SKS for .243??? Do it or dumb idea?

2

223kev

New member
I'm pondering the thought of trading in my SKS for a 243. What do you all think about this kind of swap? I've had it for over 10 years and it's still unfired as it hasn't interested me much. There is finally some value in it and I'm becoming more and more interested in filling in the gap between my 223 and 270 rounds.

Is this something that I should hold out on or do it and move forward?

Thanks everyone.
 
Depends on what the .243 is in. But, I never cared for the sks myself. If it was a Rem 700 or Savage Predator I would trade and never think twice.
 
Not much info to go on but IMO an SKS is about as uselessas teats on a boar hog. If the 243 is any kind of rifle, I'd swap.
 
Yea, ditch the SKS. Accuracy is sub par at best in a wimpy caliber. The 243 is a really great cartridge. I have one in a custom Mauser from the 60s and I just re-barreled my Savage 110 so I have one I don't mind beating up a little.
 
After ten years, maybe now is the time to dust it off, oil it up and take it to the range and see how you like it. I mean it`s not like it cost much to fire off some of that cheap Russian Ammo. Thats one thing nice about a AK or SKS, at least the few I have used, they all gobble up that cheap ammo like nobodys business.
A .243 Win. would fill the gap between the .223 and .270 nicely;55g Nosler, 58g V-Max at near 4,000 fps up 100g Sierra for deer hunting. Find ammo for the .243 at about any hardware store.
I`d say take that SKS out though and try it before you get rid of it. I don`t have a SKS, but another type of spray n pray rifle...never know, just might wished ya had it someday.
FWIW, the SKS (2 of them) that I have experience with, they weren`t all that bad of shooters with a little practice.

ETA- a k&w to no
 
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an SKS is not a precision shooter. it's made to throw a lot of lead down range fast. I certainly wouldn't want to be down range of one but it's not for squirrel hunting by any means.

I bought one 8 or 10 years ago and stuck it in the safe. it's a 1976 Yugo and right now may go for over $300. which is almost double what I paid for it. from the sound of what you say this guy knows where he can sell yours for more than the cost of a cheap .243 so depending on what the rifle is will determine the value. you would do better if you just sold the SKS and then got what you wanted with the money if that is what you want to do. you said it was unfired. was it new or used when you got it? I would see what I could get out of it before I traded it. some are going crazy over them now and they will either go way up in price after the knucleheads in DC get done or the value will go back down a little.

I bought 1000 rounds of ammo when I bought the gun and would not sell one without the other since that is all I have that shoots that round but it's hardly worth enough to sell it to me. I may decide to burn through that ammo some day...
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I would keep it. They were plentiful years ago. Not now, besides it might be the only semiauto allowed, since it is a 10 rounder and a fixed magazine. Ammo to your door was less than 30 cents, going up. They are worth alot more these days. ThomasR
 
An inexpensive .243 that shoots very good is a savage model 11 package rifle. It has a long reach and won't break the bank.
I would put the sks back in the safe, at this point the value won't go down, only up.
 
Like you I had a Norinco sitting in my safe unfired, that I paid $100 years ago. Took it to a gun show here yesterday and traded it for a new Glock 27. Happy happy happy!
 
Originally Posted By: GregtexLike you I had a Norinco sitting in my safe unfired, that I paid $100 years ago. Took it to a gun show here yesterday and traded it for a new Glock 27. Happy happy happy!
Now that's a smart trade!
 

My thoughts are too keep it as well. It may not be as accurate as most of us are used to for predator or varmint hunting,
but you never know when it might be needed or appreciated down the road.

I got mine out today and sighted it with a red dot scope at 60 yards, the first time I've shot it in a few years. The dot
covered the bullseye completely at that distance, but I still managed 2" and under, plenty good enough for it's intended purpose.

This one came with the usual wooden "shorty" stock, but I traded it out for a composite. I also removed the bayonet.

I paid $150 for mine several years ago, but I sure wouldn't take that for it now.

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The one thing I don't like about it is the crappy trigger. It's too gritty. Anyone have any
ideas of how to remedy that?
 
I saw a Yugo SKS go for around $800 on gun broker recently. You could get a nice .243 and have money for a scope at that rate.
 
Dump it!

Honestly, if you haven't fired it in 10 years, I can't see any possible down side to selling it and getting a .243.

There is a prime window of opportunity right now. Prices for everything firearms-related have gone insane. If you're looking to maximize return, you may have to wait a looooooong, looooooooooooog time for it to get any better than listing it right now. You will almost certainly get much more now than you would have gotten even 3 months ago. Sell, sell, sell.

Also, it's not like an SKS is some kind of rare tack-driving gem that would be impossible to replace at a future date if you wanted to.

Grouse
 
After looking at the pictures, I regret not buying one when they could be had for $150-$200
Last one I looked at was a few years ago and it had some accessories included like scope with mount and the price then was around $500
 
Those SKS's are junkyard dogs. Strong, crude, but they don't jam. I sold mine when the first craze happened when obama got elected for $600, and I bought it for $125. They are crude when comparing to a nice bolt sporter anyway. Get the 243.
 
they have been going for a pretty good penny on gunbroker. some over $500 today, but having it with 1000 rounds of ammo is better than selling it and buying .223 ammo at todays prices. I could buy 1000 rounds of .223 but when I shoot it it's gone. if I shoot my 1000 rounds of 7.62x39 I still have the rifle when I am done... that's the way I look at it.
 


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