I was looking at a sks at the gun shop that is the kind that are used, and are in that sticky grease packed away. I beleive a japanese model. It has the gas chamber thing on the front so you could switch it from semi to single shot. for 159.99 It looked like a fun gun to plink with, but when I asked what kind of ammo was available, the gunshop owner said only wolf ammo works in these type of rifles. Is that true? who else makes ammo that would work for these ? what about pointed soft points or hunting ammo for them who would make it, and is the 7.62x39 ammo that says 223 on it suitable for these?
sks ammo
- Thread starter mtboho
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Limeyfellow
Member
Thats the Yugo SKS 59/66 and that price is way too much. It should cost about $90 for a cheapo to $110 or so for unissued ones at the gunshows, internet suppliers and so on.
Sometimes its best to go for the slightly more expensive ones at these prices and make sure that way you get one with a good valve for controlling single shot/semi automatic. The Single shot mode was for the grenade launcher so you didn't ruin the gun firing it. These Yugo ones with the selector switches also have the screwed on grenade launcher and sight which does add some weight.
Theres also a number of non upgraded Yugo 59s around without the gas control switch and grenade ability. Generally a nice rifle. They are also all Curio and Relics eligable.
The other SKS country makers don't have the grenade launchers.
Sometimes its best to go for the slightly more expensive ones at these prices and make sure that way you get one with a good valve for controlling single shot/semi automatic. The Single shot mode was for the grenade launcher so you didn't ruin the gun firing it. These Yugo ones with the selector switches also have the screwed on grenade launcher and sight which does add some weight.
Theres also a number of non upgraded Yugo 59s around without the gas control switch and grenade ability. Generally a nice rifle. They are also all Curio and Relics eligable.
The other SKS country makers don't have the grenade launchers.
sctman800
Member
Any 7.62x39 will work in an SKS chambered for 7.62x39 and it is manufactured by several different companies. I have used Wolf and Silver Bear mostly because they are both pretty cheap, usually available and I have had no problems im my SKS or AK.
mtboho:
is the 7.62x39 ammo that says 223 on it suitable for these?
No, .223 is not the same as 7.62x39.
I have a C&R and recently paid $149 for a 59/66 in excelent condition, unissued may run a few dollars more, but I am very happy with the condition and price of mine.
I will admit to not being an expert on the SKS, but I don't believe the gas system was ever intended to be used as a single shot selector switch. That was only for using it to launch gernades. Jim.
mtboho:
is the 7.62x39 ammo that says 223 on it suitable for these?
No, .223 is not the same as 7.62x39.
I have a C&R and recently paid $149 for a 59/66 in excelent condition, unissued may run a few dollars more, but I am very happy with the condition and price of mine.
I will admit to not being an expert on the SKS, but I don't believe the gas system was ever intended to be used as a single shot selector switch. That was only for using it to launch gernades. Jim.
wallysparx
Member
the japanese never made an sks, so you might want to double check on what's being sold to you.
from what i understand, switching from semi-auto to single shot often can quickly foul up the gas system. after all, the average soldier using the sks probably didn't do a whole lot of switching back and forth between grenades and normal cartridges. myself i have an m59 and don't have to deal with any of those problems whatsoever.
wolf is my main ammo for general plinking. i also like to use the yugo surplus stuff with the copper jacket and brass casing. it's a little more expensive than wolf, but is more accurate and feels more fun to me since they're a little hotter than wolf. also perfect for ranges i occasionally frequent where they have draconian rules that don't allow any steel whatsoever, even if it was just the casing.
from what i understand, switching from semi-auto to single shot often can quickly foul up the gas system. after all, the average soldier using the sks probably didn't do a whole lot of switching back and forth between grenades and normal cartridges. myself i have an m59 and don't have to deal with any of those problems whatsoever.
wolf is my main ammo for general plinking. i also like to use the yugo surplus stuff with the copper jacket and brass casing. it's a little more expensive than wolf, but is more accurate and feels more fun to me since they're a little hotter than wolf. also perfect for ranges i occasionally frequent where they have draconian rules that don't allow any steel whatsoever, even if it was just the casing.
MTMilitiaman
Member
The SKS is very durable and reliable. In true Commie fasion, it will shoot just about anything you feed it. For safety sake, however, you should only load, chamber, or fire ammunition clearly marked as 7.62x39. This is not .223 Rem, 5.45x39, 7.62x51, or 7.62x54R.
I have a Yugo SKS that will shoot under 2 inches at 100 yards with the Wolf FMJs. Only put about 100 to 150 rounds through it but have had no problems so far. Shot about 3000 rounds, almost Wolf exclussively, including the lacquered stuff before they switched to the polymer coating through a previous Russian SKS I had to sell. Only had two problems, both with the ammo. One had a bullet pushed back in the case upon feeding and the other ripped a bullet through the case neck. Both were from the same lot. Both were easily cleared without incident. Put several hundred more rounds of Wolf through two or three other SKSs, no problems. Have seen about 3000 rounds of Wolf digested by various AK clones with very few problems--two that I can recall. Basically, Wolf is pretty good stuff. But you can find other 7.62x39 out there and the SKS will feed pretty much any of it with impunity and sneer mockingly at you challenging you for more.
I have a Yugo SKS that will shoot under 2 inches at 100 yards with the Wolf FMJs. Only put about 100 to 150 rounds through it but have had no problems so far. Shot about 3000 rounds, almost Wolf exclussively, including the lacquered stuff before they switched to the polymer coating through a previous Russian SKS I had to sell. Only had two problems, both with the ammo. One had a bullet pushed back in the case upon feeding and the other ripped a bullet through the case neck. Both were from the same lot. Both were easily cleared without incident. Put several hundred more rounds of Wolf through two or three other SKSs, no problems. Have seen about 3000 rounds of Wolf digested by various AK clones with very few problems--two that I can recall. Basically, Wolf is pretty good stuff. But you can find other 7.62x39 out there and the SKS will feed pretty much any of it with impunity and sneer mockingly at you challenging you for more.
50caliber123
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the only ammo I had problem with in my yugo M59/66 was the PMC 125gr SP. The cases would not fully extract, and I'm not sure why. I fired 10 rounds before I gave up on that brand, but hey, it could have been from a bad lot or something. Wolf feeds great, and I love the polymer coated rounds. You're hands don't get sticky like the laquered steel cases, if you hold the rounds in your hands long enough that happens.
Acolyte
Member
what's the going rate on Russian SKS's these days?
(sorry for the jack, but I didn't think it was worthy of a new thread
)
(sorry for the jack, but I didn't think it was worthy of a new thread
)
MTMilitiaman
Member
Acolyte said:what's the going rate on Russian SKS's these days?
(sorry for the jack, but I didn't think it was worthy of a new thread
I wish I could tell you but I know I got ripped off. I sold mine to a pawn store for quick cash to pay utilities. I only got $80 for a 80+% condition 1954 Russian with matching serial numbers. I know when you try to buy one in that condition you pay at least $300.
Skipper
Member
The Yugo's are really nicely made and finished rifles. By the time you order an unissued Yugo through an FFL ($25), pay shipping and tax, you'll have a couple hundred bucks in it. You see them advertised pretty cheap, but the "extras" add up fast. I'd still pay the extra for a new one though.
Regards
SKIP
Regards
SKIP
Technosavant
Member
Any 7.62x39 ammo should work. No reason to spend lots of cash on brass-cased US made ammo- get the cheaper Eastern Bloc stuff. I use Silver Bear- zinc plated cases, soft point bullets. Works great.
$159, depending on condition, isn't out of the ballpark. That would be about what an excellent or new condition Yugo 59/66 would run (that gas switch makes me wonder if it isn't one of those). It could be a Chinese SKS (dunno 'bout that gas switch, though), and that price would be for one that has seen some shooting (no new condition ones of those are out there).
My guess is that it's a Yugo- that's the main source for them right now. That cosmoline will take a while to clean off- at least 3 hours, probably more (and that's its own thread). I would only pay that amount if it were truly in excellent condition- no pitting in the bore, full bluing on the barrel, and no nasty gouges in the stock (and make sure the bayonet and grenade launcher are on there if you aren't in CA).
$159, depending on condition, isn't out of the ballpark. That would be about what an excellent or new condition Yugo 59/66 would run (that gas switch makes me wonder if it isn't one of those). It could be a Chinese SKS (dunno 'bout that gas switch, though), and that price would be for one that has seen some shooting (no new condition ones of those are out there).
My guess is that it's a Yugo- that's the main source for them right now. That cosmoline will take a while to clean off- at least 3 hours, probably more (and that's its own thread). I would only pay that amount if it were truly in excellent condition- no pitting in the bore, full bluing on the barrel, and no nasty gouges in the stock (and make sure the bayonet and grenade launcher are on there if you aren't in CA).
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