PSL---SVD---Dragunov

[eastsunshine]

how accurate are these rifles, specifically the PSL? If anybody has experience i would love to know alot about this rifle, everything you know please!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jpcolt76]

I had one and would say you can expect about 3 inch 100 yd groups off a rest. It was ok.

 

[eastsunshine]

was the scope any good?

 

[PurdueRifleman2008]

The best group size I've managed out of my PSL was about 1 MOA, but it averages about 2 MOA when I'm not using 7N1 ammo.

SniperCentral claims that 2 MOA is most typical with a dragunov.

http://www.snipercentral.com/svd.htm

 

[jpcolt76]

scope

The windage adjustment on the scope of mine was locked and couls not be changed so I cant speak to that but I could do a 3-4 inch group with the irons with slow steady shots.

 

[Maverick223]

You can get about 1MOA out of a Dragunov, but it will start to open up pretty quickly due to the pencil barrel. Expect about double that for the PSL. I would shy away from a PSL, but would love to have a Dragunov, if I could afford one.

 

[elmerfudd]

I get about 3 MOA with mine although it may very well be capable of better accuracy with handloads.

Build quality is rather poor. Fit and finish are what you would typically expect on a Romanian AK and the sight rail is slightly misaligned on mine. It works fine with the 4x scope it came with, but when I sight my PSO in on it the crosshairs end up right at the very top of the lens, (like 85% of the way up).

 

[alpinemike]

Allot of guys really put the PSL down. I think it depends on what You are after. If you want the "best damn sniper rifle ever" don't bother with a PSL. We should all know 750.00 to 800.00 bucks is not gonna get You any where in the precision made .75 MOA class. Think more like 1,500.00 to 2,000.00 bucks and up. If you're looking for a somewhat accurate Kalashnikov for a reasonable price, think Saiga .308 or even PSL. If your thinking somewhat accurate affordable and cool as hell go for the PSL. Personally I like the rough and ready Kalashnikov designs. And currently ammo is affordable and available. I have to admit, The over all "build quality" of the PSL does look rather crude. However, My personal opinion is that this is not reflected in function but is purely superficial.

 

[Maverick223]

If you want the "best damn sniper rifle ever" don't bother with a PSL

...or the Dragunov. Neither are as good accuracy wise as what can be had for less money; you pay for looks, reliability, and semi-auto capability.

 

[stubbicatt]

I've owned both, and they were of comparable accuracy.

M14, properly bedded, will outshoot either one.

 

[Coronach]

Remember, Dragunov =/= sniper rifle. It was designed as, basically, their DMR rifle, essentially an accurate rifle designed to be employed in an infantry unit to provide reasonably precise aimed fire beyond the capabilities of other infantry weapons. In that role, it is accurate enough. People get disappointed when they discover that the Dragunov isn't a sub-moa tackdriver, but it wasn't intended to be one.

Mike

 

[Matrix187]

Exactly, just as the AK/SKS are d esigned to be accurate enough to hit man sized targets out to ~300 yards, the PSL/dragunov are designed to be accurate enough to hit man sized targets out to ~600 yards probably. That's how most, if not all Eastern guns are designed to be. I would say they are all meant for CM shots, not headshots when shooting long distances.

 

[Maverick223]

Yep, agreed...not a long range melon popper. Like the AK it is not the best, it is good enough.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Biggest drawback is the wierd scope. The stock scope is designed to hit man sized targets, not pick a button off a shirt to shoot at. A lot of the precision of these rifles is left in the hands of the operator. With a good deal of practice, I'm sure it can be mastered.

I would NOT use a 'factory' scope off one of these rifles to deer hunt.
With a good 9x variable I have no doubt you could push the Dragunov to 1-2moa. But I also would not expect it to 'hold' that past say 600 yards?

 

[alpinemike]

"Neither are as good accuracy wise as what can be had for less money"

Wha????? I'll give Ya the SVD, It is way too spendy due to availability, but did I miss the semi auto .30 cal 600+ yards rifle that sold for less than 800.00$$ ????? Tell me more please....

 

[sarduy]

what about a saiga .308 with a 20'' barrel?

 

[Maverick223]

but did I miss the semi auto .30 cal 600+ yards rifle that sold for less than 800.00$$ ????? Tell me more please....

Just about any hunting rifle will do that off the shelf can best that and many can be had for much less! To quote myself the line following your quote was...

you pay for looks, reliability, and semi-auto capability.

I think I said it pretty well...because that is what you are paying for (mainly the looks and notoriety), and there are several domestic semis that can do better for equal price, take the Remington 750 (new 7400) at about $725 and about 1MOA. Definitely better than the average PSL. It is available in .30-06 and .308 (as well as .243 and .270); all of which will reach out there a little over 600yds or 1000yds if you want it to. It even makes a Remington looked refined and smooth in comparison. Still want more?

 

[noob_shooter]

what about a saiga .308 with a 20'' barrel?

i have a saiga .308 20" or is it 21? I'm such a noob and can get like 4 inch groups at 100yds using a 4x-16x scope set on 6x. I'm sure i can do better with more practice after i convert it. gonna head out to the outdoor range sometime and try it again

 

[alpinemike]

"I think I said it pretty well...because that is what you are paying for (mainly the looks and notoriety), and there are several domestic semis that can do better for equal price, take the Remington 750 (new 7400) at about $725 and about 1MOA. Definitely better than the average PSL. It is available in .30-06 and .308 (as well as .243 and .270); all of which will reach out there a little over 600yds or 1000yds if you want it to. It even makes a Remington looked refined and smooth in comparison. Still want more? "

Ahhh, yes hunting rifles. True, I see Your point. I was thinking military style marksman rifles. With large mags. But yeah,

I still don't think You can go wrong with the PSL. For a military style 10 round cap.30 cal. semi auto at 749.00 it ain't too shabby!

 

[Maverick223]

I still don't think You can go wrong with the PSL.

Not a real big fan of them, but they are a decent weapon, and are very reliable. Just saying there are others out there.

 

[Onmilo]

As stated, a PSL isn't in the same league as a genuine SVD and an SVD isn't in the same league as a Sniper grade M14 which isn't in the same league as a Sniper grade bolt action rifle, and so it goes.

 

[Hiaboo]

M700. Don't look back - However an PSL is a nice and fun gun to shoot.

 

[elmerfudd]

what about a saiga .308 with a 20'' barrel?

The Saiga comes with either a 16" or a 22" barrel and I love the things. Until recently they were one of the best deals out there. Even now the prices aren't too outrageous. They have respectable accuracy, great reliability and pretty good build quality.

The real downside of the S308 is the high price and limited availability of mags. They go for about $50 each for high caps and $35 for stock 8 rounders.

As far as the barrel length goes, I think it's more a matter of personal preference than anything else. For Kalashinikovs they're very accurate, but they're not sufficiently precise to make much use of the longer barrel for long range shooting. 800 yard shots with a S308 would be extremely optimistic IMO.

I find that the 16" barrel has more muzzle blast than I like and the 22" just feels a bit too unwieldy. I'd prefer something between 18 and 20 inches.

 

[jpwilly]

I had a PSL and could only get it to shoot 2" with handloads and 3" with surplus. Fun, Reliable YES but not a keeper for me. Much happier with the trade...an M1 Garand! A much better semi auto IMO.