I've shot since I was a teenager but, due to long breaks between my .22 days, 12-gauge days, and last year, I still consider myself a beginner.

 

I think I'm ready for a new caliber: 7.62x39. I like the milsurp SKS offerings out there, and am intrigued at the idea of an AK47 (one of my favorite chess openings is the Kalashnikhov!). 

 

What are your thoughts? 

 

What do you think of the caliber for hunting (not in NJ), fun at the range, defense?

 

What do you think of those two rifles I mentioned?

 

Any considerations, w/ respect to the AK, for owning one in NJ?

 

Any good internet resources you can recommend?

 

Thanks!

I own a few SKS's and they are great rifles, fun and historical and their are many folks that hunt with them in other states, for deer, hogs, etc.....

 

I also own a Saiga and love it. I am in midst of converting it from sportster to the traditional look

 

The 7.62x39 round is dirt cheap compared to AR ammo and widely used.

 

Their is discussions on these in our AK and CR forums

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/forum/95-ak-variant-discussion/

 

 

but also @ the following sites

 

SKS forums: http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php

 

SKS info: http://yooperj.com/SKS.htm

 

AK forums:

http://www.akfiles.com/forums/index.php

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?

I cut/pasted this from my post in the newbie forum:

 

I think I'm ready for a new caliber: 7.62x39. I like the milsurp SKS offerings out there, and am intrigued at the idea of an AK47 (one of my favorite chess openings is the Kalashnikhov!). 

 

What are your thoughts? 

 

What do you think of the caliber for hunting (not in NJ), fun at the range, defense?

 

What do you think of those two rifles I mentioned?

 

Any considerations, w/ respect to the AK, for owning one in NJ?

 

Any good internet resources you can recommend?

 

Thanks!

Sks, but the best, try vz58, go to czechpoint site.

Only 7.62x39 experience i have is with the AR. I am looking forward to reading the responses

i will paste my respose also

 

 

I own a few SKS's and they are great rifles, fun and historical and their are many folks that hunt with them in other states, for deer, hogs, etc.....

 

I also own a Saiga and love it. I am in midst of converting it from sportster to the traditional look

 

The 7.62x39 round is dirt cheap compared to AR ammo and widely used.

 

Their is discussions on these in our AK and CR forums

http://njgunforums.c...ant-discussion/

 

 

but also @ the following sites

 

SKS forums: http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php

 

SKS info: http://yooperj.com/SKS.htm

 

AK forums:

http://www.akfiles.c...orums/index.php

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?

I love my AK. So much fun to shoot. Accurate enough for me out to 100 yards. Don't know much about hunting with it. I am a paper shooter.

 

 

A 7.62x39 as a 150 yard deer hunting round is great. Also, great for hogs.  Handloaded with 150 gr heads makes for a great hunt.  Deer hunting with a SKS depends on the state your in (allows semi-autos to hunt) and what kind of distances your looking at.  I do not feel comfortable using a SKS with wolf ammo for 100-150 yard shots.  Just my opinion.  Had several SKSs and just did not like them for hunting overall.  Just awkward for me.  Enjoyed them for range plinking years ago when Chinese ammo was under $2/box 20. Ah, 1200 round cases for under $100 and all day at the range, no brass to worry about, those were the days.  Sold them all to other members here.  A bolt action is very nice.  CZ makes a great one today.

 

For me, today, I would run with a 300 Blackout.  Still get my 30 caliber, but with more head choices, speed choices, and I can make my own brass out of 223.  I can take all the 223 cases that are damaged above the shoulder and still make 300 Blackout brass.  There is a great future in this cartridge.  Even better with new powders for reloading. 

 

The 7.62x39, like the 30-06,  has seen its day.  No longer an active military cartridge by the big players, it has started to decline in popularity.  As long as there is a demand for cheap ammo it will continue to flourish.  But given our government today, stop the ammo import and the allure of the round will drop like a rock. Ever price it made in the USA?  223 brass is here to stay. 

Great rifles, great round. You will love them.

Thanks to everyone. You've sold me on the round. Since I'm a mil-surp nut due to my 1960s military school experience, I will buy an SKS.

 

Is it insane to consider a non-refurbished AK? With wood stock and original everything? Jeez they look so cool.

Is it insane to consider a non-refurbished AK? With wood stock and original everything? Jeez they look so cool.

I would never put plastic on my AK. Love the look of the wood.

 

Get both an AK and sks. I'd say get the AK before the Sks.

I spent a lot of time shooting a chinese SKS that my grandfather owned. Tons of fun, can't ever remember a single malfunction of any kind.

I have had numerous saigas (Russian ak)... The only one I regret selling is the one chambered in 556 that I built to take AR mags...

 

AK a good reliable system but it definitely has shortcomings....

 

7.62x39 drops like a stone once you get out to like 150 - 200 yard range...

In a defensive role it tends to penetrate more than 556 so less than ideal in an interior dwelling...

Accuracy at 100 for me was center mass of a man sized target so maybe not the most ideal hunting rifle? But I am not a hunter so can't comment for sure...

 

The AK is a strong mid range gun that is capable of penetrating light cover that packs decent punch....

 

I left the AK world in favor of the AR 15 I find it to be more versatile and more accurate....

Thanks, everyone.

forget 7.62x39 and buy a Kalish variant in 5.45x39. It's cheaper, and is one of the most deadly rounds on the market in a self defense situation. There's plenty of videos on the net if you look. The SAR 2 is a good choice, I have one and I can outshoot a lot of guys with AR's at my range (after 100m they will probably be more accurate).

Forget 7.62x39 for the Kalish and get a 5.45x39 chambered rifle. see my post in your other thread.

I have one of the norinco SKS that came here in the late '80's "push".  At the time they were dirt cheap, both to buy and to feed 7.62x39 rounds.  Its a fun gun; simple, sturdy, and reasonably accurate.  And....theyr'e still reasonably cheap to feed; even though their prices have gone up substantially.  I've never hunted with it, though I am told its still a popular pickup truck gun out west. Here it doesn't matter; you can't use it for hunting in NJ or PA, but its a fun paper puncher. .

forget 7.62x39 and buy a Kalish variant in 5.45x39. It's cheaper, and is one of the most deadly rounds on the market in a self defense situation. There's plenty of videos on the net if you look. The SAR 2 is a good choice, I have one and I can outshoot a lot of guys with AR's at my range (after 100m they will probably be more accurate).

 

then there is something wrong with the operator.. 

 

I can not think of an instance where with all other things equal an AK in any caliber would "outshoot" an AR.. the two platforms with a competent shoot under 100 yards should run about equal with a SLIGHT edge to the AR... the AR15 is in general slightly more accurate.. so gets the nod in precision.. and mag changes are marginally faster on an AR due to drop free mags.. so they are generally slightly faster.. 

 

again.. that does not mean that the AK platform is "garbage"... I am also not saying there are skilled people operating AKs that can outshoot people running ARs... I am simply saying at its core the ONLY advantage an AK offers is a marginal increase in resistance to harsh use.. but again all of that is marginal.. so with all else equal.. an AR should "outshoot" an AK.. 

7.62x39 is half the price of 223. Shoot for a while and the rifle becomes free. That's how I would convince myself to buy one and not feel bad about spending the money.

I merged these two threads.... doesnt really make sense having two of the same threads running.. 

you can't use it for hunting in NJ or PA, but its a fun paper puncher. .

No rifles in Penn. either??

No semi-auto hunting rifles in PA.  Must be manually loaded (ie bolt, lever, etc).

 

The 7.62x39 round is dirt cheap compared to AR ammo and widely used.

 

 

 

In November 2011 AK ammo was the same price as .223 steel case AR ammo. I know things have been in flux so far in 2013 due to Connecticut, but AK ammo is no cheaper than AR ammo anymore. Those days are gone.

 

Unless you are talking about 5.54x39 AK47 ammo, which is still cheap, and the last cheap surplus ammo. And will dry up in the next year, two, or few.

7.62x39 can be found for $250 if you look hard, no way you will find 223 at that price.

 

7.62x39 can be found for $250 if you look hard, no way you will find 223 at that price.

 

 

Yeah way you found .223 at that price in November 2012. I was paying $290 out the door for XM193 and PMC. Steel case .223 was the same as 7.62x39.

 

You didn't read what I typed. 7.62x39 is not cheap anymore, it's the same as .223 steel case, present circumstances since Newtown excluded.