Scoping an AK....

[braddock88]

I've always used iron sights on all my rifles and decided to play around with optics. I have a c39v2 that I think is a good candidate because it has the return to zero rail and I got a midwest industries scope rail when I got it. So I ended up grabbing a vortex diamondback 4-12x40 to throw on it. I went with a cantilever mount for more forward and backwards travel and currently have it installed backwards to get more forward travel to have it mounted in a position that suits my natural position while shooting. Havnt taken it out to zero it yet (probably will this coming weekend) but I'm curious about a couple things before I get out there. Mainly I'm curious if theres any issues having the scope so high over the barrel. I currently it's about 3.5" over the barrel. It looks like I can maybe drop it about a half inch with a lower mount but I'm going to see how it works with the current setup. Should I expect any issues from the height over bore? Any tips you guys have for zeroing in on an ak with its naturally high position of the scope? I'm planning to zero at 25 yards before i take it over to set my final zero at 100 yards. I have a cheaper laser bore sight that should get me on paper at 25 yards. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Hodgie]

I’m in for any advise on this topic as well. I’m thinking about doing the same thing only with a 1x8 or 1x10 LVPO for coyote hunting this fall.

[Onepoint]

As with any rifle that has a high sight line there will be a significant POI shift between 25 yds and 100.  According to my calculator it may be as much as 8".

Over the years I have went to the receiver cover mounts over the side mounts just because they are a little lower.   I tend to use low power scopes, which are shorter so I avoid the eye relief issues for the most part.  Side mounts are nice if you are wanting to remove them quickly.  AKs are just not all that op[tic friendly, but workable allowing some trade off.

[Toad]

Having a side mount is the way to go. The Russian and Venezuelan aftermarket aftermarket does have mounts available that will put a rail on center bore and right on top of the receiver cover. Going toward the PSOP stuff will still give you height and left of bore issues depending on the scope.

[Rocketvapor]

I'm planning to zero at 25 yards before i take it over to set my final zero at 100 yards. I have a cheaper laser bore sight that should get me on paper at 25 yards. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

With the scope center line 3.5 inches above bore centerline,

You probably want to try for a 25yd zero with POI about 2 to 3 inches BELOW POA.
Think of both the sight line and the Bore as a perfectly straight lines disregarding bullet drop for now.
 
If you view the Laser on the 25 yd target you are starting off with the laser 3.5 inches below the scope. 
Bringing the Laser up to the scope zero would raise the Bore 3.5 inches for each 25 yds, or about 14 inches at 100 yards, resulting in 10.5 inches high @ 100 yards.  With an inch or so of bullet drop you will be 9 inches high at 100yds. 

Try a minus 2.5 inch zero at 25 yards (bullet impact @25 yards 2.5 inches below POA, the bore center (Laser) will come up one inch per 25 yds from 3.5 inches at the muzzle, 2.5 inches low @ 25yd, 1.5 inches at 50yds, 0.5 low @ 75 yds, and be about 0.5 inches high@ 100 yards.  Now toss in bullet drop of 1 to 1.5 inches and you will be close. 
What's the 100 yard bullet drop for an AK?

[jason bourne]

On one I have a Midwest side mount with a red dot and it has been great. I also have a ultimak rail on another one that has also been great. I had a LPVO but swapped it onto an AR.

[SweaT-Rex]

I own 6 AKs.  5 of them have RS Regulate optic mounts.  My WASR UF truck gun has a Texas Weapons Systems dust cover rail which is stable enough for red dots.  There is no more solid, well engineered, adaptable/versatile, QR system for the AK than RS.  Pay once, cry once, regret never.

[braddock88]

Finally got out the the range with the scope. About 2" groups at 100yds with wolf military classic. Betting I can get tighter groups with some better ammo and upgrading my fcg probably wouldnt hurt. All in all I'm very satisfied. Was my first time sighting in an optic on any rifle and had no issues. Thanks for all the tips and advice guys!

[braddock88]

I have a midwest industries mount that attaches to the scope mount on the left side of the reciever.