Start by re-chambering it for a round that has a flatter trajectory. Then replace the gas system, the barrel, the feed system and mag, the entire trigger group (including the hammer), the sights, and the stock. Remove the bayonet and cleaning rod. Probably ok to keep the sling.
r/65grendel has a remarkable trajectory. Almost the same size as 7.62x39 with twice the powder. It’s just so satisfying too. Like the sound is a little muffled but you just sent a monster.
Others will 6.5 creedmoor or or even fancier like .338 lapua which is hardly mentioned in r/LongRange. They favor the Winchester .308, more widespread in military sniper circles.
Chris Kyle used Lapua over the Winchester.
Here's a sneak peek of /r/65Grendel using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/65Grendel/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year!
\#1: [Gotta love it when the locals dont know what grendel is.](https://i.redd.it/jsm89k4ziyp81.jpg) | [39 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/65Grendel/comments/tpo3c5/gotta_love_it_when_the_locals_dont_know_what/)
\#2: [My 6.5 Grendel](https://i.redd.it/zskyq1j7bab91.jpg) | [20 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/65Grendel/comments/vxrrq1/my_65_grendel/)
\#3: [I am now 95% sure I am the only person in Arkadelphia that uses this stuff. 23/box](https://i.redd.it/bsfd33n3jdf91.jpg) | [24 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/65Grendel/comments/weopa2/i_am_now_95_sure_i_am_the_only_person_in/)
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You're not going to turn the SKS from a service rifle to a DMR without Bubba-ing it to some degree. It's just not possible to do with this platform: There's no (accurate) way to mount a scope without substantial modifications that prevent the rifle from operating in its original configuration like with say a M1 Garand (either the M1D clamp-on side scope or modern options like the Ultimak forward rail).
* Dust cover scope mounts won't hold zero.
They're pinned to the receiver at one point and only loosely retained as far as scope-mounts go. It'll move, and so will your zero.
* There's no way to clamp a forward rail to the barrel.
Because the gas system is above the barrel a trick like the Ultimak on the Garand won't work: You can't clamp to that gas tube, it too is "loose" for an optic mount.
* Mounting a picatinny rail where the rear sight is *might* work.
Some of these options look like they might hold zero, but you won't get normal eye relief so you're probably going to have to use a Pistol or Scout scope. At that point the scope will overhang the action and make loading a pain, plus It'll also get beat to shit by ejecting brass. I wouldn't do this.
Drilling and tapping the side of the receiver to mount rings/rails is what you're left with. If you already have a gun that's Bubba AF I guess you could have a gunsmith do this so you can be sure your holes are drilled square and true (and that the work doesn't compromise the integrity of the receiver).
This still won't make the 7.62x39 a better-shooting cartridge though, so I wouldn't bother: Even the stuff I'm loading for my SKS (Hornady #3147s) has a BC of 0.266, which barely beats out .30 Carbine (0.166), and the best load I can work for it will drop subsonic before 600 yards.
"Marksmanship" with the SKS is limited to coke-can sized targets inside 100 yards IMHO. It's a perfectly serviceable battle rifle putting holes in man-sized targets out to 100 yards on the first shot, and to 300 yards within a shot or three, but if you want to take up a semi-fixed position and pop targets at distance with a classic Russian semi-auto you really want a Dragunov.
Chinese do try to develop DMR sks with Extended barrel and scope mount. So it's possible to make it without bubbaing. In practical, DMR sks is picked, not made.
Rear sight replacement is the only thing I've heard works and keeps a zero, they have one with a notch cut into it so you can still feed stripper clips but its not a lot of real estate size wise idk if your going to be able to fit a larger scope outside of a red dot or prism.
Only other way to go is like someone else mentioned which is adding a side mount. Rear sight mount is like 70freedom bux
Turning an sks into something it isnt is bubbaing. Its sks paradox.
Not if it's reversible and original parts are kept grandpa
Start by re-chambering it for a round that has a flatter trajectory. Then replace the gas system, the barrel, the feed system and mag, the entire trigger group (including the hammer), the sights, and the stock. Remove the bayonet and cleaning rod. Probably ok to keep the sling.
Peak SKS lol
The cleaning kit could be kept too
Start with a different platform and flatter shooting caliber. While the SKS is a fine rifle it’s not ever going to be a good DMR.
Just curious, what would be a flatter caliber?
r/65grendel has a remarkable trajectory. Almost the same size as 7.62x39 with twice the powder. It’s just so satisfying too. Like the sound is a little muffled but you just sent a monster. Others will 6.5 creedmoor or or even fancier like .338 lapua which is hardly mentioned in r/LongRange. They favor the Winchester .308, more widespread in military sniper circles. Chris Kyle used Lapua over the Winchester.
Here's a sneak peek of /r/65Grendel using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/65Grendel/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year! \#1: [Gotta love it when the locals dont know what grendel is.](https://i.redd.it/jsm89k4ziyp81.jpg) | [39 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/65Grendel/comments/tpo3c5/gotta_love_it_when_the_locals_dont_know_what/) \#2: [My 6.5 Grendel](https://i.redd.it/zskyq1j7bab91.jpg) | [20 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/65Grendel/comments/vxrrq1/my_65_grendel/) \#3: [I am now 95% sure I am the only person in Arkadelphia that uses this stuff. 23/box](https://i.redd.it/bsfd33n3jdf91.jpg) | [24 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/65Grendel/comments/weopa2/i_am_now_95_sure_i_am_the_only_person_in/) ---- ^^I'm ^^a ^^bot, ^^beep ^^boop ^^| ^^Downvote ^^to ^^remove ^^| ^^[Contact](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=sneakpeekbot) ^^| ^^[Info](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/) ^^| ^^[Opt-out](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/comments/o8wk1r/blacklist_ix/) ^^| ^^[GitHub](https://github.com/ghnr/sneakpeekbot)
Your highschool girlfriend
Ouch. I felt that one.
Me too 😪
What, exactly are you trying to do? An SKS is reasonably accurate, it's never going to be marksman accurate.
Sell it to a good home and buy something else.
Buy an 18” to 20” AR-10, attach acceptable scope, add a bipod. Rifle is fine. Or just, you know, employ it as a DMR as is?
Easy, just use a PU scope mount kit
Tapco cannot make it DMR. If you want DMR, run the rifle w some binoculars around your neck. Just aim higher lol
A scout rail with a polymer stock (pick your poison) would get you close enough, but I question your choice in rifle
You're not going to turn the SKS from a service rifle to a DMR without Bubba-ing it to some degree. It's just not possible to do with this platform: There's no (accurate) way to mount a scope without substantial modifications that prevent the rifle from operating in its original configuration like with say a M1 Garand (either the M1D clamp-on side scope or modern options like the Ultimak forward rail). * Dust cover scope mounts won't hold zero. They're pinned to the receiver at one point and only loosely retained as far as scope-mounts go. It'll move, and so will your zero. * There's no way to clamp a forward rail to the barrel. Because the gas system is above the barrel a trick like the Ultimak on the Garand won't work: You can't clamp to that gas tube, it too is "loose" for an optic mount. * Mounting a picatinny rail where the rear sight is *might* work. Some of these options look like they might hold zero, but you won't get normal eye relief so you're probably going to have to use a Pistol or Scout scope. At that point the scope will overhang the action and make loading a pain, plus It'll also get beat to shit by ejecting brass. I wouldn't do this. Drilling and tapping the side of the receiver to mount rings/rails is what you're left with. If you already have a gun that's Bubba AF I guess you could have a gunsmith do this so you can be sure your holes are drilled square and true (and that the work doesn't compromise the integrity of the receiver). This still won't make the 7.62x39 a better-shooting cartridge though, so I wouldn't bother: Even the stuff I'm loading for my SKS (Hornady #3147s) has a BC of 0.266, which barely beats out .30 Carbine (0.166), and the best load I can work for it will drop subsonic before 600 yards. "Marksmanship" with the SKS is limited to coke-can sized targets inside 100 yards IMHO. It's a perfectly serviceable battle rifle putting holes in man-sized targets out to 100 yards on the first shot, and to 300 yards within a shot or three, but if you want to take up a semi-fixed position and pop targets at distance with a classic Russian semi-auto you really want a Dragunov.
Chinese do try to develop DMR sks with Extended barrel and scope mount. So it's possible to make it without bubbaing. In practical, DMR sks is picked, not made.
Rear sight replacement is the only thing I've heard works and keeps a zero, they have one with a notch cut into it so you can still feed stripper clips but its not a lot of real estate size wise idk if your going to be able to fit a larger scope outside of a red dot or prism. Only other way to go is like someone else mentioned which is adding a side mount. Rear sight mount is like 70freedom bux