The SKS rifle is a classic platform known for its rugged reliability, but its iron sights can limit its potential for precision shooting. Mounting a scope is the key to unlocking greater accuracy, whether you’re hunting deer or ringing steel at the range. However, finding the right scope mount for the SKS’s unique receiver design can be a challenge, with options ranging from simple side rails to full handguard replacement systems.
This roundup is designed to guide you through the best scope mounts available for your SKS. We’ve compiled a list of eight top-tier options to suit various needs, from the hunter seeking a low-profile solution to the tactical enthusiast wanting a modernized setup. Our goal is to help you find the perfect mount that offers a solid, repeatable zero and enhances your rifle’s capabilities without compromising its inherent durability.
Our Top Picks for SKS Scope Mounts
- 2017 Steel Dovetail Side Plate for Scope Mount
- ATI Mosin Nagant Monte Carlo Stock
- Matador Arms SABERTOOTH MKII Picatinny Rail Mount
- UTG SKS Side Mount, Medium Profile, Picatinny
- FAB Defense SKS Podium KeyMod Rail Mount System
- UTG SKS Pro Drop-In Quad Rail Forend
- NCStar SKS Receiver Mount, AK Style Side Rail
- Choate SKS Scope Mount, Drill and Tap Required
2017 Steel Dovetail Side Plate for Scope Mount
For those who prioritize a rock-solid foundation, the 2017 Steel Dovetail Side Plate is an excellent starting point. Its robust steel construction is designed for combat use, promising exceptional zero retention even under recoil. This durability makes it a favorite for shooters who demand reliability from their equipment.
A significant advantage of this mount is its universal compatibility. It fits both milled and stamped SKS receivers, eliminating the guesswork for owners of different rifle variants. Once installed, the integrated dovetail accepts a wide variety of standard rifle scope mounts, giving you the flexibility to choose the perfect ring height and style for your optic.
ATI Mosin Nagant Monte Carlo Stock
While technically for the Mosin Nagant, this ATI stock is included as an example of a full-system upgrade that replaces the need for a traditional mount. It easily converts a classic military rifle into a modern-looking hunting platform. The Monte Carlo design with a raised cheek piece is specifically shaped for use with a scoped rifle, promoting a consistent and comfortable cheek weld.
Beyond aesthetics, this stock offers functional benefits. It is constructed from DuPont Extreme Temperature glass-reinforced polymer for maximum strength and durability. The integrated Scorpion recoil pad is chemical-resistant and effectively absorbs impact, making shooting more comfortable and helping you get back on target faster by minimizing muzzle lift.
Matador Arms SABERTOOTH MKII Picatinny Rail Mount
The Matador Arms SABERTOOTH MKII is a top-tier option for shooters seeking a robust and modern mounting solution. This Picatinny rail mount replaces the factory rear sight leaf, providing a solid base that is directly integrated with the rifle’s receiver. This positioning offers a low-profile setup that is ideal for maintaining a proper cheek weld with standard stocks.
Its design focuses on strength and repeatability. By mounting directly to the receiver, it avoids the potential for shift that can occur with mounts attached to the dust cover. The full-length Picatinny rail gives you ample space to position your optic precisely where you need it, and the mount is built to withstand the SKS’s recoil while maintaining a consistent zero.
UTG SKS Side Mount, Medium Profile, Picatinny
UTG is known for providing reliable and affordable accessories, and their SKS Side Mount is a popular choice. This medium-profile mount attaches to the left side of the receiver, keeping the iron sights usable for a quick backup. The Picatinny rail offers a standardized platform for mounting a vast array of optics, from red dots to magnified scopes.
Constructed from high-grade aluminum alloy, this mount achieves a good balance between light weight and structural integrity. The medium profile positions your optic at a height that often works well with the standard SKS stock, providing a comfortable shooting position. It’s a straightforward solution for adding modern sighting capability without permanent modification.
FAB Defense SKS Podium KeyMod Rail Mount System
For the ultimate in modularity, the FAB Defense Podium system is a comprehensive rail solution. This mount replaces the entire top cover of your SKS with a robust, multi-rail platform featuring a long Picatinny top rail and KeyMod slots on the sides. This allows you to mount not just an optic, but also accessories like lights, lasers, and foregrips.
The system is engineered for a secure fit, addressing the common issue of loose dust covers that plague many SKS mounts. By creating a stable platform, it ensures your optic will hold zero. If you’re looking to build a tactical SKS with multiple modern accessories, the FAB Defense Podium offers the real estate and rigidity required.
UTG SKS Pro Drop-In Quad Rail Forend
If your primary goal is to add an optic like a red dot or a scout-style scope while freeing up the receiver, the UTG Pro Quad Rail Forend is a fantastic option. This is a drop-in replacement for the factory wooden forend, requiring no gunsmithing for installation. It features a full quad-rail system, giving you plenty of mounting options.
The integrated riser on the top rail is a key feature, as it is designed to co-witness with certain popular red dot sights and their low-profile mounts. This forend is constructed from durable aluminum with a matte black anodized finish, offering a lightweight yet sturdy platform for mounting your preferred close-to-medium range optic and other accessories.
NCStar SKS Receiver Mount, AK Style Side Rail
The NCStar SKS Receiver Mount offers a familiar solution for those accustomed to the AK platform. This mount installs an AK-style side rail onto your SKS receiver, opening up a world of compatibility with the vast number of optics mounts designed for AK rifles. This can be a major advantage for finding a specific mount or ring height.
Installation requires drilling and tapping the receiver, making it a permanent modification. However, this method results in an exceptionally strong connection. Once the rail is installed, you can easily attach and detach a compatible optic mount, making it a great choice if you want to quickly switch between optics or remove your scope for storage without losing your zero.
Choate SKS Scope Mount, Drill and Tap Required
The Choate scope mount is a classic, no-nonsense solution that has been trusted by SKS owners for years. This mount is renowned for its exceptional strength and reliability. It attaches directly to the left side of the receiver via a drilling and tapping process, creating a permanent and incredibly solid foundation for your scope.
Because it is bolted directly to the receiver, it virtually eliminates any chance of the mount shifting or losing zero, even under heavy use. This is a mount chosen by hunters and shooters who need absolute confidence in their equipment. While the installation is more involved, the payoff is a level of stability that is hard to match with other mounting systems.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Scope Mounts for SKS Rifles
Choosing the right scope mount for your SKS is a bit more involved than it is for a lot of modern rifles. The SKS wasn’t originally designed with optics in mind, so you have to work with its existing platform. I’ve found that focusing on a few key areas makes the decision much easier and saves a lot of headaches down the road.
First, you need to decide on the mounting system. The most common options replace the factory rear sight, attach to the receiver cover, or clamp onto the side rail (for models that have one). Receiver cover mounts are popular for their easy installation, but they can sometimes struggle with holding a perfect zero because the cover isn’t a fixed part of the rifle. Rear sight mounts are generally very solid since they lock into the same place your sight was, but they require you to remove that sight, which some people prefer to keep. If your SKS has a side rail, a mount that bolts directly to it is often your most robust and reliable choice.
Next, think about material and construction. I always look for mounts made from steel or high-grade aluminum. Steel is incredibly tough and handles the SKS’s recoil impulse without a problem, but it adds more weight. Aluminum mounts are lighter and can be plenty strong if they are well-machined. Avoid anything that feels flimsy or has visible casting lines; a good mount should feel like a solid piece of hardware.
Height over bore is another critical factor. This is the distance between the center of your scope and the center of your rifle’s barrel. A mount that sits too high will force you into an unnatural cheek weld, making it hard to get a consistent sight picture. Some mounts are designed to be extra-low, bringing the scope closer to the bore axis, which I find much more comfortable for shooting. You might need to pair a high mount with an aftermarket stock that has an adjustable cheek riser.
Finally, consider the return-to-zero capability. This is a huge one for me. Can you remove the mount and then reinstall it without losing your zero? This is vital for cleaning your SKS properly, as some mounting systems require you to take the receiver cover off. A mount that promises good RTZ saves you from re-sighting your optic every time you do basic maintenance. When you’re looking at the 8 best scope mounts for SKS rifles for Hunting Mark 2025, pay close attention to user reviews that specifically mention this feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most reliable type of SKS scope mount?
In my experience, the most reliable mounts are those that replace the factory rear sight. They bolt directly into the receiver where the old sight was, providing a very stable platform that isn’t prone to shifting. Receiver cover mounts are convenient but can sometimes lose zero because the cover itself has a little bit of play. If your SKS has the original side rail, a mount that securely bolts to it is also an excellent and very dependable choice.
Can I still use my iron sights with a scope mount installed?
It depends entirely on the mount you choose. Some receiver cover mounts are designed with a high profile specifically to allow you to see under the scope and use your iron sights. However, many rear sight replacement mounts and low-profile receiver mounts will completely block your iron sights. If using your irons as a backup is important to you, you’ll need to actively seek out a “see-through” or high-rise style mount.
Why does my scope lose zero on my SKS?
This is a common frustration. The most likely culprit is a loose mount. The sharp, distinct recoil of the 7.62x39mm round can shake things loose, so you need to make sure all the screws are properly torqued and secured, often with a thread-locking compound. If you’re using a receiver cover mount, the inherent wobble in the fit between the cover and the receiver can cause zeroing issues. Switching to a more solid mounting point, like the rear sight base, usually fixes this problem.
Do I need to drill and tap my SKS to install a scope mount?
Absolutely not, and I would advise against it. The vast majority of modern SKS scope mounts are designed to use the rifle’s existing hardware. They clamp on, replace a component like the rear sight, or bolt onto the pre-existing side rail. Drilling and tapping is a permanent modification that can hurt the rifle’s value and isn’t necessary to achieve a solid optic setup. When researching the 8 best scope mounts for SKS rifles for Hunting Mark 2025, you’ll see they are all non-permanent solutions.
What ring height should I get for my SKS scope mount?
This depends on the specific mount and the objective lens size of your scope. Most mounts are either a Picatinny or Weaver base, and you’ll need to buy rings separately. You want the lowest rings that still allow your scope’s objective bell to clear the barrel or rear sight base. A good starting point is often a set of low or medium-height rings. I always recommend test-fitting the scope without tightening everything down first to check for clearance.