7.62x39MM > American vs Foreign

[incucrash]

I have seen alot of forums about the classic 7.62x39MM Ammo, and I have also spent lots of money on $1.50-3.00 20 round boxes of wolf, silver bear, and other military surplus ammo. Until recently, I discovered my SKS can shoot pretty good if you try, so I'm curious, in the opinion of someone who has tried all types of ammo, which is the best as far as range/accuracy. I'm looking for some hunting ammo, $7/box range, such as:

Winchester Super X Centerfire Rifle Cartridges, 7.62x39MM, 123 Grains, Pointed Soft Point

Winchester USA Centerfire Cartridges, 7.62 x 39MM, 123 Grains, Full Metal Jacket

Remington Centerfire Rifle Cartridges, 7.62x39, 125 Grains, Pointed Soft Point

Federal Classic Centerfire Rifle Cartridges, 7.62x39 Soviet, 123-Grain Soft Point Bullet

Federal American Eagle Centerfire Rifle Cartridges, 7.62x39 Soviet, 124-Grain Full Metal Jacket Bullet

Remington UMC Centerfire Rifle Cartridges, 7.62 x 39 Soviet, 123 Grains, Metal Case

PMC Target, 7.62x39 Soviet, 123 Grain, Full Metal Jacket

PMC 7.62x39mm Soviet, 125 Grain, Pointed Soft Point


Of course, Soft Points would be the bullet of choice for hunting, Also, besides ammo! I'm planning on buying a $60-100 range scope and the receiver cover replacement pre-fabricated scope mount for $20 or so, Is it worth it to put on a Yugo SKS? I've heard some no's and I've heard some yes's, so I'm curious as to is the YUGO SKS even worth hunting with? or will a Remington 870 express 3" mag with a custom choke do just as good?


If you are bored and want to continue helping my young self in the right direction, what is a good hunting rifle in the $2-400 range?
Also, as far as calibur for a handgun, I'm planning on buying a Glock or a Smith and Wesson, possibly a SIG, What is the best in overall accuracy and reliability? and as far as bullet caliber, .357 SIG, .45 or 10MM?


AHH!! Sorry for all the questions, I'm new to the forum, and 21 years old, new to firearms, and would like the right path :uzi: :assult: :assult: :assult:

welcome Incucrash :right: I like the Winchester white box ammo myself :assult: Remington 870 express 3" mag is hard to beat for hunting unless you need longer range where you live..you don't need a custom choke though..extra full will work for turkey and deer with #4 buckshot..and I'd look at a Glock model 22 or a Sig 226 in .40 caliber

[jerry]

What are you planning to hunt?

Yes, SP ammo is recommended and in most cases legal for deer.

The funny/frustrating/interesting thing about all guns is the fact that different guns shoot different ammo better than others, even of the smae type of gun.

You rellay need to shoot a bunch and put them all on paper to compare.

Be cautious with commercial ammo in the SKS. The rifle is designed for harder primers. Most unlikely, but softer commercial primers have been known to detonate when the bolt goes forward into battery. It can be a good experience though. Big Dog's Yugo loves the Remington UMC stuff.

Don't know about scoping the Yugo, BRG3, a member here may know more. Personally my Yugo will never see a scope. Too heavy for a hunting gun for one, unless stand hunting. If I had to scope an SKS, my Norinco would get the call.

A good hunting rifle for 2~400. Hit the used rack for a Savage, or Remington or others in good condition. If your willing to go single shot, Mossberg has some nice looking single shot rifles as well as NEF/H&R

All of your handgun choices are good. Pretty much boils down to price range, what feels good in your hand & how you control recoil.

The .40 LD talked about is a good split down the middle. You can add other cool & fun to shoot calibers in due time.

Shotguns: My dad used to tell me when I was growing up, "you can kill anything on earth with a good shotgun" It does take some of the fun out though

Best,
Jerry

[Big Dog]

Welcome to G&G! You've landed in good company.

I've tried some commercial ammo in my two SKS's, and the Yugo loves it! The Chinese Norinco does double-tap (or even three or four tap!) with the soft-primered loads, but the Yugo is reliable every time.
Accuracy is much better too.
Wolf shoots about 6" at 100 yards.
Whitebox Russian does about three to four inches.
East German (no longer available) did two inches.
Remington and Winchester 123 grain FMJ will do an inch and a half.

I haven't tried the soft-point hunting loads yet. SInce I have two good thirty-thiries, hunting with the SKS just doesn't interest me. I might try it sometime though - just so I can say "Pooh!" to those antis who claim the SKS just kills people! Hehehe.

I have scoped both SKS's, and the Yugo did well. My top-cover mount is solid. The Norinco didn't do as well. The scope was solid enough - the rifle just isn't tight enough shooting to see a difference between scope and open sights.
Both rifles are now back in "issue" condition.

I use Norinco ammunition in my SKS because the rifle was made by Norinco :assult: what do you plan on hunting and what is the range you like to keep your shots under ?

[incucrash]

:ballons: Thank you guys for the warm welcome, appreciate it.

I will probably just got with an 870 for hunting then, My Yugo is my baby though, first rifle, kept in a case with desillicant packs everywhered, I clean and oil the complete gun after every use in the 10-15 minute range.

I'm sure you guys could woop me in that! :-)

I live in Norfolk, VA, it's so urban out here and hard to find close gun-shows for anything, and gun stores want $1000 for a good gun.

Thanks for replying so quickly on that, I will probably just go Winchester and Remington, I hear federal is #1, but I always trusted Winchester and Remington as a name messing with guns as a little kid.

I plan on hunting deer, everyone at the club hunts with shotguns, and they got power line areas of open field, deer can be 100-200 YDS away, so would like a nice scoped rifle.


like I said, I'm new to the gun scene, alot of people here are strict democrats, and argue with me about guns, and I always try to explain, guns are my right, and I rather have a gun, then not have a gun, it's hard to get information and knowledge in a "city", glad to know you guys are around for some advice.

I think I will go Glock, and probably a .357 / .40 / .45

Hope to hear from you guys again!

Thanks

[BattleRifleG3]

One bit of advice I'd have is don't spend $100 on an SKS scope. A $100 scope on an SKS is like a trailer hitch on a Hyundai. $20 for a scope mount isn't unreasonable, but you may well be able to do better. There are very few SKS scope mounts that hold zero and many that don't. There are a few good ones that cost over $50, and that's a waste of money too. The scope mount I recommend is made by Leapers and has screws that you tighten to hold it firmly to the receiver. Should cost between $10 and $20. It's supposed to return to zero if you apply the pressure uniformly each time. I just adjust the siting if I ever have to remove the cover. Unlike the AK and AR, the SKS doesn't get much gas in the receiver, certainly not in the back, so cleaning beyond regular lubrication isn't necessary too often.
As for a scope, remember that the SKS will require a shell deflector and detachable magazine if you wish to use a full length scope. Not improvements. I'd suggest getting a compact scope. They're available for under $20, sometimes packaged together with the mount. 4x is cheapest, 6x is more, and 3-9x should be under $50.

Expect to use the SKS under 200yd, more likely in the 100yd range. That's the limit of its effective ballistics and inherent accuracy. So a high powered scope is not useful or necessary. The recoil is not high, especially with the weight of the SKS, so super shock resistance isn't necessary either. There are good and bad el-cheapo scopes. The basic setup for the SKS is good enough in my opinion. If you're able to beat the scope accuracy with iron sites, meaning both you and your SKS are exceptionally good, don't try to improve it with a better scope. The mount is just as likely to be the limiting factor as the scope.

A rare few Norincos have a side scope rail mounted. This makes them quite valuable. A scope mount for that rail tends to be pretty expensive. But if you have one, might as well sue it. That will be far more accurate than a receiver cover scope mount. There's also an idea I never tried, but may be worth someone trying. There's an accessory for the Leaper's mount that can replace the rings with a Weaver Rail. This rail attaches with two screws on the side and may mount well to the receiver itself. Try at your own risk, but that mount is dirt cheap. If you have the tools and skills, drilling and tapping the receiver for it may be an option, or you could pay a smith to do it.

Basically look at spending $30-60 to scope an SKS. Do not spend much more, you'll be wasting your money embellising a rifle that excels in simplicity.

I too have a pump shotgun that I'd seriously consider using for deer hunting. I can't use my SKS because semi-autos aren't allowed for hunting in PA. Under 100yd it would be fine. Though an SKS has a greater effective range, if I were going outside of 100yd, I'd get something more serious, like a full powered rifle. Cheapest for that would be the Mosin Nagant firing 7.62x54R. A M98 Mauser would be good too. Go into the multi hundred range and you have the variety of new and used guns by the modern commercial manufacturers like Savage, Remington, and many many more.

[trapfreek]

Brg3 is correct about the reciver cover scope mount. Try if you can to site your gun in with open sights, or if it is possible a side rail mount using the most accurate ammo for your particular gun. I've tried the cover mounts with no luck. Just threw away 30 bucks. I can shoot better with my mossy 500 with slug barrel and bushnel 3 x9

[toolman]

My Norinco is scoped using a slightly modified (for stability) RedStar mount and a 6x32 Leapers scope. It will hold about 1 1/2" to 2" at 100 with most cheap ammo and just over an inch with Federal Classic. I am contemplating hunting with the Wolf 154 gr. soft-points if I can get in a little more range time with it. As far as a good low-priced rifle, take a look at the Savage/Bushnell combo at Wal-Mart. They usually run in the $350.00 range. As far as handguns, you might also want to look at the Taurus line. One of my sons has a Sig 220 .45 and the other has a Taurus PT-140 in .40 S&W. The Taurus isn't near as picky on ammo and was $450.00 cheaper. I should mention though, these are two very different guns suited to different uses. I would also suggest picking up a copy of Shotgun News to get a good idea of competitive prices. Welcome aboard!

[SilverRun]

Welcome incucrash!

I can't be of much use on what ammo is more accurate for ya. Like BG said that depends a lot on which your gun likes the best. I stick with the wolf when shooting my SKS. I only use mine for playing around, not hunting, and wolf is cheap and dependable.


I don't know if you have Wal-marts up your way, but they offer several nice bolt action rifles under $400. Might want to check out the Savage and Weatherby Vanguard there. Though, up to about 75 yards or so your shotgun should work just fine (go with OO or OOO buckshot). After that you will need a rifle. A SKS is a fine rifle, but many are better suited to deer hunting, especially if you are talking 200 yard shoots. A decent bolt action in something like .270 or 30-06 is hard to beat!

Pistols - Glock is a good pistol. I have one. But, if you like Glock you owe it to yourself to look at a Springfield XD-40. Built a lot like a Glock, but I like it much better. Go with the .40 cal in an auto. A good .357 Smith and Wesson (S&W) or Ruger revolver wouldn't be a bad choice either!

I personally would avoid Taurus, just my opinion. I also would be careful of the Remington 710 bolt-action. I have heard good and bad talk about the 710. Too many other guns you only hear good things about to take a chance. I have owned two Taurus pistols. One (PT945) was not accurate at all - the other is revolver that is OK, but I like my S&W’s much better.

Happy shooting!

[incucrash]

Hey guys, thanks again for the comments, I will just go to walmart and pick up a good remington/savage scoped model. I went crazy today, spent alot of money :-)

I went to a gunstore local here, was looking at a glock, looked at a sig, looked at a taurus, all in the 10mm, .40, .45, .357 ranges, I wasn't really satisfied with the glock feel, the sig was awesome, but was a .357, the cost of ammo on that stuff isn't too fun, the gun store owner went in the back, brought a case out, took a gun out of a oiled up bag and was wiping it down, I didn't think it was for me, but it was, turned out to be a Magnum Research Baby Eagle .45ACP

I felt it, was like, wow, pretty nice, nice sights on it, was a good weight, and I'm 6'0 and 220 LBS, so the glock they had, and sig, didn't fit my hand too nice! This one fit good, I got the gun, and a 50 box of ammo, brand new in case for $550, after all taxes and fees.

Got all that paperwork completed, saw a gun on the wall that was calling my name, since I was a little boy. Got a Bushmaster AR-15, brand new, for $800, and a free box of ammo, with a bushmaster case, and everything else that comes with it, Shoots the classic .223, Can we say louder then it looks? The gun was awesome! Next is a nice scoped rifle or an 870 express (a couple paydays away though, hehe!)



I got to the goto the range for 1 hour, by the time I got to the pistol, I shot 10 and had to cease fire.

Anyone from the Hampton Roads AREA of Virginia? Would love to go shooting sometime!!

[SilverRun]

Good choices, you will have a lot of fun with the Bushmaster. I just replaced the factory grip on mine with a Hogue "rubber like" grip. I like it much better!

If you buy a Savage, be sure to get their new "Accu Trigger". It is a fully adjustable trigger that I have read many good things about. Saw a complete Savage rifle and scope package under $400 at Wal-Mart yesterday in 30-06. All you will ever need.

Have fun with the AR. Now you can join in the eternal debate AR-15 or AK-47!!

Originally Posted by SilverRun

Now you can join in the eternal debate AR-15 or AK-47

I don't play nice with that argument

[BadKarma]

I figure you can save a couple hundred bucks and go with a surplus rifle. Old KAR's, Enfields and even Mosins (sometimes) can be very accurate, and dirt cheap. Only thing is, ammo aint. Then again, if you'll just be hunting, you won't really need more than 20 for a season.

[NRAJOE]

Originally Posted by Logansdad

I don't play nice with that argument

No you don't...

[NRAJOE]

I just use WOLF ammo...dirty and stinky but it does the job.

My SLR101S is phenominal with it...bust orange clays with every shot at 100 yds...(of course I am a expert marksman AND modest at the same time)

[incucrash]

Wolf was my ammo of choice, but www.cheaperthandirt.com shipped me 15 boxes of silver bear for nothing because one of the SKS 50-rnd clips was defective, can't complain :-)

[BattleRifleG3]

Sweeeeeeeet!!!!!

[incucrash]

I hear cartmans voice (from southpark) when you say that :-)

[NRAJOE]

I hear lots of voices............................................ ...........................