The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Hey Guys,
I enjoy my SKS....it is my understanding that scopes are not really a good modification. I have considered getting a peep sight, I have heard they are a great addition. I was reading the Centerfire Systems flyer and I noticed they have a bolt action all set up for a scope in the 7.62x39 caliber. Anyone have any experience with these??

I have read a little bit.....and it sounds like the caliber starts to drop pretty fast after 150 yards. I don't have any experience with scopes, in fact shot my first one last weekend. Seems like maybe this caliber with a scope would be a novelty, not really very useful due to how quickly it starts to drop, what do you all think?

Final question....recently bought some 7.62x39 with a 154g bullets. Anyone have any experience with this round? Also wouldn't the heavier bullet even drop quicker?

It was designed for short range, used within it's comfort zone of 50-300 yards it's a good rifle. I would just stick with the issue sight, they are well designed, and easy to use, this just isn't a rifle that benefits in any great way from scopes, or aftermarket sights.

A rough ballistic comparison is the .30-30 Win, while they are pretty close, they are not equal, the x39 is a little slower. The x39 round is not known as a hair splitting accuracy round. It was designed for somewhat intermediate range use and be minute of man.
As for better sights on an SKS, Tech-Sights work well, my father has the setup on his, much like shooting an M1 Carbine or Garand. http://www.tech-sights.com/ It's not a permanent alteration and holds accuracy well even after being tore down and put together.

I put these Tech-Sights on my Ruger Mini 14. Much better than the original sights.

I would stick with the SKS or AK as a platform for the 7.62x39.

That bolt action may only tighten up your groups a bit if you use higher grade commercial ammo.
Now, the 154 gr ammo. Yes, it definitely drops quicker than a lighter bullet. But in most of my various SKS they seem to get better groups. I have two SKS sighted in for this ammo. Both at 100 yards. I can shoot 200 yards with it, but after that it is a real stretch. Besides, with standard sights I really don't try to shoot over 100 yards very often with any X39 rounds..

Thanks all,

Your comments confirm what I was thinking.....the bolt action appealed to me because I am one of those goofy left handed individuals....They offer a left handed set up. I was hoping that I could get a left handed version and use my SKS ammo for a bolt action scoped rifle. Glad someone mentioned the tech sights that was what I meant when I said "peep" sight just forgot the name.

CZ used to make a little 7.62x39 bolt action.

H&R used to have a Handi-Rifle in 7.63x39.

I like the X39 in it's original Military configuration. If I were going to buy a commercial rifle or carbine, it would not be in any X39 I can say for certain. I would just buy some thing along the lines of a .270 for the long range capability.

Greasemonkey wrote:A rough ballistic comparison is the .30-30 Win, while they are pretty close, they are not equal, the x39 is a little slower. The x39 round is not known as a hair splitting accuracy round. It was designed for somewhat intermediate range use and be minute of man.
As for better sights on an SKS, Tech-Sights work well, my father has the setup on his, much like shooting an M1 Carbine or Garand. http://www.tech-sights.com/ It's not a permanent alteration and holds accuracy well even after being tore down and put together.

Thanks for the link. THis solves my sight vs scope dilemma. After nearly 30 years firing M-16s I can relate to this very easily and the price is definitely right for them.

Bkloes, we always called em "peep" sights, but I guess the correct technical name is aperture sights. What ever you call em, I'm gonna have em on my SKS(s).

I have found myself often wishing I could go the opposite way. Sometimes I'd like to replace my aperture sights with a notch rear sight. As much as I like M1s, I hate to say it, but I have never cared for peep sights. I have heard the reasons why they are supposed to be better, but the more I shoot with them, the more I am unconvinced. (I guess you can tell I have never been in the military.) I guess it is all in what we grow accustomed to using, but I never see an advantage in obscuring more of your target behind the upper half of the rear sight. And I always find myself wishing that I had the horizontal line.