I became a happy owner of NDM 86. Any tips from more experieced owners?

So I was able to get the previous front sight off with the tie rod puller after making a brass collar to give more grip area. See my update on my previous post for details of that. In short, it worked, I didn’t break or damage anything, but I don’t recommend that method.

Looking closely at the inside measurement of the FEG and Russian sight blocks, it appears the Russian’s holes will line up nicely when it’s pushed into place. The Russian block appears to have a pleasantly looser fit compared to the FEG, not too loose, but doesn’t seem to require major pressure until about 80% in place. The FEG was tight all the way off.

I’m probably going to at least attempt it to press it on with my little 1-2 ton arbor press, but after my last adventure removing the previous block, I’ve accepted that it may be worth it to grab that 20 ton Harbor freight press that’s on sale. One way or another, I think I’ll get it on.

My question is how to brace the gun while pressing. There’s a bunch of AK guides and videos, and specialty tools for populating an AK barrel, but pretty much nothing available for the SVD. So what would people who have done this sort of thing recommend? Is a barrel vise enough to hold the barrel while pushing on a sight block or will it just get pushed out? Is there a good way to brace the rear of the barrel or through the mag well? Is the rear of the milled receiver tough enough to receive the pressure without it bending somewhere in the middle?

Easier to brace the middle or rear of the gun and push the sight down onto the front, or place the sight block against a hard object and press the receiver and barrel down into it?

I have an FEG HD-18. Really enjoying it. Wanted to take the front site block off and replace it with the Russian Front sight and flash hider.

Finally found a good Russian front sight and flash hider, and started to take off the FEG front sight block.

Got the 2 pins out that hold it to the barrel, but can’t seem to get it to budge. There are no threads holding it on, right? I’ve tried warming it up a bit and encouraging it to come off with a rubber mallet. Any other tricks or suggestions I should know to get it off? Currently letting it sit with some penetrating oil to hopefully loosen it a bit.

I’m a new owner of this SVD (& VZ.61 because why not) and I was wondering if anyone had good results with any specific ammo brands and types. I’m going to a large gun range soon that has a long range to test the gun with. I know the scope isn’t super powerful but I thought it would be fun to see what the gun is capable of. Thanks in advance!

Hi all, I am about to receive my first SVD. It's a NDM-86 in 7.62x51. It comes with most of the extras, but it does not have a carrying case or a bipod. Does anyone know where I could get either? Preferably the real version of each, but I wouldn't mind fake if they are built well. I like the bipod that attaches right in front of the magazine and the case that is carried like a backpack. Any help is welcomed!

Anyone that has developed good hand loads for the 7,62x54r?

Im in the process of developing loads for both precision and hunting.

Fir hunting i have been making a leadfree load with Barnes TSX .311 projectiles with 44,5cm of norma 203b powder. The total length is 74,5mm. This gives groups (with my mediocre prone shooting) of 3,5x3,5cm

For precision i have tested loading with Lapua Scenar-L 175gn .308 projectiles on 45,5gn of norma 203b powder, total length of 76,5mm. These gives 5x5 groups on 200m, and seems to group better than S&B 180gn i have been shooting preciously.

Anyone else developing loads or experimenting with .308 bullets?

I shoot targets with Tula 148gr and hunt with PPU 150gr soft point.

California armory tiger finally got some use. Think I’m going to swap back to the plastic hand guard until I can make the wooden one match.

Hi!

I am worried abouta thing. Before buying it I didnt ask if the scope matched to the rifle sn. Should it have the same SN? What is the possibility that it doesnt match?

Someone have already done it ? If so how did you do it?

Why has no one made polymer mags for 7.62x54r svd?

Even svds or svdm use older metal mags

Has anybody tried to use an airsoft SVD cheek piece on a real wooden SVD stock? ~$30 is a lot easier to stomach than $200+ while ponying up for other Tigr -> SVD conversion components…

Where can you find quality parts and mags for svds? Preferably Europe so I don't have to deal with tax.

I'm thinking of getting a norinco svd in the near future but I want a better scope and mount than the og 4x that comes with it. Also want more mags. And a suppressor would be cool too eventually.