Velocity difference vs barel length in 7.62X39

[mondocomputerman]

What would be the difference in velocity between my 16.5 inch Romanian AK and a 20.5 inch Yugo SKS. Would the Yugo be a better deer hunting rifle because of the advantage?

 

[Med 10]

No brainer. Yugo.

 

[Deadman]

What I have at hand lists a SKS as 2410fps and an AK47 as 2350fps.

 

[Master Blaster]

I think that the 7.62X39 round is optimized for a 16-17" barrel so the difference is not that great, It could be loaded with different propellent and bullet weight for more velocity out of a longer rifle, but it is a military round designed for a specific military weapon system. Mainly the AK and its relatives which have short barrels.

 

[DMK]

Another advantage the SKS has is a longer sight radius.

 

[Caliburn]

Hey Blaster, I'm not so sure about this:

I think that the 7.62X39 round is optimized for a 16-17" barrel

Not to say that the Ruskies haven't tweaked the powder formulation in the past 50 years, but the 7.62x39 was originally designed for the SKS with its 21" barrel rather than the shorter AK.

See http://www.simonov.net/history.htm for details on the development.