Which semi-auto plinker/HD rifle?

[jeepmor]

I see AK47, the ARs, and the SKS rifles and their variants.

I'm leaning towards a low budget SKS to get started. I could have some fun putting a scope and folder stock on it and like the idea of the bigger diameter round in the 7.62 (AK/SKS) instead of the 5.56 (AR) for HD. But that's mainly because I'm cheap and still have to get two hunting rifles for this upcoming deer season, one for me, and one for my wife.

Please discuss what I can expect for accuracy and the best choices in that arena. As far as prices, I can surf Gunbroker and Auction Arms to find my price range with ease.

My wife's sister has an assault rifle of some sort that I'm not certain of the caliber or make. It's probably a good idea to find out what it is so they can share ammo and mags and make trips to the range themselves. That always impresses a range full of men when two women show up to plink on their own without their men dragging them along.

Plus, a folding stock model would make the ladies only campouts much more secure should some 2 legged predators decide to show up and be not so gentlemanly.

 

[mrmeval]

You might want to consider an AK variant but in .223 right now 7.62x39 is scarce. If you want to plink and don't mind accuracy then an AK will do.

A .22lr rifle is also fun and is much cheaper to shoot.

 

[Brian Williams]

Just something to consider a 223 tends to have less penetration problems than a 7.62 x39. A 223 will not go thru as many walls as a 7.62 will that said an SKS/AK in 7.62 makes for a nice ladies gun.

I would hope that the Ladies campout would also include CCWs, to give them a fighting chance to get to the rifle.

Definitly find out what her sister is shooting.

 

[dfaugh]

In the "inexpensive but effective" category, the SKS rules. Cheap to buy, and (still, even with ammo price increases) cheap to shoot. Effective cartridge, usable (but maybe marginal) for deer sized game, at reasonable ranges. Lots of accessories. More accurate than an AK(generally), although not as accurate as an AR (generally).

FWIW, I don't own an AK or an AR, but have 2 SKSs, and am looking for my third.

 

[mrmeval]

Shooting stuff is fun.

.223 goes through four walls, in another test it went through 12 layers of sheetrock and 12 layers of pine board.

Walls test
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot14.htm

sheetrock, board test
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot1.htm

Brick and concrete work just like the ceramic armor that it is.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot2.htm
Of course some rounds are cranky with everything.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot4.htm

Many Many Many other tests.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/theboxotruth.htm

 

[Faeruss7]

If you want to just shoot, there are a number of 22lr rifles to choose from. The ammo is cheap, and it is fun. But it has very little power, and is used primarily for varmits. However, if you want something practical, affordable, and with decent stopping power, I would suggest checking out a ruger mini-30. It shoots the 7.62x39, which is cheap. And it can knock down a varity of creatures, if that is what you desire. Plus there is a number of aftermarket products available. The mini-30 has a time proven action that dates to the m1 garand and m1a, so i trust it (i own a m1a). Although I don't own a mini-30, i wish i did, and have always been very impressed with them.

 

[mrmeval]

Has ruger started selling high capacity magazines for any of it's rifles YET?

 

[leadcounsel]

First caliber:

7.62x39 is generally less expensive to shoot than .223. Sure, it's drying up at the moment, but this is likely just a blip on the radar. And there's no guarantee that .223 won't be next. Who knows.

7.62 is also accurate enough for hunting and self defense, as proven in many wars. It will keep it's power and trajectory at 200+ meters, well within self defense and hunting ranges.

And, unlike the .223, you can hunt deer with the 7.62. While there is disagreement as to the effectiveness of the .223 against men, most agree that the .223 is inadequate for hunting deer.

Another consideration is the .30-30, but more pricey for plinking.

So, for inexpensive plinking, home defense and medium hunting, I'd choose the 7.62x39.

-1 for the Mini 30 recommendation. Entry prices are $500.

+1 for the SKS recommendation. Entry prices are around $125 with excellent ones around $200. With folding stock you're at $300, maybe less if you can sell the original stock.

Another thought is a lever action .30-30 for around $300. Compact, accurate, and relatively inexpensive gun (with more expensive ammo).

 

[kfranz]

My Yugo SKS's are all minute of Tide bottle at 100 yds. I'm guessing there are better candidates for home defense, but if it comes to that, the determining factor will probably be you rather than the rifle.

 

[Sharpdogs]

I wold get the SKS but it does need all the accessories to make it a good rifle. Clean off the cosmoline and spend the rest of your money on ammo. Be warned, milsurps can be very addictive.

 

[Javelin Man]

The SKS is a great suggestion that many have already given, but one caveat: it's long, even with a folding stock. If you're talking home defense inside the house, it'll be hard to swing it around corners and hallways. On the other hand, swing out the bayonet and you don't have to worry about caliber wars!

A Saiga in 7.62 would be light enough and short enough to swing around a house, yet is still plenty accurate for plinking and hunting. The side mount scope rail works well and is easily removed if you don't want the scope on it and wish to use the irons.

Just a suggestion.

 

[dfaugh]

The SKS is a great suggestion that many have already given, but one caveat: it's long, even with a folding stock.

Perhaps you're talking about the Yugos with the attached grenade launcher?
The "standard" length ones aren't all that long. And if you can find a "Paratrooper" model (hard to find, and more $$$) they are (IIRC) about 4-6 inches shorter still. I have an SKS-M (also hard to find, but not outragiously expensive), which is basically a paratrooper, set up at the factory to take AK mags (which it does with utter reliability). It's really quite compact, even without a folding stock.

 

[ball3006]

Forget the home defense rifle...

and get a shotgun........even though my stock SKS is shorter than my HD shotgun, 20 inch double barrel, you just have to plan ahead how you are going to use it inside....Me, I don't care where the bullet goes after it exits the body. I live in a brick house, and I don't miss.......chris3

 

[jeepmor]

thanks for the suggestions

I checked with my sister in law and she has an SKS. So, initially, I'm leaning that direction for a fun plinker to toy with by putting on a folder stock and so on. I'll be looking for some hi cap magazines also. Which makes the AK magazine compatible one sound appealing.

I like the idea of using AK magazines, which just lends the SKS to the toy category even more. Toy in the respect that I get to work on it, not toy in the respect that it's a gun, just to be clear. I also like the looks and prices of the Saiga rifles and may consider one of them in 7.62x39 since it will share the same ammo as the sister in laws SKS. Heck, a new rifle for used AK prices, that sounds good. But my research is definitely not complete by any means.

However, all this being said, I need to get her a hunting rifle also this year for coastal deer season (unsuccessful eastern oregon controlled draw...drat) and a 30-30 Marlin or Winchester is my current leaning there.

Regardless, as a reloader the 7.69x39 and 30-30 align well with my intention of getting hunting rifles that can share the same/overlapping bullet inventory. Each of these being 30 caliber stays in line with those intentions for reloading purposes, then I'll just have to choose a larger 30 caliber hunting rifle for myself like a 308, 30-06 or 300 magnum of some sort. Of course, different die will be needed, I'm aware of that. And 7.62x39 is cheap enough that I'll probably just buy most of those rounds of the cheaper wolff variety or similar.

regards, jeepmor

 

[MIL-DOT]

concur with ball3006, consider a shotgun. they're a TON of fun to blast around with,and widely considered the best long gun for home defense (plenty lethal with limited penetration,compared to assault rifles). ammo's cheap,a big box of gameload from wally world's about $15,i think. plus, shoot a hundred rounds through a pump shotgun,and you've had yourself a day !! shoot a hundred rounds through an assault rifle,and you may not even have remebered to put in your earplugs yet !!

 

[Technosavant]

I would favor the SKS if you plan to leave it as-is.

I would go AK if you have plans to do much to the SKS.

My reasoning:
Right now the most inexpensive SKS is the Yugo 59/66. Chinese Paratrooper and Russian models are more expensive, about the same as a Romanian AK. That 59/66 can be bought in an excellent condition for about $150 or less. If you wish to do anything at all to it, it will void the curio & relic status, and all the "evil features" (grenade launcher, night sights, bayonet) will need to then be removed, and the barrel threads covered (muzzle brake). If you plan to stay with a 10 round fixed magazine, you can stop there. If you go removable, you not only run the risk of losing reliability (depending on the magazine you use), you have to play the 10 or less game (comply with 922r). When you finish with that, you will not only be out going on $400 or more, you will have spent a few hours cleaning cosmoline out of the gun.

You might as well save the effort and get a Romanian AK or a Yugo AK with an underfolding stock- the prices would be similar, accuracy not appreciably worse, and the gun would be shorter and handier for tight quarters.

As for the ammo situation, 7.62x39 is harder to find and more expensive than it used to be, but it can be found without too much trouble.