Hunting with SKS & Open Sight

my opinion is going to back up what everyone has said and expound a touch...

Rifle... Yes the 7.62 can and does kill deer fine.

I know of a few guys that use them. I know of none that scoped their rifles...

In many states you need to modify the rifle to take only a MAX of 5 rounds.

I assure you that, short of a way out yonder rifle and round (not the SKS), open sights would be MY choice HANDS DOWN...

If you get a scope, all you need to shop for is a fixed power in 2,3 or max of 4 power.

But, if you are new to hunting and likely not a huge rifle "enthusiast" since you did say you were not practiced up on this one, a scope is a piece of gear that is not totally simple to shop for, install, sight in, or use in the field...

With shots under 200yards and using a tree as a standing position rest, or seated or prone position that rifle should easily perform as well as any .30-30 lever action unless it is just shot out...

Givin' that... I think the .30-30 with open sights has gathered more meat than any other setup in the lower 48... I might be wrong but I would have to ask all the starved out indians... it was the white man killin' off the deer and other game that finally defeated the efforts of the native to keep his lands.

Brent
 
The SKS should make a perfectly good deer rifle.

+1 on using the iron sights and keeping your shots to 100 yards. As mentioned, if you can keep the shots consistently on a paper plate at that range, you should be good to go with it.

Give it a try with no scope. If you keep good trigger control, breath control and stay relaxed on a supported rifle, you should be able to do just fine.

--Wag--
 
My Russian SKS is pretty darn accurate.
The 7.62x39 is fine for taking deer; choose a soft point (sp) over a hollow point, although either might get the job done. FMJ is illegal in many states.
If you've not been hunting or practicing, you'd be better off keeping your range under 100 yards. 100 will seem a long way off when looking over those sights.

+1 on being familiar with your weapon; deer hunting is a "think long, think wrong" sport. If you don't know your weapon well, you may well scuff the shot and end up tracking a wounded animal for the better part of your day.

good luck
practice
patience
 
Take the advice, not criticism, that the folks are offering you. The rifle, just about everyone has said it, practice and be familiar. The optics, they're trying to stay on the lower end of budget. I don't know much at all about BSA scopes other than what I have read, and I've not read too many good reviews. Mag capacity, as Brent pointed out, check to make sure that if you are successful on your hunt, that you don't end up in trouble for high-cap magazine. 5 is max here.

Good luck, and even if you don't tag, enjoy.
 
And just for your ease and convenience, here's a link to the Tech Sights they are talking about. I'll add my +1 to the iron peep sights also.

http://www.tech-sights.com/sks.htm

Edit:
Oh yeah, I got plenty of funny looks and Sarah Brady comments when I first sighted in and practiced with a five-rounded SKS about 12 years ago in Michigan. Since, I've taken a number of deer cleanly with it. Mostly within 100 yards.

Know your rifle and know your shot is good before squeezing the trigger on that first deer. ;)
 
About the BSA's.......
I've had 3. Two were 1.5-4x "Catseye" scopes (non-IR !!). Mounted on 12ga slug guns. No problem with either, still have and use one. The third is on a Savage .22-250. It's a 4-16x mildot scope that has never changed POA after 7 or 8 years. Glass is good enough that I've nailed yotes and fox out beyond 400 yards. Click adjustment are a little incosistant is only issue.

They are not top of the line without a doubt, but most people bashing them have never owned one. Good ol internet. Would I buy another? If all had was BSA price in the budget I would. Hope I never have to again though.

LK
 
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