posts on occasion. Maybe I'm just lucky or haven't used enough of the stuff but having used around 3,000 rnds between my two SKSs and my AK I've haven't had a problem (yet).
the naked prophet
Member
How about premium hunting rounds? Or are those too expensive to load up a couple 30-rounders?
Nickodemus
Member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2006
- Messages
- 70
I would be careful with premium hunting rounds, because the SKS is gas operated and if the rounds are "hot loads" you may run into functional problems. Military guns are generally made for a medium burn rate powder.
My vote is still for you getting a case of silverbear ammo.
My vote is still for you getting a case of silverbear ammo.
Whump
Member
Well to tell you the truth I find Wolf "black box" as well as the new Military Classic to be quite capable--Even Brown Bear and Silver Bear suits me just fine--Now, for all of you suggesting commercial brand ammo, have you ever read where commercial primers are softer than military primers and you may be risking slam fires by using it--I mean hey, if it works for you then thats great and I applaude you, but hey, mine works for me too--If I find myself in a situation where I have to shoot thru an engine block I want FMJ--If I'm hunting its SP and if I have neither I can burn some butt and put meat on the table with HP--Pretty easy and it works for me--As far as the SKS not being suitable for home defense, well, best not come pulling on my door late at night 'cause whether its my SKS or AK they will defend me and mine--On the issue of "failed" Wolf ammo I have had a few FTF myself but the ammo is reliable and even at the rising price of it you can afford to practice--practice--practice--I would much rather know how my weapons function by shooting 500 rounds of Wolf, with the other 500 waiting for SHTF than have a couple box's of that commercial stuff that is really too expensive--Thats my $.04 worth, and its worth plenty to me---Nuff said---
- Status