AK accuracy - the dabate...

[Jay5oh]

I frequent alot of AK themed sites and one of the things that bugs me is the topic of accuracy in a 7.62 AK. My standard response is usually if you feed it $3 ammo it will shoot $3 groups. Well after today, I have proof. Not 100% but enough to convince me and do more testing.

I have been having a bit of cabin fever and really needed to get my shoot on. It's been a while. So I was talking to my brother in law and we decided to go blast a few today. Let me tell you, it's pretty freakin cold out. This trip was threefold. I wanted to see if my gun would be 100% reliable in mid teen temps, wanted to sight in the dot and I wanted to test accuaracy of $3/box ammo and $12/box ammo.

I sighted the gun (close enough for today) in with wolf black box. We then started shooting at 50yrds. I was out of wolf black box at the time so I tried Golden Tiger. Groups were right about 2". I then tried winchester super X. Groups went down to 1".

Now, is 1" a big deal? Maybe, maybe not but it did make a difference using the better ammo. If/when it ever warms up I'll do more testing and see what my gun will do.

* All shots were fired with the cleaning rod out off the rifle.


Discuss/flame/comment if you'd like........

[JayBell]

you want to see some accuracy, I read a Special Weapons for Law Enforcement issue where they tested AKs.

They used the 150gr corbon defense load, I think it was a soft point, and achieved several sub 1" groups from a SAR-1!

the issue is not necessarily the gun, the issue is the ammo AND the gun.

Mil AKs are made to a spec, which includes a mil spec chamber size, to make sure the AK can accept standard military ammo....posssibly from multiple countries, thus the gun is made to be a little looser with avg ammo, versus the ISSUE ammo for that particular country.

I've heard mention that bulgarian AKs shooting bulgarian ammo made for the AK shoots very well.
I note that the chinese x39 I had and used in my old preban underfolder also shot very well in that chinese gun...the same gun didn't shoot so well with Barnaul or Wolf.

the corbon load and probably the winchester probably fits the chamber better, and the corbon load was specifically made to make sure theres not a lot of bullet jump before the slug hits the rifling, which is also a accuracy helper.

generic ammo can give you generic groups:-)

as I've said before tho, the AK is intended to be a minute of chest weapon out to 300+ meters, so....

[ghost]

I think people tend to underestimate the accuracy of AK's. They see a guy go out to the range with a cheap WASR, burn through a bunch of cheap ammo, get the barrel nice and hot and bring back a target with holes spread all through it, so they claim it is not accurate. Are AK's as accurate as the AR? not generally, but they are not minute of a barn rifles as most people seem to think. It's a combo of rifle, shooter, and ammunition. My uncle has a pre ban Norinco underfolder that we have no problem hitting beer cans at 50 yards. I have a VEPR that will shoot sub 2" groups with a scope. It's all relative to the shooter and the rifle.

[TonyF]

The AK's iron sights have allot to do with it. They are not conducive to X-ring accuracy. Unfortunately they are an intrinsic part of the overall package.

[Jay5oh]

Originally Posted by TonyF

The AK's iron sights have allot to do with it. They are not conducive to X-ring accuracy. Unfortunately they are an intrinsic part of the overall package.

I couldn't have got the group I did with iron's. I have/had issues with my AK's irons... Handguns, no problem. AK, problem. My brother in law just ordered a MOJO peep for his. I'll check it out when he gets it. I've read alot of good things about them.

[1FingrCHan]

Heck, I shot a Norinco AK once, it groups 3 inch the best at 100 yards, that means about 15 inches at 300 yards (I presume) of realistic battle field distance. In battle, supression fire is more important than accuracy because most guys aint going to be hero and got shot. AK does what it does, with limitation, and that limitation aint great accuracy.


1FIngrCHan

[gunhealer65]

red star arms makes a nice trigger for the ak ,good trigger pull helps a lot with accuracy.

[gunhealer65]

also upper to lower hangaurd fit and forearm tension can help.

[Holleta]

Exactly!! Try shooting a bowling pin @ 200yds with AK open sights and do the same with AR open sights. You will eventually hit it with the AK..if you brought enough ammo. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking AKs...in fact I love 'em!! I just know their limitations.

Originally Posted by TonyF

The AK's iron sights have allot to do with it. They are not conducive to X-ring accuracy. Unfortunately they are an intrinsic part of the overall package.

[DanV1317]

It doesn't matter. The gun wasn't made for snipers. I doubt any guys in iraq are cursing at their AK's because they dont shoot less than 1 inch groups. And even if it did, they probably dont care because that doesn't matter to them. You shoot a rifle like that usually standing up which means you couldn't achieve a 2 inch group under pressure most likely anyway. And with gunfire going on? I'd take a foot at 100 yards.

First of all, i'd NEVER spend money to improve a trigger on an AK. I'd spend my money on a sling, alot of mags and alot of ammo and shoot it from 30 yards and less with some training further out. Standing, and practicing transitions to a pistol on a thigh rig.