Why is the SKS so Underated, Plenty for hunting

[Sav .250]

1) Difficult to mount optics.
2) Trigger isn't great.
3) Most Americans don't understand tangent sights.
4) 7.62x39 has the ballistic trajectory of a beach ball.

BSW

#4.......................that about says it all.

 

[barnbwt]

"No way am I going to pay $400-600 for an SKS."
FWIW, I paid 450$ six months ago for a numbers matching '51 Tula in good condition (wood needs a strip/relacquer since the finish peeled in a few places, but is otherwise excellent). I can't imagine what 600$ gets you in an SKS (unfired Russian? Who wants a safe-queen SKS? ). The local TX shop I bought it from just got a wad of cosmo'd Yugos they're selling, out the door, for 275$ plus tax; and that's in-store markup prices (online seems a chunk lower).

TCB

 

[R.W.Dale]

#4.......................that about says it all.

That really isn't THAT big a deal if a person takes the time to learn their trajectory lasers the range and has a way of compensating.

The cartridge will kill out to 300 with quality bullets.

The problem with the SKS for this is twofold. The primitive factory sights (front especially) covers up HALF A DEER at 100 making precise placement impossible.

Most are approaching their absolute accuracy limit for a 6" kill zone at that range. Particularly with us made ammo.

A tech sight and "target" front sight post can help but that's the better part of $100 iirc

Unless you cut the heck out of the stock and install a side receiver scope base your scope mounting options are comical at best.


They can be a fun rifle for lots if applications. But to answer the OP's question they are vastly OVERRATED as a hunting gun

 

[briansmithwins]

That really isn't THAT big a deal if a person takes the time to learn their trajectory lasers the range and has a way of compensating.

Most of the shooting I do is unknown range with a timer running. The stages typically run ~60 seconds to engage multiple targets from (typically) 5 to 300 yards.

You might have time to laser targets or be shooting at known distances, but I rarely do.

With 7.62x39 range estimation is critical out past 150 yards or so, with significant offsets as you move from close or far. With 556 NATO I can zero at 200 yards and know that I'll always get hits (ballistically not skill) a 6" target anywhere from point blank out to 260 yards or so without having to make any adjustments for drop.

Not everyone only shoots on bright, sunny days at a known distance range with no time pressure.

BSW

 

[R.W.Dale]

Most of the shooting I do is unknown range with a timer running. The stages typically run ~60 seconds to engage multiple targets from (typically) 5 to 300 yards.

You might have time to laser targets or be shooting at known distances, but I rarely do.

With 7.62x39 range estimation is critical out past 150 yards or so, with significant offsets as you move from close or far. With 556 NATO I can zero at 200 yards and know that I'll always get hits (ballistically not skill) a 6" target anywhere from point blank out to 260 yards or so without having to make any adjustments for drop.

Not everyone only shoots on bright, sunny days at a known distance range with no time pressure.

BSW

This thread is about hunting not games

You need to know the range if it's past 200yds or so with ANY rifle. On a game animal that far away you have time to get it right. Merely getting a hit in a hurry isn't good enough

 

[briansmithwins]

Why am I suspicious that most people that would take a SKS hunting would not be using laser range finders?

BSW

 

[jcwit]

7.62x39 has the ballistic trajectory of a beach ball.

And the 30/30 trajectory is as flat as a pancake all the way out to 300 yards. LOL

 

[R.W.Dale]

Why am I suspicious that most people that would take a SKS hunting would not be using laser range finders?

BSW

Well the 4 moa and "front half of a deer" front sight kinda precludes the necessity.

But the cartridge can do much better than the sks let's it.

 

[TimboKhan]

I am not sure sights or trajectory are such a limiting factor if you are hunting from a tree stand or get close enough. It's not a bean field rifle, but no good reason it can't be a 100 yard rifle. Most deer aren't shot at that long a distance anyways given habitat.

 

[wlewisiii]

I have a very find condition screwed in barrel Norinco with TechSights TS200 installed. For hunting I can use Federal Fusion 7.62x39. Good enough for hunting or medium game at close range. Lots of other uses for which the cheap steal cased Tulammo is fine.

If I want a more regular hunting rifle, I have a very nice sporterized (before I got it) Type 99 Arisaka. 7.7x58 will handle anything in my state. I also have a 7x57 carbine to finish up (needs drilling & tapping for optics yet) that would do well too.

That said, I know that SKS well enough that I could take it out of the safe & grab one of my boxes of that Federal load and be confident that I'll put a very nearly full box back on the shelf after I get done putting the meat in the freezer.