[Tailback]

I witnessed a guy shoot an AK at a welding tank at just a little over 300 yards. He was hitting on a consistant basis.

BTW, I never said the AK isn't good within certain parameters. A high quality milled reciever AK is a fine SHTF weapon for someone that is more concerned about reliability and long term storage than a more precision instrument. You have to realize though that the guy that can hit 80% with an AK at 300 yards probably has the skills to hit 95% with an AR15, and could probably get in the 80% range at 500 yards with the same AR15 and ammo.

I often tell guys asking me for advice on what to buy to get a good AK or SKS. That being said, if a guy that has real skills and knows how to care for firearms asks me, I tell him to buy a high quality AR15.

[archy]

A high quality milled reciever AK is a fine SHTF weapon for someone that is more concerned about reliability and long term storage than a more precision instrument. You have to realize though that the guy that can hit 80% with an AK at 300 yards probably has the skills to hit 95% with an AR15, and could probably get in the 80% range at 500 yards with the same AR15 and ammo.

The stamped receiver of the SovBloc AKM was never meant for long range accuracy, and neither is the short 16 inch barrel; neither are the open sights with no windage adjustment particularly capable of precision work. But someone minimally skilled with an AK can also operate the 24-inch barrelled RPK, a horse of a very different colour, particularly when the 4-power 1P29 telescopic sight is used.

And at that point, if the shooter has demonstrated real skill and talent, the triggerpuller can move up to a SVD or SVDS sniper's rifle, if he or she is capable of dealing with the recoil from the more serious rifle.