Ruger or SKS Paratrooper?

R

rmocarsky

New member
Gunners,

Which would you rather have for heavy woods, possible swamp condition whitetail hunting; most likely still hunting:

SKS Paratrooper with a 5 round magazine

or

Ruger .44 Mag. semi auto?

Rmocarsky
 
SKS.

The x39 round offers better terminal performance against deer, using an appropriate HP load. The action is very reliable in dirty conditions. The SKS will also afford better range and less expensive ammunition. I am basing this on accumulated know-how of the SKS action.
 
SKS Paratrooper with a 5 round magazine
I have one and it works great.

The .44mag round is just as effective as the 7.62x39 at swamp ranges, but the SKS is just great a little rifle.
 
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GUNNERS,

Of the two choices I do indeed already have the SKS . . . and love it.

Wilson firesight up fron and peep in back.

But ohhh, that Ruger sure looks neat!

Rmocarsky
 
One of my hunting pals has the Ruger. He has taken everything from wild pigs to Alaska panhandle black bear. The rifle is very accurate and reliable. With stout handloads, the recoil feels a bit sharper than one might expect but certainly acceptable.

I have only a regular SKS with which to compare the Ruger. I'd say the SKS is more comfy to shoot. Mine is about as accurate as the Ruger.
 
Do you need an excuse to by the rifle, or are you thinking about selling the sks and getting the Ruger. No excuses needed unless the other half needs to know why.:D Having both will allow you to decide on a day to day basis which one will suit the conditions better.
 
If the SKS you're looking at is a five rounder I believe that was imported by Navy Arms back in their heyday. From what I've been told the five round 16 inch carbines are pretty rare. I'd like to get one as a nice little South Florida brush/hog gun. Get a chewed up one with a ground off bayonet lug, put it in a modern stock, and G.I. Tech sights. Would make a great little rifle....

Go for the SKS, 7.62x39mm is one damn fine cartridge. I'm a fan of the .44 Mag but the M43 Soviet wins hands down.
 
The end results at ranges of around 100 yards will be the same with either round. It comes down to the rifle.

I like both rounds, but neither rifle. I vote none of the above.
 
I like Big Al's response best. It's like the final beach scene from that classic comedy "Trading Places". In response to the waiter's inquiry one character asks "shall we have crab or lobster?". The cute girl wisely asks "can't we have both"?
 
rmocarsky,
I my honest opinion I think you would enjoy the SKS a lot more. This comes from the experience of taking deer with this rifle inside of 100 yards. Like wnycollector said "Load it with wolf 154gr SP and get ready for venison"! Not to mention it is less expensive to shoot unless you have a large supply of 44 brass, powder and bullets. If you decide you don't like it IMO I think you could sell the SKS a little easier.
 
get a stainless mini 30. ammo compatibility w/the sks, and its a reliable rifle. you can find them easily for a fair price. you said you wanted a ruger.
 
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