What is the best SKS zero?

T

tuc22

New member
I've been looking all over for zero procedures and 7.62x39 ballistic data and I'm coming up empty. What I'd like to know is the trajectory crossovers of the SKS cartridge and the short range (25 or 50 yd.) zeroing process. From what little I've gathered, the 7.62 round seems to have a real rainbow arc; it drops about 14" at 300yds after a 200yd zero. I figured I'd start by getting windage set at 25yds., then get elevation point of impact(POI) at point of aim at 25yds.(rear sight bottomed out) Then see where POI is at 100yds. After that I'd adjust it to be about 3.5" high for an approx. 200yd. zero. I'd appreciate any input on this subject.

[This message has been edited by tuc22 (edited September 10, 2000).]
 
All I know is I can shoot about a 4 inch group with my SKS and when I shot it 300yds the bullets were all over the place and they do drop about 15inches. I somehow doubt that zero is at 200yds.
 
tuc22,

One of the MANY advatages of a reloading manual is the trajectory table(s). Take your bullet weight and muzzle velocity to a trajectory table and all will be revealed.

[This message has been edited by sensop (edited September 10, 2000).]
 
Sensop,
If I had a trajectory table or ballistic software I'd have my answers. I'm hoping that someone else has pondered these questions and has a idea how best to zero the SKS. I figure it's really a 100yd. gun and at 200 yards ought to be capable of 6 or 8" groups with iron sights.
 
tuc22,

I am mounting a Reflex sight to an AK and ran some tables to get a good maximum point blank range. I came up with a +7.5" at 100yd zero, this allows me to hold dead center on a torso target from muzzle to 300m and score a hit in the torso with 123gr HP's at 2350fps.

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Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war.
 
Rex Feral, I would ask you the following question about your reflex sight. How many MOA is the dot?

Regards! DaMan
 
DaMan- I am using a 6.5 MOA dot, the bullet trajectory is higher than the dot for much of it's flight, but holding dead center on an 18" high(torso) target with my zero will allow a hit in the target from 0-300m.

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Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war.
 
I took my SKS out on an improvised range where the distances are rough estimates and attempted to zero after locating some data on trajectory. I got my windage adjustment at the front sight dead on at approx. 25 yards, and then I moved out to 50 yards where according to my data for a 123 gr. bullet at 2400 fps, my bullet should strike 1.2" high from POA. My rear sight elevation was set at the bottom or battlefield zero and my front sight was bottomed as well. The impact point was too low by about 4", meaning the front sight post needs to be trimmed. However, I compensated by moving the rear sight up a notch and then the impact point moved to about 1.25" above point of aim. I next moved to 100 yards (approx.) and my bullets were right around 3.5" above point of aim. This should,according to my data, provide a effective 200 yard zero, but I need to go out again with tools to file the front sight down a bit so that the rear can stay at the bottom. This makes the SKS's trajectory stay within 3-4" out to about 210 yards.
 
It's really a moot point with the SKS. Zero it so that the center of a 10 shot group is 8" high at 100 yards with the slide set to 300 yards. The biggest trick is to remember where to hold when you are shooting.

I always remember "Belt Buckle at 100; Forehead at Four; Middle in the Middle." Assuming you have it zeroed right, this will be the most expedient and easy to remember zero for you. Closer than 100 you can pretty much point-shoot. After a few thousand rounds, you'll know your gun well-enough at these ranges. Make sure you always keep the slide on your site ladder all-the-way back which equates to a 300 yard zero. If, on the off chance, you have to shoot at 500 or more yards, simply put the ladder where it belongs. I doubt seriously that you'll be pressed for time with a target 1500 feet away. I also doubt you'll hit it but the supersonic crack of the bullet might just keep his head down long enough for you to retreat.

It's a good idea to practice with black silhouette targets to get the drill down. Learn about judging distance by using the front-site height and the diameter of the sight protector. Understand how the diameter of the sight post corresponds to the head and torso of a man-sized target at certain ranges. Practice shooting from all positions at varrying known distances. Don't sweat bullet drop or shot placement at all. Just remember the 'Hold Chant' and you'll be fine.
 
With M43 ammo the SKS should be zeroed with the 300m setting (which is the same as the battle sight setting) to strike 2.1" high at 25 yards, 5.1" at 50 yds. and 9.8" high at 100 yards. The sight is then calibrated and should hit on at the ranges indicated in METERS.

Regards! DaMan

[This message has been edited by DaMan (edited September 10, 2000).]
 
Try W.30/30 ballistics with a 125gn bullet in your loading manual of choice.
The SKS round is touted by some of our police [before they got it banned] as an elephant gun and armour-plate driller...but the old 30/30 ballistics do not lie for an 'assault' cartrigde useful for very similar ranges.
At longer than 500m ranges I wonder if the projectile is actually 'supersonic' and may wobble quite a bit coming back through the sound barrier making for interesting groups maybe?

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If we shooting sportspersons don't hang together... we will all hang separately !
Never knock another's different shooting interest or discipline...REMEMBER we are all but leaves on the same tree of freedom.
 
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