Before you get into any of that above does the rifle have a side mount attached to the receiver? There are a few options but I'd need to know what he has

As far as distance the 7.62x39 is tops a 500 yards but more realistically 300 - 400 yards. It's is by no means 150 yards as some will claim.

Using surplus ammo
FPS. Ft-lbs
Muzzle 2350/1508
100 yards2040/1136
200 yards 1755/841
300 yards1502/616
400 yards 1289/454
500 yards1129/348

At 500 yards it still has as much energy as a 9mm 124gr Gold Dot. The problem becomes the drop. It drops double what a 556 77gr does at 500 yards. At that distance the 7.62x39 drops 96 inches. Yea thats a big drop but if properly sighted in using the correct rear sight reading it takes a fraction of a second to sight in a 500 yard target by moving the rear sight up (elevation).

400 yards target using a none magnified red dot. The rifle is stamped. Milled vs stamped has no difference in practical accuracy.








I hate always having to defend the AK but there is so much BS out there. You will get plenty of sincere accuracy past 100 yards. Just don't expect to do it with garbage ammo.

Lapua at 100 yards.


At 200 yards standing





And at 400 yards posted above.


A lot of these "facts" come from people that don't know how to sight it in, or just repeat what others say. I once heard someone say the Soviets designed the AK to use any caliber without modification. ....I'd love to see someone try that! This is about the same as those "facts" about the M1 carbine not being able to penetrate heavy clothes dispite have as much energy at 100 yards as a 357 at 25.