4V50 - Thanks for the update on the bull-pups. I seem to recall that both Valmet and Galil marketed bullpup "hunter" rifles in this country about 10 or 15 years ago. They were few and far between.
Regarding comparative accuracy of the .223Rem/5.56Nato vs 7.62x39mm/M43bloc cartridges: Precision is a machine function of the firearm, which is influenced primarily by "fit" of components (including ammo) and the secondary effects of operation (recoil, action cycling, barrel harmonics, etc). Accuracy is a system level function that includes the operator abilities and is also strongly influenced by the immediate environmental conditions. Having now overstated the obvious, it has been my experience that both cartridges can lend themselves to a range from high accuracy to very inaccurate.
The most common precision problem which I've encountered with the Kalashnikov variants is a mismatch between the bullet and bore diameters. I had an early Egyptian Maadi semi-auto AKM that I had difficulty keeping on a paper plate at one-hundred yards. Conversely, my Valmet M62-S would group consistently within 2-1/2 inches at the same distance, with the same Norma ammunition. The degree of separation varied somewhat with various brands of ammo (PMC, Win, US Military, Hanson, NORINCO, etc), but largely reflected the same relative accuracy. Slugging the barrels revealed that the Maadi had a 0.003-inch larger bore diameter than the Valmet. When I changed the ammo in the Maadi to that with an oversized bullet ( I seem to recall a .310-.311 diam.) it shrank the average group to approximately 4-inches at 100-yds. The Valmet shot well with everything. I inferred from the results that the smaller bore diameter, in this instant, provided a better "fit" for the bullets and greater precision. This arguably may not have been the only factor influencing the results, as the Maadi had a stamped sheet-metal receiver (AKM) whereas the Valmet had a milled receiver (AK).
I've heard of similar findings from other shooters, and have been told of SKS rifles capable of very good accuracy with a variety of ammo. I've no significant experience with the SKS, consequently can't address the claim. I'm sure a lot of folks have the SKS in light of it's low prices and availability. If anyone has such experience, please start a new thread on it's accuracy potential.
[This message has been edited by Mykl (edited 10-21-98).]