TIME TO BUY A RUSSIAN SKS RIFLE ?
TIME TO BUY A RUSSIAN SKS RIFLE ?
By Allen Macartney
IF YOU SPENT much time around a shooting range , you ’ re bound to hear these words : “ If you own any rifle , it ’ s got to be an SKS .” So what ’ s so great about it ?
An SKS is a Cold War , Soviet era semi-automatic assault rifle that sells for about $ 200 in Canada . First designed in the 1940s , the SKS lost out to the AK-47 but still went into mass production throughout the old Soviet bloc , including China , and it uses the same AK-47 cartridge – 7.62 mm x 39 mm .
What makes the SKS fun is its AK-47 appearance ( it even has a built-in bayonet ), cheap ammunition ( about 25 cents per round ), and toughness . You can fire it all day at the range without a serious jam , and without breaking your budget .
But is it accurate ? Well , Russian army rifles have always been built for ruggedness and dependability , not accuracy . Ivan was drafted in mass numbers , and often served under officers whose attitudes ensured he wouldn ’ t last long enough to develop precision rifle skills . Expect your SKS to give you 100-metre groups in the one- to six-inch range , depending on its condition .
Like a 30-30 round , the performance of an SKS 7.62 x 39 round drops off rapidly beyond 150 to 200 metres . Its 123-grain bullet has a muzzle velocity of about 2,400 fps , depending on bullet manufacturer , and delivers about 2,000 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle . Beyond 150 metres , its energy drops below 1,000 ft-lbs . In Canada , bullets are available in a wide range of choices – from full metal jacket for target practice , to soft- or hollowpoint for hunting .
An SKS is more than just a fun , Saturday morning plinking rifle . It makes a good deer hunting weapon for close-range shooting in thick bush . Its relatively light recoil makes it easy to get off a second or third shot . You can attach a scope but the SKS accuracy just doesn ’ t warrant it . Just use its solid iron sights .
Before heading off to the hunting camp though , take off the bayonet . You don ’ t want to accidently skewer a buddy , or get it caught in undergrowth . And leave the cleaning rod and kit ( found in the butt stock ) at home too . Sometimes it rattles enough to scare game . Just attach a cheap strap and you ’ re good to go .
Meet the magnificent moose
WHEN IT COMES to big game , moose hunting is my passion . It ’ s the week I wait for all year . Many people book summer holidays to loaf on a beach somewhere drinking margaritas , but my 10 days in the Northern Ontario bush scouting moose , and bonding with family is my place to be at peace , away from the rest of the world .
Moose hunting has been in my bloodline for
AMANDA LYNN MAYHEW
generations . In the ’ 50s and ’ 60s my grandfather , a highly respected outdoorsman , guided in the Manitouwadge area . His skill was such that over the years he provided hunters and his own family meals from more than 100 moose . The Weatherby VanGuard 30.06 that I now own was passed down to me from him and would have quite the tales to tell if it could speak .
The hunt is not about the trophy and never has been for me . It ’ s always been about providing delicious table fare for myself and my family . It ’ s sentimental and emotional on so many levels . And I enjoy the social dimension , talking with other moose hunters , sharing stories and looking forward to future hunts .
Moose are majestic and massive ( up close , so immense ), so the right combination of firearm and ammunition is vitalto take your moose down in one humane shot . I have sold many hunting rifles working at a local gun store , and the most popular of calibres are definitely 30.06 and . 308 . The 30.06 is a flat-shooting , long-range moose hunting rifle with one of the most versatile cartridges ever produced . The . 308 is also an effective hunting rifle with less recoil provided by the cartridge .
I was able to grow up in Northern Ontario and raise my children the same way I was raised , a life that a lot of people have to do without . For many hunters , the grunt of a giant bull answering your cow call is ultimate excitement , probably the most exhilarating scenario you can imagine .
It was for me four years ago in Manitouwadge WMU 21B . I had scoutedmy spot , and getting out there , able to call just using my bare hands ,
hearing the animal answer back letting me know he was headed my way , gave me shivers down the spine . I had no adult tag on this particular hunt , nor was I hunting with a group , so I just spent the evening with him until Mother Nature turned out the lights .
That treasured evening was a result of calling . Poor calling is worse than no calling at all , so if you are new to it ; practise at home all year , especially in the time leading up to your week away . Besides honing that skill , get your body ( as well as your gear ) in top condition for the hunt so you can concentrate and avoid an unexpected tragedy or accident .
There are many approaches to the moose hunt . You can work by spotting and stalking , by using a tree stand , by taking to the waterways ( this is where an Argo works best , effective on land and water ), or just getting in the bush and pushing . I ’ ve hunted mostly in my hometown of Manitouwadge in WMU 21A and 21B but also Kenora at Separation Lake , and in an area where I lived as a youngster in Larder Lake . This year ’ s hunt will be in the Nakina area , where grandfather did some of his moose hunting in the 1980s .
It ’ s an adventure in the making , a memory forever and a story to share . I ’ ll be sharing mine on WILD TV , airing in 2017 . Hope you drop by there , and in these pages .
Amanda ' s hunting base at Walsten Outpost , Separation Lake .
www . fishhuntandride . ca FISH , HUNT RIDE | 13