Speaking as one who has actually shot at 500-yard distances (USMC Parris Island, using an M-14 with only iron sights, under favorable weather conditions, from a prone position, and carefully taking my shots), I can confirm that it is a challenging thing to hit a target at that distance. You have to gauge wind, control breathing, focus intently, not jerk the trigger but squeeeeeeze... and every element has to come together, to even get on the target board.
Your average AK-47 is a loose fitting rifle that (IMHO) simply doesn't have the kind of build that would make it a good sniper rifle at long ranges...and the 7.62x39 round is also inadequate for that distance. It's POSSIBLE but UNLIKELY that the dude had the rifle tuned with floating the barrel, but since AK barrels are either pinned in or screwed into the receiver, this is unlikely. And that particular round after leaving the muzzle at approx. 1,600fps (feet per second) is going to lose velocity at a rapid rate, and at 200 yards lacks much penetrating power.
AK's (and their earlier rifles the SKS) are more for close-in combat or urban combat. Very effective at 50 to 150 yard ranges, but not much beyond that.
When I heard that the would-be shooter was at about 500 yards with an AK-47, I realized that even with a scope, hitting anything accurately would be mostly a matter of luck. Florida in general, and West Palm Beach in particular (I've visited there several times) is a rather windy place. At 500 yds the winds would do incalculable things to a ballistic trajectory, and unless you have a fine-tuned rifle, know sniping methods that most humans don't possess, and have trained for such a shot for many hours, that shot would be mostly impossible for an AK rifle and that particular ammo.
Your mileage may vary, others may have different opinions, but take all that as you will.
Yes, as I recall about 11 or 12 pounds, then add a 20-round full magazine and you're talking weight.
The replacement M-16 was much lighter, but it lacked the ballistic power of the M-14. Two different calibers, .308 [or 7.62x51 NATO) in the M-14 and 5.56mm in the M-16.
The M-14 could punch through a moderate size tree, but that same tree would simply absorb the 5.56 bullet.
The M-14 was designed off of the old M-1 WWII battle rifle, which was superior to the German 98 Mauser in fire power, but the M-14 was inadequate for jungle warfare or urban warfare.
All of these statements are my opinions, but I'm pretty sure I'm right on most of the details.
The first thing that jumped out at me was... "AK-47 with a scope" .
I don't knowmuch about weapons, but I didn't think an AK was accurate at that range (300-500 yards) even with a scope.
Why would a pseudo-military fanatic with ties to Ukraine and access to weapons chhoose THAT weapon?
Speaking as one who has actually shot at 500-yard distances (USMC Parris Island, using an M-14 with only iron sights, under favorable weather conditions, from a prone position, and carefully taking my shots), I can confirm that it is a challenging thing to hit a target at that distance. You have to gauge wind, control breathing, focus intently, not jerk the trigger but squeeeeeeze... and every element has to come together, to even get on the target board.
Your average AK-47 is a loose fitting rifle that (IMHO) simply doesn't have the kind of build that would make it a good sniper rifle at long ranges...and the 7.62x39 round is also inadequate for that distance. It's POSSIBLE but UNLIKELY that the dude had the rifle tuned with floating the barrel, but since AK barrels are either pinned in or screwed into the receiver, this is unlikely. And that particular round after leaving the muzzle at approx. 1,600fps (feet per second) is going to lose velocity at a rapid rate, and at 200 yards lacks much penetrating power.
AK's (and their earlier rifles the SKS) are more for close-in combat or urban combat. Very effective at 50 to 150 yard ranges, but not much beyond that.
When I heard that the would-be shooter was at about 500 yards with an AK-47, I realized that even with a scope, hitting anything accurately would be mostly a matter of luck. Florida in general, and West Palm Beach in particular (I've visited there several times) is a rather windy place. At 500 yds the winds would do incalculable things to a ballistic trajectory, and unless you have a fine-tuned rifle, know sniping methods that most humans don't possess, and have trained for such a shot for many hours, that shot would be mostly impossible for an AK rifle and that particular ammo.
Your mileage may vary, others may have different opinions, but take all that as you will.
I want you on my team when the shtf!
Thanks
Those M14's were heavy weren't they?
Yes, as I recall about 11 or 12 pounds, then add a 20-round full magazine and you're talking weight.
The replacement M-16 was much lighter, but it lacked the ballistic power of the M-14. Two different calibers, .308 [or 7.62x51 NATO) in the M-14 and 5.56mm in the M-16.
The M-14 could punch through a moderate size tree, but that same tree would simply absorb the 5.56 bullet.
The M-14 was designed off of the old M-1 WWII battle rifle, which was superior to the German 98 Mauser in fire power, but the M-14 was inadequate for jungle warfare or urban warfare.
All of these statements are my opinions, but I'm pretty sure I'm right on most of the details.