SVD rifle

[CarrieDe]

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.

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.

 

[oldrifleman]

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.

 

[CarrieDe]

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.

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.

 

[oldrifleman]

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.

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.

 

[hlee]

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.

 

[CarrieDe]

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

[hlee]

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.

 

[CarrieDe]

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.

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.

 

[WindstormSCR]

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.

 

[CarrieDe]

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.

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.

 

[MK20]

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.

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?

 

[WindstormSCR]

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.

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

 

[sinister]

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.