Semi-auto rifle options

[nvshooter]

Coyote buster

A Thompson/Center Encore is a good rod for these buggers. They are quite accurate and you can switch barrels for bigger game if that's your pleasure...

I have one in .223 and love it for jacks and suippels out to 200-plus yards...

 

[MarshallDodge]

The BSA scope is not bad but way overkill for the SKS. I have one on my 17-222(talk about an excellent coyote gun) and paid $99 for it, it works OK for the money.

I would recommend finding a good range where you can test it's accuracy. Set targets up at 50, 100, and 200 yards and shoot it with the ammo you will be hunting with.

 

[stevetford]

Thanks again guys. I will be making it out to the range tonight if the weather allows and see how she does. MarshallDodge, just curious why you say the scope is overkill for the rifle. I honestly don't know, just would like to hear your opinion.

 

[stevetford]

Well, weather was good at the range but there were no shots fired today. Took the rifle to my gun shop to get the scope bore sighted and I was informed that the scope is in the direct path of the ejection port for the shells. I need to get a deflector but they were out of stock.
So untill then I wait. I may put the stock cover back on and try my hand with the iron sights untill the deflector comes in. Anyways, I appreciate all of the help and great info you all provided.

 

[Nhsport]

You asked for honesty-- You didn't get completly ripped but it wasn't a super deal. Ok done deal lets go with it. I have tried a couple of top cover mounts and wasn't real pleased with them . If you don't get good groups look at the mount first . I actualy wound up going with a peep sight on my sks
With the sight systems available and the triggers this gun isn't going to be a long distance gun but if you can call them inside of 150 yards it has a great power level and the ability to toss exrtra shots at a running dog

 

[MarshallDodge]

You will do fine with what you have, the only issue is the field of view will be smaller because of the optics of a target scope. The reason I say overkill is because something with half the power would have been fine.....4-12X for instance.

A lot of people put fixed 4X scopes on the SKS because they are not typically shooting paper targets with them.

 

[raginrednek]

scopes

my sks has a 6 power fixed scope and is my 1 gun i will probaly always keep.
your higher magnifications will find you overscoped.

 

[Sunray]

"...could have built this cheaper myself..." No you couldn't. It's like building a vehicle from parts. Cost you more in the long run and you'd still have a $300 - $400 rifle.
6x to 24x is more magnification than an SKS needs. A scope does nothing but allow you to see the target better. However, the higher the magnification, the smaller the area you can see through the scope. That'd be the 'field of view'. Most variable scope users set the magnification and rarely change it.
I wouldn't worry too much about it though. Sooner or later you're going to want a serious varmint rifle(heavy barreled bolt action) and you can put the BSA on it.
The best time to hunt coyotes is in the winter. Winter coyote hunting can get you a really nice fur coat, but you'll want to use commercial fmj's to avoid blowing big holes in the hide. Milsurp ammo is usually illegal for hunting.