Thread: sks improvements

after thinking about an ar I had another thought why don't I just make do with what ive got so Im wanting to know if any one has built an accurate sks I like 7.62x39 my thoughts are to do a trigger job and a monte carlo stock but I will go to gun city and have a feel of both kinds of stock available for them im not expecting target rifle accuracy and im not trying to make it into a ak lookalike either iv read on some overseas forums that people are getting under moa all day long which I find really hard to believe as well mine currently shoots approx 4moa at the moment which is probably pretty good anyway but I like the challenge of trying to see if an average shooting rifle can be made better and it still will be quite a cheap rifle when its finished cheers

The only real improvement is to buy a better rifle.

yep but im going to make do with what ive got and ive already got plenty of rifles that will shoot rings around it and if I could get 1.5 moa I recon id be doing well and it wouldn't be near as much as an ar don't take that as bagging ars I don't have a problem with them

It's called a mini 30?

Talk to Derek at Reloaders, he has worked on his SKS with stock, etc.

thanks also are there cleaners I shouldn't use in a chrome lined barrel

Chrome bores, designed for people who don't like cleaning rifles, a buildup of crud however best avoided, I just use a boresnake as the Barnaul ammo is quite dirty. On the gas piston I use hoppes. If shooting tracer (corrosive but lots of fun) while it wont hurt the barrel if you don't clean the piston properly you may see a trace of rust, water and a little cutting lube or youngs 303 cleaner if you are old enough to remember it works perfectly.
A proper length stock improves the accuracy quite a bit as you aren't scrunched up, and with the open sights 4moa is probably all you can expect. The trigger on mine has a spongy single stage pull that goes 5 mm before firing everyone I've asked says you cant do much about the trigger and I don't know of any aftermarket setups so I sometimes take a bit of a squeeze to take up some of the travel release and then fire it has made a bit of difference to group size but is not a safe way to carry the rifle even with the safety on.

thanks that's good info I can do the work myself ive seen someware some stuff on trigger mods I just need to find it I think im being a bit optimistic with 1.5 moa but you never know till you try

Good luck with the 1.5 moa.Chrome lined barrels for the most part don't improve on accuracy but help extend the barrel life due to the chrome being about twice as hard as the barrel steel.Pretty important in a military firearm with very hard use. With the sks the accuracy is dependant on how well the bore was machined and lapped prior to being chromed as the chroming process may take out machine tool engravings but wont repair inconsistent bore diameter and boring. Ive owned a few SKS's over the years and the best Ive got is around 2.5moa. I find shooting cast boolits gives me overall best accuracy but at lower speed. Youll have fun lightening and smoothing the trigger and bedding the action will help. A side mount for a good scope is a must. A good tip for keeping the push rod clean is to use atf diluted 1 part in 12 with turps or white spirits and allow to evaperate or dry off. Keep us informed of your results as you go. This will be a good thread

4 moa is ok for the performance of the cartridge. Buy ammo and shoot it, don't spend money on rubbish accessories.

I have always found with the SKS squeze the trigger back then release it then it will free up the first section and make the shot alot more crisp in the let off.
Still have a SKS in the safe but ended up getting a Mini30, better scope mounting and easier mag changes... still a prick to clean. Jug of boiling water down the barrel then the usual cleaning and I just use engine oil, never had a rusting issue.

I've seen people mess with the gas system so that it essentially turns the gun into a bolt action, That makes it more accurate due to less moving parts. But at the end of the day the 7.62x39 round only has so much potential. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npU_h7TGTX8 Here is a video example of what I am talking about.

Every SKS I have shot has been capable of consistently hitting clay targets at 100m, with irons. That is perfectly adequate for what they are and what the cartridge can do. If you intend to spend money on one, I can only really recommend a red dot sight on a mount that replaces the rear sight. A friend has a rig set up like that and it is effective.

Originally Posted by Beavis

Every SKS I have shot has been capable of consistently hitting clay targets at 100m, with irons. That is perfectly adequate for what they are and what the cartridge can do. If you intend to spend money on one, I can only really recommend a red dot sight on a mount that replaces the rear sight. A friend has a rig set up like that and it is effective.

Mine has a 3x9 and a scope laser mounted over the dust cover, can still use iron sights too.. Usually hits what I point it at. the SKS is a damn good rifle. I think just because so many were made and they are so cheap some people consider them to be sub-par which is a shame

Mine cost me $450 with dragonov style stock, scope rail, and threaded for a suppressor. With my .30 cal suppressor groups at 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 moa, without suppressor 2 1/2 - 3 moa with Barnaul softpoints. The only thing that I added was a rubber bolt damper. Fun to shoot, and looks quite saucy. The rail is slightly off-centre, which I hope to fix in the next couple of months / years / never.