U.S.SFC_RET
Member
tnieto
I thought that the 7.62 was supposed to be a woefully underpowered deer killer.
SKS users thread.
- Thread starter U.S.SFC_RET
- Start date
- Status
The SKS is OK - but, I should note, I also really like mine; I've got two Yugos.
How can they be both OK, while I still really like mine? Simple: they exhibit some really nice characteristics, but are quite lacking in several areas:
1) They're really durable and well made (for what they are); arguably much more durable than an AK due to their mass/milled nature, and are much more complex than a gun could be made for today - at several times the cost of what you pay for them.
2) It's got very few moving parts compared to most semi-autos, it seems (except in the trigger group).
3) The cartridge they shoot, in conjunction with the semi-auto nature and their durable design, make them as effective and handy (if not more so) than your common .30-30 deer rifle.
However, they are not "ideal":
1) Their barrels are too long, and they've got too much 'extra', unnecessary metal on the front, making them somewhat awkward when serving as a 'general use carbine'.
2) They don't have a whole lot of magazine options. You're pretty much stuck with the integrated 10-rd magazine which, while reliable and made to withstand almost anything, is still integrated and limited to 10 rounds.
I've refinished and "bubba'd" my Yugo SKS, but as has been said, it probably wasn't worth it in and of itself (I did it primarily with the intent of learning something, and the hopes that I'd make the rifle have more utility for me).
Here's a link to the process and some photos of the finished gun (for now, at least - I'll hopefully properly/better cut the metal up/off around the front site):
Refinishing the Yugo SKS
I intend to try and get a deer or three with this SKS this coming fall in the Black Hills. I can shoot as accurately with this rifle at 50 yards from a kneeling position as I can with my AR from prone, which is another reason I like it.
nwilliams WOW! That is a NICE stock on that SKS! Do my eyes deceive me, or is that natural burling in the wood? I would love to see some more/ up-close photos of that one!
How can they be both OK, while I still really like mine? Simple: they exhibit some really nice characteristics, but are quite lacking in several areas:
1) They're really durable and well made (for what they are); arguably much more durable than an AK due to their mass/milled nature, and are much more complex than a gun could be made for today - at several times the cost of what you pay for them.
2) It's got very few moving parts compared to most semi-autos, it seems (except in the trigger group).
3) The cartridge they shoot, in conjunction with the semi-auto nature and their durable design, make them as effective and handy (if not more so) than your common .30-30 deer rifle.
However, they are not "ideal":
1) Their barrels are too long, and they've got too much 'extra', unnecessary metal on the front, making them somewhat awkward when serving as a 'general use carbine'.
2) They don't have a whole lot of magazine options. You're pretty much stuck with the integrated 10-rd magazine which, while reliable and made to withstand almost anything, is still integrated and limited to 10 rounds.
I've refinished and "bubba'd" my Yugo SKS, but as has been said, it probably wasn't worth it in and of itself (I did it primarily with the intent of learning something, and the hopes that I'd make the rifle have more utility for me).
Here's a link to the process and some photos of the finished gun (for now, at least - I'll hopefully properly/better cut the metal up/off around the front site):
Refinishing the Yugo SKS
I intend to try and get a deer or three with this SKS this coming fall in the Black Hills. I can shoot as accurately with this rifle at 50 yards from a kneeling position as I can with my AR from prone, which is another reason I like it.
nwilliams WOW! That is a NICE stock on that SKS! Do my eyes deceive me, or is that natural burling in the wood? I would love to see some more/ up-close photos of that one!
tnieto2004
Member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2007
- Messages
- 1,389
They didn't seem to know the difference..
WDGF
Member
I have two Russians and a Chinese (IIRC) Paratrooper, with a threaded barrel and milled trigger.
A few years ago, I refinished the stock on the Paratrooper, rounding off all the sharp edges and adding a matching cut on the other side of the trigger for an ambidextrous safety (which I still haven't put on, yet.) The wood was a lighter color, so I darkened it some with an English Walnut stain, covered with polyurethane. The grain took the stain really nicely. It turned out much better than I ever hoped, and I keep thinking I should do the same with the Russians.
I wonder how the polyurethane compares to the Minwax antique oil finish for durability?
A few years ago, I refinished the stock on the Paratrooper, rounding off all the sharp edges and adding a matching cut on the other side of the trigger for an ambidextrous safety (which I still haven't put on, yet.) The wood was a lighter color, so I darkened it some with an English Walnut stain, covered with polyurethane. The grain took the stain really nicely. It turned out much better than I ever hoped, and I keep thinking I should do the same with the Russians.
I wonder how the polyurethane compares to the Minwax antique oil finish for durability?
dispatch55126
Member
Caimlas,
There's nothing wrong with your rifle and it the same direction I want to go. Just removing those few parts probably removed around half a pound of weight off the front end.
There's nothing wrong with your rifle and it the same direction I want to go. Just removing those few parts probably removed around half a pound of weight off the front end.
robertbank
Member
I shot this with my Chinese SKS yesterday. Groups with 4227 and 2400 were similar in previous outings. My gun doesn't shoot the surplus Czech ammo worth a darn ie 5" groups at 50 yards. WC 735 is about 10 faster than H335. The latter powder is what I would try at around 28 gr if I didn't have the WC735 surplus at hand.
Brass R-P
Primers WLR
Bullets: Water quenched from mold -Lee 312-155 - GC
OAL 2.151
Sized .313
High Vel - 1951
Low Vel - 1885
Avg Vel - 1912
Ext Sp - 66
SD - 12
Best 10 Shot Group 3"
Best five shot group 1.722"
Best three shot group .56"
Younger eyes would have shot a half inch group with this load. I intend to shot a fair amount of rifle this year so I am off to the optomitrist to get a prescription that will have my best focus at about 22" - 28". Waiting for a scope which shuld solve most of the problem but I prefer iron sights.
This powder does well in .223 and 30-30 so it is not surprise it is doing well here. Will slug my bore over the weekend and start loading cartridges out to the rifling once I get the chamber measurements. Will also go to neck sizing to preserve brass once I get a spring loaded firing pin up from the states.
If you have trouble getting decent accuracy using the cheap Czech/Chinese ammo in your SKS consider casting for the cartridge. Cheap surplus ammo is ok if it is accurate in your rifle. If not the stuff becomes expensive firecrackers.
I have decided to settle on three loadings for this cartridge:
17 Gr 4227
15 Gr 2400
26 GR WC735
All loaded to OAL of 2.151
Regular Large Rifle Primers to be used.
Brass R-P
Primers WLR
Bullets: Water quenched from mold -Lee 312-155 - GC
OAL 2.151
Sized .313
High Vel - 1951
Low Vel - 1885
Avg Vel - 1912
Ext Sp - 66
SD - 12
Best 10 Shot Group 3"
Best five shot group 1.722"
Best three shot group .56"
Younger eyes would have shot a half inch group with this load. I intend to shot a fair amount of rifle this year so I am off to the optomitrist to get a prescription that will have my best focus at about 22" - 28". Waiting for a scope which shuld solve most of the problem but I prefer iron sights.
This powder does well in .223 and 30-30 so it is not surprise it is doing well here. Will slug my bore over the weekend and start loading cartridges out to the rifling once I get the chamber measurements. Will also go to neck sizing to preserve brass once I get a spring loaded firing pin up from the states.
If you have trouble getting decent accuracy using the cheap Czech/Chinese ammo in your SKS consider casting for the cartridge. Cheap surplus ammo is ok if it is accurate in your rifle. If not the stuff becomes expensive firecrackers.
I have decided to settle on three loadings for this cartridge:
17 Gr 4227
15 Gr 2400
26 GR WC735
All loaded to OAL of 2.151
Regular Large Rifle Primers to be used.
Dave3220
Member
SKS upgrades that are actually of practical use..
A Murray spring retracted firing pin, and trigger job by Kivaari/Tom PRince, and if you are older, widening the rear sight notch.
Great rifle that complements my CZ-527 in the same cal.
Wolf ball shoots well in both rifles.
Dave3220
A Murray spring retracted firing pin, and trigger job by Kivaari/Tom PRince, and if you are older, widening the rear sight notch.
Great rifle that complements my CZ-527 in the same cal.
Wolf ball shoots well in both rifles.
Dave3220
MMcfpd
Member
My two Yugos:
The upper one is a matching number shooters grade with a Murray firing pin and Kivaari trigger job.
The lower has a Tapco pseudo grenade launcher muzzle brake, Rifletech gas tube and ventilated metal handguard, Tapco op rod, TechSights front and rear and a Rifletech trigger group. It hasn't been out much lately as some pierced primers damaged the original bolt and its replacement, so it's waiting for Tapco to release their new, U.S.-made bolt and firing pin combo. It is a very nice shooter.
The upper one is a matching number shooters grade with a Murray firing pin and Kivaari trigger job.
The lower has a Tapco pseudo grenade launcher muzzle brake, Rifletech gas tube and ventilated metal handguard, Tapco op rod, TechSights front and rear and a Rifletech trigger group. It hasn't been out much lately as some pierced primers damaged the original bolt and its replacement, so it's waiting for Tapco to release their new, U.S.-made bolt and firing pin combo. It is a very nice shooter.
cracked butt
Member
My unissued Yugo- it shoots like a dream and is respectably accurate until the barrel gets hot.
Wish I would have bought a whole crate of the unissued rifles when they only cost about $150-160 ea.
Wish I would have bought a whole crate of the unissued rifles when they only cost about $150-160 ea.
Wolfgang2000
Member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2007
- Messages
- 376
I have 2 Chi-Com carbines, (16" barrels) I love these little rifles. IMO they are the ultimate "survival" rifle. The cartridge is adequate for medium to small game, not to mention the 2 legged varmint. You don't NEED magazines to make it work. You can run over it with a truck and it will still work
None of mine are original. Mine I've put a butler creek stock, and ATI scope mount, (it's requires the receiver be drilled and tapped), a Simmons 1.5 to 6 scope, and a ambidextrous safety. For those who want to install this type safety, be advised that you have to modify the trigger guard to accept it.
My wifes is as original as it gets. The only modifications to it is, a Chinese red fiberglass stock, and a receiver cover scope mount, and a 2X scope. Later I will add the ambi safety.
The last SKS is my "travel" gun. I've put it in a ATI folding stock, and added a receiver scope mount with dot scope, and a ambi safety.
I'm not very happy with the ATI stock. The receiver moves around in the stock. That really effects accuracy. I've been thinking about the Tapco T6 stock. But I really like the compactness of the ATI stock. I'll have to see what I can do.
None of mine are original. Mine I've put a butler creek stock, and ATI scope mount, (it's requires the receiver be drilled and tapped), a Simmons 1.5 to 6 scope, and a ambidextrous safety. For those who want to install this type safety, be advised that you have to modify the trigger guard to accept it.
My wifes is as original as it gets. The only modifications to it is, a Chinese red fiberglass stock, and a receiver cover scope mount, and a 2X scope. Later I will add the ambi safety.
The last SKS is my "travel" gun. I've put it in a ATI folding stock, and added a receiver scope mount with dot scope, and a ambi safety.
I'm not very happy with the ATI stock. The receiver moves around in the stock. That really effects accuracy. I've been thinking about the Tapco T6 stock. But I really like the compactness of the ATI stock. I'll have to see what I can do.
U.S.SFC_RET
Member
I happened to notice that the price of any SKS has been rising. The chinese SKS I have shoots very well and is dependable as they come. I had an SKS that would demolish a cinderblock at one hundred yards with a loaded magazine. The problem is finding the ammunition.
I have had flawless performance with my Yugo. Cleaning all the cosmoline off of it was a great way to know the rifle. I highly recommend a tech sight if the sights are inadequate for your needs. I don't mind stripper clips at all.
U.S.SFC_RET
Member
Cheaper than an AK and most likely achives better accuraacy. Best served as a go to gun. Mine is one of the most dependable guns I have. One of the few that imparts a level of confidence for the money spent and that's saying alot.
briansmithwins
Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2005
- Messages
- 4,631
I've shot both the SKS and AK (both 7.62x39) at our local rifle matches. My observations:
The AK has the SKS beat cold for reloads and topping off.
The SKS is slightly more accurate (2MOA vs 4MOA) but either will hit 12" steel at 300 yards.
The AK is a better design from the standpoint of having fewer parts to lose when field stripped and being less likely to choke when full of mud/sand/dust. Either one will still be shooting long after a AR has quit.
Some pics of the rifles.
SKS with red Red Chinese stock:
Rommy AES-10B
The AK has the SKS beat cold for reloads and topping off.
The SKS is slightly more accurate (2MOA vs 4MOA) but either will hit 12" steel at 300 yards.
The AK is a better design from the standpoint of having fewer parts to lose when field stripped and being less likely to choke when full of mud/sand/dust. Either one will still be shooting long after a AR has quit.
Some pics of the rifles.
SKS with red Red Chinese stock:
Rommy AES-10B
sharkhunter2018
Member
Just your run of the mill Yugo:
Doesn't get much use, but when I do shoot it...it's definitely enjoyed.
Doesn't get much use, but when I do shoot it...it's definitely enjoyed.
doc540
Member
Couple of Ruskies, '55 and '52 Tula
(the laminated '55 might not be a refurb)
'54 Tula
K Sports version of the Navy Rifle
BubbaChino's
(the laminated '55 might not be a refurb)
'54 Tula
K Sports version of the Navy Rifle
BubbaChino's
- Status
