I like mine
Hey, one thing you might want to do is try the search function for this site.
"PSL" should get you some dope.
Here's some comments on mine. Mine is the SSG-97 variant. bought used, private sale. They are also know as Romak-3's and PSL's. Of the various models, I suspect the recent PSL's are the better of the breed. This is not gospel but pretty close. Many of the clan were imported as parts and assembled here, and quality can be hit or miss.
Overall I am satisfied. The rifle came w/ 1 5rd and 1 ten rd mags. The wood is sloppy like many AK variants. The comb issue (to low for scope use) was resolved w/ some duct tape and an insulite pad.
Regards the scope, mine came with the 8x model, likely an addition, as 4x is standard on a true PSL. There are lots of sharp edges on the exterior of the rifle and handling/taking down same be tricky. I stoned most of the bad ones which helped alot. It has been absolutely reliable feed wise w/ a variety of ammo. The trigger is gritty, and I tried an afffordable replacement but was not pleased. There are good AK/psl triggers out there but I have not spent the money.
First issue was to get the scope to secure. The mount is adjustable for tension. Once I got that right, the scope has stayed put. Prior it was prone to shoot loose, but has been tight since I tweaked it. I took the dorky rubber acordion thing off and the obj lens cover as well and added a set of Butler Creek covers.
Next was zeroing. Kalinka Optics had a variety of info online and I printed same. Adjustments are coarse and an absolute pinpoint zero is not always possible I read, but I got mine "on" at 100 yd and fairly easily. I indexed the elevation and windage turrets and was good to go. The scope has been repeatable and the range finding feature is cool.
Accuracy and ammo. Well......... Wolf steel jacket ball was a bust, maybe 5 MOA. Privi SP was not any better, again 5 MOA. I read that Wolf Gold is better, but I have not shot any. Didn't try. I have a supply of Chinese and Bulgarian sivertip laid in, about 1000 rds total but did not experiment w/ the surplus fodder. I started reloading.
With Privi brass and 150/.311 SP slugs both from Sierra and Speer and a dose of Varget, things started to click. I can honestly say that the rifle will hold 2 MOA way out there. In Jan. '11 at a buddy's private range (lucky me) we took the rifle to 600 yds, in 100 yd increments and worked up a range card. It held 2 MOA the whole way, and dinging his 20" gong at 600 from the bench was easy once we got the dope right. The Fall before, I had tried Wolf steel case and could not get past 200 yds.
The barrel is a noodle, and does not handle hot weather or long strings of fire well. I stay with slow 3 rd groups. Shooting the rifle is a hoot. The brake seems to help, the action is long and smooth, and the butt even has a spring thing in it. BOOM and a mushy shove. The rifle never fails to draw onlookers at the public range. I have carried mine deer hunting on several occasions but no opportunity arose.
Mine responded well to reloads. Some guys report good results w/ surplus ammo and Wolf Gold. The rifles are supposedly "timed" for "light ball" in the 150 gr range. What is needed is a "light ball" domestic accuracy load. I started a thread a while back to put a bug in Hornady's ear to come out w/ same in the Steel Match ammo line using the SST .311 BT/SP and maybe they will.
Go on line and read a bit on the "guerilla snipers" being built on the PSL by some custom outfits. Gabe Suarez and his school are the driving element there.
The PSL/ssg has been a good project for me.
My personal experience with a Romanian PSL left a bad impression. The iron sights are good, but the scope sits way too tall unless you use an adjustable stock to get a proper cheek-weld. Accuracy was dismal with the silvertip ammo. I couldn't get any consistency out of it, it really turned me off even hunting with it. Expensive ammo would probably yield better results, but that's not why your looking at 7.62x54R now is it? However, it is fun and can be cheap to shoot, so if accuracy isn't too much of an issue for you I would say go for it. 