AK-47 shot groups.

[NewbieAKguy]

Hello one and all. I would have started this in an AK forum, but didn't see a "general" thread, but if a mod wants to move this to an AK thread, go for it.

That being said, I finally had some time to try some groups through my WASR 10/63. I swapped the factory stock and grip with a Magpul Zhukov folding stock and AK grip. I also used one of Midwest Industries's Gen 1 AK scope mounts and a 3-9x scope, plus stock trigger. Looking back I probably should have started at 50yd, but instead went straight to 100yd. For a rest I used a Caldwell Deadshot Shooting Bag set.

I tried PPU 123gr FMJ, GECO 124gr FMJ, and Wolf Polyformance 123gr FMJ.....and I wasn't encouraged by my results. Note; for whatever reason when aiming I could definitely see reticle move during each heartbeat and therefore perhaps threw me off more than I thought.

Now I know that AKs won't ever be as accurate as my ARs, but I would have been happy with a 4" groups. If anything the groups I was getting were averaging 7.5"-8"+. I did notice that the Wolf steel case did better than the two brass case though.

Since then I've had an ALG AKT trigger installed, but haven't had a chance to do some more testing. So dear readers, I'm curious as to what kind of groups you guys have gotten out of your AKs and which ammo.

Thanks!


PS: Also, I must have been shouldering it wrong or something, even while using bags to rest it on, but it feels like I'm being rabbit punched in the face when I shoot; I mean my right cheek/jaw was sore for two days after shooting about 100 rounds. Am I holding it wrong or just not solid enough?

[Woogiebear]

It's been a while since measured shot groups but I remember there were in a bout the 6-8" realm. I don't remember the ammo. Gonna have to get to the range soon and let you know what my findings are. As far as the sore cheek/jaw, I shoot a Polish underfolder and usually have no issues, unless I put about 100 rounds down range. It may not be the position you are holding the rifle but the repeated shots fired. Especially if you are going through 30 rounds a go like I usually do. Just my thoughts.

I will try to get to the range soon and let you know.

[ubersoldate]

My Sar's, Rommy kit guns, Atlantic and lancaster AKs are pretty much 6-10 inch groups but my Vepr 545 with ALG trigger is better. I think my best was 5 inch but its been a few years.

Not really made for bench shooting accuracy but " minute of man" they are perfect.

[raxar]

My yugo's will do much better than that, wish I could remember what size groups they were shooting.

[JTHunter]

When I got my AK before the Clinton ban went into effect, I also had some "spam cans" of mil-surp HP and FMJ ammo. I made a "sled" from 2x6s and took it to the only public range I knew (at that time) in the Busch Wildlife center in St. Chas. county, MO. With the rifle in the sled, all I had to do is pull the trigger. With BOTH ammos, of the 5 shots at 100 yds., only TWO were even on the paper !! And this was from a ChiCom "Norinco National Match" rifle. This gun has a one piece stock, a "milled" receiver (not sheet metal), the barrel is slightly longer and thicker in diameter than standard barrels, and still shoots poorly.
At the time I did this, I had probably put less than 150 rounds through the rifle. And the manual says that the service life of the barrel is only about 6,000 rounds.

[Schuetzenman]

Well Ak rifles are finicky often. You need to find the ammo it likes. Also I got a few of them Cryo treated, it did help improve overall accuracy. The best one I had was a Hungarian SA85M. It would do 2.5" to 3" with Silver Bear. Wolf brought in some Copper jacketed ammo at one time and that shot very well also. The standard Bi-Metal steel cased Wolf was the poorest shooting of all I tried. Golden Tiger was pretty good in most of them. The SAR-1 I had Cryo treated would do a steady 4 to 4.5". I can tell you the rear sights jump around on these rifles. When using a red dot I got much better grouping from the SAR-1, dropped the accuracy down to 3" range. I had a Norinco Mak 90, barrel was full of cutter marks inside, very rough but chrome lined. It shot like crap.

On how you're holding it, without seeing you shoot I can't comment.

[NewbieAKguy]

When I got my AK before the Clinton ban went into effect, I also had some "spam cans" of mil-surp HP and FMJ ammo. I made a "sled" from 2x6s and took it to the only public range I knew (at that time) in the Busch Wildlife center in St. Chas. county, MO. With the rifle in the sled, all I had to do is pull the trigger. With BOTH ammos, of the 5 shots at 100 yds., only TWO were even on the paper !! And this was from a ChiCom "Norinco National Match" rifle. This gun has a one piece stock, a "milled" receiver (not sheet metal), the barrel is slightly longer and thicker in diameter than standard barrels, and still shoots poorly.
At the time I did this, I had probably put less than 150 rounds through the rifle. And the manual says that the service life of the barrel is only about 6,000 rounds.

Dang.

[NewbieAKguy]

My Sar's, Rommy kit guns, Atlantic and lancaster AKs are pretty much 6-10 inch groups but my Vepr 545 with ALG trigger is better. I think my best was 5 inch but its been a few years.

Not really made for bench shooting accuracy but " minute of man" they are perfect.

I totally agree that AKs are not meant for bench rest shooting, but am I asking too much for groups to be smaller than 6" at 100yd? I've had the trigger swapped out for an ALG as well, but haven't had time to try it out again.

Also, congrats on your upcoming move to Idaho. My dad was stationed there when I was a kid, and from the pics I've seen I'd love to go back to site-see.

[NewbieAKguy]

It's been a while since measured shot groups but I remember there were in a bout the 6-8" realm. I don't remember the ammo. Gonna have to get to the range soon and let you know what my findings are. As far as the sore cheek/jaw, I shoot a Polish underfolder and usually have no issues, unless I put about 100 rounds down range. It may not be the position you are holding the rifle but the repeated shots fired. Especially if you are going through 30 rounds a go like I usually do. Just my thoughts.

I will try to get to the range soon and let you know.

So far I'm also on average getting mostly 6-8" groups, but there has been a flash of potential here and there. So far I've only tried Wolf Polyformance 123gr fmj, PPU 123gr fmj, and GECO 124gr fmj., all with using the original trigger (Tapco I'm guessing). As far as feeling like I'm getting punched in the face after each shot, still happens. I doubt it's the number of rounds shot because I can shoot my .308 AR the same number of times for groups and not get a sore cheek. The "punching" occurred both with the original wood stock it came with and the Magpul Zhukov stock I have on it now (for LoP adjustability).

[raxar]

So far I'm also on average getting mostly 6-8" groups, but there has been a flash of potential here and there. So far I've only tried Wolf Polyformance 123gr fmj, PPU 123gr fmj, and GECO 124gr fmj., all with using the original trigger (Tapco I'm guessing). As far as feeling like I'm getting punched in the face after each shot, still happens. I doubt it's the number of rounds shot because I can shoot my .308 AR the same number of times for groups and not get a sore cheek. The "punching" occurred both with the original wood stock it came with and the Magpul Zhukov stock I have on it now (for LoP adjustability).

I bought a bunch of the geco because it was on sale and I wanted the cases, out of the AR it wasn't any better than the wolf fodder.

[NewbieAKguy]

I bought a bunch of the geco because it was on sale and I wanted the cases, out of the AR it wasn't any better than the wolf fodder.

I bought 10 boxes of the GECO when AIM Surplus initially had it for sale at a reduced price ($7 or $8 a box I think) to try some brass cased that wasn't ridiculously priced like WWB at Wal-Mart.

[imanaknut]

In the for what it's worth category, the original specs for the Avtomat Kalashnikova called for an 8 inch group at 150 yards. Knowing what was supposed to be in the sights, an 8 inch group at that distance would work just fine.