Need your input for 6PPC SKS rifle.

[coolatula]

Hello,
,sorry long post)
I was directed to this site a few days ago by a member of the Sniper's Hide board. I have also posted about my proposed project on other boards to get suggestions and opinions as well.

I am researching what options I could go with to enhance the accuracy and range of my Russian SKS 7.62x39 without resorting to a .22 caliber bullet,which brings me to you folks.

I have been fascinated with semi-auto sniper rifles every since I saw pics of the Russian Dragunov and the H&K PSG-1. Which brings me to the SKS and my desire to improve it's ballistics.
I was all set to convert it to .308,as there are a ton of stainless steel aftermarket barrels for that caliber.

After some input,replies and research I've obtained about this project I have concluded that 6mm/243 bullet's are the best compromise for caliber size and the case capacity that I have to deal with.

I do want to note of course that this is in no way going to come close to a BR rifle and it doesn't need to be for it to be successful. I would consider it a great success if my rifle could maintain close to MOA accuracy from 100 out to 500-600 yds.Which would be far and away better than I could get using 7.62 I suspect.

I also do not need the very best components money can buy.
Varget or another easy to find powder would be fine. As well as Hornady' Vmax line of bullets,CCI primers and Lapua brass in .220 Russian or 6mm PPC.

I say the Lapua brass because I do not want to spend excessive time trying to modify 7.62 x 39 cases.
That is unless I could simply neck them down to 6mm load them to max reliable mag length and have the chamber cut to that size?

I'm sure there are advantages of the Lapua 6PPC case over the Lapua 7.62X39 case,sm primers etc.),but would it really be necessary to use 6PCC cases or modified .220 Russian Cases for the limited accuracy I need?

I have also found that Adams & Bennett offer 24" or 26" stainless steel,fluted or non-fluted,button rifled,.243 caliber,air gauged,1:10 twist,F54 or Varmint contour,Savage barrels.
From searching posts on the net it's very rare that I see reports of these barrels shooting over 1" at 100yds. That would seem to suit my needs quite well.

So here's where I need your help. Please give me some load/component recommendations if you would be so kind.

Here's what I'm looking at:

Velocity: I would prefer to keep velocities at or below 3,000 fps if possible and still retain adequate energy out to 5-600 yds.? I want to maintain chamber/barrel life as long as possible.

Case: 7.62x39,6PPC.,.220 Russian,necked up/fire formed)

Barrel/S.S.: Adams & Bennett,1 in 10 twist,finished length approx. 22",F54 or Varmint contour,milled and threaded to fit stock milled SKS receiver and modified gas system.

Bullets: Hornady Vmax line
Powder: Varget,or other recommended easy to find powder)

Chamber pressure: 45,000psi,stock 122gr.FMJ @2400fps w/stock chamber/barrel 1:9.45 RH twist)

Receiver: stock SKS w/stock 10 round mag.
Gas system: modified to max. short length
Trigger/assembly: modified to give approx 4lb.,crisp,two stage pull.
Bolt: modified for spring loaded firing pin

Any and all comments are welcome!

 

[Asa_Yam]

Get yourself an AK-74 and shoot factory ammo,BUT if you want to build a 6ppc semi-auto I would go with the Ruger mini-30. web search mini-14

I disagree. You can accurize a Mini-30, but for what it would cost, you could buy an AR-15 that would probably still shoot rings around it. Heck, if you could find someone to chamber the barrel, you could build the AR at home - all the other parts are readily available.

Re: SKS. An acquantence of mine was reported to have successfully accurized every rifle he ever fooled with,a hobby) - except the SKS. He gave up on that one. Modifying the trigger supposedly resulted in doubling or worse.

 

[Travelor]

I would look at the 6.5 Grendal if I was going into this realm of semi-automatic rifles and wanted longer range ballistics. Do a search on this forum for this cartridge.

I shot next to one at 1000 yards and was very impressed with it.

Good luck - and bring tons of cash.

 

[coolatula]

Thanks,
I don't know if long range would be feasible with this case size.
That's why I pretty much put a limit at 5-600 yds. Which is more than enough for me.

I also need to keep chamber pressures around 45,000psi which I should be able to do with toned down 6PPC loads.
I noticed that a lot of the .243 loads had pretty reasonable pressures,so I hope these types of pressures can be obtained with the loads I will need also.

 

[Aussie_bob]

The 7.62x39 is so much like the 6mmPPC all you have to do is neck down the cases and fire form have you thought about 6.5X39 i have some used 7.62x39 cases here that i have been playing around with and 6.5x39 looks good probably already has a different name but looks like a 6.5PPC

 

[jb1000br]

Combining the least accurate system and rifle with the most accurate cartridge just seems wrong and a guarenteed money pit IMO.

YMMV, and good luck,
JB

 

[coolatula]

I actually looked at 7mm a little bit and of course the .308 Win.,but not 6.5mm.
I really like the barrel and bullet selection,55gr to 105gr.) in .243/6mm.

I just seems that the 6mm is the best option in order to maintain velocities in the 2700-3000fps and pressure in the 45,000 range.

I'm going to have to put so much cost into machining that I have to watch what I spend for components.
Necking down to 6mm and fire forming with laupua 7.62x39 cases would be the least expensive route.

I know it seem a little odd to mate an SKS receiver to a bull barrel. It seems the best accuracy for the SKS with hand loading stalls out at about 1.5" or so @ 100yds. This with good bullets,powder and cheaper brass such as once fired Winchester.

I just want to find out by upgrading some parts and upping the component level if something close to consistent M.O.A. accuracy can be achieved out to around 600 yds.

I'm Trying to make it so that the weak link really is the receiver and gas system and not the barrel or round.
It may work out or it may be a big flop.

If you look at the M16/AR15 up until a few years ago you just didn't see many outside of the military. Then people started modifying and tinkering with them. Now modified AR15s are every where.

 

[highpwr]

The AR15/M16 accurizing has been going on for quite some time. The float tube that removes sling pressure from the AR15/M16 barrel was invented over 20 yrs ago.

You would have to ask yourself why there hasn't been any significant history of people accurizing SKS rifles? The SKS is an older design than the AR15/M16.

Good luck with the project...

Larry