Okay, let's look at what the SKS was designed to do. First it was designed to hit a man sized target out to about 300 yards. This means a 6 to 10" group at 200 yards. Second, it was designed to carried, used and abused by Chinese plowboys and Russian peasents who never seen a rifle in their entire lives. It was designed to go for long periods without being cleaned, oiled or maintained. To sit in the mud while Charlie munched on his bowl of rice, waiting to be picked up and pop off a couple of rounds at the passing American patrol. Then tossed down a dirty tunnel for the escape. And function the next time it was needed. The SKS is exactly the weapon for what it was designed to be.
Is it as accurate as a M-16, 14 or M-1...no. And no matter what you do to it, it never will be. Is it a good get down and dirty rifle, yes it is. Would I pick it over an American military rifle in a firefight? No. Would I shoot coyotes with it or carry it in my truck as my just in case rifle? Yes, and I do. Would I shoot a NRA High Power Match with a SKS? Yes, I already have and did okay. (Well, good enough not to be laughed at anyway) Would I shoot a NRA High Power Match with an SKS that I was being serious about? No, it is the wrong tool for the job.
The SKS can be improved with some work and care. Hand loaded tailored ammo will get you better results than the cheap plinking surplus stuff helps. The 7.62X39 round has similar ballistic behavior as the 30-30 round. And hits with about the same force.
I think it is a nice medium power round.
I hear so many people asking why they can shoot sub-MOA's with their SKS or Mini-14. For some reason, these people don't understand the rifle was never intended to do this. If you want to shoot a coyote at 75 yards, the SKS will do. If you want to knock varments (the two or four legged variety) off rocks at 600 yards, get a better rifle.
Just accept the fact that the SKS is what it is: a decent rifle that will shoot a bullet in the general direction of what it was aimed at. Fellas, you simply can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear.
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You can find the price of freedom, buried in the ground.