scope for Saiga AK47

[random_gun]

Any scope recommendations for Saiga AK47 7.62x39 in $100-$400 range?
Black Friday is coming. I would like to get a Nikon or Leupold scope but can't find any deals on them. If I can't find a better deal I guess I might go with Redfield Revolution with Accu-Range. Any recommendations?

I am new to dear hunting. Usually I do target shooting at 25,50,100yrds. With iron sight I can't see the target very well beyond 50ft. At 50fts I can still hit on the paper but I am not too sure if I am aiming at the center of the target.

Comments appreciated.

 

[Rob G]

Not sure if this would help but have you considered getting a PSO or POSP scope for it? Those optics are actually made to work on Kalashnikov style optics. They mount to the side rail so no modifications need to be made to the rifle and if you remove them they return to zero when you put them back on.

Price range is about $250-$400 and power range is about 4x to 8x which would probably be okay depending on what range you want to shoot them at. Some of them are also calibrated for the 7.62x39 so once zeroed you can use them at multiple ranges without adjusting the scope.

So not sure if you'd be interested in them but just thought I'd throw out another option.

 

[d2wing]

A couple years ago I put a 2x7 Redfield on with a side mount. Worked great. A 1-4 is also a good choice for hunting. I had also like red dot sights on AK type rifles.

 

[toivo]

I have one of these on a 16" Saiga .223, using one of those Ukrainian side-mounts:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/18...es-rifle-scope-1-3x-20mm-dual-x-reticle-matte

I'm very happy with it.

 

[WardenWolf]

I like 3-9x40 scopes for AK's. I'd recommend either a Simmons (decent but cheap) or a Nikon (high-end and not overpriced). You should pair this with the UTG 978 lever lock mount and low rings.

Here's the scope:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/658473/nikon-prostaff-rifle-scope-3-9x-40mm-nikoplex-reticle-matte

The mount:

http://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Shot...e=UTF8&qid=1353559812&sr=8-2&keywords=utg+978

The rings:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RNCD42/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00

 

[random_gun]

Thanks.
Btw I forgot to mention I already have
UTG 5th Gen Quick Detachable Double Rail AK Side Mount
AccuShot Premium 1-Inch Weaver Style See-Thru 10mm Low-Profile Rings

What about this Simmons Whitetail Classic Rifle Scope 6.5-20x 50mm Adjustable Objective Truplex Reticle Matte?

I feel target shooting at 100yds requires 9x+ (maybe not, I am new, the last scope I used barska huntmaster 3-9x40 can hardly give a clear pic of the target at 100yds...........)
Nikon ProStaff is set Parallax-Free at 50yrds(for .22), on an AK does it need some extra work?

 

[d2wing]

For target shooting you had a low quality scope. You may want a spotting scope
For target shooting. The scope you mentioned is going to be too high powered for hunting. You will have trouble finding the deer in it. Especially at the closer range the rifle you are using is good for. A decent 3-9 may be what you want or 4-12. IMO a AK type is a close range, under 150 yard gun. The one I have now is at best 3 MOA from a bench. 100 yards at a deer is max for me in hunting with mine and mine is the best one I've shot by far. Just my 2 cents.

 

[spence]

rob g. what are pso and psop scopes ? thanks. spence

 

[Justin]

If you're only shooting out to distances of around 100 yards or so, you might consider a non-magnified red-dot.

I've seen a number of people run AK's with either a J-Point or Aimpoint Micro mounted to the gun where the rear sight usually is. It makes for a very compact, light, and presumably fast setup.

I feel target shooting at 100yds requires 9x+ (maybe not, I am new, the last scope I used barska huntmaster 3-9x40 can hardly give a clear pic of the target at 100yds...........)

9x magnification is waaaaaaaaaay overkill for 100 yard shooting. If you have to have some kind of magnification, consider getting something that has a fairly low amount, like 3x or 4x.

 

[Rob G]

rob g. what are pso and psop scopes ? thanks. spence

They were scopes specifically designed to be used on Kalashnikov style rifles. They're pretty much all milspec although I don't know if every specific type was actually used by the Russian military. They're all side mounts as far as I'm aware and all incorporate rangefinders and use chevrons to designate different ranges. You can get them in a variety of powers and with chevrons calibrated for either 7.62x39 or 7.62x54r. I don't know if they were ever calibrated for other calibers.

There's more information here: http://www.russianoptics.net/762.html

And these guys are probably the biggest retailers of them: http://kalinkaoptics.com/

Although lots of smaller retailers sell them as well, just not as big of a selection.

 

[random_gun]

I ended up getting a Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50 on ebay for around $220. Be aware that a lot of ebay sellers sell floor model/open box scope as new...
But at 25, 50 and even 100 yards, I haven't seen much difference between the iron sight and scope... Human factors seem to matter a lot more that the sight...
For AK at what distance should I sight it in?
I sighted in at 25yds with 1'', then I was shooting 3'' high at 50yds..

 

[Gordon]

You sight in at 100 meters as the apogee of the ballistic path is actually around 122 yards for 7.62x39 with russian ball ,I think, due to the bore sight offset for the Iron sights. Now the additional height of the scope from bore might move the apogee out to around 150 yards so 1" high at 100 yards will be close enough for gubbimint work
I have gotten 1.5MOA 10 shot groups at 100 yards with a .223 Saiga fed Federal ball from a Lead Sled. My other 4 7.62 European guns (a couple with G2 triggers ect.) get as small as 2 MOA with good brass cased ball . So I call a GOOD .30 AK (not a Drogonov) a 2 MOA gun, at best. With this in mind a 1-4x lighted reticule scope would be about it. I have a pre ban M-85 FEG with such a rig (a Millet) on a Russian side mount with the Weaver rail and it seems about optimum for it's capability in your price range for scope. The gun is just not accurate enough for me to justify say an IOR scope of that type. 4x gives 90% head shots to 200 yards with that combo.

 

[dcarch]

Just looked up the PSOP scopes on Kalinka Optics. Seems like an incredible deal, if they work as advertised. Anyone have any firsthand experience with these?