Lucky or good at 200 yards?

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parsimonious_instead

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Took an SKS to a rural range last week. I used some of the unbroken clay pigeons scattered about as target fodder. I leaned some soft wood against the 200 yard berm and then leaned the clays against the wood.
Other than some initial familiarization shots at shorter ranges earlier that day, and some administrative loading/unloading practice at home with snapcaps a few months prior, it was my first time with that firearm.
Over the course of about 60-70 shots I broke about four of the clays, firing offhand, standing up, iron sights only with no adjusting of the "roller coaster" sights whatsoever.
Walking up and taking a closer look at the vicinity of my intended target, I saw a large collection of fresh divots six to eight inches around the wooden block.
I was alternately proud of the marksmanship and disappointed that I wasn't more consistent.
 
Use good commercial ammo - I like Remington/UMC in 7.62X39 - you'll cut your groups by half or better! :cool:

Still, not bad for the venerable SKS!

With my eyes, I couldn't see that target at 200 yards open-sighted! At 100 yards, I shoot 'center of fuzzy mass'! :D
 
Thanks for the kind words... I was shooting this Norinco Chinese ammo that the guy sold me with the gun itself... Lots and lots of it at a stellar price, and it seems like decent stuff.


PS... I was also shooting the clays with a Savage Mark II bolt-action at that range, too. I "hung" the clays on the top of a 2" wide wooden stake. Broke one or two with direct shots, and another fell when I center-punched the stake. My ratio of shots fired to hits was a tad worse, though... :(
 
Long range plinking is a very fun!
I doubt it was luck. The combination of an SKS and surplus ammo isn't ideal for precision shooting.
Having said that, I shot an SKS on an NRA long range silouhette range once against a guy with a scoped FAL. We were shooting at steel pigs at 300 yards. He missed repeatedly and I nailed three in a row with three shots, then quit while I was ahead. The 200 yard chickens - which I think were maybe a foot in diameter - were fairly easy to hit with the SKS.
 
I was shooting the Ak at about 150 yds 2 weeks ago, broken clay pigeons off the backstop and hit (or made the pieces jump) about 50% of the time. When you really think about how "Small" 2-4 inches is at 100 yards you realize the com-block rifles are not so bad.....

I have always gotten better accuracy with my sks than ak. I dont think just anyone would do that at 200 yds, so good shooting and it looks like you got a really good one! Congratulations & have fun. Read up on slam fires, keep the firing pin & bolt carrier clean, commercial ammo has softer primers so use caution. the SKS is a great gun, but keep it pointed down range when loading/charging.
 
try using metal coat hangers stretched out to hang clays. youll need to drill holes in the clays to hook em in
 
try using metal coat hangers stretched out to hang clays. youll need to drill holes in the clays to hook em in
Click to expand...

Or you could duck tape them to a post. If you're shooting with a buddy, duck tape a few in such a way that they don't come apart when hit.
Shooting and hitting at the limits of what your rifle can do is fun.
Watching your buddy try to figure out why he can't match you, why his shots just won't break the clays, is also entertaining... :D

One of my favorite "long" range targets is your standard 9" or so balloon. They explode when hit so there's no doubt. They're big enough that you don't get discouraged but small enough that it's still a challenge to hit them. You can staple or tack them to things or just stick a small rock in the small tied off section at the bottom. Weight them with a rock that's barely big enough and the wind can still blow them around a little. Moving targets at 150 yards with a .22LR... ;)
 
I don't know about lucky or good, but in reference to the capabilities of an SKS...Well...Even if the SKS platform isn't very accurate at that range, the round itself will still be effective far beyond that. I don't think a 7.62 will even start fluttering until a lot further, given calm wind conditions.
 
"...and Mrs. Taylor sure seems to use a lot of ice, whenever he's away..."
I'm gonna date myself: That's from the song "Harper Valley PTA"

Actually, that's pretty good shootin'. You should try your hand with a bench rest. Also, buy a package of paper plates and put a small dot in the center. You will have more shots on the target.
 
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I have had my sks for 20+ years.
Gave up reloading for it as it is not worth the brass and bullet to reload for it.
I use to buy the wood crates with two spam cans with 700 rds each.
I would shoot them all in about a months time, then go get some more.
You could get 2,800 rds for abour 150 dollars. Not anymore.
I have a 350 yard gong, it is 10 inches round. Have no problem hitting it with open sites 7 out of 10 times. free hand. More from the bench.
But I always thought it was funny how I never could get it to shoot better then 3 to 4 inches at 100 yards. even with a scope it would not shot much better. I just shoot surplus ammo now. If I want to shoot better with that range of a firearm I use my marlin 30-30. One hole groups at 100 yards.
The sks was never ment to hit a bullseye just a man.
 
Naybor said:
"...and Mrs. Taylor sure seems to use a lot of ice, whenever he's away..."
I'm gonna date myself: That's from the song "Harper Valley PTA"

Actually, that's pretty good shootin'. You should try your hand with a bench rest. Also, buy a package of paper plates and put a small dot in the center. You will have more shots on the target.
Click to expand...

Yup... Harper Valley PTA... excellent song about defying people that want to control your life, as well as one of those funny/clever lines that make me smirk every time I hear it.

Thanks for your compliment on the shooting... your paper plate idea is a good one. This particular vacation snuck up on me... barely had time to pack, let alone plan a selection of targets.
 
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