Forums / Gun Discussion / AR vs SKS

it really depends on what you're hunting. AR's now days can be had in various calibers from .22LR up to .50 beowulf (even .50 BMG uppers). You'll be able to get an SKS for less $$ and it will still be a good shooter. 7.62x39 will still be good for medium sized game. Range depends on caliber, ammo, configuration and shooter. I can shoot an average mil surp yugo, chinese, or russian SKS pretty decent at 300 yds (consistently hit a human sized torso), but I would not be shooting at that distance if I were hunting a whitetail or piggy pig. Same for an AR, but the range is extended. Most AR's in 5.56 have a pretty good range of 500 yds give or take a hundred, but there won't be enough behind the 5.56 to take anything of substantial size at that range. If you look into a .308 on the AR platform, you'll be able to take larger animals and have better range. Plan on paying around $800-$1200 for a new entry level AR in .308 (DPMS, Armalite, Bushmaster etc..). You could probably find a used DPMS for less. To sum it up, the AR wins the accuracy department if you compare the two at the same distance. A SKS can be had for under $400, so it really depends on budget and what you're looking to get out of it. If you are on a budget, an SKS can still be a good all around shooter and hunting rifle (again, depends on what you're hunting), but if you have the means, you can do more with the AR platform.

Truck gun, SKS.
Something to tweak and play dress-up, AR.

but field stripping is where it's at!
LOL

is always nice... It's an essential step before putting a little lube on your snake and running it through the bore

I'm a huge fan of the SKS. I have a Chinese Paratrooper model that shoots 2.5" groups at 100 yards with iron sights. It's just over 6 pounds, loaded with 10 rounds.

I paid $300 for it, and I can hit an 8" rock at 210 yards (offhand) with 3 out of every 4 shots, firing very quickly.

The receiver is milled steel and designed for abuse. It is truly a no-frills solution for a sub-250 yard gun. The AK-47 is an inaccurate POS in comparison, and I love the AK.

I have an AR-10 in .308. I love it, mostly because I love the .308. The gun itself is (slightly) sub-MOA, but I PAID heavily for it and the scope system...enough to buy 7 or 8 SKS carbines.

I dislike the AR platform the more I get used to it. And I've NEVER had a use for 5.56 rounds, at all. I wouldn't want to shoot a human with a .22 of any ilk. I've seen plenty of gelatin evidence of severe deflection with FMJ ammo that doesn't even do as much damage as a .22 LR.

7.62x39, now that's another story. Could be truly the best under-250 yard anti-personnel cartridge ever made.

(don't take that personally)
"I wouldn't want to shoot a human with a .22 of any ilk."
I wouldn't want to shoot any human, but if I have to and a .22 is what is in hand, they get the full mag. And most likely will no longer be a threat. It only takes one in the right spot.

Pm For ya.

..

The ar is a consistant hitter out to 600meters... It h 68 grain bullet is devistating in the hands of a person who knows how to use it. and as to that "myth" about an AR wounding and not killing, It's BS. Also, I have carried an M-4 in damned near every shit-hole the world has to offer... if it fails, it's because the operator was to lazy to maintain his equipment. PERIOD!

PM for ya

I have a FN PS90 firing the 5.7X28... that thing will blow through a buick and the person inside. (Don't ask how I know, just trust me). The .30 caliber rounds are good, but every bullet if used properly is leathal.

I shot a few mags out of both into a Delta 88. It is a bad ass round for sure. One that is more than easy to control on full auto too. Shot a Krink 5.45x39 on full auto also, another diminutive round by some peoples perspective and that is another bad ass round which you can control like the 5.56.

I'd like to build a 5.7 minigun just for giggles and grins....

I bet it would be a marketable item.

At 25.00 a box, would be an expensive toy. Who the hell am I kidding, I would want one. LOL!

Off to bed for me... night all.

night, sleep well be safe, yeah me too, time for sleep...

I'm not going to argue with people who have carried M4's and M16's into battle & used them with success. I tip my hat to you, and if you like the cartridge--great!

My dad was in Phan Rang, Vietnam and saw some fairly horrible stuff. He and many of his unit hated the gun and the cartridge (some did because they wanted M14's, others had M16's that malfunctioned at very inopportune times, still others were just biased against the rifle or cartridge). More than anything, I'm probably biased against it because of him & his opinion. The weapon and cartridge were in their early stages back in 1968.

Ishootdaily, my comparison was not put forth to be completely fair, i.e., apples-to-apples. Honestly however, I would expect a 5.56 FMJ to penetrate much more effectively than a lead .22 LR. Short of penetration, the hydrostatic damage and yaw/tumble of the bullet should yield MUCH more significant damage--even with a FMJ bullet. This is a part of the criteria that was used when the cartridge was selected--its tendency to tumble, turn to shrapnel, and destroy tissue. Unfortunately, just because something has a tendency to do something, doesn't mean it will always do it. In fairness, the video I saw was obviously made to bolster someone's point of view (in this video, from an anecdotal standpoint, the lowly .22 LR outperformed the military round). A better comparison could surely be made to prove another point of view, I'm sure.

I don't like the cartridge, but that doesn't mean it's not effective. I do welcome feedback.

I commend your well written rebuttal.
I do tend to agree with you, based solely on personal experience in the field of varmint hunting.
The 5.56 or .223 is very well suited for taking game under 90lb. If I have to defend my family and myself from threats from man or beast, I sure aint gonna chose the "capacity over punch".
I want 1 shot stops. It don't have to die, it just has to stop.

Is it an effective round against everything from rabbits to men? Undeniably yes. Is there a better round then the 5.56? Again, yes. While I can testify that the 5.56 does the jod well, I would gladly trade mine in for the .308. The 5.56 isn't the best round for the job, or even the best NATO round for the job. It is a compromise. Lots of rounds for relatively little weight, a recoil that doesn't scare some of the militaries more " timid" shooters, nato spec ammo so resupply isn't an issue, and relatively cheap to manufacture. But once again, it does the job.

I like the sound of a AR10 and if I could handle the M14 it would be better,but I like to go as lite as I can and travel the same way.You also can get a L1A1 FAL if you like that type as every one like and dislikes,plus the rounds you can get from more power more weight and hollow point.
I got a ad for a guy in LAS VEGAS that sells ammo that gose booom when it hits. TY

Sent you a PM

sks mos deff pretty acc