SVD rifle

C

CarrieDe

Private
Minuteman
Jan 26, 2025
15
6
Texas
#1
Just to share, my favorite rifle. No it's not a long range precision milling machine, but it's what I'm most comfortable with. I've struggled to find anywhere I can bring it to really stretch its legs unfortunately. Most of the ranges here don't allow this type of rifle or optic, deeming it not good enough for them.
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The thermal I managed to find for it is no slouch either, easily one of the most interesting optics I could have found for it.
 
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#2
What’s wrong with the rifle, does it go bang and hit the target? This does not make sense. It could be how you want to shoot. Please explain the issues. Decent looking rifle, not my cup of tea, but not that out there.
 
#3
oldrifleman said:
What’s wrong with the rifle, does it go bang and hit the target? This does not make sense. It could be how you want to shoot. Please explain the issues.
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They expressly tell me the optic is unacceptable because "mil dot only. BDC is not allowed." And "we require optics that can make accurate range estimation." Despite the PSO having its own built in rangefinder. Discussions never get as far as how I want to shoot (no intent to blast away accuracy by volume, it isn't a GPMG.) It stops the moment the reticle isn't mildot.
 
#4
CarrieDe said:
They expressly tell me the optic is unacceptable because "mil dot only. BDC is not allowed." And "we require optics that can make accurate range estimation." Despite the PSO having its own built in rangefinder. Discussions never get as far as how I want to shoot (no intent to blast away accuracy by volume, it isn't a GPMG.) It stops the moment the reticle isn't mildot.
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Never heard of someone doing this, find a better range or get a better story. No range I have ever been to cares what the scope type is. The only requirement is to be able to hit the target! Something smells weird here.
 
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#6
oldrifleman said:
Never heard of someone doing this, find a better range or get a better story. No range I have ever been to cares what the scope type is. The only requirement is to be able to hit the target! Something smells weird here.
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Names and range redacted, as despite this I'm not trying to slander them even if the rule is yes stupid. If you insist for some reason on verifying my story, as the implied disbelief I pick up implies, I'll DM it.

hlee said:
Where are you located? What range? I’ve also never run into an issue regarding the type of reticle. Sounds like a bunch of Fudds metaphorically kicking sand into your dirty communist rifle.
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Located out between Sherman and Paris. Considering the usual types of long range places here, they all seem to be geared to the ELR super precision type of usage.
Unfortunately, my experience so far has been that ranges are geared to either long range or short range carbine CQB, and rifles like this are just an in between space nobody seems to care much about.
 

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#7
Is this a public range or a “gun club?”

The email says private lesson. I’m not surprised someone would balk- instructors are not SMEs in how all scopes work- especially esoteric foreign military-surplus scopes. Every BDC is different, and few of them work particularly well. Minute of man is generally the goal. Every mrad based scope/reticle works close enough to the same that you and your instructor can be speaking the same language with a minimum of hassle. That is not the case with some random imported mil-surp scope.

And if this is a NRA highpower or F-class focused range, you engaged the end boss of mega-Fudds.
 
#8
hlee said:
Is this a public range or a “gun club?”

The email says private lesson. I’m not surprised someone would balk- instructors are not SMEs in how all scopes work- especially esoteric foreign military-surplus scopes. Every BDC is different, and few of them work particularly well. Minute of man is generally the goal. Every mrad based scope/reticle works close enough to the same that you and your instructor can be speaking the same language with a minimum of hassle. That is not the case with some random imported mil-surp scope.

And if this is a NRA highpower or F-class focused range, you engaged the end boss of mega-Fudds.
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It's a public range, not a club.
Yes the email references private lessons, but their group lessons also prohibit BDC reticles.
Unfortunately that's beside the point, as they clearly say the reticle isn't allowed to be used in the long range section, period.
Yes, it's absurd. The reactions I saw here told me all I needed to know.
 
#9
pretty absurd, but it does present you an opportunity. you could try the SVD with a modern optic without too much difficulty, and handloading it does produce some pretty dramatic performance increases. If they still refuse you, then you know what is actually going on.

there are a couple of companies that make quality dovetail to picatinny mounts specifically for the SVD. The FAB defense one I can vouch from personal experience is good.

Lapua 54R (53R, Same thing just a weird finn thing), ammo or reloading components will tighten up the groups considerably, and you can still always slide off the optic and throw the PSO back on without losing your zeros.
 
#10
WindstormSCR said:
pretty absurd, but it does present you an opportunity. you could try the SVD with a modern optic without too much difficulty, and handloading it does produce some pretty dramatic performance increases. If they still refuse you, then you know what is actually going on.

there are a couple of companies that make quality dovetail to picatinny mounts specifically for the SVD. The FAB defense one I can vouch from personal experience is good.

Lapua 54R (53R, Same thing just a weird finn thing), ammo or reloading components will tighten up the groups considerably, and you can still always slide off the optic and throw the PSO back on without losing your zeros.
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I had thought about it! I'd likely pick out an NPZ or SSAG side rail adapter. Admittedly one of the things I like most about the PSO is the BDC turret and the rangefinder. I know, not precision rifle at all. The intention was to hit the bad guy in the anything with minimal training for the user.
Still, it's not out of the question. It just changes the rifle's use case for me.
As for groups, it's been surprisingly good. I can reliably get around 1.25 MOA when I'm using nice ammo. I haven't had much luck with loading for it yet. The projectiles I tried did not play nice with it. Some Lehigh solid copper match for one took it to 2.3MOA.
 
#11
CarrieDe said:
They expressly tell me the optic is unacceptable because "mil dot only. BDC is not allowed." And "we require optics that can make accurate range estimation." Despite the PSO having its own built in rangefinder. Discussions never get as far as how I want to shoot (no intent to blast away accuracy by volume, it isn't a GPMG.) It stops the moment the reticle isn't mildot.
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Tell them the Cyrillic on the dials is Russian for 1 click is 1/2 mil.

Unless they speak Russian how will they prove you wrong?
 
#12
CarrieDe said:
I had thought about it! I'd likely pick out an NPZ or SSAG side rail adapter. Admittedly one of the things I like most about the PSO is the BDC turret and the rangefinder. I know, not precision rifle at all. The intention was to hit the bad guy in the anything with minimal training for the user.
Still, it's not out of the question. It just changes the rifle's use case for me.
As for groups, it's been surprisingly good. I can reliably get around 1.25 MOA when I'm using nice ammo. I haven't had much luck with loading for it yet. The projectiles I tried did not play nice with it. Some Lehigh solid copper match for one took it to 2.3MOA.
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one thing you'll want to do is slug your barrel and see if it's a proper .312 bore or if it's closer to .310 or .311, that will help figure out what loadings will work best
 
#13
Ridiculous -- especially for a public range.

I've fired the SVD and FPK and find them both capable rifles to at least 500 Meters. They balance and carry nicely for real-world military field application.

One of my Special Forces ODAs did a precision shooting training trip to India. At the end-of-course final fires our Indian Army soldiers outshot National Security Group policemen shooting HK PSG-1s.

People are more important than hardware.
 
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#14
Maybe I missed it, but how far were you hoping to shoot this (pretty cool) rifle?

For the life of me I can’t figure out why they care about the scope. Henry over at Nine Hole Reviews uses irons and weird old scopes to go out to 500-1000yds, and sometimes beyond. Of course he uses nice modern FFP stuff too.
 
#15
Plan a vacation to TN and shoot it at Dead Zero. They’ll be glad to have you.

I will say they’ll make you prove your ability on steel before they let you shoot at the electronic targets, but no dopey rules as far as reticle.

They get a lot of Fudd traffic that just bought a savage/vortex 6.5 Creedmoor at Sportsman’s Warehouse or wherever in Chattanooga that immediately want to shoot at 1,000 yards and bust sensors on the electronic targets, hence the rule about shooting steel first.
 
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#16
carbonbased said:
Maybe I missed it, but how far were you hoping to shoot this (pretty cool) rifle?

For the life of me I can’t figure out why they care about the scope. Henry over at Nine Hole Reviews uses irons and weird old scopes to go out to 500-1000yds, and sometimes beyond. Of course he uses nice modern FFP stuff too.
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Henry shoots at The Ranch in Eagle Lake Texas. That is a pretty expensive private club. Before that, he shot at the CCC Shooting Range in Navasota. This is also a relatively expensive private range. A public range is bringing a much higher fraction of randos, and I’m not totally surprised that some put in pretty draconian rules to minimize bullets flying over their berms and off property.

Heck, I shot at one range that only allows the shooters to load a single round into the rifle at a time.
 
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#17
If you don't mind driving there's CCC Shooting Complex near Navasota. They have steel to 1400 yards and is one of the ranges where Henry (Nine-Hole Reviews) shoots youtube vids. They also shoot at The Ranch near Eagle Lake but I've never been there.

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The Ranch:

8189f0_e90b1db1d6324baea044a061b5741ea6~mv2.png
 
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#18
carbonbased said:
Maybe I missed it, but how far were you hoping to shoot this (pretty cool) rifle?

For the life of me I can’t figure out why they care about the scope. Henry over at Nine Hole Reviews uses irons and weird old scopes to go out to 500-1000yds, and sometimes beyond. Of course he uses nice modern FFP stuff too.
Click to expand...
I had hoped for up to 800 meters or so. I may have gotten a foot in with someone local, bypassing the official qualification. Then it'll be on me to be able to perform at range.

sinister said:
If you don't mind driving there's CCC Shooting Complex near Navasota. They have steel to 1400 yards and is one of the ranges where Henry (Nine-Hole Reviews) shoots youtube vids. They also shoot at The Ranch near Eagle Lake but I've never been there.

474778689_3455617367904217_5976055442971244677_n.jpg


The Ranch:

8189f0_e90b1db1d6324baea044a061b5741ea6~mv2.png
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I had seen those, but unfortunately the animals I keep mean I can't be away for quite so long. That's easily a four or five hour drive each way. Thanks for the suggestions though. If I were closer they'd be ideal. Thanks folks.
 
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#24
ggmanning said:
It's a dated sub par performer against any decent bolt gun and a good many semis's today especially past about 600 yds.
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It's performing just fine for me within its expected uses. No it's not one ragged hole at 900 meters. It's not meant to be. It is however quite capable at easily hitting the target at range. Calling mine sub par because it doesn't meet your expectations is frankly a stupid take. I could call you useless for not knowing how to deliver a calf or how to milk the cow, but that would be equally stupid.
tl;dr don't mock my perfectly good rifle because it doesn't meet your specific standards.
 
#25
CarrieDe said:
It's performing just fine for me within its expected uses. No it's not one ragged hole at 900 meters. It's not meant to be. It is however quite capable at easily hitting the target at range. Calling mine sub par because it doesn't meet your expectations is frankly a stupid take. I could call you useless for not knowing how to deliver a calf or how to milk the cow, but that would be equally stupid.
tl;dr don't mock my perfectly good rifle because it doesn't meet your specific standards.
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You live in Texas, evidently raise cows and can't find a place to stretch out a 700 yard platform. No gun range in Texas that allows the rifle or your optic because it's not good enough? You don't have a pasture to shoot the sane range of that platform? Gotta call complete bullshit. Useless is coming to a site with a lot of intelligent well versed shooters from all over the country with that kind of silliness.

I am a cow farmer myself and have a couple mini Jersey milkers for the family.....so much your the analogy.

No shade on your weapon choice. I love some sub par not modern calibers and platforms myself. Its the whole most ranges don't allow my optic and gun stuff thats just not believable.....or your sole dedication to that platform.....or member for 8 months and first posts in a flurry this week...or that you can't stretch it out on your own place in between hay, milking and delivering that rare stuck calf.
 
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#26
ggmanning said:
You live in Texas, evidently raise cows and can't find a place to stretch out a 700 yard platform. No gun range in Texas that allows the rifle or your optic because it's not good enough? You don't have a pasture to shoot the sane range of that platform? Gotta call complete bullshit. Useless is coming to a site with a lot of intelligent well versed shooters from all over the country with that kind of silliness.

I am a cow farmer myself and have a couple mini Jersey milkers for the family.....so much your the analogy.

No shade on your weapon choice. I love some sub par not modern calibers and platforms myself. Its the whole most ranges don't allow my optic and gun stuff thats just not believable.....or your sole dedication to that platform.....or member for 8 months and first posts in a flurry this week...or that you can't stretch it out on your own place in between hay, milking and delivering that rare stuck calf.
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See my email attached above. Here, since you insist on calling me full of shit, here you go here's a link to the specific page on the range in question. https://fossilpointe.net/long-range-rifle Check the qualification procedures tab. Says right in there. "No BDC reticles."
My pasture is not large enough for enough space to stretch that out, maxing out around 180ish meters.
Good for you. I legitimately love jerseys and the cocky "I'm the best thing around." attitude. That aside, you can get the point of the analogy regardless. If you can't then, well I can't help you.
Yes, I did have the account for a while and just never did much with it. Does that somehow invalidate the point? The entire purpose of this post was "Here's what I have and I like it."
 
#27
CarrieDe said:
See my email attached above. Here, since you insist on calling me full of shit, here you go here's a link to the specific page on the range in question. https://fossilpointe.net/long-range-rifle Check the qualification procedures tab. Says right in there. "No BDC reticles."
My pasture is not large enough for enough space to stretch that out, maxing out around 180ish meters.
Good for you. I legitimately love jerseys and the cocky "I'm the best thing around." attitude. That aside, you can get the point of the analogy regardless. If you can't then, well I can't help you.
Yes, I did have the account for a while and just never did much with it. Does that somehow invalidate the point? The entire purpose of this post was "Here's what I have and I like it."
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You are by in Texas and measure distance in Meters? That’s strike 1
 
#31
i had a zastava m76 and miss it. these rifles weren’t designed to punch little groups on paper. they are a dmr rifle and well suited to that role
 
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