SKS or Mosin Nagant

[stevetford]

Alright, a new month so time for another newbe rifle owner question. I realize that the SKS and Mosin Nagant are 2 different rifles and fire 2 different rounds, but when it comes to cheap and fun to shoot they are equal in my book. Anyways, while I am waiting to take the required hunters saftey course I have been spending some frustrating time at the gun range with my SKS. I have tried 2 different scope mounts and still can not get my scop to keep it's zero. I think the drill and tap mount avaliable from Choate will solve my problem, but before I spen more money on the SKS I am thinking I would like to purchase a Mosin Nagant either M44 or the 91/30 that my locall dealer has on the shelf.
I realize the SKS is limited on accuracy and range from what I can tell past 150 yards, but how does either of the mentioned Mosin's do compared to the SKS. The objective is coyote hunting and I will be using a scope on either rifle. I am thinking the 7.62x54r round should have more takedown power at 200 yards compared to the 7.62x39 of the SKS. But I guess my question is, if you had your choice to pick between a Mosin or SKS to hunt coyote with what would you take? I really like the quick follow up shots with the SKS, but figure a more (possibly) accurate and powerful rifle should eliminate the need for a follow up shot if that is the case with the Mosin. I am trying to keep things cheap at the moment and realize their are many better options avaliable but all for more money. Coyote here in my area are worthless, nobody wants the pelts and you can't eat the meat so I see no need to buy that $1300 Bushmaster Varmiter I drool over every time I am at the gun shop. I am simply looking to sharpen my calling and hunting skills and help the many farmers in my area who have asked for help to protect their cattle, chickens and colts. So really unless their is another rilfe that maybe I am unaware of in the less than $150 range, please just keep the opinions based on the above mentioned rifles. As always, thanks in advance.

 

[SoCalShooter]

Well that is a difficult choice. The drill and tap for the SKS is going to be your best option because of the placement of the scope directly on the action jars the mounting if it is not secured well. However as for a coyote hunter myself I take an AR...its nice to have that semi auto capability but it should not stop you from picking up a mosin. My drothers are to stick with the SKS though. But you should be able to be more accurate once you get that scope mounted properly. Also if your not getting good accuracy you may want to have your sks gauged to see what the barrel and muzzle wear is since its probably surplus it may be time to replace the barrel.

As for takedown power a 30caliber rifle round should have no problem dispatching a coyote at that range...unless you have some trash mutated zombie robot coyotes then your gonna need a howitzer.

 

[stevetford]

Your last sentence made me laugh...thanks. Anyways, as far as I know and have seen we here in Kentucky have your standard run of the mill Coyote. Like I said above, I am having an affair with a Bushmaster Varmiter but really can't see (or afford) spending that much money on a rifle soley for hunting coyote. In the long run when I decide that sending multiple rounds through the same hole on paper is my niche then the AR is my first pick. But right now the wife would KILL me if I spent that much. I think I have this thing for cheap military surplus rifles currently, cheap junk has always been attractive to me.

 

[zedheadmc]

The SKS is a pretty neat rifle, but Simo Hayha didn't mind a 7.62x54r.

 

[SoCalShooter]

Well if you like surplus rifles they are usually pretty decent shooters but you may need a new barrel on that SKS to effect any better accuracy. But you also really need to get that scope mounted properly so that it doesnt come loose.

unless you have some trash mutated zombie robot coyotes then your gonna need a howitzer

You think I am joking, if a coyote gets a regular diet of dog food/cat food and trash can food they can get pretty big.

1 shot 1 kill is the most humane and best way to take a yote down but the power of 54r vs 7.62x39 is definetly visible at that range, however both will suffice.

 

[Spiggy]

a fully workin' Mosin starts at $55 from Centerfire Systems last I checked...

That being the current understanding, I would say purchase both the mosin and the SKS

 

[full metal]

get both of them,they'r not that expensive.I paid $52 buck's for my mosin nagant m44 and saw a yugo sks at the gun store for $130 not bad.

 

[aaronrkelly]

The problem with both rifles is getting a secure and decent scope mount.

Since your considering the Mosin your apparently NOT hung up on semi-auto. Have you considered a NEF Handi-Rifle, they are all over the place used at the price you mentioned.....new is around $200 in my area.

 

[chris in va]

Sell the SKS, get a Saiga. Don't put yourself through all that mess trying to get the SKS hunting ready.

That HandiRifle idea is a good one too. Comes in all sorts of flavors, plus you can change out barrels for a reasonable cost.

 

[aaronrkelly]

Sell the SKS, get a Saiga.

Im a SAIGA lover.....but now where getting up there on money.

Mine cost me $250 chambered in .223 - add $120 for a Russian POSP scope and youve got a heck of a rifle....but twice the cost.

 

[nwilliams]

Get the 91/30 Mosin and then after you buy it and realize how much money you have left go back and buy an SKS the next day

OR.......

By a 91/30 and an M44 and forget the SKS, now you only have to buy one type of ammo. You could probably buy them both for the price of the SKS or darn close to it. After you have your two Mosin's start saving for the AR and forget the SKS until you decide you can't live without one, that's my advice.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[stevetford]

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys. I actually own 2 SKS yugo's. Like I said in my original post, I have been having a hard time getting a good scope mount on one of my SKS's and wanted to look at other options on rifles before spending more money on the SKS. I will be stoping by the gun shop today for lunch and will take a look at a handi-rifle if they have one. Either way I think I will pick up a Mosin just cause!

 

[benEzra]

Saiga's and AK's have built-in scope mounts on the left side that fit eastern bloc siderail mount optics. A Mosin-Nagant will be difficult to scope without gunsmithing, I think. They are fun to shoot, though (if you don't mind the recoil).