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Been there, done that....
If you have one of the Chinese models that were sold in vast numbers, go for it.
If it is a nice, early Russian one or one of the "oddballs" from the "satellite" countries, leave it alone.
I did several scope fittings to standard and "deluxe" (Chinese import, new made version with AK magazine capability.) SKS carbines back when we still could.
All were side mounts, as this is the ONLY way to get stability and ruggedness in the mount.
The Adapters were made from steel and secured with three, high-tensile cap screws.
HOWEVER, DO NOT USE "cheap" scopes on these things. I had TWO "mid-priced" "compact" scopes "blow" their reticules during shooting tests. A Leupold 2-7 variable happily survived several thousand rounds, until it was removed before the rifle went to "Captain Crunch" in 1997.
With ball, or softpoints loaded to ball velocities, the sundry vibrations and shocks in the operation of the action simply eat "cheap" scopes.
Accuracy-wise, out of the box, most are OK-ish.
However, with a little work, things can be improved a LOT.
The "factory" bedding is almost non-existent.
The trick is to borrow from the bedding principles used for the US M-21 sniper rifle.
1.The first thing is to fit an aluminium bedding plate at the rear of the stock to support the action.
2. Fit a small steel plate in the bottom of the stock, to the rear of the slot for the trigger mech.
3. The "fun" part: using a high-tensile bolt, fit a rear pull-down screw that secures the action to the stock. This will require a certain amount of precision drilling and tapping.The idea is to NOT use the trigger frame to retain the action.
4. Rough rout little "divots" from the inside of the stock so that the Devcon bedding for the breech end of the barrel and some of the front of the receiver locks in place. If yours is a standard" SKS, you have to tap-dance around the lug that retains the front of the magazine.
5. Put "Plasticine" or similar around any undercuts on the barrel and receiver.
6. Now for the tricky bit. You need to fit a spacer of about 5 mm between the rear bedding plate and the rear of the receiver. This is so that instead of pulling the action firmly onto the plate, it sits up a little while the Devcon sets.
7. hold the action in the stock and seated on these spacers until the Devcon has cured. (don't forget the "mould release" on the barrel and action!!)
8. Once the Devcon has gelled and is firm., remove the barreled action and clean it up.
Finally, re-install the barreled action and secure in place using the new mounting screw.
The new bedding stops the metalwork flogging around in the wood like a "factory" model. Furthermore, using a rear "pull-down screw means that you can remove the trigger group for cleaning WITHOUT disturbing the bedding.
The idea of all this is to produce consistent downwards pressure on the barrel and thus damp some of the vibrations. Removing the bayonet and machining off the lugs also helps, but does somewhat alter the original appearance.
If you have one of the commercial SKS variants that uses the detachable AK style mag, this procedure is a little less fiddly.
If you are on an SKS-grade budget, all of this messing around basically costs time and a tiny amount of material.
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Hey guys check out the new scope mount on the marketplace called a 'Wartac'. Just Google it. No drill and the only disadvantage I can see is that you can't use stripper clips to refurb your mag.
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Little pricey but if you just HAVE to put a scope on an SKS.....
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SKSs aren't precision instruments, but bad eyes are bad eyes. One of the more recent "fixes", preferly done on a shooter vs collector unit, is to tap the previously "not-such-a-good-idea" reciever cover, while in place, with a 1/4X20 and secure with a #8 bolt cut to fit. Tap through the reciever and cover at the same time, while the cover is installed. Fixed 1.5 to 4 power is best for the range and ballistics. PAX
